Ant and spider species as surrogates for functional community composition of epiphyte-associated invertebrates in a tropical moist forest

•Tank bromeliads host diverse aquatic invertebrate communities in tropical forests.•Bromeliad features determine the functional trait composition of invertebrates.•Indicator ants and spiders predict aquatic invertebrate traits in tank bromeliads.•Surrogate species indicate pelagic, benthic and interstitial food webs in bromeliads.