Spatio-temporal variation of Cerambycidae- host tree interaction networks

Despite its high ecological importance, the commensal interactions at community level are poorly studied. In tropical dry forests, there is a great diversity of species adapted to the high seasonality that characterizes them; however, little is known regarding how the spatial and temporal availability of resources generates changes in the pattern of commensal interactions. We experimentally studied changes in the diversity, composition, and pattern of interactions in Spatio-temporal associations between the saproxylophagous beetles and their host trees in Morelos, Mexico. We selected 65 host tree species, and 16 wood sections were obtained per species. These sections were exposed in the field to allow oviposition by the cerambycids under four different treatments. We analyzed the network structure and generated indices at the species level (i.e., specialization, species strength, and effective partners) and those related to the physical characteristics of the wood (hardness and degradation rate) and the cerambycids (body size). In total, 1,323 individuals of 57 species of cerambycids emerged. Our results showed network presented a nested and modular structure independently of space and time, with a high specialization degree and a high turnover of cerambycid species and their interactions. We found that the cerambycids are mostly associated with softwood species with a lower decomposition rate of wood and the most abundant host species. The knowledge of the Spatio-temporal variation in Cerambycidae-host tree interactions allows us to predict how environmental and structural changes in the habitat can modify the species ensemble and its interactions.