Phylogenetic
signal
We did not find phylogenetic signal for maximum diameter (contrast
variation=6.808, p>0.05) and maximum height (contrast
variation=0.165; p>0.05) as well as herbaceous relative
cover (contrast variation=0.043, p>0.05). Since from
comstruct output it becomes possible to compute significance levels for
phylogenetic structure values to be different from the zero expectation
(MPD.rankHigh/nruns), Nitrogen fixers were clustered phylogenetically,
(NRI=20.97), as well as those with resprouting ability (NRI=4.43), with
urticancy or toxicity (NRI=9.54), spiny succulents (NRI=9.55),
phanerophytes (NRI=5.70) and lianas (NRI=3.22), demonstrating that those
functional traits related to herbivory and long-stemmed life forms are
conserved within phylogenetic lineages of the metacommunity tree. In
contrast, the endozoochorous species (NRI=-1.44), chamaephytes
(NRI=0.39), annuals/therophytes (NRI=0.51) and hemicryptophytes
(NRI=-0.29) were not significantly clustered.
Regarding the traits related to strategies for herbivory deterrence,
distribution of traits on the phylogenetic tree of the woody component
shows spinescent succulents restricted to the families Cactaceae and
Bromeliaceae. Meanwhile, resprouters were distributed mainly among the
Rosids clade. Urticancy and toxicity was mainly distributed in the
family Euphorbiaceae, with some representatives in the families
Fabaceae, Apocynaceae and Portulacaceae. Annuals were distributed
throughout the metacommunity phylogenetic tree, but mainly in the
families Poaceae, Commelinaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Asteraceae,
Amaranthaceae and Cleomaceae (Figure 4).