Interspecific competition slows range expansion and shapes range boundaries.

ABSTRACT: Species expanding into new habitats as a result of climate change or human introductions will frequently encounter resident competitors. Theoretical models suggest that such interspecific competition can alter the speed of expansion and the shape of expanding range boundaries. However, competitive interactions are rarely considered when forecasting the success or speed of expansion, in part because there has been no direct experimental evidence that competition affects either expansion speed or boundary shape. Here we demonstrate that interspecific competition alters both expansion speed and range boundary shape. Using a two-species experimental system of the flour beetles Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum, we show that interspecific competition dramatically slows ex

SUBMITTER: Legault G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7604451 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature