Supporting data: Speciation and population divergence in a mutualistic seed dispersing bird

Bird-mediated seed dispersal is crucial for the regeneration and viability of ecosystems, often resulting in complex mutualistic species networks. Yet, how this mutualism drives the evolution of seed dispersing birds is still poorly understood. In the present study we combine whole genome re-sequencing analyses and morphometric data to assess the evolutionary processes that shaped the diversification of the Eurasian nutcracker (Nucifraga), a seed disperser known for its mutualism with pines (Pinus). Our results show that the divergence and phylogeographic patterns of nutcrackers resemble those of other non-mutualistic passerine birds and suggests that their early diversification was shaped by similar biogeographic and climatic processes. The limited variation in foraging traits indicates that local adaptation to pines likely played a minor role. Our study shows that close mutualistic relationships between bird and plant species might not necessarily act as a primary driver of evolution ...

鸟类介导的种子传播（Bird-mediated seed dispersal）对生态系统的自然更新与存续能力至关重要，其往往会形成复杂的互利共生物种网络。然而，这类互利共生关系如何推动传种鸟类的演化，目前学界仍知之甚少。本研究整合全基因组重测序（whole genome re-sequencing）分析与形态计量学数据，旨在解析驱动欧亚星鸦（Nucifraga，一种因与松属（Pinus）植物形成互利共生关系而闻名的传种鸟类）物种多样化的演化进程。研究结果显示，星鸦的种群分化与系统地理格局与其他非互利共生型雀形目鸟类高度相似，表明其早期物种多样化由类似的生物地理与气候过程塑造。取食性状的有限变异表明，针对松树的局部适应在其演化中仅发挥了次要作用。本研究表明，鸟类与植物间的紧密互利共生关系未必会成为演化的核心驱动因子……