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Global patterns in anuran–prey networks: structure mediated by latitude
Author(s) -
Ceron Karoline,
OliveiraSantos Luiz Gustavo R.,
Souza Camila S.,
Mesquita Daniel O.,
Caldas Francis L. S.,
Araujo Andréa C.,
Santana Diego J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
oikos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1600-0706
pISSN - 0030-1299
DOI - 10.1111/oik.06621
Subject(s) - predation , modularity (biology) , species richness , latitude , ecology , temperate climate , phylogenetic tree , biology , tropics , range (aeronautics) , community structure , spatial ecology , geography , evolutionary biology , biochemistry , materials science , geodesy , gene , composite material
Life on Earth is supported by an infinite number of interactions among organisms. Species interactions in these networks are influenced by latitude, evolutionary history and species traits. We performed a global‐scale literature analysis to build up a database of interactions between anuran communities and their preys, from a wide range of geographical areas, using a network approach. For this purpose, we compiled a total of 55 weighted anuran–prey interaction networks, 39 located in the tropics and 16 in temperate areas. We tested the influence of latitude, as well as anuran taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic richness on network metrics. We found that anuran–prey networks are not nested, exhibit low complementary specialization and modularity and high connectance when compared to other types of networks. The main effects on network metrics were related to latitude, followed by anuran taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic richness, a pattern similar to the emerging in mutualistic networks. Our study is the first integrated analysis of the structural patterns in anuran–prey antagonistic interaction networks in different parts of the world. We suggest that different processes, mediated mainly by latitude, are modeling the architecture of anuran–prey networks across the globe.