Niche partitioning and stochastic processes shape community structure following whitefly invasions |
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Authors: | David W. Crowder,A. Rami Horowitz,Haggai Breslauer,Mario Rippa,Svetlana Kontsedalov,Murad Ghanim,Yves Carriè re |
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Affiliation: | aDepartment of Entomology, FSHN 166, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;bDepartment of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Research Center, M.P., Negev 85280, Israel;cDepartment of Entomology, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel;dDepartment of Entomology, 410 Forbes Bldg., University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA |
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Abstract: | One of the most detrimental impacts of invasive species is the exclusion of native species, which reduces biodiversity and can alter community structure. Coexistence between invaders and native species across large scales, however, might be promoted by niche partitioning and/or stochastic processes, even when one species is excluded in some habitats. Here, we examined the effects of species traits, stochastic processes, and niche partitioning on coexistence of two morphocryptic whitefly species in the Bemisia tabaci complex: the invasive Mediterranean (MED) species and the native Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) species. These species engage in intense reproductive interference, which can result in the exclusion of one species or the other in shared habitats. Both species, however, have coexisted in sympatry in Israel for many years, where MED is invasive and MEAM1 is native. Using a spatially explicit model, we show that both stochastic processes and niche partitioning can promote coexistence between MEAM1 and MED, although predicted community structure differs drastically in each scenario. Comparison of field observations with model results indicated that variation in habitat use leading to niche partitioning was a primary factor driving coexistence between MEAM1 and MED across landscapes, although stochastic processes affected the establishment of rare species within habitats. In many systems, combining models with field surveys can be used to isolate and test mechanisms underlying patterns of community structure following invasions. |
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Keywords: | Agricultural ecosystems Biological invasions Community ecology Coexistence Habitat heterogeneity Stochastic modelling |
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