| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Grotta-Neto, F.
;
Vogliotti, A.
;
de Oliveira, M. L.
;
Passos, F. C.
;
Duarte, J. M. Barbanti
Total Authors: 5
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY; v. 324, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2024-07-01. |
| Abstract | |
Understanding species coexistence requires information about how species interact and partition their ecological niche. Niches of closely related species tend to be quite similar and thereby, when syntopic, overlap can result in competition when shared resources are limiting. Brocket deer of tropical forests are ecologically similar species due to convergence or relatedness. As a group, what little is known about their ecology suggests spatial and temporal niche separation while dietary differences among species remain largely unknown. The possibility of competition has been suggested, as it is rare for more than two species to co-occur. If competition is important, then it may limit syntopy of more species and its importance should increase with relatedness between species. Based on analyses of faecal samples, camera traps, and stable isotopes and multidimensional analysis of niche space, we test spatial, temporal and dietary niche differences and compare niche breadth in two syntopic species pairs: Mazama rufa with M. nana (both of subtribe Odocoileina) and M. jucunda (Odocoileina) with Subulo gouazoubira (Blastocerina). In 2007-2008 and 2017-2019, 240 faecal samples and 375 records were collected in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Spatial partitioning among both species pairs was found, with S. gouazoubira and M. nana having greater niche breadth, which may permit or facilitate coexistence. Odocoileina tend to be nocturnal, while Blastocerina tend to be diurnal, which suggests that phylogeny may influence species coexistence. Furthermore, the species tended to overlap with respect to diet. These results suggest interference competition avoidance by niche partitioning at the level of habitat and time, allowing coexistence. Thereby, despite the morphological similarities, brocket deer species of evolutionarily convergent subtribes preserve differences in ecological niche dimensions that facilitate the coexistence of their populations. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 15/25742-5 - Distribution and density of Mazama genus deer species at the Atlantic Forest |
| Grantee: | Márcio Leite de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/07014-8 - The use of actual topotypes to produce genotypes and cytotypes in the taxonomic review of the Mazama genus: the basis for the species conservation |
| Grantee: | José Maurício Barbanti Duarte |
| Support Opportunities: | BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants |