Intraspecific leaf trait variability along a boreal-to-tropical community diversity gradient

Bastías, Cristina C.; Fortunel, Claire; Valladares, Fernando; Baraloto, Christopher; Benavides, Raquel; Cornwell, William K.; Markesteijn, Lars; Oliveira, Alexandre Adalardo de; Sansevero, Jerônimo Boelsums Barreto; Vaz, Marcel C.; Kraft, Nathan J. B.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172495

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…However, a recent study across a large latitudinal gradient did not find greater individual variation with higher species diversity (Bastias et al . ). Second, we found that higher phenotypic variability in non‐preferred habitats can only foster coexistence if the variance of the inferior competitor is high relative to that of the superior competitor, enabling the inferior competitor to persist.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…), most empirical studies of species coexistence have ignored the role of individual variation (but see Clark ; Siefert ; Bastias et al . ). Ignoring IV is justifiable if it has no influence on coexistence, but problematic if IV affects coexistence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Despite increasing evidence that intraspecific individual variation (IV) accounts for a substantial portion of total variation in natural communities (Messier et al 2010;Violle et al 2012;Siefert et al 2015;Funk et al 2017), most empirical studies of species coexistence have ignored the role of individual variation (but see Clark 2010;Siefert 2012;Bastias et al 2017). Ignoring IV is justifiable if it has no influence on coexistence, but problematic if IV affects coexistence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variation between individuals fosters regional species coexistence

Uriarte

Menge

2018

Ecology Letters

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Although individual-level variation (IV) is ubiquitous in nature, it is not clear how it influences species coexistence. Theory predicts that IV will hinder coexistence but empirical studies have shown that it can facilitate, inhibit, or have a neutral effect. We use a theoretical model to explore the consequences of IV on local and regional species coexistence in the context of spatial environmental structure. Our results show that individual variation can have a positive effect on species coexistence and that this effect will critically depend on the spatial structure of such variation. IV facilitates coexistence when a negative, concave-up relationship between individuals' competitive response and population growth rates propagates to a disproportionate advantage for the inferior competitor, provided that each species specialises in a habitat. While greater variation in the preferred habitat generally fosters coexistence, the opposite is true for non-preferred habitats. Our results reconcile theory with empirical findings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variation between individuals fosters regional species coexistence

Uriarte

Menge

2018

Ecology Letters

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“…However, at higher PPFD the photosynthetic ( A max and WUE i ) and photochemical (ΦPSII, ETR and qP) responses were significantly higher in HL‐acclimated plants, suggesting that G. avellana can behave as a light‐demanding species which is flexible enough to grow under LL. There is a growing understanding of late that high intraspecific variability in leaf traits plays a critical role in the ecological breadth and competitive ability of species (Clark, ; Valladares et al ., ; Bastias et al ., ). This is further supported by our observations on morphological and physiological variation along light gradients in G. avellana (Ostria‐Gallardo et al ., , and the present study).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Decoding the gene coexpression network underlying the ability of Gevuina avellana to live in diverse light conditions

et al. 2018

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Gevuina avellana (Proteaceae) is a typical tree from the South American temperate rainforest. Although this species mostly regenerates in shaded understories, it exhibits an exceptional ecological breadth, being able to live under a wide range of light conditions. Here we studied the genetic basis that underlies physiological acclimation of the photosynthetic responses of G. avellana under contrasting light conditions. We analyzed carbon assimilation and light energy used for photochemical processes in plants acclimated to contrasting light conditions. Also, we used a transcriptional profile of leaf primordia from G. avellana saplings growing under different light environments in their natural habitat, to identify the gene coexpression network underpinning photosynthetic performance and light-related processes. The photosynthetic parameters revealed optimal performance regardless of light conditions. Strikingly, the mechanism involved in dissipation of excess light energy showed no significant differences between high- and low-light-acclimated plants. The gene coexpression network defined a community structure consistent with the photochemical responses, including genes involved mainly in assembly and functioning of photosystems, photoprotection, and retrograde signaling. This ecophysiological genomics approach improves our understanding of the intraspecific variability that allows G. avellana to have optimal photochemical and photoprotective mechanisms in the diverse light habitats it encounters in nature.

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“…This may also explain the conflicting results obtained in recent studies. While some studies support equalizing mechanisms as drivers of community assembly (more trait overlap in species‐rich communities, for example, Le Bagousse‐Pinguet et al, ; Li et al, ), others better support niche theory (less trait overlap in species‐rich communities, for example, Siefert et al, ; Kumordzi et al, ) or neutral theory (no change, Bastias et al, ). These studies are, however, all focused on plant communities, communities that are typically richer than the ones presented here (3‐12 species per pond; e.g., Bastias et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intraspecific and interspecific trait variability in tadpole meta‐communities from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest

Jordani

Mouquet

Casatti

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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A better understanding of species coexistence and community dynamics may benefit from more insights on trait variability at the individual and species levels. Tadpole assemblages offer an excellent system to understand the relative influence of intraspecific and interspecific variability on community assembly, due to their high phenotypic plasticity, and the strong influence that environmental variables have on their spatial distribution and individual performance. Here, we quantified the intraspecific and interspecific components of tadpoles’ trait variability in order to investigate their relative role in shaping tadpole communities. We selected eight functional traits related to microhabitat use, foraging strategies, and swimming ability. We measured these traits on 678 individuals from 22 species captured in 43 ponds in the Atlantic Forest. We used single‐ and multitrait analyses to decompose trait variability. To explore the action of external and internal filtering on community assembly, we used a variance decomposition approach that compares phenotypic variability at the individual, population, community and regional levels. On average, 33% of trait variability was due to within‐species variation. This decomposition varied widely among traits. We found only a reduced effect of external filtering (low variation in the height of the ventral fin within ponds in comparison to the total variation), whereas the internal filtering was stronger than expected. Traits related to the use of different microhabitats through the water column were generally less variable than traits related to swimming ability to escape of predators, with tail traits being highly variable within species. Our study highlights the importance of incorporating both intraspecific and interspecific, trait differences and of focusing on a diversity of traits related to both stabilizing niche and fitness differences in order to better understand how trait variation relates to species coexistence.

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Intraspecific leaf trait variability along a boreal-to-tropical community diversity gradient

Cited by 21 publications

References 66 publications

Variation between individuals fosters regional species coexistence

Variation between individuals fosters regional species coexistence

Decoding the gene coexpression network underlying the ability of Gevuina avellana to live in diverse light conditions

Intraspecific and interspecific trait variability in tadpole meta‐communities from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest

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