When lizards shift to a more plant-based lifestyle: The macroevolution of mutualistic lizard-plant-interactions (Squamata: Sauria/Lacertilia)
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, vol. 186, pp. 107839
Abstract
Pollination and seed dispersal of plants by animals are key mutualistic processes for the conservation of plant diversity and ecosystem functioning. Although different animals frequently act as pollinators or seed dispersers, some species can provide both functions, so-called 'double mutualists', suggesting that the evolution of pollination and seed dispersal may be linked. Here, we assess the macroevolution of mutualistic behaviours in lizards (Lacertilia) by applying comparative methods to a phylogeny comprising 2,838 species. We found that both flower visitation (potential pollination; recorded in 64 species [2.3% of total] across 9 families) and seed dispersal (recorded in 382 species [13,5% of total] across 26 families) have evolved repeatedly in Lacertilia. Furthermore, we found that seed dispersal activity pre-dated flower visitation and that the evolution of seed dispersal activity and flower visitation was correlated, illustrating a potential evolutionary mechanism behind the emergence of double mutualisms. Finally, we provide evidence that lineages with flower visitation or seed dispersal activity have higher diversification rates than lineages lacking these behaviours. Our study illustrates the repeated innovation of (double) mutualisms across Lacertilia and we argue that island settings may provide the ecological conditions under which (double) mutualisms persist over macroevolutionary timescales.
Authors 4
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Belinda Kahnt corresponding
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research · Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Affiliation as printed
General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: belinda.kahnt@zoologie.uni-halle.de
General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research · Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Affiliation as printed
General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
Affiliation as printed
Department of Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center · German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research
Affiliation as printed
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg, 2 2333CR Leiden, the Netherlands
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg, 2 2333CR Leiden, the Netherlands
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