Mass effects mediate coexistence in competing shrews

Ecology
J GuélatN Perrin

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,...Continue Reading

References

Dec 20, 2000·Theoretical Population Biology·P Chesson
Nov 18, 2003·The American Naturalist·Nicolas Mouquet, Michel Loreau
Jun 7, 2005·The American Naturalist·John L Orrock, Robert J Fletcher
Jun 1, 1971·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·R Levins, D Culver
Aug 19, 2008·The American Naturalist·C T Codeço, J P Grover
Aug 19, 2008·The American Naturalist·Nicolas Mouquet, Michel Loreau

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