scholarly journals Niche differences between two sympatric whiptail lizards (Cnemidophorus abaetensis and C. ocellifer, Teiidae) in the restinga habitat of northeastern Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJR. Dias ◽  
CFD. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Niche Differences ◽  
Niche Dimension ◽  
Food Niche ◽  
Prey Items

Differences among sympatric lizard species usually result from differences in the use of three resources: space, time and food or some combination of these three. However, differences in resource utilization among sympatric species may simply reflect their specific ecological needs rather than competitive pressures. In this study, we analyzed the temporal, spatial and food niche of two congeneric teiids (Cnemidophorus abaetensis and C. ocellifer) living sympatrically in the "restinga" habitat of Abaeté in the Salvador Municipality, Bahia State, Brazil to assess the degree of niche differentiation among them. The whiptail species overlapped considerably in an hourly activity (Ojk = 0.93), in microhabitat use (Ojk = 0.97) and in the prey items consumed (Ojk = 0.89). Differences in amount of vegetation in the microhabitats used by both lizard species may have contributed to differences in the activity period and in the distribution of the main prey eaten by these lizards which may, in turn, facilitate their coexistence in Abaeté. Although sympatric C. ocellifer and C. abaetensis in Abaeté differed only slightly in their use of microhabitats, period of activity and diet, the most important niche dimension segregating the two species seemed to be the food niche.

scholarly journals Foraging niche partitioning in sympatric seabird populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Petalas ◽  
Thomas Lazarus ◽  
Raphael A. Lavoie ◽  
Kyle H. Elliott ◽  
Mélanie F. Guigueno
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
Foraging Range ◽  
Common Murre ◽  
Prey Items

AbstractSympatric species must sufficiently differentiate aspects of their ecological niche to alleviate complete interspecific competition and stably coexist within the same area. Seabirds provide a unique opportunity to understand patterns of niche segregation among coexisting species because they form large multi-species colonies of breeding aggregations with seemingly overlapping diets and foraging areas. Recent biologging tools have revealed that colonial seabirds can differentiate components of their foraging strategies. Specifically, small, diving birds with high wing-loading may have small foraging radii compared with larger or non-diving birds. In the Gulf of St-Lawrence in Canada, we investigated whether and how niche differentiation occurs in four incubating seabird species breeding sympatrically using GPS-tracking and direct field observations of prey items carried by adults to chicks: the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), razorbill (Alca torda), common murre (Uria aalge), and black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). Although there was overlap at foraging hotspots, all species differentiated in either diet (prey species, size and number) or foraging range. Whereas puffins and razorbills consumed multiple smaller prey items that were readily available closer to the colony, murres selected larger more diverse prey that were accessible due to their deeper diving capability. Kittiwakes compensated for their surface foraging by having a large foraging range, including foraging largely at a specific distant hotspot. These foraging habitat specialisations may alleviate high interspecific competition allowing for their coexistence, providing insight on multispecies colonial living.

scholarly journals Trophic ecology and foraging behavior of Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) in a caatinga area of northeastern Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo B. Ribeiro ◽  
Eliza M. X. Freire
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Lepidopteran Larvae ◽  
Prey Items

This study aimed to analyze the seasonal variation in diet composition and foraging behavior of Tropidurus hispidus (Spix, 1825) and T. semitaeniatus (Spix, 1825), as well as measurement of the foraging intensity (number of moves, time spent stationary, distance traveled and number of attacks on prey items) in a caatinga patch on the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Hymenoptera/Formicidae and Isoptera predominated in the diet of both species during the dry season. Opportunistic predation on lepidopteran larvae, coleopteran larvae and adults, and orthopteran nymphs and adults occurred in the wet season; however, hymenopterans/Formicidae were the most important prey items. The number of food items was similar between lizard species in both seasons; however the overlap for number of prey was smaller in the wet season. Preys ingested by T. hispidus during the wet season were also larger than those consumed by T. semitaeniatus. Seasonal comparisons of foraging intensity between the two species differed, mainly in the wet season, when T. hispidus exhibited less movement and fewer attacks on prey, and more time spent stationary if compared to T. semitaeniatus. Although both lizards are sit-and-wait foragers, T. semitaeniatus is more active than T. hispidus. The diet and foraging behavior of T. hispidus and T. semitaeniatus overlap under limiting conditions during the dry season, and are segregative factors that may contribute to the coexistence of these species in the wet season.

