The Influence of Phylogenetic and Functional Similarity on Species Coexistence Through Space and Time Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Swenson, Nathan Garrick Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 24/09/2021 04:16:54 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/194918 1 THE INFLUENCE OF PHYLOGENETIC AND FUNCTIONAL SIMILARITY ON SPECIES COEXISTENCE THROUGH SPACE AND TIME by Nathan Garrick Swenson _______________________ A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the GRADUATE COLLEGE THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2008 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Nathan G. Swenson entitled “The Influence of Phylogenetic and Functional Similarity on Species Coexistence Through Space and Time” and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. ________________________________________ Date: May 6, 2008 Dr. Brian J. Enquist ________________________________________ Date: May 6, 2008 Dr. David Breshears ________________________________________ Date: May 6, 2008 Dr. Travis Huxman ________________________________________ Date: May 6, 2008 Dr. Michael Sanderson ________________________________________ Date: May 6, 2008 Dr. D. Larry Venable Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. ________________________________________ Date: May 6, 2008 Dissertation Director: Dr. Brian J. Enquist 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under the rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interest of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED: Nathan G. Swenson 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank my doctoral advisor, Dr. Brian Enquist, and my doctoral committee members for their advice, encouragement and critiques. I would especially like to thank Jason Pither, Mike Weiser, James Stegen and Cathy Hulshof for being wonderful lab mates and for teaching me many new things. I thank Dr. Dan Howard, my master’s advisor, for bringing me in the world of academia, for being patient in my initial years of catching up and for being a sage advisor during my time in New Mexico and beyond. I thank the members of the Laboratory of Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics at New Mexico State University for their collaboration, conversations and support during the early years of my graduate experience. Lastly, I would like to thank the researchers and staff at ACG in Guanacaste, Costa Rica and Luquillo, Puerto Rico for making my work possible and enjoyable. 5 DEDICATION For Elmer, who introduced me to the wonders of the natural world in northern and western Minnesota and who encouraged me to pursue my personal goals and dreams, with love and admiration. and For Cindi and Al, who have been unwavering in their support, encouragement and understanding during times when I have had to make the decision to pursue my passion for biology over a more traditional professional route, with all of my love and thanks. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................9 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................10 PRESENT STUDY .......................................................................................................13 REFERENCES..............................................................................................................31 APPENDIX A: THE PROBLEM AND PROMISE OF SCALE DEPENDENCY IN COMMUNITY PHYLOGENETICS .............................................................................32 Abstract....................................................................................................................33 Introduction.............................................................................................................34 Methods....................................................................................................................37 Results......................................................................................................................42 Discussion.................................................................................................................43 Acknowledgments....................................................................................................45 References................................................................................................................46 APPENDIX B: THE INFLUENCE OF SPATIAL AND SIZE SCALE ON PHYLOGENETIC RELATEDNESS IN TROPICAL FOREST COMMUNITIES ........54 Abstract....................................................................................................................55 Introduction.............................................................................................................56 Materials and Methods............................................................................................60 Results......................................................................................................................68 Discussion.................................................................................................................70 Acknowledgements..................................................................................................74 7 References................................................................................................................75 APPENDIX C: PHYLOGENETIC RESOLUTION AND QUANTIFYING THE PHYLOGENETIC DIVERSITY AND DISPERSION OF COMMUNITIES.................90 Abstract....................................................................................................................91 Introduction.............................................................................................................92 Methods....................................................................................................................95 Results......................................................................................................................99 Discussion...............................................................................................................102 Acknowledgments..................................................................................................106 References..............................................................................................................106 APPENDIX D: THE SIMULTANEOUS CONTRIBUTION OF OPPOSING ASSEMBLY MECHANISMS IN A NEOTROPICAL DRY FOREST: A CHALLENGE FOR PHYLOGENETIC AND FUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY ECOLOGY...............128 Abstract..................................................................................................................129 Introduction...........................................................................................................130 Methods..................................................................................................................134 Results....................................................................................................................141 Discussion...............................................................................................................144 Acknowledgments..................................................................................................151 References..............................................................................................................151 8 APPENDIX E: LONG-TERM SHIFTS IN SPECIES, PHYLOGENETIC AND FUNCTIONAL COMPOSITION OF A TROPICAL FOREST:A 30-YEAR STUDY OF A NEO-TROPICAL DRY FOREST DYNAMICS PLOT............................................168 Abstract..................................................................................................................169 Introduction...........................................................................................................170 Methods..................................................................................................................174 Results....................................................................................................................180