Elevational filtering and the evolution of planthoppers (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) in Papua New Guinea

Along elevational gradients, phylogenetic relatedness patterns
constitute a considerable source of information, and may shed light on
ecological processes that structure communities. This study focuses on
community phylogenetic structure of planthoppers, specifically the
species-rich and abundant Fulgoromorpha families (Hemiptera,
Auchenorrhyncha), Cixiidae and Derbidae+Achilidae, along an elevational
gradient on Mount Wilhelm (Papua New Guinea). In order to assess the
factors driving planthoppers community composition, we recorded abundance
data for planthoppers species at each elevation and we generated a
molecular phylogeny of the local species, using Bayesian Inference. We
analyzed 168 individuals representing 59 local morphospecies. Using a fully
resolved and well-supported phylogeny, we then investigated the
phylogenetic structure of the communities by performing a Spatial Analysis
of Community Diversity. We show that Cixiidae are phylogenetically
clustered along the...