Effect of competition on habitat utilization in two temperate climate gecko species

Lisičić, Duje; Drakulić, Sanja; Herrel, Anthony; Đikić, Domagoj; Benković, Vesna; Tadić, Zoran

doi:10.1007/s11284-011-0921-5

Cited by 30 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…However, true basking behavior was previously known for larger gecko species only (Greer ) or for species from cooler climates, e.g., Tarentola mauritanica (Lisičić et al. ; K. Henle, personal observation ). The difference observed for G. variegata between the two years despite similar alternatives for selecting microhabitats could be due to food availability (Stamps and Tanaka ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some like it hot: from individual to population responses of an arboreal arid‐zone gecko to local and distant climate

Grimm‐Seyfarth

Mihoub

Gruber

et al. 2018

Ecological Monographs

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Accumulating evidence has demonstrated considerable impact of climate change on biodiversity, with terrestrial ectotherms being particularly vulnerable. While climate‐induced range shifts are often addressed in the literature, little is known about the underlying ecological responses at individual and population levels. Using a 30‐yr monitoring study of the long‐living nocturnal gecko Gehyra variegata in arid Australia, we determined the relative contribution of climatic factors acting locally (temperature, rainfall) or distantly (La Niña induced flooding) on ecological processes ranging from traits at the individual level (body condition, body growth) to the demography at population level (survival, sexual maturity, population sizes). We also investigated whether thermoregulatory activity during both active (night) and resting (daytime) periods of the day can explain these responses. Gehyra variegata responded to local and distant climatic effects. Both high temperatures and high water availability enhanced individual and demographic parameters. Moreover, the impact of water availability was scale independent as local rainfall and La Niña induced flooding compensated each other. When water availability was low, however, extremely high temperatures delayed body growth and sexual maturity while survival of individuals and population sizes remained stable. This suggests a trade‐off with traits at the individual level that may potentially buffer the consequences of adverse climatic conditions at the population level. Moreover, hot temperatures did not impact nocturnal nor diurnal behavior. Instead, only cool temperatures induced diurnal thermoregulatory behavior with individuals moving to exposed hollow branches and even outside tree hollows for sun‐basking during the day. Since diurnal behavioral thermoregulation likely induced costs on fitness, this could decrease performance at both individual and population level under cool temperatures. Our findings show that water availability rather than high temperature is the limiting factor in our focal population of G. variegata. In contrast to previous studies, we stress that drier rather than warmer conditions are expected to be detrimental for nocturnal desert reptiles. Identifying the actual limiting climatic factors at different scales and their functional interactions at different ecological levels is critical to be able to predict reliably future population dynamics and support conservation planning in arid ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some like it hot: from individual to population responses of an arboreal arid‐zone gecko to local and distant climate

Grimm‐Seyfarth

Mihoub

Gruber

et al. 2018

Ecological Monographs

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“…Microhabitat separation between syntopic lizards has been shown to be influenced by interspecific aggression, or competition, for several different coexisting species (Hess & Losos ; Langkilde & Shine ; Langkilde et al ; Lisičić et al ). There was evidence of interspecific aggression during the study with L. incognitus appearing to be the dominant species, chasing L. soutpansbergensis off rocks and showing aggression through display.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lizards are ideal organisms to examine and identify coexistence mechanisms as they are often locally abundant, and several species are commonly found inhabiting the same macrohabitats. As such, niche separation has been well documented for several syntopic lizard species (Huey et al ; Hess & Losos ; Akani et al ; Noble et al ; Lisičić et al ). Spatial niche separation is one of the most common methods of partitioning for syntopic lizards, particularly as most species are generalist, opportunistic feeders and are thus unlikely to partition food resources (Luiselli ; Noble et al ; Lisičić et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…As such, niche separation has been well documented for several syntopic lizard species (Huey et al ; Hess & Losos ; Akani et al ; Noble et al ; Lisičić et al ). Spatial niche separation is one of the most common methods of partitioning for syntopic lizards, particularly as most species are generalist, opportunistic feeders and are thus unlikely to partition food resources (Luiselli ; Noble et al ; Lisičić et al ). Resource partitioning and microhabitat selection in lizards can be attributed to physiological and morphological constraints (Snyder ; Steinberg et al ; Žagar et al ; Ferreira et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…This is also known as resource partitioning (Pianka ). Resource partitioning in syntopy may be due to interspecific aggression, with a dominant species forcing others to occupy different niches, or due to ecological, physiological and morphological differences (Heller ; Myrberg & Thresher ; Toft ; Robinson & Terborgh ; Bay et al ; Langkilde et al ; Lisičić et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microhabitat selection and niche partitioning in two syntopic geckos

