Data from: Use of alpha, beta, and gamma diversity measures to characterize seed dispersal by animals

Seed dispersal shapes ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant populations. Here, we extend classical diversity measures to study the impact of disperser behavior on seed dispersal. We begin by extending our previous diversity structure approach, which partitioned seed source diversity within and among dispersal sites, into the more general framework of traditional diversity measures. This statistical approach allows an assessment of the extent to which foraging behavior shapes α and γ diversity, as well as the divergence in seed sources among dispersal sites, which we call δ. We also introduce tests to facilitate comparisons of diversity among dispersal sites and seed vectors and to compare overall diversity among sampled systems. We then apply these tools to investigate the diversity blend of parentage resulting from seed dispersal by two avian seed vectors with very different social and foraging behaviors: (1) acorn woodpeckers, transporting Quercus agrifolia acorns, and (2) long-wattled umbrellabirds, transporting Oenocarpus bataua palm nuts. Using these diversity and divergence measures, we test the hypothesis that different foraging behaviors generate distinctive diversity partitions for the two focal tree species. This approach provides a new tool for assessment of the impact of dispersal agents on the seed source structure of plant populations, which can be extended to include the impact of virtually any propagule vector for a range of systems.

种子传播塑造植物种群的生态与进化动态。本研究将经典多样性测度方法加以拓展，以探讨传播者行为对种子传播过程的影响。我们首先将此前用于划分传播位点内与位点间种子源多样性的多样性结构分析方法，拓展至传统多样性测度的通用分析框架之中。该统计方法可用于评估觅食行为对α（alpha）多样性与γ（gamma）多样性的塑造程度，同时可量化传播位点间种子源的分化水平——我们将该分化指标记为δ（delta）。此外，本研究还引入了一系列检验方法，可实现不同传播位点、不同种子传播媒介间的多样性对比，以及不同采样系统间的整体多样性对比。随后，我们将上述分析工具应用于两种社交与觅食行为差异显著的鸟类种子传播媒介所介导的种子传播过程，以探究其产生的亲本来源多样性组成：其一为搬运加州栎（Quercus agrifolia）橡子的橡树啄木鸟（acorn woodpeckers）；其二为搬运巴塔棕（Oenocarpus bataua）棕榈果的长耳垂伞鸟（long-wattled umbrellabirds）。基于上述多样性与分化测度指标，我们验证了如下假说：不同的觅食行为会为两种目标树种生成差异化的多样性划分模式。本研究提出的分析方法为评估传播媒介对植物种群种子源结构的影响提供了全新工具，且该方法可拓展至各类生态系统中几乎所有繁殖体传播媒介的相关影响研究。