Disentangling Plant-Animal Interactions into Complex Networks: A Multi-view Approach and Perspectives

Luna, Pedro; Dáttilo, Wesley

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-66877-8_10

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…Recently, there has been a growing interest in how current environmental conditions explain species interactions, particularly the organisational properties of interaction networks (reviewed by Luna & Dáttilo, 2021). Our prediction that the trophic specialisation of the flower‐visitor network would be negatively related to temperature was not supported, as none of our trophic specialisation indices were related to the current temperature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global trends in the trophic specialisation of flower‐visitor networks are explained by current and historical climate

et al. 2021

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Trophic specialisation is known to vary across space, but the environmental factors explaining such variation remain elusive. Here we used a global dataset of flower‐visitor networks to evaluate how trophic specialisation varies between latitudinal zones (tropical and temperate) and across elevation gradients, while considering the environmental variation inherent in these spatial gradients. Specifically, we assessed the role of current (i.e., net primary productivity, temperature, and precipitation) and historical (i.e., temperature and precipitation stability) environmental factors in structuring the trophic specialisation of floral visitors. Spatial variations in trophic specialisation were not explained by latitudinal zones or elevation. Moreover, regardless of network location on the spatial gradient, there was a tendency for higher trophic specialisation in sites with high productivity and precipitation, whereas historical temperature stability was related to lower trophic specialisation. We highlight that both energetic constraints in animal foraging imposed by climate and resource availability may drive the global variation in trophic specialisation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global trends in the trophic specialisation of flower‐visitor networks are explained by current and historical climate

et al. 2021

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“…This implies that for an ecological interaction to occur, certain conditions must be met. These conditions may include the coexistence of the interacting species in space or time, as well as their ability to overcome ecological filters such as environmental, morphological, disturbance or behavioural factors and even other types of interactions like predation or competition that may limit or facilitate the realization of an interaction (Luna & Dáttilo, 2021; Poisot et al, 2015; Tylianakis & Morris, 2017). For example, a floral visitor that is active in the morning can never interact with a plant that blooms at night, even though both co‐occur (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature dissimilarity drives flower–visitor interaction turnover across elevation in the Mexican Transition Zone

Luna

Villalobos

Escobar

et al. 2023

Journal of Biogeography

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AimMost biodiversity studies have considered species to be isolated entities, neglecting the fact that their biotic interactions and spatial variation are fundamental to their persistence across elevational gradients. Here, using a standardized sampling methodology, we evaluated how and why the composition of flower–visitor interactions (i.e. beta diversity) varies over an extensive elevational gradient. Specifically, we aimed to identify which biotic (species turnover) and abiotic factors (temperature, precipitation and primary productivity) inherent to elevational gradients can explain the distribution of floral visitor–plant interactions.LocationMexican Transition Zone.TaxonAngiosperms, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera.MethodsWe sampled ecological interactions between floral visitors and flowering plants at 10 sites along an elevational gradient from 4 to 3425 m.a.s.l. We measured the additive partitioning of the beta diversity of species interactions and used generalized dissimilarity modelling to assess how spatial and environmental factors can explain the observed dissimilarity.ResultsWe found that the composition of interactions between floral visitors and plant species differs from lowlands to highlands mainly due to differences in temperature across the studied elevation gradient, rather than geographical distance or other environmental factors (i.e. mean annual precipitation and net primary productivity). We also observed that the main component of the beta diversity of interactions was interaction turnover driven by the turnover of both plants and floral visitors along the elevation gradient studied, which may be influenced by both temperature and the biogeographical affinity of biotas.Main ConclusionsWe conclude that environmental filters play a crucial role in the establishment of novel interactions, as temperature can filter species and impact the behaviour and traits of floral visitors and plants across an elevational gradient. These findings underscore the importance of considering the role of abiotic factors in predicting and explaining the distribution of species interactions across different elevational gradients.

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“…have proved their utility for identifying and expanding knowledge on PAI across numerous species groups, research questions, and intended outcomes (ecological or evolutionary fundamental knowledge, agricultural/horticultural production, conservation management, and action plans). Yet historically, most studies on PAI generally focus on pairs of species (e.g., plant–insect) (Herrera & Pellmyr, 2009), and thus, the ecologically complex interactions between species groups (e.g., plant–nematode–insect) remain less understood (Luna & Dáttilo, 2021). Indeed, numerous animal species are interconnected with plants, they may coexist or not but still have potential impacts on each other across their network (Luna & Dáttilo, 2021).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet historically, most studies on PAI generally focus on pairs of species (e.g., plant–insect) (Herrera & Pellmyr, 2009), and thus, the ecologically complex interactions between species groups (e.g., plant–nematode–insect) remain less understood (Luna & Dáttilo, 2021). Indeed, numerous animal species are interconnected with plants, they may coexist or not but still have potential impacts on each other across their network (Luna & Dáttilo, 2021). These interactions are dynamic processes, and thus, their subsequent observation is often difficult using discrete means of data collection.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant–animal interactions in the era of environmental DNA (eDNA)—A review

et al. 2022

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Plant-animal interactions (PAI) represent major channels of energy transfer through ecosystems, where both positive and antagonistic interactions simultaneously contribute to ecosystem functioning. Monitoring PAI therefore increases the understanding of environmental health, integrity, and functioning, and studying complex interactions through accurate, cost-effective sampling can aid in the management of detrimental anthropogenic impacts. Environmental DNA (eDNA)-based monitoring represents an increasingly common, nondestructive approach for biodiversity monitoring, which could help to elucidate PAI. Here, we aim to provide an overall discussion on the potential of using eDNA to study PAI. We assessed the existing literature on this subject from 2009 to 2021 using a freely accessible web search tool. The search was conducted by using keywords involving eDNA and PAI, including both speciesspecific and metabarcoding approaches, recovering 43 studies. We summarized the advantages and current limitations of such approaches, and we outline research priorities to improve future eDNA-based methods for PAI analysis. Among the 43 studies identified using eDNA to measure PAI such as pollination, herbivory, mutualistic, and parasitic relationships, they have often identified higher taxonomic diversity in several direct comparisons with DNA-based gut/bulk sampling and conventional survey methods. Research needs include the following: better understanding of the influencing factors of eDNA detection involved in PAI (e.g., eDNA degradation, origin, and types), methodological standardization (sampling methods and primer development), and more inclusive sequence reference databases. If these research priorities are addressed, it will have a significant impact to enable PAI biodiversity monitoring with eDNA. In the future, the implementation of eDNA methods to study PAI can particularly benefit the scalability of environmental biomonitoring surveys that are imperative for ecosystem health assessments.

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Disentangling Plant-Animal Interactions into Complex Networks: A Multi-view Approach and Perspectives

Cited by 11 publications

References 76 publications

Global trends in the trophic specialisation of flower‐visitor networks are explained by current and historical climate

Global trends in the trophic specialisation of flower‐visitor networks are explained by current and historical climate

Temperature dissimilarity drives flower–visitor interaction turnover across elevation in the Mexican Transition Zone

Plant–animal interactions in the era of environmental DNA (eDNA)—A review

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