Switching behavior, coexistence and diversification: comparing empirical community‐wide evidence with theoretical predictions

Author

Jofre Carnicer, Peter A. Abrams, Pedro Jordano

Published

April 28, 2008

Doi

10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01195.x

Jofre Carnicer, Peter A. Abrams, Pedro Jordano 2008. Switching behavior, coexistence and diversification: comparing empirical community‐wide evidence with theoretical predictions. Ecology Letters 11: 802–808. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01195.x

Publication Details

Published in: Ecology Letters  Open Access: Yes

BibTeX

@article{RN57493,
   author = {Carnicer, Jofre and Abrams, Peter A and Jordano, Pedro},
   title = {Switching behavior, coexistence and diversification: comparing empirical community-wide evidence with theoretical predictions},
   journal = {Ecology Letters},
   volume = {11},
   number = {8},
   pages = {802–808},
   abstract = {Theory shows that the presence of behavioural switching between alternative resources can contribute to coexistence when competitors differ in trophic-related traits. In addition, switching can generate disruptive selection on such traits in a low-diversity community, increasing the number of species. Both of these processes should produce communities in which species differ in their values of the trophic trait, and display corresponding differences in the time-course of their switching from one resource to another. Here we present evidence for widespread switching behaviour for a diverse Mediterranean scrubland bird community. We show that species differ in a beak character related to their relative use of insect and fruit resource channels, and that the timing of switching is correlated with the relative use of resources. These patterns are consistent with theoretical predictions, suggesting a possible role of switching behaviour in promoting avian coexistence and diversification.},
   keywords = {Adaptation
Birds
Coexistence
Diversification
Evolution
Food-Web Complexity
Foraging Theory
Fruits
Generalists
Insects
Niche Conservatism
Patterns
Resource Seasonality
Specialists
Species Richness
Stability
Switching Behaviour
Temporal Variation
Warblers},
   DOI = {10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01195.x},
   url = {<Go to ISI>://WOS:000257655400005},
   year = {2008},
   type = {Journal Article}
}