Elevational gradients in phylogenetic structure of ant communities reveal the interplay of biotic and abiotic constraints on diversity

0368286 - BC 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Machač, A. - Janda, Milan - Dunn, R. R. - Sanders, N. J.
Elevational gradients in phylogenetic structure of ant communities reveal the interplay of biotic and abiotic constraints on diversity.
Ecography. Roč. 34, č. 3 (2011), s. 364-371. ISSN 0906-7590. E-ISSN 1600-0587
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR KJB612230701; GA MŠMT LC06073; GA ČR GD206/08/H044; GA ČR GA206/09/0115; GA ČR GAP505/10/0673
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50070508
Keywords : diversity
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 4.188, year: 2011

We examined patterns of ant diversity along climatic gradients in three temperate montane systems: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (USA), Chiricahua Mountains (USA), and Vorarlberg (Austria). To identify the factors which potentially shape these elevational diversity gradients, we analyzed patterns of community phylogenetic structure. We found that species communities at low-elevation sites tended structured by interspecific competition. In contrast, species occurring at high-elevation sites tended to be more closely related than expected by chance, implying that these communities are structured primarily by environmental filtering caused by low temperatures.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0202674