Data from: Searching for keystone plant resources in fruit-frugivore interaction networks across the Neotropics

Identifying keystone plant resources (KPR) is a contentious issue in
ecology and conservation. Despite recent advances provided by mutualistic
networks, we still lack studies addressing large-scale identification of
keystone plants. We developed a novel quantitative framework for the
large-scale identification of KPR that combines centrality and effects of
simulated removals on networks properties. We built a database with 38
fruit-frugivore networks comprising 6180 pairwise interactions from
Neotropical forest and non-forest ecosystems ranging from sea level to
2,500 m a.s.l.. Effects of random removal simulations and removal of
keystone taxa candidates on nestedness, modularity and niche overlap were
assessed. Furthermore, we tested whether changes in network descriptors
responded to both latitudinal and elevational gradients. From a total of
373 genera on networks, only species in six genera were ranked as
potential keystones. The simulated removal of species in Miconia
(Melastomataceae), Cecropia (Urticaceae) and Byrsonima (Malpighiaceae) led
to significant changes in nestedness, modularity and niche overlap,
suggesting that these plants play important roles in maintaining the
structure of Neotropical fruit-frugivore interaction networks, regardless
of latitude or elevation. Our results confirm the keystone role of
previously-recognized taxa, recognize overlooked ones, providing support
for their role at a biogeographical scale, and partially challenge taxa
traditionally identified as keystone resources for frugivores. Our study
has implications for conservation and restoration of Neotropical
ecosystems and provides a new framework for large-scale identification of
keystones in any type of ecological networks.