Phylogenetic and Functional Structure of Wintering Waterbird Communities Associated with Ecological Differences

Xianli Che,Min Zhang,Qiang Zhang,Yanyan Zhao,Anders Møller,Qing Quan,Fasheng Zou

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-19686-3

Abstract

Ecological differences may be related to community component divisions between Oriental (west) and Sino-Japanese (east) realms, and such differences may result in weak geographical breaks in migratory species that are highly mobile. Here, we conducted comparative phylogenetic and functional structure analyses of wintering waterbird communities in southern China across two realms and subsequently examined possible climate drivers of the observed patterns. An analysis based on such highly migratory species is particularly telling because migration is bound to reduce or completely eliminate any divergence between communities. Phylogenetic and functional structure of eastern communities showed over-dispersion while western communities were clustered. Basal phylogenetic and functional turnover of western communities was significant lower than that of eastern communities. The break between eastern and western communities was masked by these two realms. Geographic patterns were related to mean temperature changes and temperature fluctuations, suggesting that temperature may filter waterbird lineages and traits, thus underlying geographical community divisions. These results suggest phylogenetic and functional divisions in southern China, coinciding with biogeography. This study shows that temperature fluctuations constitute an essential mechanism shaping geographical divisions that have largely gone undetected previously, even under climate change.

Highlights

To understand the nature of a geographical break or ecological differences, it may be relevant to examine the phylogenetic and functional structure of communities that are distributed across this spatial context
Species sensitivities to climate change are expected to be clustered across the phylogeny[19]
This phylogenetic cluster may be associated with a clustered functional structure with reduced functional alpha and beta diversity if the habitat is filtering a subset of functional traits[20]

Summary

Introduction

To understand the nature of a geographical break or ecological differences, it may be relevant to examine the phylogenetic and functional structure of communities that are distributed across this spatial context. Species sensitivities to climate change are expected to be clustered across the phylogeny[19]. This phylogenetic cluster may be associated with a clustered functional structure with reduced functional alpha and beta diversity if the habitat is filtering a subset of functional traits[20]. This could occur either if functional traits have a phylogenetic signal[21]. This study contributes to an understanding of the evolution of controversial geographical regions in East Asian and its associated factors

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion