What mechanism of niche segregation allows the coexistence of sympatric sibling rhinolophid bats?

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

Introduction

Our purpose was to assess how pairs of sibling horseshoe bats coexists when their morphology and echolocation are almost identical. We collected data on echolocation, wing morphology, diet, and habitat use of sympatric Rhinolophus mehelyi and R. euryale. We compared our results with literature data collected in allopatry with similar protocols and at the same time of the year (breeding season).

Results

Echolocation frequencies recorded in sympatry for R. mehelyi (mean = 106.8 kHz) and R. euryale (105.1 kHz) were similar to those reported in allopatry (R. mehelyi 105-111 kHz; R. euryale 101-109 kHz). Wing parameters were larger in R. mehelyi than R. euryale for both sympatric and allopatric conditions. Moths constitute the bulk of the diet of b

SUBMITTER: Salsamendi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3542077 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature