RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Shifts from non-obligate generalists to obligate specialists in simulations of mutualistic network assembly
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2022.08.04.502756
DO 10.1101/2022.08.04.502756
A1 Metz, Timo
A1 Blüthgen, Nico
A1 Drossel, Barbara
YR 2022
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2022/08/05/2022.08.04.502756.abstract
AB Understanding ecosystem recovery after perturbation is crucial for ecosystem conservation. Mutualisms contribute key functions for plants such as pollination and seed dispersal. We modelled the assembly of mutualistic networks based on trait matching between plants and their animal partners that have different degrees of specialization on plant traits. Additionally, we addressed the role of non-obligate animal mutualists, including facultative mutualists or non-resident species that have their main resources outside the target site. Our computer simulations show that non-obligate animals facilitate network assembly during the early stages, furthering colonization by an increase in niche space and reduced competition. While non-obligate and generalist animals provide most of the fitness benefits to plants in the early stages of the assembly, obligate and specialist animals dominate at the end of the assembly. Our results thus demonstrate the combined occurrence of shifts from diet, trait, and habitat generalists to more specialised animals.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.