Species interactions during diversification and community assembly in an island radiation of shrews.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Closely related, ecologically similar species often have adjacent distributions, suggesting competitive exclusion may contribute to the structure of some natural communities. In systems such as island archipelagos, where speciation is often tightly associated with dispersal over oceanic barriers, competitive exclusion may prevent population establishment following inter-island dispersal and subsequent cladogenesis.

Methodology/principal findings

Using a combination of tools, we test the hypothesis that the distributions of shrew (Crocidura) species in the Philippines are the result of competitive exclusion preventing secondary invasion of occupied islands. We first compare ecological niche models between two widespread, allopatric species and find statistical supp

SUBMITTER: Esselstyn JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3131392 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature