Data from: Drivers of phylogenetic assemblage structure of the Furnariides, a widespread clade of lowland Neotropical birds

Species co-occurrence in local assemblages is shaped by different
processes at different spatial and temporal scales. Here we focus on
historical explanations and examine the phylogenetic structure of local
assemblages of the Furnariides clade (Aves: Passeriformes), assessing the
influence of diversification rates on the assembly and species
co-occurrence within those assemblages. Using 120 local assemblages across
Bolivia and Argentina and a nearly complete phylogeny for the clade, we
analyzed assemblage phylogenetic structure applying a recently developed
model (DAMOCLES) accounting for the historical processes of speciation,
colonization and local extinction. We also evaluated how diversification
rates determine species co-occurrence. We found that the assembly of
Furnariides assemblages can largely be explained by speciation,
colonization and local extinction without invoking current local species
interactions. Phylogenetic structure of open habitat assemblages mainly
showed clustering, characterized by faster rates of colonization and local
extinction than in forest habitats, whereas forest habitat assemblages
were congruent with the model’s equal rates expectation, thus highlighting
the influence of habitat preferences on assembly and co-occurrence
patterns. Our results suggest that historical processes are sufficient to
explain local assemblage phylogenetic structure, while there is little
evidence for species ecological interactions in avian assemblage diversity
and composition.