Does phylogeny have a role in the liana-phorophyte interaction in tropical forests?

•We analyzed liana and phorophyte phylogenetic pattern of co-occurrence in the tropical forests and Cerrado (Tropical Savanna).•Phylogenetic original lianas co-occur frequently on the distinct phorophytes in tropical forests but in savanna they co-occur on common phorophytes.•Phorophyte functional characteristics have an important role in the assemblages of lianas.•Environmental factors mediate liana and phorophte interactions in tropical forests and savanna.