Strong turnover of arthropods communities at multi-hierarchical
levels
Our study provides haplotype-level data of entire communities, which
allows surveys of community composition and species turnover of eight
taxonomic orders based on presence–absence of haplotypes and higher
lineages (Figure 4, Figure S4). High beta diversity was found across
communities in all orders, and was dominated by lineage turnover
(βsim ) instead of nestedness
(βsne ) from haplotypes to higher hierarchical
levels (Figure S4). We found significant differentiation among sites
placed in a single mountain and vegetation type (Abies forests)
according to site haplotype composition, but also when molecular
entities that conservatively represent species are considered. Diptera
and Collembola presented the highest differentiation among sites,
specifically dividing the East (SJH-TLC) and the West (AAB-ASB) sampling
points, as shown by the NMDS and ANOSIM analyses (Figure 4). Again, this
occurs at the level of haplotype, 3% CL and 5% CL (Figure 4). The
West-East division in community structure within Nevado de Toluca
(Figure 4) implies opposing hillsides. In mountain landscapes,
East-facing slopes with morning sun may provide different conditions
from cold and foggy West-facing slopes
(Rahbek et al.,
2019a), which could influence community assembly. While we can not
discard the role of environmental heterogeneity (environmental distance)
driving community differences between western-eastern sampling points,
it should be emphasized that all sampling points were located withinA. religiosa forests with no apparent differentiation within the
Nevado de Toluca. In fact, A. religiosa forests are expected to
grow under similar conditions within a single mountain, having a quite
restricted environmental niche associated with moist and cold sites
(Rzendowski, 2006).