Data from: Phenotypic selection exerted by a seed predator is replicated in space and time and among prey species

Although consistent phenotypic selection arising from biotic interactions is thought to be the primary cause of adaptive diversification, studies documenting such selection are relatively few. Here we analyze 12 episodes of phenotypic selection exerted by a predispersal seed predator, the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra complex), on five species of pines (Pinus). We find that even though the intensity of selection for some traits increased with the strength of the interaction (i.e., proportion of seeds eaten), the relative strength of selection exerted by crossbills on cone and seed traits is replicated across space, time, and among species. Such selection (1) can account for repeated patterns of conifer cone evolution, and escalation in seed defenses with time, and (2) suggests that variation in selection is less the result of variation intrinsic to pairwise biotic interactions than, for example, variation in relative densities of the interacting species, community context, and abiotic factors.

尽管由生物相互作用介导的稳定表型选择（phenotypic selection）被认为是适应性分化（adaptive diversification）的主要驱动力，但记录此类选择的研究却相对匮乏。本研究针对5种松属（Pinus）植物，分析了由散播前种子捕食者——红交嘴雀（Loxia curvirostra complex）介导的12次表型选择事件。研究发现，尽管部分性状的选择强度随相互作用强度（即种子被取食比例）升高而增强，但交嘴雀对球果与种子性状的选择相对强度在空间、时间以及不同物种间均呈现重复模式。此类选择（1）可解释针叶树球果演化的重复模式以及种子防御随时间的强化过程；（2）表明选择压力的变异更多并非源于两两生物相互作用的内在差异，而是更受相互作用物种的相对密度、群落背景以及非生物因子等因素的影响。