scholarly journals Ecological niche differentiation in Chiroxiphia and Antilophia manakins (Aves: Pipridae)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0243760
Author(s):  
Mariana Villegas ◽  
Bette A. Loiselle ◽  
Rebecca T. Kimball ◽  
John G. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Evolutionary Time ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Ecological Differentiation ◽  
Niche Divergence

Species distribution models are useful for identifying the ecological characteristics that may limit a species’ geographic range and for inferring patterns of speciation. Here, we test a hypothesis of niche conservatism across evolutionary time in a group of manakins (Aves: Pipridae), with a focus on Chiroxiphia boliviana, and examine the degree of ecological differentiation with other Chiroxiphia and Antilophia manakins. We tested whether allopatric sister species were more or less similar in environmental space than expected given their phylogenetic distances, which would suggest, respectively, ecological niche conservatism over time or ecologically mediated selection (i.e. niche divergence). We modeled the distribution of nine manakin taxa (C. boliviana, C. caudata, C. lanceolata, C. linearis, C. p. pareola, C. p. regina, C. p. napensis, Antilophia galeata and A. bokermanni) using Maxent. We first performed models for each taxon and compared them. To test our hypothesis we followed three approaches: (1) we tested whether C. boliviana could predict the distribution of the other manakin taxa and vice versa; (2) we compared the ecological niches by using metrics of niche overlap, niche equivalency and niche similarity; and (3) lastly, we tested whether niche differentiation corresponded to phylogenetic distances calculated from two recent phylogenies. All models had high training and test AUC values. Mean AUC ratios were high (>0.8) for most taxa, indicating performance better than random. Results suggested niche conservatism, and high niche overlap and equivalency between C. boliviana and C. caudata, but we found very low values between C. boliviana and the rest of the taxa. We found a negative, but not significant, relationship between niche overlap and phylogenetic distance, suggesting an increase in ecological differentiation and niche divergence over evolutionary time. Overall, we give some insights into the evolution of C. boliviana, proposing that ecological selection may have influenced its speciation.

scholarly journals Ecological niche overlap among species of the genus Zaluzania (Asteraceae) from the dry regions of Mexico

2020 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-347
Author(s):  
Mario Ernesto Suárez-Mota ◽  
José Luis Villaseñor
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Fundamental Niche

Background and aims – The hypothesis of ecological niche conservatism postulates that closely related species share ecologically similar environments; that is, they tend to maintain the characteristics of their fundamental niche over time. The objective of this study is to evaluate the similarity and equivalence of the ecological niches among species of the genus Zaluzania (Asteraceae), characteristic of the Mexican arid and semi-arid regions, to infer their potential niche conservatism. Methods – Based on critically reviewed herbarium occurrence data, potential distribution models for eight species of Zaluzania were generated using the Maxent algorithm. The overlap between potential distribution areas was then evaluated using equivalence and ecological niche parameters implemented in the ENMTools software; for this we quantified the degree of overlap and similarity between the niches using the equivalence (D) and similarity (I) parameters.Key results – The resulting models show that species display areas of high suitability along the Mexican dry regions, as well as overlapping heterogeneous values. All models showed high AUC (Area Under the Curve) values (> 0.8). The D and I values between each pair of species showed low values of overlap.Conclusions – Each species of the genus shows a fundamental niche distinct from their sister species. The genus thus offers an example of niche divergence among species, with each one adapting to different environmental pressures. Our results do not support the hypothesis of niche conservatism in the genus, suggesting that the species evolved in divergent environments.

scholarly journals Ecological niche overlap among species of the genus Zaluzania (Asteraceae) from the dry regions of Mexico

2020 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-347
Author(s):  
Mario Ernesto Suárez-Mota ◽  
José Luis Villaseñor
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Fundamental Niche

