Evidence for environmental filtering and limiting similarity depends on spatial scale and dissimilarity metrics.

ABSTRACT: Darwin's theory of natural selection provides two seemingly contradictory hypotheses for explaining the success of biological invasions: (1) the pre-adaptation hypothesis posits that introduced species that are closely related to native species will be more likely to succeed due to shared advantageous characteristics; (2) the limiting similarity hypothesis posits that invaders that are more similar to resident species will be less likely to succeed due to competitive exclusion. Previous studies assessing this conundrum show mixed results, possibly stemming from inconsistent study spatial scales and failure to integrate both functional and phylogenetic information. Here, we address these limitations using a 33-year grassland successional survey at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (USA)

SUBMITTER: Perez-Navarro MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12602181 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature