Comparative ecology of Australian corvids. VI. Why five species?

1973 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Rowley
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Ecology

scholarly journals The comparative ecology and biogeography of parasites

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1576) ◽  
pp. 2379-2390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Poulin ◽  
Boris R. Krasnov ◽  
David Mouillot ◽  
David W. Thieltges
Keyword(s):  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Comparative Methods ◽  
Comparative Ecology ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Fundamental Properties ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
Special Case

Comparative ecology uses interspecific relationships among traits, while accounting for the phylogenetic non-independence of species, to uncover general evolutionary processes. Applied to biogeographic questions, it can be a powerful tool to explain the spatial distribution of organisms. Here, we review how comparative methods can elucidate biogeographic patterns and processes, using analyses of distributional data on parasites (fleas and helminths) as case studies. Methods exist to detect phylogenetic signals, i.e. the degree of phylogenetic dependence of a given character, and either to control for these signals in statistical analyses of interspecific data, or to measure their contribution to variance. Parasite–host interactions present a special case, as a given trait may be a parasite trait, a host trait or a property of the coevolved association rather than of one participant only. For some analyses, it is therefore necessary to correct simultaneously for both parasite phylogeny and host phylogeny, or to evaluate which has the greatest influence on trait expression. Using comparative approaches, we show that two fundamental properties of parasites, their niche breadth, i.e. host specificity, and the nature of their life cycle, can explain interspecific and latitudinal variation in the sizes of their geographical ranges, or rates of distance decay in the similarity of parasite communities. These findings illustrate the ways in which phylogenetically based comparative methods can contribute to biogeographic research.

The comparative ecology and evidence for resource partitioning in two pholidid fishes (Pisces: Pholididae) from southern British Columbia eelgrass beds

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant W. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Prey Type ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Intertidal Habitat ◽  
Comparative Ecology ◽  
Saanich Inlet ◽  
Breeding Habitats ◽  
Eelgrass Beds

A comparative analysis of the ecology of sympatrically occurring Pholis laeta and Pholis ornata was conducted in Saanich Inlet, British Columbia. Summer microhabitat use of eelgrass bed depths, intertidal habitat use, prey type, and characteristic location of prey taken differed in fish older than 1 year and may have facilitated the coexistence of these morphologically similar species. Prey sizes and activity patterns were similar between species. Winter segregation of the species during the breeding season may have reduced the possibility of hybridization. Competition for breeding habitats and differences in trophic apparatus may partly explain the observed patterns of resource use.

Comparative Ecology of Exudate Feeding by Lorises (Nycticebus, Loris) and Pottos (Perodicticus, Arctocebus)

2010 ◽  
pp. 155-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Anne-Isola Nekaris ◽  
Carly R. Starr ◽  
Rebecca L. Collins ◽  
Angelina Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Ecology ◽  
Exudate Feeding
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