evolutionary ecology and conservation of andean hummingbirds
TRANSCRIPT
Relatedness, co-occurrence and
plant-hummingbird interactions at
multiple scales
Ben Weinstein – Stony Brook University
Plus some cool stuff with
computers.
Funding:
Logistics:
Phylogenetic and Trait Data
Jimmy A. McGuire UC Berkeley, California
F. Gary Stiles, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Acknowledgements
Maquipucuna EcoLodge Santa Lucia EcoLodge
This is equal to the total
species ever observed in the
United States.
Between June and August, I recorded
24 hummingbird species along a
4,000ft transect.
What are the mechanisms that promote
species co-occurrence?
How do patterns of regional distribution
relate to local processes?
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Species with similar niche requirements should
occur in similar environments.
Due to phylogenetic constraints,
niches (through adaptive traits)
evolve slowly, such that closely
related species tend to have similar
niche requirements.
Niche Conservatism and Abiotic Filtering
and
Darwin, The Origin of Species.
Joseph Grinnell
If this were universally true, species richness
would be a product of time since colonization
of closely related species.
Wiens, J. J., et al. (2011). Ecology letters 14(7)
Hummingbirds compete for nectar resources
Species with overlapping niches compete for resources, leading to competitive exclusion or character divergence.
Therefore we expect a non-linear relationship
among relatedness and niche overlap
Closely Related Distantly Related
Predicted based on environment
Observed
Increasing phylogenetic relatedness leads to increased probability of co-occurrence
As species become more related, they are more likely to overlap in environmental tolerances
Very closely related species have a decreased probability of co-occurrence
The predicted effect of phylogenetic relatedness is
stronger than the observed effect.
Role of biotic interactions/dispersal
Phaethornis yaruquiEriocnemis luciani Damophila julieAglaiocercus kingi
Body mass is associated with thermal regulation in cold environments and competitive dominance
Wing size influences flight performance and behavior
Bill length and shape is important in resource use and resource partitioning
Weaker results for traits, which is likely explained by
behavioral diversity and a loose connection between
traits and environments.
Can we measure local scale processes
that might explain regional patterns?
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• Closely related species co-occur
• Traits do not have a strong effect on co-occurrence
• Very closely related species have a decreased
probability of co-occurrence
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H1 Closely related species should choose
similar resources.
H2 Resource selection will be a function of
floral and bill morphology
H3 Niche partitioning should minimize niche
overlap of competing species, either through
behavior, temporal shifts, or micro-scale
distribution
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Morphological Diversity
Bill Length (mm)
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Time Lapse Cameras1 Photo/Second6AM – 12:0012:30– 6:00PM
14,000 images/day2 days/Flower
~30 Flowers/Month
6.5 TB of Data
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Low Elevation Network (1300-1700m)
High Elevation Network (1900-2500m)
Hypotheses
• Closely related species
will choose similar
resources.
• Hummingbirds will
choose resources that
match their bill
morphology.
• Hummingbirds should
be most specialized when
there are fewest available
resources.
Automated monitoring can be a powerful way to measure species presence
June 27th Unidentified dark bird on Asteraceae Mikania liana? (possibly endemic flower to the field site)
Basic ecology can inform which resources and habitats are used by pollinators.
The abiotic and biotic environment can shape ecosystem services
Thank You