Phorophyte Leaf Phenology Affects Phorophyte—Vascular Epiphyte Networks in a Cloud Forest in Central Mexico

ABSTRACT Aims Epiphytes distribute heterogeneously along their phorophytes, according to the microenvironmental gradient within them. Phorophyte leaf phenology (evergreen vs. deciduous) determines the microenvironment experienced by epiphytes, their diversity and vertical stratification. No studies have evaluated the effects of phorophyte leaf phenology on the phorophyte—vascular epiphyte network metrics. We compare the phorophyte—vascular epiphyte global‐ and per stratum‐network in phorophyte species with contrasting leaf phenology within a fragment of cloud forest in central Mexico. Location Fragment of cloud forest in Amatlán de Quetzalcóatl, Morelos State, in central Mexico. Methods Epiphyte species and their abundance on each phorophyte and per vertical stratum were determined. Grouping phorophytes with different leaf phenology (evergreen vs. deciduous), we estimated true diversities ( 0 D, 1 D, and 2 D) and network metrics both for the whole communities and per stratum. Results Evergreen phorophytes hosted a greater diversity ( 1 D, and 2 D) of epiphyte species and interactions, and a greater network size and nestedness than deciduous phorophytes. In both types of phorophytes, connectance, specialization, and modularity had similar values; vulnerability was greater than generality; niche overlap was greater for phorophytes than epiphytes, whereas robustness was greater for epiphytes than phorophytes. Conclusions Our results suggest that evergreen phorophyte networks are more stable than those in deciduous phorophytes. Different epiphyte species have adaptations to the microenvironmental conditions offered by each type of phorophyte, allowing the coexistence of a great diversity of epiphytes typical of cloud forests. To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing the phorophyte—epiphyte networks between phorophytes with contrasting leaf phenology. Understanding how leaf phenology affects the interactions between phorophytes and epiphytes is fundamental for species and ecosystem management and preservation.