Interaction network of vascular epiphytes and trees in a subtropical forest

Ceballos, Sergio Javier; Chacoff, Natacha P.; Malizia, Agustina

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2016.10.007

Cited by 39 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Complex ecological networks represent the interactions between species and the underlying properties of ecological communities (Ceballos, Chacoff & Malizia, ; Jordano, ). Several metrics (e.g., connectance, nestedness, modularity, and complementary specialization in the network) are used to describe the structure of such interactions (Bellay et al., ; Francisco, Couto, Evans, Garbin & Ruiz‐Miranda, ; Jordano, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Commensal epiphyte–phorophyte networks are characterized by a nested pattern and by interactions with a low degree of network specialization (Burns, ; Francisco et al., ; Zhao et al., ). A nested pattern in epiphyte–phorophyte networks can result from several processes, including succession of vascular epiphytes, species abundances, phorophyte characteristics (e.g., phorophyte size, such as height or trunk diameter), and network size (Burns, ; Ceballos et al., ; Francisco et al., ; Zotarelli et al., ). For instance, sequential colonization by generalist pioneer epiphyte species may facilitate the colonization of other epiphyte species (Burns, ; Silva, Ferreira, Lima, & Soares ; Taylor et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The nested pattern indicates that specialization is low (e.g., Silva et al., ), and most of the interactions occur among generalist epiphytes and generalist phorophytes. In fact, specificity is expected to be weaker in structurally dependent plants such as epiphytes (Ceballos et al., ; Wagner et al., ). This aspect is important for the conservation of epiphyte diversity because it reduces their vulnerability to disturbance, since various phorophytes could adequately meet the needs of epiphyte species (Sáyago et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In some montane forests, up to 50% of the taxonomic diversity can be composed of epiphytes (Kelly et al., ), making these systems ideal for modeling and understanding the factors behind such levels of epiphyte diversity. Given the importance of vascular epiphytes, recent efforts have been made to understand the occurrence of general patterns in epiphyte–phorophyte networks (Burns, ; Ceballos et al., ). However, many of these studies investigate subsets of relatively poor species communities (Burns, ; Ceballos et al., ), or they focus on specific groups such as bromeliads (Sáyago et al., ) and orchids (Silva et al., ; Zotarelli et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the importance of vascular epiphytes, recent efforts have been made to understand the occurrence of general patterns in epiphyte–phorophyte networks (Burns, ; Ceballos et al., ). However, many of these studies investigate subsets of relatively poor species communities (Burns, ; Ceballos et al., ), or they focus on specific groups such as bromeliads (Sáyago et al., ) and orchids (Silva et al., ; Zotarelli et al., ). Moreover, these studies were conducted to understand interactions along the horizontal organization (Burns, ; Zhao et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

et al. 2019

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Species interactions can shape the structure of natural communities. Such sets of interactions have been described as complex ecological networks, an example of which is the commensal network formed by epiphyte-phorophyte interactions.Vascular epiphytes germinate and grow on phorophytes (support trees), assuming a horizontal distribution (among the phorophyte species) and a vertical distribution (from the base of the tree trunk to the crown of phorophytes, i.e., through ecological zones). Here, we investigated the organization of these structural dimensions of the epiphyte-phorophyte network in a Brazilian tropical montane cloud forest. The analyzed network, comprising 66 epiphyte species and 22 phorophyte species, exhibited a nested structure with a low degree of specialization, a typical pattern for epiphytephorophyte networks in forests. The network was slightly modular, with 65% of the species common to three modules, and had vertical structure corresponding to the vertical organization of the phorophytes. The size (diameter at breast height) of phorophyte individuals influenced the network structure, possibly due to the increase in habitat area, the time available for colonization by epiphytes, and a greater number of microenvironments. We found that the distribution of the epiphyte species differed between the phorophyte ecological zones, with greater richness in the lower portions and greater abundance in the upper portions of the phorophytes. The results provide relevant guidance for future research on the characteristics and the vertical and horizontal organization of vascular epiphyte and phorophyte networks.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material. K E Y

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

et al. 2019

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Holding on or falling off: The attachment mechanism of epiphytic Anthurium obtusum changes with substrate roughness

Tay

Kovalev

Zotz

et al. 2022

American J of Botany

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Premise: For vascular epiphytes, secure attachment to their hosts is vital for survival. Yet studies detailing the adhesion mechanism of epiphytes to their substrate are scarce. Examination of the root hair-substrate interface is essential to understand the attachment mechanism of epiphytes to their substrate. This study also investigated how substrate microroughness relates to the root-substrate attachment strength and the underlying mechanism(s). Methods: Seeds of Anthurium obtusum were germinated, and seedlings were transferred onto substrates made of epoxy resin with different defined roughness. After 2 months of growth, roots that adhered to the resin tiles were subjected to anchorage tests, and root hair morphology at different roughness levels was analyzed using light and cryo scanning electron microscopy. Results: The highest maximum peeling force was recorded on the smooth surface (glass replica, 0 µm). Maximum peeling force was significantly higher on fine roughness (0, 0.3, 12 µm) than on coarse (162 µm). Root hair morphology varied according to the roughness of the substrate. On smoother surfaces, root hairs were flattened to achieve large surface contact with the substrate. Attachment was mainly by adhesion with the presence of a glue-like substance. On coarser surfaces, root hairs were tubular and conformed to spaces between the asperities on the surface. Attachment was mainly via mechanical interlocking of root hairs and substrate. Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time that the attachment mechanism of epiphytes varies depending on substrate microtopography, which is important for understanding epiphyte attachment on natural substrates varying in roughness.

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Host tree traits in pasture areas affect forest and pasture specialist epiphyte species differently

Elias

Mortara

Nunes-Freitas

et al. 2021

American J of Botany

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Premise Epiphytes have commensal relationships with their host trees. Besides the influence of tree traits, little has been discussed concerning the ecology of epiphytes in disturbed habitats (e.g., pasture). We herein tested whether the occurrences of pasture and forest specialist epiphytes in pastures are affected differently by tree traits. We hypothesized that (H1) the richness and abundance of generalist epiphytes would be positively associated with area availability; (H2) the richness and abundance of forest epiphyte species would be associated both with (H2.a) area availability and (H2.b) tree traits related to higher seed adherence, and/or (H2.c) less severe habitat (e.g., high humidity and more shade). Methods We sampled 9567 epiphyte individuals from 16 species on 759 scattered remnant trees. The epiphyte species were divided into two ecological groups: forest specialists and pasture specialists. We evaluated four host tree traits: two related to tree size (crown area and trunk diameter) and two related to habitat type (crown leaf density and bark rugosity). Results The richness and abundance of both pasture and forest specialists were positively related with tree size. However, the abundance of pasture specialists was negatively related with crown leaf density, whereas richness of forest epiphytes was positively related with bark rugosity. Conclusions Large scattered trees tend to present higher richness and abundance of both pasture and forest specialist epiphytes compared to the smaller trees. However, high crown leaf density limits abundance of pasture specialist epiphytes, whereas rugose bark increases the richness of forest epiphytes.

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Interaction network of vascular epiphytes and trees in a subtropical forest

Cited by 39 publications

References 46 publications

Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

Low modularity and specialization in a commensalistic epiphyte–phorophyte network in a tropical cloud forest

Holding on or falling off: The attachment mechanism of epiphytic Anthurium obtusum changes with substrate roughness

Host tree traits in pasture areas affect forest and pasture specialist epiphyte species differently

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