The relative roles of cell size and phylogeny in driving dissimilarity of algal functional trait

Key Points

• Dissimilarity of algal functional traits is influenced by both cell size and phylogeny, driving ecological diversity.
• The study reveals that traits associated with larger cell sizes show distinct patterns when compared across phylogenetic lineages.
• Assessments of algal communities highlight how evolutionary history intertwines with functional characteristics.
• This approach emphasizes the need for further investigation into trait variations across diverse algal groups.