Phylogenetic Community Structure and Niche Differentiation in Termites of the Tropical Dry Forests of Colombia.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms that structure species communities are still debated. We addressed this question for termite assemblages from tropical dry forests in Colombia. These forests are endangered and poorly understood ecosystems and termites are important ecosystem engineers in the tropics. Using biodiversity and environmental data, combined with phylogenetic community analyses, trait mapping, and stable isotopes studies, we investigated the termite community composition of three protected dry forests in Colombia. Our data suggest that the structuring mechanisms differed between sites. Phylogenetic overdispersion of termite assemblages correlated with decreasing rainfall and elevation and increasing temperature. Food niche traits-classified as feeding groups and quantified by δ15N‰ and δ13C‰ isoto

SUBMITTER: Casalla Daza R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6523111 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature