Author information

1. Principal Investigator, Contact Information Name: Luis Felipe Opazo, Institution: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Address: Alameda 340, Santiago, Chile Email: lfopazo@bio.puc.cl
2. Associate or Co-investigator, Contact Information Name: David L. Herrera, Institution: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Address: Alameda 340, Santiago, Chile Email: doherrera@uc.cl
3. Associate or Co-investigator, Contact Information Name: Fabio Labra, Institution: Universidad Santo Tomas Address: Av. Ejército Libertador 146, Santiago, Chile Email: flabra@santotomas.cl
4. Associate or Co-investigator, Contact Information Name: Simon Castillo, Institution: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Address: Alameda 340, Santiago, Chile Email: scb.139@gmail.com
5. Associate or Co-investigator, Contact Information Name: Sergio Navarrete, Institution: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Address: Alameda 340, Santiago, Chile Email: snavarrete@bio.puc.cl

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Abstract

Characterizing the spatial structure of taxonomic and functional diversity (FD) of marine organisms across regional and latitudinal scales is essential for improving our understanding of the processes driving species richness and those that may constrain or enhance the set of species traits that define the functional structure of communities. Here, we present the functional diversity of coastal invertebrate macrofaunal species along the south-eastern Pacific (from 7°N to 56°S), describe spatial variation of species traits, and examine the relationship with environmental variables. For that, we defined the functional traits and the distribution ranges of 2350 marine macroinvertebrates. Species traits are used calculated eight metrics of FD. Random forest regression was applied to identify significant relationships between FD and six environmental variables. Finally, functional b-turnover was estimated to detect alongshore shifts in functional structure and their coincidence with biogeographical domains. Our results show, in contrast with taxonomic richness, measures of trait differences, functional space and functional specialisation increase with latitude, while functional evenness exhibits a humpback shape, peaking at mid latitudes. Functional redundancy decreased significantly poleward, while indicatior of vulnerability increase. In contrast to taxonomic richness, FD was tightly connected to variables indicative of stress and productivity, such as dissolved oxygen and nutrients. Sea surface temperature and coastal area best explained the increased FD redundancy towards the tropics. The high spatial correlation between taxonomic and functional turnover suggests environmental filters play an important role in the functional structure of the seascape.
Our findings suggest that processes favouring taxonomic richness are latitudinally divergent from those favouring functional diversity. Correlations with environmental variables suggest that increased sea surface temperature and measures of stability increase redundancy, while variations in dissolved oxygen and nutrients positively affect functional diversification. Moreover, the functional diversity patterns suggest low resilience of high latitude coastal ecosystems, which are heavily exploited and threatened by climate change, hence highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation policies.

Keywords: South-eastern Pacific coast, marine invertebrates, multi-taxa, functional diversity, functional biogeography, functional richness, functional redundancy, b-functional diversity, environmental drivers, biogeographical regions.

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Description of the dataset and file structure

Reference and sources of the taxonomic and functional information of each species is described in detail at the dataset (DataSet.AppendixS2). The excel file is constituted of four sheets.

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DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Sheet 1(Dataset).

Number of columns: 99 (from column A to column CU), Number of rows: 2350 (from row 2 to row 2351).

• Columns “A” to column “F”, contains the taxonomic information hierarchical order for each describe species, (Phyllum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species). This structure adequately captures the whole taxonomic variation across species.
• Column “G”, contains the ecocode, which summarized the trait combination that defines the functional entity (FE) of each species given their strategy and ecological characteristics.

Ecological traits

• Tiering strategy: Is described by four columns (from “H” to “K”), and represent the relationship of the organism with the substrate or the interface sediment - water column. This strategy is subdivide in four subcategories: (1) Pelagic, (2) Erect, (3) Surface, and (4) Infaunal.
• Motility Level : Is described by six columns (from“L” to “Q”), and indicates the velocity, the organism's ability to dispersal and the spatial extension of their activity ranges. This strategy is subdivide in six subcategories: (1) Freely-Fast, (2) Freely-Slow, (3) Fac.Unattached, (4) Fac.Attached, (5) NM.Unattached, and (6) NM.Attached.
• Feeding mechanisms: Is described by six columns (from "R" to "W"), and reflects the energy flow and biomass across trophic levels. This strategy is subdivide in six subcategories: (1) Suspension, (2) Surf.Deposit, (3) Grazing, (4) Predatory, (5) Omnivory, and (6) Chemotrophic.
• Life type: Is described by three columns (from “X” to “Z”) and indicate whether organism exhibits inter or intraspecific associations, for instance; (1) Colonial, (2) Solitary, and (3) Symbiont.
• Reproductive type: Traits are listed from “AA” to “AB” and describe the number of reproductive events of an organism over its life cycle. This strategy is subdivide in two subcategories:(1) Semelparity and (2) Iteroparity.
• Type of Larval: Is described by three columns (from “AC” to “AE), and indicates how the early developmental stages of marine invertebrate influences the length (time) of the life span in the water column. This strategy is subdivide in three subcategories:(1) Planktotrophic, (2) Lecithotrophic, and (3) Direct.
• Survival Strategy: Is described by three columns (from “AF” to “AH”), and describe the behavior or physiological strategies developed to resist and/or avoid predation. This strategy is subdivide in three subcategories:(1) Escape/Hold-on, (2) Figth, and (3) Chemical/Mechanic.
• Body Size: Is described by four columns (from “AI” to “AL”), and indicates the fraction of biomass that is transformed in the ecosystem. Is a fundamental trait because provides information about the contribution of species in terms of production, transformation, and incorporation of energy directly into the ecosystem. This strategy is subdivide in four subcategories: (1) <10mm, (2) 10-50mm, (3) 50-100mm, and (4) >100mm.

Missing data: n/a (not aplicable)

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Distribution ranges

Is an absence-presence matrix (from “AM” to “CU” columns), which represent the occurrence of each species along the south-eastern Pacific coast spanning from 7°N to 53°S. Each column shows the occurrence of all species for that specific latitud (or column).
Latitudes were labeled as following: (LAT 7°N, LAT 6°N, LAT 5°N, LAT 4°N, LAT 3°N, LAT 2°N, LAT 1°N, LAT 0°, LAT 1°S, LAT 2°S, LAT 3°S, LAT 4°S, LAT 5°S, LAT 6°S, LAT 7°S, LAT 8°S, LAT 9°S, LAT 10°S, LAT 11°S, LAT 12°S, LAT 13°S, LAT 14°S, LAT 15°S, LAT 16°S, LAT 17°S, LAT 18°S, LAT 19°S, LAT 20°S, LAT 21°S, LAT 22°S, LAT 23°S, LAT 24°S, LAT 25°S, LAT 26°S, LAT 27°S, LAT 28°S, LAT 29°S, LAT 30°S, LAT 31°S, LAT 32°S, LAT 33°S, LAT 34°S, LAT 35°S, LAT 36°S, LAT 37°S, LAT 38°S, LAT 39°S, LAT 40°S, LAT 41°S, LAT 42°S, LAT 43°S, LAT 44°S, LAT 45°S, LAT 46°S, LAT 47°S, LAT 48°S, LAT 49°S, LAT 50°S, LAT 51°S, LAT 52°S, and LAT 53°S).

Missing data: n/a (not aplicable)

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DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Sheet 2 (Taxonomic Ref)

Number of columns: 12 (from column A to column L), Number of rows: 2350 (from row 2 to row 2351).

Taxonomic References

Indicates the references and source of the taxonomic and geographical information used in this study.

1. This matrix features six columns arranged in a hierarchical sequence, spanning from column "A" to column "F". These columns correspond to distinct taxonomic ranks, progressing from phylum to species, encompassing Class, Order, Family, and Genus along the way (Phyllum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species).
2. The information about the taxonomist who described each species can be found in column “G”, where the reference authorship is documented (Specie Ref).
3. In five columns from “H” to “L”, contains the bibliographic references validating the information regarding the geographic distribution ranges of each species have been seamlessly incorporated. In certain instances, the distribution data has been corroborated through multiple references to uphold the veracity and dependability of the information (Ref 1, Ref 2, Ref 3, Ref 4, Ref 5).
4. Missing data: n/a (not aplicable)

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DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Sheet 3(Functional Ref).

Number of columns: 32 (from column A to column AK), Number of rows: 2350 (from row 2 to row 2351).

Functional References

Indicates the references and source of the taxonomic and functional description used in this study.

• This matrix features six columns arranged in a hierarchical sequence, spanning from column "A" to column "F". These columns correspond to distinct taxonomic ranks, e.g.: Phyllum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
• This matrix spans from column “G” to column “AK”, encompassing 31 distinct functional traits to record the bibliographic references where the ecological information of the species is found. These traits have been meticulously grouped into eight overarching functional categories (Tiering (T), Motility (M), Feeding Mechanisms (F), Life Forms (LF), Reproduction (R), Larvae (L), Survival Strategy (SS), and Body Size (S)). Each functional category is defined by its initials to classify the functional trait that makes up each functional category.
• Tiering (T), from “G” to “J”  (T1, T2,    T3, and T4).
• Motility (M), from “K” to “P” (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, and M6).
• Feeding Mechanisms (F), from “Q” to “V” (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, and F6).
• Life Forms (LF), from “W” to “Y” (LF1, LF2, and LF3).
• Reproduction (R), from “Z” to “AA” (R1, and R2).
• Larvae (L), from “AB” to “AD” (L1, L2, and L3).
• Survival Strategy (SS), from “AE” to “AG” (SS1, SS2, and SS3).
• Body Size (S), from “AH” to “AK” (S1, S2, S3, and S4).

From column “G” to “AK”, the cells are filled by references relating to the functional traits for each species. These references are systematically organized based on their functional categories, with the information for a single trait per species. Cells filled by "n/a," indicates no information available.

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DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: Sheet 4 (environmental drivers).

Number of columns: 17 (from column A to column Q), Number of rows: 61 (from row 2 to row 62).

Environmental data

List of environmental variables considered in the Random Forest model.

• From columns A to D indicates: Lat: Latitude in degree, Long: Longitude in degree, Latitude: Latitudinal bin, Longitude: Longitudinal bin.
• The column “E” (Habitat): Contains habitat information according the species substrate.
• Columns “F” to “Q”, reports the mean value by latitude (from 7°N to 53°S) of each envionmental variable (Driver). Mean value of each variable represent the monthly average by latitude from 2014–2020. Area represents the exposed coastline to 200 m depth and extracted from The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO 2020) using Quantum GIS software. All metrics were estimated by one degree of spatial resolution.
• Area_GEBCO, (Shelf area, km²)
• log(Area)
• Subsurface temperature (SST, °C)
• log10_SST
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO, mol × m^–3)
• log10_DO
• Chl_mean (Chl, mol m^–3 x day^–1)
• log10_Chl
• Carbon (Organic Carbon , g m^–3 × day⁻¹)
• log10_Carbon
• Nitrates (NO₃, mol m^–3)
• log10_Nitrate

Missing data: n/a (not aplicable)

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Sharing/Access information

1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain
2. Links to publications that cite or use the data:
3. Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data: Alternatively, dataset can be download throughout Dropbox. However, for it, require to contact to L. Felipe Opazo (Corresponding author) by email: lfopazo@bio.puc.cl
4. Links/relationships to ancillary data sets: None
5. Was data derived from another source? Yes

The dataset was compiled using records obtained from specialized literature, scientific expeditions (SARCE 2013, CONAMA 2008), data platforms (Ocean Biogeographic Information System, OBIS, and Global Biodiversity Information Facility, GBIF) and museum collections. Reference and sources of the taxonomic and functional information of each species is described in detail at the dataset.

Recommended citation for this dataset:

Opazo Mella, Luis-Felipe et al. (2023), Functional biogeography of coastal marine invertebrates along the south-eastern Pacific coast, Dryad, Dataset, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1ns1rn90n

Data was derived from the following sources:

SARCE 2013, CONAMA 2008, data platforms (Ocean Biogeographic Information System, OBIS, and Global Biodiversity Information Facility, GBIF) and museum collections.

Code/Software

Code in R program are provided to calculate functional diversity facets, Random Forest model and jackknife analysis: each routine is packaged separately and each one contains its own input data set ready to run. Any question does not hesitate to contact the corresponding Author.