Two-patch model of spatial niche segregation |
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Authors: | András Szilágyi Géza Meszéna |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Biological Physics, E?tv?s University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
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Abstract: | Spatial niche segregation between two habitats and the related adaptive dynamics are investigated. Independent population
regulations operate in the two patches by a single resource in each. The populations migrate between the habitats with a constant
rate. In line with a general mathematical concept published elsewhere, the niche of a species is described by the measures
of the two-way interactions between the species and the resources. Increasing migration rate tends to equalize the population
sizes between the habitats and diminish the dependence of the niches on the environmental tolerances of the species. In line
with the expectations, when two species coexist, their realized niches are more segregated than their fundamental ones. We
demonstrate that robust coexistence requires sufficient niche segregation. That is, the parameter range that allows coexistence
of the two species shrinks to nil when the niche-differences between the species disappear. In turn, niche segregation requires
separation of tolerances and sufficiently low migration rate. For the evolutionary study we assume a continuous, clonally
inherited character that has different optima at the two patches. Evolution of this trait may end up in an intermediate “generalist”
optimum, or it can branch and leads to a dimorphic population. The condition of the latter outcome is in line with the conditions
that allow niche segregation: the patches have to be sufficiently different and the migration has to be sufficiently low.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
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Keywords: | Niche theory Habitat segregation Fundamental and realized niche Regulation Limiting similarity Adaptive dynamics |
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