Interspecific association of sika deer in terrestrial animal communities of Liancheng National Nature Reserve, China

Su, Tengwei; Cui, Guofa; Zi-hong, Man; Li, W; Huang, Zhidao; Chen, J; Zhao, Mei

doi:10.1111/1749-4877.12700

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 38 publications

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“…Following Ricklef's definition of biological community (which is defined as a network of species interactions [21]), we recognized five association networks in the NNRs. We have also analysed the community environment of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) [22], snow leopard (Panthera uncia) [23] and Sika deer (Cervus nippon) [24]. We interpreted the spatial associations into possible interactions between these species and other species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial distribution pattern of mustelids in the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Liu,

Su,

et al. 2024

R. Soc. Open Sci.

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Evolutionary theory predicts that the species of an evolutionarily successful taxon would not overlap in spatial distribution. To test the prediction, we document our research on the spatial associations of mustelids, an evolutionarily successful group of order Carnivore, using infrared camera trap data on species distribution collected from the national nature reserves (NNRs) of Liancheng, Wolong, Tangjiahe and Heizhugou in China in 2017–2021. Data showed seven mustelid species occurring in the study area, including Arctonyx collaris , Meles leucurus , Martes foina , Martes flavigula , Mustela altaica , Mustela nivalis and Mustela sibirica . Following Ricklef’s definition of biological community, we identified five networks of species associations. The mustelids occurred in the networks. Species from the same genus, such as M. foina and M. flavigula , stayed in different networks to avoid competition owing to similar feeding habits or habitat preferences. Species with different feeding habits or habitat preferences either occurred in different networks, such as M. altaica and M. flavigula , or coexisted in the same networks but avoided direct spatial associations, such as M. foina and A. collaris . Asymmetrical associations were found between different genera, such as M. foina and M. altaica , or between different subfamilies, such as M. flavigula and A. collaris . These associations may be attributed to interspecific killing or seed dispersal. However, these associations accounted for only a small proportion and would not impact the species diversity of Mustelidae. It is thus concluded that the prediction is supported by our research findings and that spatial avoidance may be the biogeographic strategy of maintaining the species diversity of the family. We also found that the well protection of the mustelids may benefit the overall biodiversity conservation in Heizhugou, an NNR that has experienced severe deforestation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial distribution pattern of mustelids in the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Liu,

Su,

et al. 2024

R. Soc. Open Sci.

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Adaptation to different temperatures results in wing size divergence of the invading species Drosophila nasuta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Brazil

Santos,

Garcia,

Montes

2024

Bull. Entomol. Res.

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Invasive species threaten biodiversity on a global scale. The success of invasions depends on the species' adaptation to the different environmental conditions of new territories. Studies show that invasive insects present evolutionary changes in wing morphology in areas they are introduced to in response to abiotic conditions. In the last decade, the Asian Drosophila nasuta fly invaded and spread widely throughout Brazil. This insect has preferences for conserved environments and is related to the likely reduction in the abundance of native drosophilids in the Atlantic Forest. Ecological niche modelling analyses showed that rainfall and temperature are the main factors which delimit the geographic distribution of this species. Herein, we verified the existence of significant differences in the wing sizes of D. nasuta in Brazil and evaluated the influence of abiotic factors (rainfall and temperature) on the observed patterns. We conducted 11 measurements on the right-side wings of 240 D. nasuta males collected in the Amazon Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. Statistical analyses revealed the existence of two groups: one with larger wings, which brought together samples from locations with the lowest temperatures; and one with smaller wings, which corresponded to places with a hotter climate. One explanation for this result is the fact that large wings favour greater heat capture by flies in colder climates, increasing their survival chances in these environments. These rapid evolutionary changes in D. nasuta in this first decade of invasion in Brazil reveal the enormous adaptive potential of this species in this megadiverse country.

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DNA metabarcoding reveals diet diversity and niche partitioning by two sympatric herbivores in summer

Li,

Wang,

Cao

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Background Food provides essential nutrients and energy necessary for animals to sustain life activities. Accordingly, dietary niche analysis facilitates the exploration of foraging strategies and interspecific relationships among wildlife. The vegetation succession has reduced understory forage resources (i.e., shrubs and herbs) available to sika deer (Cervus nippon kopschi). Little is known about the summer foraging strategies or the interspecific relationship between sika deer and Reeves’ muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Methods The present study used high-throughput sequencing and DNA metabarcoding techniques to investigate the feeding habits and interspecific relationships between sika deer and Reeves’ muntjac in our study. Results A total of 458 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified from fecal samples, with 88 ASVs (~19.21%) unique to sika deer and 52 ASVs (~11.35%) unique to Reeves’ muntjac, suggesting the consumption and utilization of specific food items for the two species. The family Rosaceae was the most abundant for both species, especially Rubus spp. and Smilax china. Alpha diversity (local species richness) indicated that the dietary species richness of sika deer was higher than that of Reeves’ muntjac, but the difference was not statistically significant. Sika deer also exhibited a higher evenness index (J′ = 0.514) than Reeves’ muntjac (J′ = 0.442). Linear discriminant effect size analysis revealed significant differences in forage plants between the two herbivores. The niche breadths of sika deer and Reeves’ muntjac were 11.36 and 14.06, respectively, and the dietary niche overlap index was 0.44. Our findings indicate the diet partitioning primarily manifested in the differentiation of food items and the proportion, which ultimately reduces the overlap of nutritional niches and helps avoid conflicts resulting from resource utilization. This study provides a deeper insight into the diversity of foraging strategies and the interspecific relationship of herbivores from the food dimension.

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Interspecific association of sika deer in terrestrial animal communities of Liancheng National Nature Reserve, China

Cited by 3 publications

References 38 publications

Spatial distribution pattern of mustelids in the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Spatial distribution pattern of mustelids in the eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Adaptation to different temperatures results in wing size divergence of the invading species Drosophila nasuta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Brazil

DNA metabarcoding reveals diet diversity and niche partitioning by two sympatric herbivores in summer

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