Petford

Alexander

2020

Austral Ecology

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Syntopic species often exhibit evolutionary mechanisms that reduce competition. A common mechanism facilitating coexistence is niche separation, which may manifest through spatial, temporal or trophic dimensions. Species that are morphologically similar, such as congeners, are likely to compete directly and thus separate their niche spatially. The microhabitat selection and partitioning of two endemic geckos of the Soutpansberg Mountains, Lygodactylus incognitus (Jacobsen, 1992; Squamata: Gekkonidae) and L. soutpansbergensis (Jacobsen, 1994; Squamata: Gekkonidae), was investigated by recording fineand broad-scale habitat variables. Results reveal that L. incognitus is restricted to high elevations above 1100 m a.s.l. and is associated with moist microclimates. Although primarily saxicolous, they also utilise tree trunks, branches and stems. Lygodactylus soutpansbergensis occurs above 800 m a.s.l and is restricted to rocky outcrops, open woodlands and rocky grasslands, often found on loose rocks. Perch height for L. soutpansbergensis is close to ground level, and they are limited to drier microclimates. Microhabitat partitioning does not appear to be due to interspecific exclusion as the smaller L. soutpansbergensis occupies the same niche dimensions in areas where L. incognitus is not present. Sites where L. incognitus occurs in the absence of L. soutpansbergensis are forested with high canopy cover, likely preventing the colonisation of L. soutpansbergensis. This suggests that morphological and physiological constraints define microhabitat limits, although this still requires testing. Anthropogenic activities are likely to threaten the persistence of L. incognitus and L. soutpansbergensis on the Soutpansberg in the future. The results from this study may aid the interpretation and understanding on the syntopy of morphologically similar species that inhabit the same macrohabitats in other areas.

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What does the future hold for a thermophilic and widely introduced gecko, Tarentola mauritanica (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae)?

Rato,

Silva-Rocha,

Sillero

2023

Biol Invasions

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The continuous growth and movement of the human population is increasing the frequency of translocating species from their native ranges to novel environments. However, biological invasions offer a rare opportunity to investigate how species can colonise and adapt to new conditions. In that sense, Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) can be a powerful tool to predict where invasive species will spread over the next decades, although they depend heavily on climatic niche conservatism between native and exotic ranges. To reduce these uncertainties, ENMs can be refined by accounting for dispersal constraints. The common wall gecko, Tarentola mauritanica is a native and widespread Mediterranean lizard that has been introduced across different tropical and sub-tropical regions. In this study, we aim to predict the potential and future distribution of T. mauritanica geckos using correlative models, its potential colonization regions under a dispersal model, and the niche overlap between native and introduced populations. The correlative models predict that the most suitable geographic areas for this gecko correspond to Mediterranean-type ecosystems, such as California, central Chile, the Cape Region of South Africa, around the Caspian Sea, south-eastern Asia, and south-western and southern Australia. The species distribution models projected to 2061–2080, forecast that the range of T. mauritanica is likely to shift towards northern latitudes but, surprisingly, not to expand. According to the dispersal models, T. mauritanica will be able to colonise a similar geographic range compared to the one obtained with the correlative models for the future. Finally, the niche overlap results demonstrate that T. mauritanica’s realised niche has not been conserved over space, as the naturalised climatic niche of the introduced populations differs significantly from its native one. The latter results suggest that there has been no climatic niche conservatism during the several introductions of T. mauritanica and that this species seems to be able to cope with novel and more humid environments, typical from the tropics.

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Effect of competition on habitat utilization in two temperate climate gecko species

Cited by 30 publications

References 45 publications

Some like it hot: from individual to population responses of an arboreal arid‐zone gecko to local and distant climate

Some like it hot: from individual to population responses of an arboreal arid‐zone gecko to local and distant climate

Microhabitat selection and niche partitioning in two syntopic geckos

What does the future hold for a thermophilic and widely introduced gecko, Tarentola mauritanica (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae)?

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