Data from: How does the Phasianidae maintain its diversity in central China?

Li, Qian 1 ; Su, Tengwei2; Zha, Yunchuan3; Li, Zhaoyuan2

Published Jun 10, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.41ns1rnwd

Data files

Jun 10, 2026 version files 17.32 KB

Abstract

The hypothesis of allopatric speciation suggests that spatial separation is the major driver to speciation. The ecological niche theory suggests that differentiations in niche dimensions allow more species to co-exist in ecological communities. It is thus predicted that, (1) species from the same genus will tend to appear in different ecological communities due to the strong force of exclusion between them; (2) sibling genera may co-occur in communities without direct spatial associations (i.e., with indirect spatial associations); and (3) when they are directly associated, the genera will be different in some ecological features to avoid resource competitions. In this study, we used infrared camera trap data and statistic techniques to set up species association networks in four national nature reserves (NNRs) in central China, and the data of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene sequences downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database to test the predictions based on the phasianids (order Galliformes) appearing in the networks. We found 14 phasianid species belonging to 12 genera, resulting in 91 potential species pairs and 45 potential genus pairs. A total of 12 associations were identified between species, accounting for 13.2 % of the potential species pairs; and 11 associations identified between genera, accounting for 24.4 % of the potential genus pairs. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test results showed that the spatial separation existed extensively between the phasianids at levels of species (86.8 % of potential species pairs) and genera (75.6 % of potential genus pairs). There were 2 genera each containing 2 species; i.e., the Crossoptilon (containing the white-eared pheasant C. crossoptilon and the blue-eared pheasant C. auritum) and the Chrysolophus (the golden pheasant C. pictus and the Lady Amherst’s pheasant C. amherstiae). These congeneric species appeared in different ecological communities. The other 10 genera each contained only one species in community, although they have more species in taxonomy. This monotypicalness in community makes them effectively avoid competition within genera. The Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient tests showed no general correlation between the phylogenetic distance and the spatial association coefficient of the genera of Phasianidae, but the correlation existed in Liancheng, which may be attributed to the difference in evolutionary history between Palearctic and Indomalayan realms. Discussions suggested that the genus pairs of Tetraophasis-Ithaginis and Ithaginis-Crossoptilon are associated in a way that is consistent with beneficial interactions. The genera in symmetric associations may differentiate in diets. It is thus concluded that the spatial separation may play a major role in promoting and maintaining the diversity of Phasianidae, and the differentiation in ecological features play a supplementary role.

Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.41ns1rnwd

Description of the data and file structure

We used ArcGIS to generate 1 km x 1 km cells on the maps of the four NNRs, from which we randomly selected ≥ 5 % of cells and tried to maximize the number of the cells (i.e., sample size). An infrared camera (model: Yian WS L710 and Ltl Acorn 6210) was installed in each selected cell. Many cells were inaccessible due to terrain restrictions, such as steep cliffs, peaks, and the areas requiring the fieldworkers to hike for ≥ 3 days to reach. When a cell was selected in an inaccessible area, it was abandoned and another cell was randomly selected to replace it if the new cell was located in an accessible place. The distance between two cameras was maintained at ≥ 300 m to minimise the likelihood of two adjacent points occurring in the same small habitat patch, by which to minimise the habitat homogeneity of the data. In Wolong, giant pandas were found in the east to Pitiao River, thus cameras were deployed at this side. Cameras in other NNRs were deployed around all areas. Cameras were installed in the main habitat types of the selected cells and were mounted on tree trunks or other objects 50-80 cm above the ground. The angle of the lens was in parallel to the ground to allow the camera to capture animals on the ground in front scenario and on the shrub canopy in far scenerio, so that image data of terrestrial and semi-arboreal species could be obtained (Li et al. 2024). Batteries and memory cards were replaced every three months. Infrared cameras are triggered by the movement of infrared rays. Ectothermal animals will not trigger infrared cameras. So, only endothermal animals, including birds and mammals, were filmed and present in our database. We used mobile-built-in compass to measure coordinates and elevation and the Ovital Map app to measure slope and other habitat dimensions. We estimated vegetation height and canopy coverage by vision.

supplementary Table 1 The 14 phasianids found in Liancheng, Tangjiahe, Wolong, and Heizhugou NNRs in central China from 2017 to 2021.