Background and aims – The hypothesis of ecological niche conservatism postulates that closely related species share ecologically similar environments; that is, they tend to maintain the characteristics of their fundamental niche over time. The objective of this study is to evaluate the similarity and equivalence of the ecological niches among species of the genus Zaluzania (Asteraceae), characteristic of the Mexican arid and semi-arid regions, to infer their potential niche conservatism. Methods – Based on critically reviewed herbarium occurrence data, potential distribution models for eight species of Zaluzania were generated using the Maxent algorithm. The overlap between potential distribution areas was then evaluated using equivalence and ecological niche parameters implemented in the ENMTools software; for this we quantified the degree of overlap and similarity between the niches using the equivalence (D) and similarity (I) parameters.Key results – The resulting models show that species display areas of high suitability along the Mexican dry regions, as well as overlapping heterogeneous values. All models showed high AUC (Area Under the Curve) values (> 0.8). The D and I values between each pair of species showed low values of overlap.Conclusions – Each species of the genus shows a fundamental niche distinct from their sister species. The genus thus offers an example of niche divergence among species, with each one adapting to different environmental pressures. Our results do not support the hypothesis of niche conservatism in the genus, suggesting that the species evolved in divergent environments.

scholarly journals Ecological niche differentiation between Acanthodactylus micropholis and A. khamirensis (Sauria: Lacertidae) in southern Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nastaran Heidari
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Species Distribution Modeling ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Species Differentiation ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Niche Models

Acanthodactylusmicropholis Heidari, Rastegar-Pouyani, Rastegar-Pouyani & Rajabizadeh, 2013 and A.khamirensis Blanford, 1874 are genetically and morphologically distinct, but their ecological differentiation has not previously been evaluated. The ecological niche models of these two sister species Acanthodactylus were reconstructed using climate and geographical data. Species distribution modeling for A.micropholis and A.khamirensis was used to make predictions and showed that most parts of southern and southeastern Iran are suitable for the distribution of both species. Habitat suitability was mostly dependent upon minimum temperature of the coldest month and seasonal precipitation for A.micropholis and A.khamirensis, respectively. Niche similarity tests (niche overlap and identity tests) were performed to evaluate species differentiation based on the ecological species criterion. Our results indicate that both species have different ecological niches and are significantly separated from each other. Therefore, our study corroborates previous analyses based on molecular and morphological evidences that suggested that A.micropholis and A.khamirensis were valid species.

Distribution Patterns and Ecological Niches of the Red-tongued Pit Viper (Gloydius ussuriensis) and the Central Asian Pit Viper (Gloydius intermedius) in Cheonmasan Mountain, South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 348-354
Author(s):  
Min Seock Do ◽  
Ki-Baek Nam
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Mountainous Area ◽  
Dry Land ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Geographical Environment

Studies on the distribution of species are important to understanding the interspecific ecological niche and habitat selection through geographic environmental information. Particularly, vipers in the same genus have been an important topic because they show differences in the preferred geographical environment, depending on the distance of the phylogenetic relationship. This study investigated the geographical environment of red-tongued pit vipers (Gloydius ussuriensis) and Central Asian pit vipers (Gloydius intermedius) in the mountainous area, Cheonmasan Mountain County Park, South Korea, from April 2012 to October 2014, to understand the relationships among their habitat characteristics and ecological niche. Red-tongued pit vipers mainly lived in low altitude, wet valley areas with a low solar reflectance, while Central Asian pit vipers inhabited high altitude, dry land with large amounts of sunshine. As a result, our study supports that the ecological niche of red-tongued pit vipers and Central Asian pit vipers, inhibiting in Cheonmasan Mountain was overlapped low according to the majority of geographical environmental variables. The differentiated diet preference might be took into consideration as one of the potential key factors to the ecological niche differentiation among two species.

