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Akresh ME, Mandell D, Grima PP, King DI, Lauer K. Differential use of nest materials and niche space among avian species within a single ecological community. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70142. [PMID: 39315298 PMCID: PMC11419847 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Differential use of resources among bird species has been examined extensively in diet and nesting sites, but few studies have assessed this regarding avian nest materials. We assessed the structure and composition of nests in a group of co-existing passerine shrubland birds at a site in Massachusetts, USA. We found, measured, collected, and dissected nests, and then weighed nest materials in morphological groups (e.g., bark, twigs, feathers) to determine if our seven focal species were using different nest materials. Among species, we compared proportional material masses in complete nests, and also separately in the exterior, structural part of the nest and the interior, cup lining. We found that the proportional masses of all 17 material types that we examined in nests differed among species. The compositions of nests among all seven bird species were distinct in multivariate ordination space and only a few pairs of species had substantial niche overlap. Proportional masses of materials within discrete sections (exterior and interior) also varied among species. Although some differences in nest composition could be partially explained by bird species size, nest materials differed even within the three larger bodied species and within four smaller bodied species. Our study builds upon previous studies that have shown species-specificity in avian nest composition and supports the notion that birds using the same environment have distinct niches in relation to the materials placed in their nests. Niche partitioning due to interspecific competition could partially explain our findings, as certain materials are limited as resources, and searching for suitable nest materials is energetically costly. Additionally, other factors, such as partitioned nest sites, may have led to differential nest material use. We recommend further research to help elucidate underlying mechanisms of nest composition partitioning in birds and potentially other nest-building taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E. Akresh
- Department of Environmental StudiesAntioch University New EnglandKeeneNew HampshireUSA
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - David Mandell
- Department of Environmental StudiesAntioch University New EnglandKeeneNew HampshireUSA
| | | | - David I. King
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- U.S. Forest Service Northern Research StationUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kathryn Lauer
- Department of Environmental StudiesAntioch University New EnglandKeeneNew HampshireUSA
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Guo Q, Lu X, Xie C, Zhang J, Xu X, Qian Y, Luo X, Duan Y. Trophic Niche Differentiation in Two Sympatric Nuthatch Species ( Sitta yunnanensis and Sitta nagaensis). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1146. [PMID: 38672294 PMCID: PMC11047393 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Sympatric closely related species may experience interspecific trophic competition due to ecological similarity; they may isolate in terms of diet or habitat use as a strategy to avoid competition. The body tissues of consumers contain stable isotope signatures information that can be applied to infer their dietary information. In this study, δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes were analyzed to determine the dietary information and trophic niches of sympatric coexisting Sitta yunnanensis and Sitta nagaensis. The results showed that the food sources of S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis were from six orders, including Orthoptera, and the cumulative contribution rate was 99.97%, with the two species eating similar diets but at different rates. The larger δ13C of S. yunnanensis indicates that it had a wider range of habitats for feeding, while the difference in δ15N values was not significant (p > 0.05), indicating that both species feed on similar nutrient levels. As determined by Bayesian ellipses, the isotopic niches of S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis were differentiated; the isotopic niche width of S. yunnanensis is 2.69‱2, which was larger than that of S. nagaensis (0.73‱2), indicates that differentiation between the two species in diet or habitat use reduced competition. Trophic niche differentiation and differences in foraging proportions may be the principal resource allocation mechanisms behind S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Guo
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (Q.G.); (X.L.); (J.Z.)
- College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (C.X.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Xi Lu
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (Q.G.); (X.L.); (J.Z.)
- Key Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Chongxin Xie
- College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (C.X.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Jiansong Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (Q.G.); (X.L.); (J.Z.)
- Key Laboratory for Conserving Wildlife with Small Populations in Yunnan, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Xianyin Xu
- Administration of Zixi Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve, Chuxiong 675008, China
| | - Yuhan Qian
- College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (C.X.); (Y.Q.)
| | - Xu Luo
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (Q.G.); (X.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yubao Duan
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (Q.G.); (X.L.); (J.Z.)
- College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; (C.X.); (Y.Q.)