supplementary_Table_1_The_14_phasianids_found_in_LianchengTangjiaheWolong__and_Heizhugou_NNRs_in_central_China_from_2017_to_2021..csv

Species Name: Investigate species - No measurement unit applies to this identifier.
Abbreviation: Species Name Abbreviation - No measurement unit applies to this identifier.
Species Scientific Names: No measurement unit applies to this identifier.
National nature reserves1-4 (Liancheng, Tangjiahe, Wolong, Heizhugou): Present/Absent=This variable indicates the presence or absence of the target species.

supplementary Table 2 Occurring frequencies (no. camera sites) of phasianids in different habitat dimensions in Liancheng, Tangjiahe, Wolong, and Heizhugou NNRs in central China from 2017 to 2021

supplementary_Table_2_Occurring_frequencies_(no._camera_sites)_of_phasianids_in_different_habitat_dimensions_in_LianchengTangjiaheWolong__and_Heizhugou_NNRs_in_central_China_from_2017_to_2021.csv

Networks: The variable records different spatial association networks constructed for the studied species, No measurement unit applies to this identifier.
Species: Species Name Abbreviation (supplementary Table 1, Abbreviation) - No measurement unit applies to this identifier.
Occurrence_sites: This variable represents the total number of infrared cameras where the focal species was detected and recorded, Integer, Units: camera stations.
Altitude_Range_m: This variable describes the elevation range of sampling stations where the studied species were detected via infrared camera surveys, Character, Unit: m.
Bush, Coniferous and broadleaf mixed forest, coniferous forest, eciduous broadleaf forest, evergreen broadleaf forest, meadow not recorded, screes, others: Number of infrared camera stations detecting the focal species in each habitat type, Integer, Unit: camera stations, NA = No focal species distributed in this habitat.

supplementary Table 3 Spatial associations of phasianids in Liancheng, Tangjiahe, Wolong, and Heizhugou NNRs in central China from 2017 to 2021.

supplementary_Table_3_Spatial_associations_of_phasianids_in_LianchengTangjiaheWolong__and_Heizhugou_NNRs_in_central_China_from_2017_to_2021.csv

Network/NNR: 1.The variable records different spatial association networks constructed for the studied species, No measurement unit applies to this identifier.
Species pair: This variable records pairs of species that exhibit significant spatial associations within the constructed spatial association networks, Character.
Number of occurrence sites of the phasianids: The studied species occur in different protected areas, Integer, Unit: camera stations.
The number of occurrence sites: This variable counts independent camera stations with simultaneous detections of the foreground species and matched background species, Integer, Unit: camera stations.
Phi coefficients: This variable stores Phi coefficients and significance P-value for species pairs that show statistically significant spatial associations calculated using the Phi coefficients method, Numeric.

supplementary Table 4 Habitat dimensions that the phasianids co-occurred in Liancheng, Tangjiahe, Wolong, and Heizhugou NNRs in central China from 2017 to 2021.

supplementary_Table_4_Habitat_dimensions_that_the_phasianids_co-occurred_in_LianchengTangjiaheWolong__and_Heizhugou_NNRs_in_central_China_from_2017_to_2021.csv

Species/Associated Species: This variable records pairs of species that exhibit significant spatial associations within the constructed spatial association networks, No measurement unit applies to this identifier.
Networks: This variable records all distinct spatial association networks that contain the target species pair, Character.
Sites of Co-occurrences: This variable counts independent camera stations with simultaneous detections of the foreground species and matched background species, Integer, Unit: camera stations.
Altitudes of Co-occurrences (m a.s.l.): This variable shows the elevation range of camera stations that simultaneously recorded the two focal species, Character, Unit: m.
Bush, coniferous and broadleaf mixed forest, coniferous forest, eciduous broadleaf forest, evergreen broadleaf forest, meadow, not recorded, screes, others: This variable represents all habitat categories at camera stations with simultaneous detections of the studied species pair, Integer, Unit: camera stations, NA = No focal species distributed in this habitat.

supplementary Table 5 Phylogenetic distances between the phasianids found in Liancheng, Tangjiahe, Wolong, and Heizhugou NNRs in central China from 2017 to 2021.

supplementary_Table_5_Phylogenetic_distances_between_the_phasianids_found_in_LianchengTangjiaheWolong__and_Heizhugou_NNRs_in_central_China_from_2017_to_2021.csv

This variable represents the phylogenetic genetic distance calculated between pairs of focal species, Numeric.

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