Supporting Information
Figure S1: Hypothesized gradients in microhabitats among tree size classes and amongst crown
zones within the largest trees.
Figure S2: Multivariate regression tree used to define tree size classes.
Table S1: List of epiphyte species, their family and group within 61 Virola koschnyi trees at La
Selva Biological Research Station in Costa Rica.
Table S2: Number of epiphyte families, genera, species, functional groups and individuals of
each epiphyte family in total and within each Virola koschnyi size class.
Distance from trunk
VPD
light
Similar
conditions
canopy humus
branch size
RH
Tree size
Inner
(0-2 m)
Mid
(2-5 m)
Outer
(> 5 m)
Habitat heterogeneity
Fig. S1. Hypothesized gradients in microhabitats amongst tree size classes and amongst crown
zones within the largest trees. Microhabitat measurements included vapor pressure deficit
(VPD), relative humidity (RH), branch size, % canopy humus cover, and % canopy openness.
We hypothesized that microhabitats would be created as trees increased in diameter and age
resulting in greater microhabitat heterogeneity in the largest trees.
density< 22
density< 3.5
density>=22
density>=3.5 density< 110.5
richness>=2.5
density>=110.5
richness< 2.5
17
2.24 : n=5
16 11 : n=78
15.6 : n=15
15 cm
30 cm
15 cm
8 12.7 : n=14
4.48 : n=8
5
70 cm
>70 cm
Error : 0.445 CV Error : 0.626 SE : 0.0663
Fig. S2. Multivariate regression tree based on a Bray-Curtis dissimilarity matrix of epiphyte
abundance data from 61 Virola koschnyi trees ranging in diameter from 2.5 to 103.3 cm at La
Selva Biological Research Station in Costa Rica. These data were used to define tree size classes
(15 cm: 2.5 - 15.0 cm; 30 cm: 15.1 - 30.0 cm; 70 cm: 30.1 – 70.0 cm; >70 cm). The regression
tree explained 55% of the variation in species composition amongst different-sized trees.
Table S1. The number of epiphyte families, unique epiphyte families, epiphyte genera, unique
epiphyte genera, epiphyte species, unique epiphyte species, epiphyte groups, unique epiphyte
groups and the number of individuals of each epiphyte family in total and within each Virola
koschnyi tree diameter size class at La Selva Biological Research Station in Costa Rica. Trees
were separated into size classes based on diameter: 15 cm = 2.5 - 15.0 cm; 30 cm = 15.1 - 30.0
cm; 70 cm = 30.1 – 70.0 cm; >70 cm). The numbers in brackets beside each family represent the
number of genera followed by the number of species in each family
Tree size class
Family (genera, species)
15 cm
30 cm
70 cm
> 70 cm
Total
# Families
4
6
9
15
15
# Unique Families
0
0
0
6
# Genera
5
11
27
50
51
# Unique Genera
0
0
0
23
# Species
7
18
51
99
109
# Unique Species
0
1
7
56
# Epiphyte Groups
3
5
7
7
7
# Unique Epiphyte Groups
0
0
2
2
Bromeliaceae (7, 18)
29
147
723
3084
3983
Orchidaceae (12, 30)
0
2
129
352
483
Polypodiaceae (5, 9)
27
28
122
293
470
Dryopteridaceae (1, 5)*
0
0
5
435
440
Piperaceae (1, 4)
17
138
71
42
268
Araceae (3, 15)*
0
3
14
230
247
Pteridaceae (2, 2)*
3
0
5
130
138
Cactaceae (3, 4)*
0
1
8
80
89
Cyclanthaceae (2, 2)*
0
0
0
77
77
Clusiaceae (1, 1)
0
0
1
20
21
Lomariopsidaceae (1, 1)
0
0
0
15
15
Gesneriaceae (2, 2)*
0
0
0
14
14
Melastomataceae (1, 1)
0
0
0
3
3
Aspleniaceae (1, 1)
0
0
0
1
1
Hymenophyllaceae (2, 2)
0
0
0
1
1
*found predominantly in canopy humus
Table S2. List of epiphyte species along with their families and classified group found in 61
Virola koschnyi trees ranging in diameter from 2.5 cm to 103.3 cm at La Selva Biological
Research Station in Costa Rica.
Family & Species name
Epiphyte group
Araceae
Anthurium austin-smithii Croat & Baker
Aroid
Anthurium bakeri Hook. f.
Aroid
Anthurium consobrinum Schott
Aroid
Anthurium cuspidatum Mast.
Aroid
Anthurium friedrichsthalli Schott
Aroid
Anthurium obtusum (Engl.) Grayam
Aroid
Anthurium ramonense Engl. Ex K.Krause
Aroid
Anthurium scandens ssp. Pusillum Sheffler
Aroid
Anthurium upalaense Croat & R.A. Baker
Aroid
Philodendron radiatum Schott
Aroid
Philodendron wendlandii Schott
Aroid
Philodendron sp. 1
Aroid
Stenospermation angustifolium Hemsl.
