Data from: Elevational filtering and the evolution of planthoppers (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) in Papua New Guinea
Data files
Oct 11, 2019 version files 295.70 KB
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abondance_altitudes.txt
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Alltaxa.fas
Abstract
Along elevational gradients, phylogenetic relatedness patterns
constitute a considerable source of information, and may shed light on
ecological processes that structure communities. This study focuses on
community phylogenetic structure of planthoppers, specifically the
species-rich and abundant Fulgoromorpha families (Hemiptera,
Auchenorrhyncha), Cixiidae and Derbidae+Achilidae, along an elevational
gradient on Mount Wilhelm (Papua New Guinea). In order to assess the
factors driving planthoppers community composition, we recorded abundance
data for planthoppers species at each elevation and we generated a
molecular phylogeny of the local species, using Bayesian Inference. We
analyzed 168 individuals representing 59 local morphospecies. Using a fully
resolved and well-supported phylogeny, we then investigated the
phylogenetic structure of the communities by performing a Spatial Analysis
of Community Diversity. We show that Cixiidae are phylogenetically
clustered along the elevational gradient, whereas Derbidae+Achilidae
harbour a random structure, suggesting that local adaptation to elevation
shapes community structure of Cixiidae, but not that of Derbidae+Achilidae.
Our findings highlight the importance of phylogenies in the study of
tropical elevational gradients.