scholarly journals The skull evolution of oviraptorosaurian dinosaurs: the role of niche partitioning in diversification

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waisum Ma ◽  
Stephen L. Brusatte ◽  
Junchang Lü ◽  
Manabu Sakamoto
Keyword(s):  
Niche Partitioning

scholarly journals Evolution of Specialization in Dynamic Fluids

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurdip Uppal ◽  
Dervis Can Vural
Keyword(s):  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Community Structures ◽  
Invasion Fitness ◽  
Physical Simulations ◽  
Diverse Community ◽  
Mechanical Factors ◽  
Evolution Of Specialization

AbstractPreviously we found mechanical factors involving diffusion and fluid shear promote evolution of social behavior in microbial populations Uppal and Vural (2018). Here, we extend this model to study the evolution of specialization using realistic physical simulations of bacteria that secrete two public goods in a dynamic fluid. Through this first principles approach, we find physical factors such as diffusion, flow patterns, and decay rates are as influential as fitness economics in governing the evolution of community structure, to the extent that when mechanical factors are taken into account, (1) Generalist communities can resist becoming specialists, despite the invasion fitness of specialization (2) Generalist and specialists can both resist cheaters despite the invasion fitness of free-riding. (3) Multiple community structures can coexist despite the opposing force of competitive exclusion. Our results emphasize the role of spatial assortment and physical forces on niche partitioning and the evolution of diverse community structures.

scholarly journals The role of ecotype‐environment interactions in intraspecific trophic niche partitioning subsequent to stocking

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Morissette ◽  
P. Sirois ◽  
C. C. Wilson ◽  
M. Laporte ◽  
L. Bernatchez
Keyword(s):  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Trophic Niche

scholarly journals Seasonal niche partitioning and coexistence of amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages of Heterocypris barbara (Crustacea: Ostracoda)

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Rossi ◽  
A. Martorella ◽  
D. Scudieri ◽  
P. Menozzi
Keyword(s):  
Life Table ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Resting Eggs ◽  
Temporary Pond ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
Random Samples ◽  
Set Up ◽  
L 14

Sympatry of amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages in species with mixed reproductive systems is rarely observed in nature. On Lampedusa Island (Pelagie Islands, Italy), amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages of Heterocypris barbara (Gauthier and Brehm, 1928) co-occur in a temporary pond. Their sympatric persistence calls for an ecological differentiation. We investigated the role of seasonal variation of temperature and photoperiod conditions by two different approaches: microcosms set up by inundation of dry sediments from the temporary pond and life-table experiments. Microcosms recreate conditions similar to the field and in their sediments random samples of resting eggs of both amphimictic and parthenogenetic females are stored. Life-table experiments supplied individual-based estimates of survivorship, adult life span, fecundity, and sex ratio in the progeny. We carried out the experiments at 24 °C and a photoperiod of 12 h light (L) : 12 h dark (D) (simulating fall conditions) and at 16 °C and a photoperiod of 10 h L : 14 h D (simulating winter conditions). Males and amphimictic females were the most numerous forms at 24 °C and 12 h L : 12 h D; parthenogenetic females were dominant at 16 °C and 10 h L : 14 h D. Life-table experiments showed that amphimictic forms do not complete development at 16 °C and 10 h L : 14 h D. Our results suggest that sympatry of amphimictic and parthenogenetic females in the field depends on seasonal niche partitioning and the storage effect of resting eggs that allows survival through adverse-season conditions.

scholarly journals Reproductive Interference and Niche Partitioning in Aphidophagous Insects

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzuki Noriyuki ◽  
Naoya Osawa
Keyword(s):  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Reproductive Interference ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Specialist Species ◽  
Race Formation

The range and quality of prey species differ greatly among closely related species of predators. However, the factors responsible for this diversified niche utilization are unclear. This is because the predation and resource competition do not always prevent species coexistence. In this paper, we present evidence in support of reproductive interference as a driver of niche partitioning, focusing on aphidophagous insect. Firstly, we present closely related generalist and specialist species pairs in aphidophagous lacewings to compare the reproductive interference hypothesis with two other hypotheses that have been proposed to explain niche partitioning in lacewings and sympatric speciation through host race formation and sexual selection. Secondly, we present a case study that shows how reproductive interference can drive niche partitioning in sibling ladybird species. Thirdly, we show that many ladybird genera include species inhabiting the same region but having different food and habitat preferences, raising the possibility that reproductive interference might occur in these groups. Finally, we show that intraguild predation cannot always explain the niche partitioning in aphidophagous insects including hoverflies and parasitoids. On the basis of the evidence presented, we urge that future studies investigating predator communities should take account of the role of reproductive interference.