Aroid
Unidentified aroid 1
Aroid
Unidentified aroid 2
Aroid
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium serratum L.
Soil fern
Bromeliaceae
Aechmea angustifolia Poepp. & Endl.
Tank bromeliad
Aechmea nudicaulis (L.) Griseb.
Tank bromeliad
Aechmea pubescens Baker
Tank bromeliad
Catopsis juncifolia Mez & Wercklé
Tank bromeliad
Guzmania desautelsii Read & L.B.Sm.
Tank bromeliad
Guzmania lingulata (L.) Mez
Tank bromeliad
Guzmania monostachia (L.) Rusby ex Mez
Tank bromeliad
Tillandsia anceps G. Lodd
Tank bromeliad
Tillandsia bulbosa Hook.
Atmospheric bromeliad
Tillandsia festucoides Brongn. ex Mez
Atmospheric bromeliad
Tillandsia monadelpha (E. Morren) Baker
Tank bromeliad
Tillandsia venusta Mez & Wercklé
Tank bromeliad
Vriesea heliconiodes (Kunth) Hook ex. Walp
Tank bromeliad
Vriesea vittata Mez & Wercklé L.B. Sm. & Pittendr.
Tank bromeliad
Werauhia gladioliflora (H. Wendl.) J.R. Grant
Tank bromeliad
Werauhia kupperiana (Suess.) J.R. Grant
Tank bromeliad
Werauhia ringens (Griseb.) J.R. Grant
Tank bromeliad
Weberocereus tunilla (F.A.C. Webber) Britton & Rose
Tank bromeliad
Family & Species name
Cactaceae
Epiphyllum hookeri Haw.
Epiphyllum macropterum (Lem.) Britton & Rose
Hylocereus stenopterus (F.A.C. Weber) Britton & Rose
Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S. Muell.) Stearn
Clusiaceae
Clusia sp.
Cyclanthaceae
Chorigyne pendula (Hammel) R. Erikss.
Sphaeradenia acutitepala Harling
Dryopteridaceae
Elaphoglossum christianeae Mickel
Elaphoglossum correae Mickel
Elaphoglossum herminieri (Bory & Fée) T. Moore
Elaphoglossum latifolium (Sw.) J. Sm.
Elaphoglossum nigrescens (Hook.) T. Moore ex Diels
Gesneraceae
Codonanthe sp.
Columnea sp.
Hymenophyllaceae
Hymenophyllum brevifrons Kunze
Trichomanes crispum L.
Lomariopsidaceae
Lomariopsis vestita E. Fourn.
Melastomataceae
Melastome sp.
Orchidaceae
Brassia caudate (L.) Lindl.
Catasetum sp. 1
Catasetum sp. 2
Dichaea sp. 1
Elleanthus cynarocephalus (Rchb. f.) Rchb. f.
Epidendrum sp. 1
Epidendrum sp. 2
Epidendrum sp. 3
Epidendrum hunterianum Schltr.
Epidendrum isomerum Schltr.
Maxillaria endresii Rchb. f.
Maxillaria sp. 1
Maxillaria sp. 2
Nidema boothii (Lindl.) Schltr.
Pleurothallis pruinosa Lindl.
Epiphyte group
Cactus
Cactus
Cactus
Cactus
Cyclanth
Cyclanth
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Family & Species name
Pleurothallis sp. 1
Pleurothallis sp. 2
Prosthechea abbreviata (Schltr.) W.E. Higgins
Prosthechea chacaoensis (Rchb. f.) W.E. Higgins
Prosthechea fragrans (Sw.) W.E. Higgins
Scaphyglottis sp.
Sobralia chrysostoma Dressler
Sobralia fragrans Lindl.
Sobralia sp. 1
Sobralia sp. 2
Stellis sp. 1
Stellis sp. 2
Unidentified orchid 1
Unidentified orchid 2
Unidentified orchid 3
Piperaceae
Peperomia filicaulis C. DC.
Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr.
Peperomia portobellensis Beurl.
Peperomia rotundifolia (L.) Dahlst.
Polypodiaceae
Campyloneurum brevifolium (Lodd. ex Link) Link
Cochlidium linearifolium (Desv.) Maxon ex C. Chr.
Cochlidium serrulatum (Sw.) L.E. Bishop
Dicranoglossum panamense (C. Chr.) L.D. Gómez
Microgramma lycopodioides Copel.
Microgramma percussa (Cav.) de la Sota
Microgramma reptans (Cav.) A.R. Sm.
Phlebodium aureum (L.) J. Sm.
Phlebodium pseudoaureum (Cav.) Lellinger
Pteridaceae
Polytaenium feei (W. Schaffn. ex Fée) Maxon
Vittaria lineata (L.) Sw.
Epiphyte group
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Orchid
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Bark fern
Bark fern
Bark fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern
Humus fern