Coexistence of morphologically similar bats (Vespertilionidae) on Madagascar

  • Based on niche theory, closely related and morphologically similar species are not predicted to coexist due to overlap in resource and habitat use. Local assemblages of bats often contain cryptic taxa, which co-occur despite notable similarities in morphology and ecology. We measured in two different habitat types on Madagascar levels of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in hair (n = 103) and faeces (n = 57) of cryptic Vespertilionidae taxa to indirectly examine whether fine-grained trophic niche differentiation explains their coexistence. In the dry deciduous forest (Kirindy), six sympatric species ranged over 6.0% in delta N-15, i.e. two trophic levels, and 4.2% in delta C-13 with a community mean of 11.3% in delta N-15 and - 21.0% in delta C-13. In the mesic forest (Antsahabe), three sympatric species ranged over one trophic level (delta N-15: 2.4%, delta C-13: 1.0%) with a community mean of 8.0% delta N-15 and - 21.7% in delta C-13. Multivariate analyses and residual permutation of Euclidian distances in delta C-13- delta N-15Based on niche theory, closely related and morphologically similar species are not predicted to coexist due to overlap in resource and habitat use. Local assemblages of bats often contain cryptic taxa, which co-occur despite notable similarities in morphology and ecology. We measured in two different habitat types on Madagascar levels of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in hair (n = 103) and faeces (n = 57) of cryptic Vespertilionidae taxa to indirectly examine whether fine-grained trophic niche differentiation explains their coexistence. In the dry deciduous forest (Kirindy), six sympatric species ranged over 6.0% in delta N-15, i.e. two trophic levels, and 4.2% in delta C-13 with a community mean of 11.3% in delta N-15 and - 21.0% in delta C-13. In the mesic forest (Antsahabe), three sympatric species ranged over one trophic level (delta N-15: 2.4%, delta C-13: 1.0%) with a community mean of 8.0% delta N-15 and - 21.7% in delta C-13. Multivariate analyses and residual permutation of Euclidian distances in delta C-13- delta N-15 bi-plots revealed in both communities distinct stable isotope signatures and species separation for the hair samples among coexisting Vespertilionidae. Intraspecific variation in faecal and hair stable isotopes did not indicate that seasonal migration might relax competition and thereby facilitate the local co-occurrence of sympatric taxa.show moreshow less

Download full text files

  • SHA-1: 73284782fcf4e563d01d5cd2e0ec247b375bb893

Export metadata

Additional Services

Search Google Scholar Statistics
Metadaten
Author details:Melanie DammhahnORCiDGND, Claude Fabienne Rakotondramanana, Steven M. Goodman
URN:urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-414729
DOI:https://doi.org/10.25932/publishup-41472
ISSN:1866-8372
Title of parent work (English):Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe
Subtitle (English):stable isotopes reveal fine-grained niche differentiation among cryptic species
Publication series (Volume number):Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe (590)
Publication type:Postprint
Language:English
Date of first publication:2019/02/12
Publication year:2015
Publishing institution:Universität Potsdam
Release date:2019/02/12
Tag:community structure; congeneric species; ecological niches; migration; stable carbon; stable nitrogen
Chiroptera; Neoromicia; Pipistrellus; Scotophilus
Issue:590
Number of pages:12
Source:Journal of Tropical Ecology 31 (2015), pp. 153–164 DOI 10.1017/S0266467414000741
Organizational units:Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
DDC classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 57 Biowissenschaften; Biologie / 570 Biowissenschaften; Biologie
6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 63 Landwirtschaft / 630 Landwirtschaft und verwandte Bereiche
Publishing method:Open Access
Grantor:Cambridge University Press (CUP)
License (German):License LogoKeine öffentliche Lizenz: Unter Urheberrechtsschutz
External remark:Bibliographieeintrag der Originalveröffentlichung/Quelle
Accept ✔
This website uses technically necessary session cookies. By continuing to use the website, you agree to this. You can find our privacy policy here.