Data from: Frugivory-related traits promote speciation of tropical palms
Data files
Jul 31, 2018 version files 9.83 MB
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BiSSE_script.R
5.77 KB
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MuSSE_script.R
11.66 KB
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README_for_traits_Onstein_et_al.txt
791 B
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traits_Onstein_et_al.csv
61.76 KB
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TREE
1.74 MB
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TREES.nex
8.01 MB
Abstract
Animal-mediated seed dispersal by frugivorous birds and mammals is central to the ecology and functioning of ecosystems, but whether and how frugivory-related traits have affected plant speciation remains little explored. Fruit size is directly linked to plant dispersal capacity and therefore influences gene flow and genetic divergence of plant populations. Using a global species-level phylogeny with comprehensive data on fruit sizes and plant species distributions, we test whether fruit size has affected speciation rates of palms (Arecaceae), a plant family characteristic of tropical rainforests. Globally, the results reveal that palms with small fruit sizes have increased speciation rates compared with those with large (megafaunal) fruits. Speciation of small-fruited palms is particularly high in the understory of tropical rainforests in the New World, and on islands in the Old World. This suggests that frugivory-related traits in combination with geography and the movement behaviour of frugivores can influence the speciation of fleshy-fruited plants.