Niche Size and Faunal Diversity

Klopfer, Peter H.; MacArthur, Robert H.

doi:10.1086/282130

Cited by 162 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Differences among individuals, expressed by the animal identity factor, were far less important than habitat and biotic factors (tables B4-B6), in contradiction to experimental data on Tribolium beetles that were kept in microlandscapes of varying complexity but stable environmental conditions (Morales and Ellner 2002). We expect that differences among individuals might be more important in less variable environments (Klopfer and MacArthur 1960).…”

Section: The Impact Of Individual Factors On Space Usecontrasting

confidence: 70%

“…Another research direction should focus on the effect of qualitative differences (physiological state, tolerance to environmental factors) among individuals on home range size in relation to environmental stability. As previously argued, theory predicts individual differences to be more important in stable rather than in dynamic environments (Klopfer and MacArthur 1960). As dynamic floodplains become more and more regulated and, therefore, habitat stability increases, differences among individuals might become more important in controlling home range size.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Behavior‐Based Scale Definitions for Determining Individual Space Use: Requirements of Two Amphibians

Indermaur¹,

Gehring²,

Wehrle³

et al. 2009

The American Naturalist

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Understanding individual space use remains a major issue in ecology, and it is complicated by definitions of spatial scale and the interplay of multiple factors. We quantified the effect of habitat and biotic and individual factors on space use by amphibians (Bufo bufo spinosus [BB] and Bufo viridis [BV]) that were radio-tracked in their terrestrial summer habitat. We analyzed two spatial scales, 50% core areas and 95% home ranges (excluding 50% core areas), thought to represent resting and foraging areas, respectively. The 50% core area of BB was best explained by habitat structure and prey density, whereas the 50% core area of BV was determined solely by habitat structure. This suggests that the resting and foraging areas of BB are not spatially separated. The 95% home range of BB was determined by prey density, while for BV both habitat structure and prey density determined home range size. We conclude that the terrestrial area requirements of amphibians depend on the productivity and spatiotemporal complexity of landscapes and that differential space use may facilitate their co-occurrence. Behavior-based a priori hypotheses, in combination with an information-theoretic approach and path analyses, provide a promising framework to disentangle factors that govern individual space use, thereby advancing home range studies. [BV]) that were radiotracked in their terrestrial summer habitat. We analyzed two spatial scales, 50% core areas and 95% home ranges (excluding 50% core areas), thought to represent resting and foraging areas, respectively. The 50% core area of BB was best explained by habitat structure and prey density, whereas the 50% core area of BV was determined solely by habitat structure. This suggests that the resting and foraging areas of BB are not spatially separated. The 95% home range of BB was determined by prey density, while for BV both habitat structure and prey density determined home range size. We conclude that the terrestrial area requirements of amphibians depend on the productivity and spatiotemporal complexity of landscapes and that differential space use may facilitate their co-occurrence. Behavior-based a priori hypotheses, in combination with an information-theoretic approach and path analyses, provide a promising framework to dis-

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Section: The Impact Of Individual Factors On Space Usecontrasting

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Behavior‐Based Scale Definitions for Determining Individual Space Use: Requirements of Two Amphibians

Indermaur¹,

Gehring²,

Wehrle³

et al. 2009

The American Naturalist

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“…Within-individual variability was always significantly greater on the level than on the vertical incline, and on the narrow perch diameter than on the broad surface. The degree of stereotypy of locomotion is a reflection of the degree to which an animal is specialized for that particular locomotor mode in its preferred habitat [38,39]. Therefore, although A. carolinensis is commonly observed in all areas of the arboreal habitat, and on the ground [28], the decreased variability in muscle activity patterns observed on steep, broad substrates may indicate a functional preference for tree trunks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Context-dependent changes in motor control and kinematics during locomotion: modulation and decoupling

