Geographical variation in the bill-flower fit in a plant-pollinator interaction in western Mexico
Data files
Apr 14, 2021 version files 61.93 KB
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PhaethornisHeliconia2.xlsx
37.41 KB
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PhaethornisHeliconiaR.txt
24.52 KB
Abstract
Few studies have examined geographical variation in traits
involved in biotic interactions, although such variation is likely key in
the evolution of interactions. The fit between hummingbird bills and the
flowers they feed on suggests mutual selection pressures. We tested for
geographical variation in the pollinator – flower fit in the Mexican hermit
Phaethornis mexicanus and Heliconia spp. flowers by analyzing the
morphospaces of the interacting species and the ways they vary. To analyze
the geographical variation in the morphology of P. mexicanus and Heliconia
spp. flowers, we grouped samples into three operational geographic units
(OGUs). Within each OGU, we assessed pollinator-flower specificity by
analyzing floral resource preference, and morphological data using
correlations and principal component analysis. Our data on floral
preferences and morphology indicate geographical variation in the P.
mexicanus – Heliconia interaction in all of the OGUs. Heliconia was the
preferred floral resource (83% of the samples), suggesting a preference for
these flowers as a food source. We also detected morphological overlap
between the bill of P. mexicanus and the corollas of both Heliconia
species, at least in the two westernmost OGUs. That P. mexicanus morphology
tracked variation in the different Heliconia spp. across the hummingbird’s
range suggests that the specificity of the hummingbird – plant interaction
exerts a significant selection pressure on hummingbird morphology. The
morphological overlap observed in the two northernmost OGUs is probably due
to the evolution of a close biotic interaction, which is reflected in the
high correlation values in the morphological characters involved.
File: PhaethornisHeliconia2.xlsx
Database including basic data for analyses (Datasheet: Database)
Explanation for the columns (Datasheet: Field explanation)
File: PhaethornisHeliconiaR.txt
R Manuscript for data analyses (boxplots, Statistical tests)