Sexual dimorphism in the biomechanical and toxicological performance in prey incapacitation of two morphologically distinct scorpion species (Chactas sp. and Centruroides sp.)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio César González-Gómez ◽  
Juan Carlos Valenzuela-Rojas ◽  
Luis Fernando García ◽  
Lida Marcela Franco Pérez ◽  
Giovany Guevara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Pinch Force ◽  
Ecological Implications ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Force Volume

Abstract Morphological differences between the sexes are a common feature in many groups of animals and can have important ecological implications for courtship, mating, access to prey and, in some cases, intersex niche partitioning. In this study, we evaluated the role of sexual dimorphism in the performance of the two structures that mediate the ability to access prey, the pinchers or chelae and the venomous stinger, in two species of scorpions with contrasting morphologies: Chactas sp., which has marked sexual dimorphism in the chelae, and Centruroides sp., which does not have such marked dimorphism in the chelae. We evaluated aspects such as chela pinch force, toxicity to prey (LD50) and the volume of venom in males and females of each species. We found significant differences between males and females of Chactas sp. in the chela pinch force, volume of venom and LD50. In contrast, for Centruroides sp., no differences between males and females were found in any of these traits. We discuss several potential selective regimes that could account for the pattern observed.

scholarly journals Niche Partitioning of Marine Group I Crenarchaeota in the Euphotic and Upper Mesopelagic Zones of the East China Sea

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (21) ◽  
pp. 7469-7478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anyi Hu ◽  
Nianzhi Jiao ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Zao Yang
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
The East China Sea ◽  
Group I

ABSTRACTMarine group ICrenarchaeota(MGI) represents a ubiquitous and numerically predominant microbial population in marine environments. An understanding of the spatial dynamics of MGI and its controlling mechanisms is essential for an understanding of the role of MGI in energy and element cycling in the ocean. In the present study, we investigated the diversity and abundance of MGI in the East China Sea (ECS) by analysis of crenarchaeal 16S rRNA gene, the ammonia monooxygenase geneamoA, and the biotin carboxylase geneaccA. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed that these genes were higher in abundance in the mesopelagic than in the euphotic zone. In addition, the crenarchaealamoAgene was positively correlated with the copy number of the MGI 16S rRNA gene, suggesting that most of the MGI in the ECS are nitrifiers. Furthermore, the ratios of crenarchaealaccAtoamoAor to MGI 16S rRNA genes increased from the euphotic to the mesopelagic zone, suggesting that the role of MGI in carbon cycling may change from the epipelagic to the mesopelagic zones. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoretic profiling of the 16S rRNA genes revealed depth partitioning in MGI community structures. Clone libraries of the crenarchaealamoAandaccAgenes showed both “shallow” and “deep” groups, and their relative abundances varied in the water column. Ecotype simulation analysis revealed that MGI in the upper ocean could diverge into special ecotypes associated with depth to adapt to the light gradient across the water column. Overall, our results showed niche partitioning of the MGI population and suggested a shift in their ecological functions between the euphotic and mesopelagic zones of the ECS.

scholarly journals Inter-specific niche partitioning and overlap in albatrosses and petrels: dietary divergence and the role of fishing discards

2017 ◽  
Vol 164 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastián Jiménez ◽  
José C. Xavier ◽  
Andrés Domingo ◽  
Alejandro Brazeiro ◽  
Omar Defeo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Niche Partitioning

The role of the regeneration niche for the vertical stratification of vascular epiphytes

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Wagner ◽  
Wiebke Bogusch ◽  
Gerhard Zotz
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Power ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Vapour Pressure Deficit ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Vertical Stratification ◽  
Differential Sensitivity ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes ◽  
Regeneration Phase

Abstract:Vertical stratification of vascular epiphytes is frequently attributed to niche partitioning along microclimatic gradients but experimental confirmations of this notion are rare. This study investigates the role of the regeneration phase for the stratification of five bromeliad (Catopsis sessiliflora, Guzmania subcorymbosa, Tillandsia anceps, T. bulbosa and Werauhia gladioliflora) and seven aroid species (Anthurium acutangulum, A. brownii, A. clavigerum, A. durandii, A. friedrichsthalii, A. hacumense and A. scandens) in a Panamanian rain forest. We documented gradients of temperature, vapour pressure deficit and light (n = 10 d) as well as species height distributions (n = 11–120). Microclimatic gradients were substantial (maximal T and RH differences between strata: 5 °C and 18%, respectively) and mean attachment heights of the study species (range = 4–21 m) differed significantly. We tested sensitivity to recurrent drought (four treatments) during germination (all species, cumulative germination of 20 seeds, n = 3) and seedling growth (four aroid species, n = 25). Seedling survival of six aroid species transplanted to three heights (n = 27) was monitored in situ. Some species did not germinate under severe recurrent drought while others germinated at the same rate in all treatments. Seedlings of the most exposed species grew fastest under intermediate recurrent drought while those of the other three species grew fastest when kept constantly wet. Survival of transplanted seedlings did not depend on species attachment height, but this may be attributable to insufficient statistical power. Taken together, the results suggest that the stratification can be explained to a large degree by differential sensitivity to the vertical moisture gradient during the regeneration phase.

scholarly journals Plant-soil feedbacks help explain biodiversity-productivity relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie E. Forero ◽  
Andrew Kulmatiski ◽  
Josephine Grenzer ◽  
Jeanette M. Norton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Plant Disease ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Community Growth ◽  
Over Time

AbstractSpecies-rich plant communities can produce twice as much aboveground biomass as monocultures, but the mechanisms remain unresolved. We tested whether plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) can help explain these biodiversity-productivity relationships. Using a 16-species, factorial field experiment we found that plants created soils that changed subsequent plant growth by 27% and that this effect increased over time. When incorporated into simulation models, these PSFs improved predictions of plant community growth and explained 14% of overyielding. Here we show quantitative, field-based evidence that diversity maintains productivity by suppressing plant disease. Though this effect alone was modest, it helps constrain the role of factors, such as niche partitioning, that have been difficult to quantify. This improved understanding of biodiversity-productivity relationships has implications for agriculture, biofuel production and conservation.

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