Spatio-ecological niche segregation of two sympatric species ofClidemia (Melastomataceae) in Western Amazonian non-flooded rainforests

Ecologically similar species partition their use of resources and habitats and thus coexist due to ecological segregation in space, time, or diet. In seabirds, this segregation may differ over the annual cycle or vary inter-annually. We evaluated niche segregation in 3 sympatric storm-petrel species (Hydrobates melania, H. leucorhous, and H. microsoma) from the San Benito Islands, Mexico, during 2012 and 2013. We used diet samples and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic values obtained from egg membranes, blood, feathers, and prey. We used krill samples to delineate marine δ13C and δ15N isoscapes for the Baja California Peninsula. During the breeding season, storm-petrels segregated regarding diet composition, stable isotope values, and isotopic niches. H. melania consumed higher trophic-position prey from neritic waters, while H. leucorhous and H. microsoma foraged on lower-trophic position prey from oceanic waters. Isotopic niches among species did not overlap in 2013, whereas those of H. microsoma and H. leucorhous overlapped in 2012. The feeding strategies of H. melania varied among breeding phases, and adults consumed different prey items from different areas compared to those of their offspring. H. microsoma adults and their chicks consumed the same prey items but from different habitats. During the non-breeding period, niche segregation between species persisted, except for H. microsoma and H. leucorhous during the molt of primary (P1) and undertail cover feathers. These 3 sympatric species coexist through niche segregation based on prey items and foraging areas that vary seasonally and year-round, probably due to changes in oceanographic conditions and the distribution and availability of prey.

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Genetic structure and ecological niche segregation of Indian gray mongoose ( Urva edwardsii ) in Iran

Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1002/ece3.8168 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Razie Oboudi ◽

Mansoureh Malekian ◽

Rasoul Khosravi ◽

Davoud Fadakar ◽

Mohammad Ali Adibi

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Ecological Niche ◽

Niche Segregation ◽

Indian Gray Mongoose

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Temporal overlap between two sympatric carnivores in northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.5483.12.2.15244-15250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 15244-15250

Author(s):

Alvaro García-Olaechea ◽

Cindy M. Hurtado

Keyword(s):

Activity Pattern ◽

Ecological Niche ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Dry Forest ◽

Arid Ecosystems ◽

Similar Species ◽

Seasonally Dry ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Main Dimension ◽

Temporal Overlap

The coexistence of sympatric species is determined by differences in their ecological niche. Thus, for taxonomically and ecologically similar species to coexist, they must segregate in at least one of the three most important dimensions of the ecological niche: space, time or diet. The Pampas Cat Leopardus colocola and the Sechuran Fox Lycalopex sechurae are sympatric species; and they are the most common medium-sized carnivores in the Sechura Desert and in the lowland seasonally dry tropical forest of Peru and Ecuador. We evaluated the activity pattern of both mesocarnivores using camera trapping and temporal overlap analysis in both arid ecosystems. We found a high degree of activity overlap and no statistically significant difference in the activity pattern of both species (Δ = 0.85 with 95% CI = 0.81 – 0.94; W = 0.531, SD = 2, P = 0.767), both being cathemeral. There is, however, a contrasting pattern in the daytime activity of these species in the dry forest. These results suggest that the different diet composition may be the main dimension that is facilitating the coexistence of both mesocarnivores in the arid ecosystems of northern Peru and southern Ecuador.