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Yapıcı N, Erdoğan A. The expansive Laughing Dove ( Spilopelia senegalensis), an all-year breeder in southern Turkey. ZOOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2023.2172861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nilgün Yapıcı
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ali Erdoğan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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Hanane S, Bouaamama M, Bougnous A, Hajjaj D, Mihoubi H. Contrasting occurrence patterns in the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) in managed and unmanaged hunting forest estates: does human presence matter? Biologia (Bratisl) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-023-01324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Almalki M. Breeding ecology of the laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) in the Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 83:e272328. [PMID: 37162097 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.272328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) is a columbid bird commonly found throughout most of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, India and Australia. Its preferred habitat includes scrubland, agricultural lands, and human settlements. Despite this species' extensive breeding range, very little information is available regarding its breeding ecology. The main objective of this study was to investigate the breeding features of the Laughing Dove in Taif City, Saudi Arabia between March and May 2018 and December 2018 and May 2019. The results indicate that this species constructs its nests at a mean height of 2.74 ± 0.1 m from the ground. The average number of nesting materials used for building a Laughing Dove nest was 109.3 ± 11.25. This study recorded that this species starts breeding in the middle of February. A clutch of two eggs comprised 72% of all the nests, with a mean of 1.75 ± 0.06 eggs per clutch. The average egg size was 25.27 ± 0.43 mm x 20.25 ± 0.19 mm, with an average egg volume of 5.01 ± 0.13 cm3. In total, 39.5% of the eggs hatched, and 64.7% of hatchlings reached the fledgling stage, resulting in an overall breeding success of 25.6%. This study suggested that nest desertion and predation were the major factors contributing to nest failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Almalki
- Taif University, College of Science, Department of Biology, Taif, Saudi Arabia
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Kosicki JZ. Niche segregation on the landscape scale of two co-existing related congeners in the sympatric zone – modelling approach. Ecol Modell 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.109960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Mansouri I, Squalli W, Agy AE, Salai KE, Bouayad K, benhichou B, Hassani AE, Ghadraoui LE, Dakki M. Analysis of Moroccan breeding and wintering population of the vulnerable European Turtle dove Streptopelia turtur: Breeding habitats, wintering sites and governing factors. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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A New Feature of Nesting Ecology in the Vulnerable European Turtle Dove: Nest Site and Nesting Tree Sharing with Coexisting Species at Three North African Wetlands. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/9922971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Investigations of niche splitting in the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) have primarily addressed feeding habitats and foraging features and been limited to conspecific species, counting laughing dove and wood pigeon. The recent degradation of natural and suitable habitats for turtle doves, particularly in North Africa, would push this species to refuge in wetlands with a variety of other bird species. The understanding of potential cohabitation between doves and other species in these less disturbed ecosystems would help in the conservation measures of this declining game. This study, conducted from early March to September between 2015 and 2017, attempted to determine which species cohabit with turtle doves in three Northwest African wetlands in Morocco and how these species select nesting sites and trees. We used detrended corresponding analysis (DCA) to test the relevance of nest site and nesting tree variables in the nest distribution of the breeding species. The obtained results show a wide sharing of nest-niche between turtle doves and 7 breeding species, especially at the intermediate zone and downstream of the rivers. The lack of competition for food resources with neighbouring species may help in this harmonious sharing of both nesting sites and nesting trees. We further suggest guidelines for future research that seek to understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of species coexisting with turtle dove in the same habitats.
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Macro-habitat, micro-habitat segregation and breeding success of the ‘vulnerable’ native European turtle dove and the ‘invasive’ Eurasian collared dove from a North African agricultural area. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00870-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Nest site selection and breeding ecology of the Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) in Algeria. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Saâd N, Hanane S, El Hak Khemis MD, Farhi K. Landscape composition governs the abundance patterns of native and invasive Columbidae species along an urban–rural gradient and contribute to their partitioning. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02489-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Tellería JL, Carbonell R, Fandos G, Tena E, Onrubia A, Qninba A, Aguirre JI, Hernández-Téllez I, Martín CA, Ramírez Á. Distribution of the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) at the edge of the South-Western Palaearctic: transboundary differences and conservation prospects. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-01414-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Hanane S. Multi-scale turtle dove nest habitat selection in a Mediterranean agroforestry landscape: implications for the conservation of a vulnerable species. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Reif J, Reifová R, Skoracka A, Kuczyński L. Competition-driven niche segregation on a landscape scale: Evidence for escaping from syntopy towards allotopy in two coexisting sibling passerine species. J Anim Ecol 2018; 87:774-789. [PMID: 29430650 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The role of interspecific competition for generating patterns in species' distribution is hotly debated and studies taking into account processes occurring at both large and small spatial scales are almost missing. Theoretically, competition between species with overlapping niches should result in divergence of their niches in sympatry to reduce the costs of competition. Many species show a mosaic distribution within sympatric zones, with the syntopic sites occupied by both species, and allotopic sites where only one species occurs. It is unclear whether such mosaics arise as a consequence of competition-driven niche segregation or due to the decline of their abundances towards range edges driven by environmental gradients. If the interspecific competition matters, we should observe (1) a shift in habitat preferences of one or both species between syntopy and allotopy, and (2) between allopatry and allotopy. Moreover, (3) species should show greater divergence in their habitat preferences in allotopy than in allopatry where (4) no differences in habitat preferences may occur. Finally, (5) shifts should be generally greater in the competitively subordinate species than in the dominant species. We used a unique dataset on abundance of two closely related passerine species, the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), collected across their syntopy, allotopy and allopatry. The predictions were tested within a generalized mixed-effects modelling framework. After accounting for environmental gradients perpendicular to the species' contact zone, we found a strong support for all but one prediction. Habitat preferences of both species shifted markedly between syntopy and allotopy, as well as between allopatry and allotopy. Whereas the species preferred the same habitats in allopatry, their preferences became strikingly different in allotopy where the abundance of the Common Nightingale increased towards dry and warm sites with low coverage of pastures, while the abundance of the Thrush Nightingale showed exactly opposite trends. Fifth prediction was not supported. Our results indicate that the competition between closely related species can result in considerable changes in habitat use across their geographic ranges accompanied with divergence in their habitat preferences in sympatry. Here, the species "escape" from competition to allotopic sites covered by habitats avoided by the competitor. Therefore, we argue that the interspecific competition is an important driver of species' distribution at both large and small spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Reif
- Faculty of Science, Institute for Environmental Studies, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Reifová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Skoracka
- Population Ecology Lab, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Lechosław Kuczyński
- Population Ecology Lab, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
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Hanane S, Yassin M. Nest-niche differentiation in two sympatric columbid species from a Mediterranean Tetraclinis woodland: Considerations for forest management. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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