scholarly journals Evidence of character displacement in microhabitat use between two tropical sympatric Holcosus lizard species (Reptilia, Teiidae)

2019 ◽  
pp. 379-388
Author(s):  
F. Ruiz Real ◽  
J. Martín
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Character Displacement ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Species Shifts ◽  
Selection Of

Interspecific competition between sympatric related species leading to character displacement is critical for species coexistence, especially in tropical habitats. We examined microhabitat use of two sympatric species of tropical lizards of the genus Holcosus in relationship to the microhabitats available in two ecosystems. The species H. festivus lives exclusively in the forest and uses microhabitats in proportion to their availability; while the other, H. quadrilineatus, lives both in forest and on the beach and selects microhabitats with specific characteristics. In the ecosystem where these two lizards live in sympatry (forest), we observed a differential microhabitat use between the two species. However, these differences indicated changes in habitat use by H. quadrilineatus (the smaller species) concerning its patterns of habitat selection in the ecosystem (beach) where only this species occurs. The age of the lizards did not affect the patterns of selection of microhabitats of either species. Shifts in microhabitat use may allow coexistence in sympatry of both species, which might result from the competitive exclusion of the smaller species by the larger species. Key words: Interspecific competition, Holcosus, Lizards, Microhabitat use, Tropical habitats

scholarly journals Sintopy of two Tropidurus lizard species (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in a rocky Cerrado habitat in Central Brazil

2004 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 775-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Faria ◽  
A. F. B. Araujo
Keyword(s):  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Cerrado Vegetation ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Heterogeneous Landscapes ◽  
Interspecific Territoriality ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Rocky Habitats ◽  
Ecological Differences

We studied the ecology of Tropidurus itambere and T. oreadicus that occur syntopically in rocky habitats of Cerrado vegetation in central Brazil during the dry season (April to September 2000). The two species are ecologically similar, but somewhat differentiated in vertical microhabitat use. The two species preferred rocky surface microhabitat. Both species demonstrated a unimodal activity pattern, with a peak between 10 and 15 h. Their diets were similar in composition and prey size. The most frequent item used by both species was ants, whereas the most important preys volumetrically were termites and ants. Small morphological differences observed between the two Tropidurus species could explain minor microhabitat divergence: T. itambere is slightly smaller, heavier, and more robust, and uses lower perches. T. oreadicus is larger, lankier, with longer extremities (tail, fore- and hindlegs), and uses a larger vertical microhabitat range. These ecological differences are slight, when compared with those observed between sympatric species of Tropidurus in spatially more heterogeneous landscapes. Considering the slight ecomorphological divergence between the two Tropidurus species and their high abundance in outcrops, we suggest that interspecific territoriality is the mechanism of coexistence.

Patterns of microhabitat use in a sympatric lizard assemblage

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 2226-2234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E James ◽  
Robert T M'Closkey
Keyword(s):  
Function Analysis ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
The Other ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
National Monument ◽  
Niche Differences ◽  
Juniper Woodland ◽  
Pinyon Pine

The distribution of animals among habitats and microhabitats has frequently been used to examine patterns of niche overlap. We characterized microhabitat differences within an assemblage of four phrynosomatine lizard species (Sceloporus graciosus, Sceloporus undulatus, Urosaurus ornatus, and Uta stansburiana) that are commonly syntopic in the pinyon pine – juniper woodland habitat on the elevated mesas of western Colorado. We censused lizard populations and recorded microhabitat characteristics of areas surrounding capture sites within Colorado National Monument, U.S.A. Discriminant function analysis of microhabitat features extracted two significant roots, explaining 89% of the microhabitat variation observed among species. Planned comparisons of canonical scores revealed two significant microhabitat niche differences. First, the microhabitat niche of U. ornatus was distinguished from those of all the other species by higher perch height and more vertical substrate, indicating this species' arboreality. Second, the microhabitat niche of S. graciosus was distinguished from those of the other species by having more flatland and less rock, indicating the use of more open flat sandy areas within the pinyon pine – juniper woodland by this terrestrial species. Although the observed differences in microhabitat may influence the coexistence of these ecologically similar species, changes in relative abundance of the species over time suggest alternative mechanisms of coexistence.

scholarly journals Nesting Biology of Sympatric Species of Megachilidae Bees in a Conservation Area in Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Sociobiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Bruno Nunes da Silva Mello ◽  
Maria Cristina Gaglianone
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Niche Differentiation ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Nesting Biology ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Nesting Activity

Megachilidae bees are important pollinators in the Neotropical region, however information on the ecology and behavior of these species is still scarce. The objective of this study was to analyze the nesting biology of sympatric species in the União Biological Reserve, a remnant of Atlantic Forest in the southeastern Brazil. Our results indicated the occurrence of 17 species, representing significant richness compared to other areas in the Atlantic Forest. Five sympatric species built ¾ of all nests found and the architecture of their nests was studied including, for the first time, nests of a species of Megachile (Ptilosarus). The use of petals or leaf fragments in the construction of the nests was observed for species of Megachile (Chrysosarus), confirming previous data. The nesting activity period in the trap-nests occurred mainly in the rainy season, with different peaks among the species. The results indicate that the distinctive characteristics of the species, such as the type of material used in the nests, the dimensions of cavities, and the asynchronous nesting period, could be important for the niche differentiation of these sympatric species, allowing the maintenance and the survival of the most abundant Megachilidae populations in the area.

Another new, diminutive Rock Gecko (Cnemaspis Strauch) from Peninsular Malaysia and a discussion of resource partitioning in sympatric species pairs

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2569 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. LEE GRISMER ◽  
CHAN KIN ONN ◽  
EVAN QUAH ◽  
MOHD ABDUL MUIN ◽  
ANNA E. SAVAGE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Resource Partitioning ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Species Pairs

A new, diminutive species of Rock Gecko, Cnemaspis shahruli sp. nov. from Penang Island, Penang; Pulau Jerejak, Penang; Pulau Pangkor, Perak; and the adjacent mainland at Sungai Sedim, Kedah was previously confused with juveniles of the sympatric, endemic species C. affinis (Stoliczka) on Penang Island. Cnemaspis shahruli sp. nov. is diagnosed from all other Southeast Asian Cnemaspis on the basis of several unique aspects of squamation, coloration, and body size. It is proposed that this new species has a more extensive mainland distribution than is presented here based on its southernmost record on Pulau Pangkor, Perak. A pattern of resource partitioning on the basis of body size, habitat, and activity period among sympatric species pairs of Cnemaspis is discussed.

Food-niche Differences Between Two Syntopic Scops-Owls on Okinawa Island, Japan

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Toyama ◽  
Takashi Saitoh
Keyword(s):  
Okinawa Island ◽  
Niche Differences ◽  
Food Niche

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal distribution in two anuran communities in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeastern Brasil

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Ferreira-Silva ◽  
Deivid Batista de Oliveira ◽  
Herivelto Faustino de Oliveira ◽  
Robson Waldemar Ávila
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distribution ◽  
Humid Forest ◽  
Temporal Occurrence ◽  
Chapada Do Araripe

In this study, we report the temporal occurrence and habitat and microhabitat use by anurans in two areas located in one highland marsh (brejo-de-altitude) in northeastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out between September 2011 and September 2012. The recorded anurans belong to 14 species distributed in five families: Hylidae (six), Leptodactylidae (five), Bufonidae, Odontophrynidae and Pipidae (one each). Vocalization activity was seasonal and concentrated in the wetter and warmer months, but correlated to rainfall only in the top in the Chapada do Araripe. Richness and abundance of calling anurans were lower in the humid forest of the slope than in Cerradão area in the top of the Chapada do Araripe. Scinax x-signatus vocalized during nine months, and along with Dendropsophus soaresi, Phyllomedusa nordestina and Physalaemus cuvieri presented the longest periods of vocalization with the highest number of species vocalizing in at the height of the rainy season. Males were recorded vocalizing in nine different microhabitats, Adenomera sp. uses leaf litter and P. cuvieri the edge of water bodies as calling site both two sampled areas. Differences in richness and abundance of anurans between the two habitats are probably due to physical characteristics, such as presence of lentic environments.

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