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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The effect of species composition dissimilarity on plant-herbivore network structure is not consistent over time

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Author(s):
Martins, Lucas Pereira [1, 2] ; Medina, Anderson Matos [1] ; Lewinsohn, Thomas M. [3] ; Almeida-Neto, Mario [1]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Goias, Dept Ecol, Lab Interacoes Ecol & Biodiversidade, Goiania, Go - Brazil
[2] Univ Canterbury, Ctr Integrat Ecol, Sch Biol Sci, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch - New Zealand
[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Lab Interacoes Insetos Plantas, Dept Biol Anim, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Biotropica; v. 52, n. 4 APR 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The structural organization of several antagonistic networks has been demonstrated to be largely conserved through time and space even when species beta-diversity is high. This might occur either because species are replaced by others that fulfill similar network roles or because interaction probabilities are given by species relative abundances rather than by their functional traits. Alternatively, if species-specific traits are important drivers of realized interactions, any change in species composition should promote a certain degree of network structural dissimilarity. Here, we used a spatial-temporal system comprising asteraceous plants and flower head herbivores from remnants of Brazilian Cerrado to investigate whether the relationship between spatial beta-diversity of species and network structural dissimilarity changes over time. We measured species beta-diversity using Sorensen's dissimilarity index (beta(sor)) and its components of species replacement (beta(-3)) and richness differences (beta(rich)). Network structural dissimilarity was estimated using three different metrics: connectance, modularity, and web asymmetry. We show that, in general, the effect of species beta-diversity on network structure was time-dependent: While some periods presented a positive relationship between spatial beta-diversity and network structural dissimilarity, others presented no significant relationship. This indicates that functionally similar species may present different turnover rates at distinct periods, and different non-exclusive processes affect plant-herbivore network organization across time. in Portuguese is available with online material. (AU)