Vertically stratified interactions of nectarivores and nectar-inhabiting bacteria in a liana flowering across forest strata.
Sarina ThielMalika GottsteinEckhard W HeymannJana KroszewskiNarges LiekerNey Shahuano TelloMarco TschapkaRobert R JunkerKatrin HeerPublished in: American journal of botany (2024)
Our findings suggest that vertical niche differentiation in plant-nectarivore interactions seems to be partly driven by resource abundance, but other factors such as species-specific preferences of hummingbirds, likely caused by competition, play an important role. We conclude that vertical stratification is an important driver of a species' interaction niche highlighting its role for promoting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.