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Foraging behaviour and habitat-use drives niche segregation in sibling seabird species

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.200649 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 200649

Author(s):

Ryan R. Reisinger ◽

Tegan Carpenter-Kling ◽

Maëlle Connan ◽

Yves Cherel ◽

Pierre A. Pistorius

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Foraging Behaviour ◽

Trophic Ecology ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Environmental Data ◽

Niche Segregation ◽

Seabird Species ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Gps Tracks

To mediate competition, similar sympatric species are assumed to use different resources, or the same but geographically separated resources. The two giant petrels ( Macronectes spp.) are intriguing in that they are morphologically similar seabirds with overlapping diets and distributions. To better understand the mechanisms allowing their coexistence, we investigated intra- and interspecific niche segregation at Marion Island (Southern Indian Ocean), one of the few localities where they breed in sympatry. We used GPS tracks from 94 individuals and remote-sensed environmental data to quantify habitat use, combined with blood carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios from 90 individuals to characterize their foraging habitat and trophic ecology. Females of both species made distant at-sea foraging trips and fed at a similar trophic level. However, they used distinct pelagic habitats. By contrast, males of both species mainly foraged on or near land, resulting in significant sexual segregation, but high interspecific habitat and diet overlap. However, some males showed flexible behavioural strategies, also making distant, pelagic foraging trips. Using contemporaneous tracking, environmental and stable isotope data we provide a clear example of how sympatric sibling species can be segregated along different foraging behaviour dimensions.

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Stage-Dependent Niche Segregation: Insights From a Multi-Dimensional Approach of Two Sympatric Sibling Seabirds

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1052090/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aymeric Fromant ◽

John P.Y. Arnould ◽

Karine Delord ◽

Grace J Sutton ◽

Alice Carravieri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Changes ◽

Niche Partitioning ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Diving Behavior ◽

Breeding Period ◽

Similar Species ◽

Niche Segregation ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Niche Competition ◽

Species Specific

Abstract Niche theory predicts that to reduce competition for the same resource, sympatric ecologically similar species should exploit divergent niches and segregate in one or more dimensions. Seasonal variations in environmental conditions and energy requirements can influence the mechanisms and the degree of niche segregation. However, studies have overlooked the multi-dimensional aspect of niche segregation over the whole annual cycle, and key facets of species co-existence still remain ambiguous. The present study provides insights into the niche use and partitioning of two morphologically and ecologically similar seabirds, the common (CDP, Pelecanoides urinatrix) and the South Georgian diving petrels (SGDP, P. georgicus). Using phenology, at-sea distribution, diving behavior and isotopic data (during the incubation, chick-rearing and non-breeding periods), we show that the degree of partitioning was highly stage-dependent. During the breeding season, the greater niche segregation during chick-rearing than incubation supported the hypothesis that resource partitioning increases during energetically demanding periods. During the post breeding period, while the observed species-specific latitudinal differences were expected, CDP and SGDP also migrated in very divergent directions. This may indicate the implication of processes other than inter-species niche competition. Our results demonstrate the importance of integrative approaches combining concepts and techniques from different fields to better understand the co-existence of ecologically similar species. The stage-dependent and context-dependent niche segregation highlights the need for whole-year and multiple-site studies of niche partitioning of sympatric species. This is particularly relevant in order to fully understand the short and long-term effects of ongoing environmental changes on species distributions and communities.

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Coexistence and niche segregation in the newts

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853888x00044 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 365-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Dag Dolmen

Keyword(s):

Resource Partitioning ◽

Ecological Niche ◽

Food Preference ◽

Competitive Exclusion ◽

Niche Breadth ◽

Exclusion Principle ◽

Diel Activity ◽

Habitat Requirements ◽

Niche Segregation ◽

Competitive Exclusion Principle

AbstractThe newts Triturus vulgaris and T. cristatus are sympatric over almost the whole of their distributional areas, and they very often share the same breeding-ponds. According to "the competitive exclusion principle", however, no two species occupying the same ecological niche can persist together. Accordingly, within their habitat, the niches of the newts should be different. Studies on their macro- and microhabitat, diel activity, terrestrial seasonality and food, both of adults and larvae, indeed reveal such differences, especially in terrestrial seasonality, microhabitat and food preference. Although the habitat requirements of these newts are much the same, there is a clear resource partitioning between them, and adult T. cristatus also tends to exhibit a narrower niche breadth than does T.vulgaris.

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