Understanding the ecological niche to elucidate spatial strategies of the southernmost Tupinambis lizards

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofía Lanfri ◽  
Valeria Di Cola ◽  
Sergio Naretto ◽  
Margarita Chiaraviglio ◽  
Gabriela Cardozo
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Spatial Strategies

Understanding factors that shape ranges of species is central in evolutionary biology. Species distribution models have become important tools to test biogeographical, ecological and evolutionary hypotheses. Moreover, from an ecological and evolutionary perspective, these models help to elucidate the spatial strategies of species at a regional scale. We modelled species distributions of two phylogenetically, geographically and ecologically close Tupinambis species (Teiidae) that occupy the southernmost area of the genus distribution in South America. We hypothesized that similarities between these species might have induced spatial strategies at the species level, such as niche differentiation and divergence of distribution patterns at a regional scale. Using logistic regression and MaxEnt we obtained species distribution models that revealed interspecific differences in habitat requirements, such as environmental temperature, precipitation and altitude. Moreover, the models obtained suggest that although the ecological niches of Tupinambis merianae and T. rufescens are different, these species might co-occur in a large contact zone. We propose that niche plasticity could be the mechanism enabling their co-occurrence. Therefore, the approach used here allowed us to understand the spatial strategies of two Tupinambis lizards at a regional scale.

scholarly journals River dynamics and invasion: distribution patterns of native and invasive woody vegetation at the Río Negro, Argentina

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa K. Thomas ◽  
Eva Mosner ◽  
Ilona Leyer
Keyword(s):  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Riparian Ecosystems ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Randomized Sampling ◽  
Rio Negro ◽  
Invasive Taxa ◽  
The Impact

AbstractSalicaceae are typical invaders of riparian ecosystems throughout the world and they have the potential to change much of the invaded habitats. Along Patagonian streams, riparian softwood forests composed of non-native Salicaceae are increasing in abundance, area and tree species diversity. Especially in the last decades, dense floodplain forests dominated by invasive willows and poplars and additionally Russian olive and tamarisk spread almost explosively e.g. along the Río Negro in northern Patagonia. This study focuses on the identification of ecological niches and niche overlaps of the native and invasive woody species in order to assess the impact on the native Salix humboldtiana Willd. Data on species (presence/ absence) and explanatory variables were gathered in the field using a grid-based, stratified-randomized sampling design. Different environmental variables were then related to species occurrence in different life stages (adult, juvenile, seedling) using habitat distribution models. In the final models, flood duration, the amount of gravel and the location (upper or middle river valley) were included to describe the probability of occurrence of native and invasive taxa. For all life stages, a strong niche overlap could be observed for S. humboldtiana and the invasive taxa with no remaining exclusive habitats indicating a potential threat to the native willow. The study contributes to a better understanding of Salicaceae invasion and its consequences for riparian ecosystems.

Niche divergence and diversification in South American freshwater turtles of the genus Acanthochelys (Chelidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-485
Author(s):  
Franco Souza ◽  
João Rodrigues ◽  
Miguel Olalla-Tárraga ◽  
José Diniz-Filho ◽  
Pablo Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
South American ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Niche Divergence ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Environmental Requirements

Abstract Species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly used to assess how ecological factors shape species distributions and diversification. Chelid turtles represent the richest family of chelonians in South America. Given the distributional disjunction and distinct habitats of four Acanthochelys species, we explored SDMs and niche overlap metrics between species pairs to evaluate the extent to which niche divergence or conservatism may have contributed to their geographic distribution patterns. None of the species pairs presented patterns consistent with niche conservatism suggesting that these species have different environmental requirements. However, when comparing species pairs co-occurring in the same watershed, results were conflicting. Niche divergence detected among Acanthochelys species indicate an interaction between ecological niche preference and geographical barriers for allopatric speciation. This interaction implies that ecological differentiation contributed to the diversification of Acanthochelys side-necked turtles that occur in South American freshwater environments.

scholarly journals Hybrid apomicts trapped in the ecological niches of their sexual ancestors

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (18) ◽  
pp. E2357-E2365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Mau ◽  
John T. Lovell ◽  
José M. Corral ◽  
Christiane Kiefer ◽  
Marcus A. Koch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Adaptive Potential ◽  
Ideal Model ◽  
Seed Formation ◽  
Species Specific

Asexual reproduction is expected to reduce the adaptive potential to novel or changing environmental conditions, restricting or altering the ecological niche of asexual lineages. Asexual lineages of plants and animals are typically polyploid, an attribute that may influence their genetic variation, plasticity, adaptive potential, and niche breadth. The genus Boechera (Brassicaceae) represents an ideal model to test the relative ecological and biogeographic impacts of reproductive mode and ploidy because it is composed of diploid sexual and both diploid and polyploid asexual (i.e., apomictic) lineages. Here, we demonstrate a strong association between a transcriptionally conserved allele and apomictic seed formation. We then use this allele as a proxy apomixis marker in 1,649 accessions to demonstrate that apomixis is likely to be a common feature across the Boechera phylogeny. Phylogeographic analyses of these data demonstrate (i) species-specific niche differentiation in sexuals, (ii) extensive niche conservation between differing reproductive modes of the same species, (iii) ploidy-specific niche differentiation within and among species, and (iv) occasional niche drift between apomicts and their sexual ancestors. We conclude that ploidy is a substantially stronger and more common driver of niche divergence within and across Boechera species although variation in both traits may not necessarily lead to niche evolution on the species scale.

Conclusions

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Townsend Peterson ◽  
Jorge Soberón ◽  
Richard G. Pearson ◽  
Robert P. Anderson ◽  
Enrique Martínez-Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Theory ◽  
Population Biology ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Niche Conservatism ◽  
Comprehensive Framework ◽  
Future Work

This book has described a comprehensive framework for thinking about the geography and ecology of species distributions, arguing that such a framework is critical to further progress in the field of ecological niches and distributions. To develop this framework, traditional concepts in ecology have been radically reworked. In this conclusion, some of the challenges for future work regarding ecological niche modeling are discussed, such as fully integrating the BAM diagram with central concepts of population biology and statistical theory; clarifying the notion of niche conservatism versus niche evolution as regards scenopoetic versus bionomic environmental dimensions; and improving the link between correlational and mechanistic approaches to estimating and understanding ecological niches. The book argues that careful conceptual thinking must be combined with detailed empirical exploration in order to address each of these challenges.

scholarly journals Temporal niche partitioning of Swiss black scavenger flies in relation to season and substrate age (Diptera, Sepsidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick T. Rohner ◽  
Jean-Paul Haenni ◽  
Athene Giesen ◽  
Juan Pablo Busso ◽  
Martin A. Schäfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Related Species ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Temporal Niche

Understanding why and how multiple species manage to coexist represents a primary goal of ecological and evolutionary research. This is of particular relevance for communities that depend on resource rich ephemeral habitats that are prone to high intra- and interspecific competition. Black scavenger flies (Diptera: Sepsidae) are common and abundant acalyptrate flies associated with livestock dung decomposition in human-influenced agricultural grasslands worldwide. Several widespread sepsid species with apparently very similar ecological niches coexist in Europe, but despite their ecological role and their use in evolutionary ecological research, our understanding of their ecological niches and spatio-temporal distribution is still rudimentary. To gain a better understanding of their ecology, we here investigate niche partitioning at two temporal scales. First, we monitored the seasonal occurrence, often related to thermal preference, over multiple years and sites in Switzerland that differ in altitude. Secondly, we also investigate fine-scale temporal succession on dairy cow pastures. In accordance with their altitudinal and latitudinal distribution in Europe, some species were common over the entire season with a peak in summer, hence classified as warm-loving, whereas others were primarily present in spring or autumn. Phenological differences thus likely contribute to species coexistence throughout the season. However, the community also showed pronounced species turnover related to cow pat age. Some species colonize particularly fresh dung and are gradually replaced by others. Furthermore, the correlation between co-occurrence and phylogenetic distance of species revealed significant under-dispersion, indicating that more closely related species are frequently recovered at the same location. As a whole, our data suggests temporal niche differentiation of closely related species that likely facilitates the rather high species diversity on Swiss cattle pastures. The underlying mechanisms allowing close relatives to co-occur however require further scrutiny.

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