Foster

Higham

2014

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Successful locomotion through complex, heterogeneous environments requires the muscles that power locomotion to function effectively under a wide variety of conditions. Although considerable data exist on how animals modulate both kinematics and motor pattern when confronted with orientation (i.e. incline) demands, little is known about the modulation of muscle function in response to changes in structural demands like substrate diameter, compliance and texture. Here, we used high-speed videography and electromyography to examine how substrate incline and perch diameter affected the kinematics and muscle function of both the forelimb and hindlimb in the green anole (Anolis carolinensis). Surprisingly, we found a decoupling of the modulation of kinematics and motor activity, with kinematics being more affected by perch diameter than by incline, and muscle function being more affected by incline than by perch diameter. Also, muscle activity was most stereotyped on the broad, vertical condition, suggesting that, despite being classified as a trunk-crown ecomorph, this species may prefer trunks. These data emphasize the complex interactions between the processes that underlie animal movement and the importance of examining muscle function when considering both the evolution of locomotion and the impacts of ecology on function.

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“…Based upon the geological history of the 2 regions, ecological requirements for the taxon, and paleontological evidence drawn from sister taxa, we propose that these differences are closely linked to concepts which led Sanders (1969) to propose the Time-Stability Hypothesis (also see Klopfer 1959, Klopfer & MacArthur 1960, 1961, Slobodkin & Sanders 1969. Over long periods of geological time, the Alcyonacea experienced broad taxonomic radiation in the Indo-Pacific.…”

Section: Biogeography: Caribbean Versus Indo-pacific Octocorals Distrmentioning

confidence: 98%

Chemical adaptations in the Octocorallia: evolutionary considerations

Sammarco¹,

Coll²

1992

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

110

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The Octocorallia are a highly diverse group, rich in secondary compounds which serve several ecological functions, including predator defense, interspecific competition for space, antifouling, and reproduction. The Alcyonacea are characterized by high frequencies of ichthyotoxicity and feeding deterrence which are not generally correlated with each other. This may be due to the multiple functions these compounds perform, m a s l n g correlations which would otherwise be apparent. Correlations between ichthyotoxicity and physical defense exist, but only at higher levels of taxonomic resolution. One resultant selective advantage of varlance in ichthyotoxlcity and feeding deterrence may be Diffuse Batesian Mimicry, whereby the toxic or feeding-deterrent characteristics of a majority of species help to protect a taxon with a small number of general morphological types and small variance in coloration from generalist predators. Surface-brooded planulae of Indo-Pacific coral species, similar in appearance but not possessing toxic or feeding deterrent attributes, may be similarly protected. The chemical characters of octocorals may serve the same functions which morphological characters in scleractinian corals serve, particularly in predator defense and competition for space. Most octocorals lack a rigid skeleton possessed by scleractinians, which can protect polyps from predation. Octocorals also lack toxic stinging nenlatocysts common to scleractinians, but possess allelopathic capabilities. In some octocorals, 'non-toxic' nematocysts on sweeper tentacles may still be effective in competition for space; in others, aggressive interactions can be avoided through re-orientation or movement, resulting in directed growth. Octocoral orders are distributed inequitably between the tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. The Gorgonacea dominate the former; the Alcyonacea. the latter. Octocoral species diversity is higher in the western Indo-Pacific, as is the abundance and diversity of secondary rnetabolites and their functions. This may be a result of differential levels of extinction between the 2 regions dunng the early Miocene and the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene, with high extinction rates having been experienced in the Caribbean. These extinctions may also have affected radiation in the secondary metabolites produced by those species and the functions which those rnetabolites serve. Secondary metabolites appear to have contributed to the evolutionary success of the Indo-Pacific Alcyonacea. In accordance with the Time-Stability hypothesis, we believe that this high abundance and diversity evolved in the Indo-Pacific under conditions of reduced climatic change and lower extinction levels, when compared to the Caribbean.

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Niche Size and Faunal Diversity

Cited by 162 publications

References 2 publications

Behavior‐Based Scale Definitions for Determining Individual Space Use: Requirements of Two Amphibians

Behavior‐Based Scale Definitions for Determining Individual Space Use: Requirements of Two Amphibians

Context-dependent changes in motor control and kinematics during locomotion: modulation and decoupling

Chemical adaptations in the Octocorallia: evolutionary considerations

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