Data from: Mutualistic mimicry enhances species diversification through spatial segregation and extension of the ecological niche space

Species richness varies among clades, yet the drivers of diversification
creating this variation remain poorly understood. While abiotic factors
likely drive some of the variation in species richness, ecological
interactions may also contribute. Here, we examine one class of potential
contributors to species richness variation that is particularly poorly
understood: mutualistic interactions. We aim to elucidate large-scale
patterns of diversification mediated by mutualistic interactions using a
spatially-explicit population-based model. We focus on mutualistic
Müllerian mimicry between conspicuous toxic prey species, where
convergence in colour patterns emerges from predators' learning
process. To investigate the effects of Müllerian mimicry on species
diversification, we assume that some speciation events stem from shifts in
ecological niches, and can also be associated with shift in mimetic colour
pattern. Through the emergence of spatial mosaics of mimetic colour
patterns, Müllerian mimicry constrains the geographical distribution of
species and allows different species with similar ecological niches to
exist simultaneously in different regions. Müllerian mimicry and the
resulting spatial segregation of mimetic colour patterns thus generate
more balanced phylogenetic trees and increase overall species diversity.
Our study sheds light on complex effects of Müllerian mimicry on
ecological, spatial and phylogenetic diversification.