Factors affecting the dominance hierarchy dynamics in a hummingbird assemblage.

ABSTRACT: Intra and interspecific competition for nectar play an important role in hummingbird communities. Larger sized species usually exclude smaller species from the rich floral resources. However, it has been recently postulated that the competitive advantages of a large body size decline as the evolutionary distance between the contending species increases. In this study, we analyzed dominance hierarchy dynamics in a hummingbird assemblage in central Mexico. By monitoring hummingbird territories established in three plant species through 1 year, we assessed the effects of energy within territories and the territory owners identity in the frequency of inter and intraspecific encounters. We also evaluated if these factors affect the dominance of larger species when they compete against smaller d

SUBMITTER: Marquez-Luna U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6595422 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature