Data and code from: The neglected pollinators: Settling moths are keystone floral visitors essential to network connectivity and tropical forest recovery
Data files
Oct 31, 2025 version files 855.71 KB
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abundances.xlsx
450.63 KB
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analyses.R
30.80 KB
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centrality_arctiinae.xlsx
20.86 KB
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centrality.xlsx
26.63 KB
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moth_traits.xlsx
31.45 KB
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network.xlsx
291.51 KB
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README.md
3.82 KB
Abstract
The underrepresentation of nocturnal taxa in ecological research constitutes the “nocturnal problem”. A significant example is settling (i.e., non-sphingid) moths, coined as "needles in a haystack," given the uncertainty of their role as pollinators. Using high-throughput pollen metabarcoding, we compiled interactions from 24400 individuals from 504 species of tropical diurnal and nocturnal pollinators. We investigated the role of different functional groups in a comprehensive pollen transfer network, employing tiger moths (Erebidae: Arctiinae) as a model to disentangle the effect of settling moths on network connectivity along a recovery chronosequence. Tiger moths were central generalists, amassing more interactions with plants than any other pollinator group, and were the main connecting agents between network modules. Moreover, they served as network hubs alongside pioneer plant genera, which were their primary resources. Tiger moth dominance was maintained throughout four decades of passive restoration, but increased in the canopies of older forests. Dominance was primarily driven by their high abundance and diversity, which resulted in more interactions per unit of sampling effort. Moreover, moth functional morphology drove specialization and centrality patterns. Our results underline a largely neglected functional group of nocturnal pollinators as prominent floral visitors, key to ecosystem stability and recovery. morphology drove specialization and centrality patterns. Our results underline a largely neglected functional group of nocturnal pollinators as a prominent functional group of pollinators key to ecosystem stability and recovery.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.sxksn03gp
Description of the data and file structure
The provided code and data sheets are linked to the manuscript "The neglected pollinators: settling moths are keystone floral visitors essential for network connectivity and tropical forest recovery". Submitted to: Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The dataset includes data on the abundance of pollinators (tiger moths, hawkmoths, diurnal bees, nocturnal bees, and bats) sampled at a regeneration gradient in the lowland Chocó forests of Ecuador. Additionally, data on their interaction networks with plants, assessed via metabarcoding, are included. Data were collected in 2022 and 2023 in 62 plots.
Files and variables
File: analyses.R
Description: R script to perform all the analysis. Please select the correct working directory (folder) where the files below are located before starting, and install all necessary packages. R version: 4.4.2
File: centrality.xlsx
Description: Centrality and specialization values computed using bipartite, here with the added pollinator species for analysis.
Variables
- species - pollinator species
- d - specialization index
- closeness - closeness centrality (cC)
- weighted.closeness - same as above but weighted (not used in the paper).
File: centrality_arctiinae.xlsx
Description: Same as above, but subset for Arctiinae only and with tribe classification.
Variables
- group - tribe or infragenus classification of tiger moths and Sphingidae.
- All others: same as above
File: network.xlsx
Description: Data frame containing interaction data. Rows correspond to interactions between a pollinator species (polSpecies) and a plant species (ASV).
Variables
- sample - individual pollen sample code
- colDate - date when the sample was collected
- plot - collection plot (categorical)
- Stratum - stratum in which the sample was collected (canopy or understory)
- regen_age - the plot's time of regeneration. NAs are missing values in old-growth plots (no age)
- numPols - number of pollinator individuals in the pollen pool.
- polGroup - pollinator higher taxonomical group
- polSpecies - pollinator species
- polGenus - pollinator genus
- ASV - plant species unit identified via metabarcoding (Amplicon Sequence Variant). When not known, may contain higher taxonimic levels (e.g., genus or family).
- plantFamily - family of the ASV
- plantGenus - genus of the ASV. When not known, may contain higher taxonimic levels (e.g., family).
- relAbund - relative read abundance of the ASV in the pollen sample.
- weight_1000 - transformation used as interaction weights in the paper (relAbund*1000).
File: moth_traits.xlsx
Description: Trait data from all moth species, including the mean values of proboscis length (PL), body length (BL) and effective proboscis length (PBR). NAs denote missing values.
Variables
- Group - pollinator group
- Species - pollinator species
- n - number of measured individuals
- PL_mean - mean proboscis length (mm)
- PL_sd - standard deviation of proboscis length
- BL_mean - mean body length (mm)
- BL_sd - standard deviation of body length
- PBR_mean - mean relative proboscis length (no unit)
- PBR_sd - standard deviation of the relative proboscis length
File: abundances.xlsx
Description: Pollinator abundance data in the study plots. Each row corresponds to an individual.
Variables
- polGroup: species group
- species - species name
- plot - collection plot (categorical)
- level - canopy or understory
Code/software
R version 4.4.2