Phylogenetic congruence of lichenised fungi and algae is affected by spatial scale and taxonomic diversity.

ABSTRACT: The role of species' interactions in structuring biological communities remains unclear. Mutualistic symbioses, involving close positive interactions between two distinct organismal lineages, provide an excellent means to explore the roles of both evolutionary and ecological processes in determining how positive interactions affect community structure. In this study, we investigate patterns of co-diversification between fungi and algae for a range of New Zealand lichens at the community, genus, and species levels and explore explanations for possible patterns related to spatial scale and pattern, taxonomic diversity of the lichens considered, and the level sampling replication. We assembled six independent datasets to compare patterns in phylogenetic congruence with varied spatial extent o

SUBMITTER: Buckley HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4168761 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature