Niche differentiation in rainforest ant communities across three continents.

ABSTRACT: A central prediction of niche theory is that biotic communities are structured by niche differentiation arising from competition. To date, there have been numerous studies of niche differentiation in local ant communities, but little attention has been given to the macroecology of niche differentiation, including the extent to which particular biomes show distinctive patterns of niche structure across their global ranges. We investigated patterns of niche differentiation and competition in ant communities in tropical rainforests, using different baits reflecting the natural food spectrum. We examined the extent of temporal and dietary niche differentiation and spatial segregation of ant communities at five rainforest sites in the neotropics, paleotropics, and tropical Australia. Despite hi

SUBMITTER: Greve ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6686352 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature