Mass effects mediate coexistence in competing shrews.

Details

Ressource 1Download: BIB_0FC640748F20.P001.pdf (168.66 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_0FC640748F20
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Mass effects mediate coexistence in competing shrews.
Journal
Ecology
Author(s)
Guélat J., Jaquiéry J., Berset-Brändli L., Pellegrini E., Moresi R., Broquet T., Hirzel A.H., Perrin N.
ISSN
0012-9658[print], 0012-9658[linking]
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
89
Number
7
Pages
2033-2042
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Recent developments in metacommunity theory have raised awareness that processes occurring at regional scales might interfere with local dynamics and affect conditions for the local coexistence of competing species. Four main paradigms are recognized in this context (namely, neutral, patch-dynamics, species-sorting, and mass-effect), which differ according to the role assigned to ecological or life-history differences among competing species, as well as to the relative time scale of regional vs. local dynamics. We investigated the patterns of regional and local coexistence of two species of shrews (Crocidura russula and Sorex coronatus) sharing a similar diet (generalist insectivores) over four generations, in a spatially structured habitat at the altitudinal limit of their distributions. Local populations were small, and regional dynamics were strong, with high rates of extinction and recolonization. Niche analysis revealed significant habitat differentiation on a few important variables, including temperature and availability of winter resting sites. In sites suitable for both species, we found instances of local coexistence with no evidence of competitive exclusion. Patterns of temporal succession did not differ from random, with no suggestion of a colonization-competition trade-off. Altogether, our data provide support for the mass-effect paradigm, where regional coexistence is mediated by specialization on different habitat types, and local coexistence by rescue effects from source sites. The strong regional dynamics and demographic stochasticity, together with high dispersal rates, presumably contributed to mass effects by overriding local differences in specific competitive abilities.
Keywords
Animals, Body Weight/physiology, Competitive Behavior/physiology, Ecosystem, Population Dynamics, Shrews/physiology
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
07/02/2008 8:32
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:36
Usage data