Habitat preferences depend on substrate quality in a cooperative breeder

Q2 Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Dario Josi, M. Taborsky, Joachim G. Frommen
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引用次数: 7

Abstract

15 Background : The evolution of complex social organization is mediated by diverse environmental 16 constraints, including predation risk and the availability and distribution of food resources, mating 17 partners, and breeding habitats. The cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher inhabits 18 highly distinct habitats ranging from sheer rock face to gastropod shells, rubble and sandy bottoms with 19 dispersed stones. Physical habitat characteristics influence predator abundance and consequently the 20 social system and reproductive performance of this species. Under natural conditions, habitat 21 preferences should allow for optimizing the territory position within a colony. 22 Question : If given the choice, does N. pulcher distinguish between environments differing in 23 structural complexity and the presence of sand? 24 Method : We created breeding groups consisting of a dominant pair and two subordinates. We 25 manipulated structural complexity (low vs. high stone cover) and sandy environments (present vs. 26 absent). We measured habitat preference using a four-factorial design with binary choice options. 27 Predictions : We predicted that groups prefer to settle in a highly structured environment 28 providing many possibilities to hide from potential predators. We further predicted a preference for 29 sandy bottom, especially in environments with low structural complexity, because sand allows for 30 digging out shelters. 31 Results and Conclusion : N. pulcher favored more complex over less complex habitats, 32 independently of the presence of sand. When fish faced low structural complexity in both experimental 33 compartments, sand presence became a critical factor. Choosing appropriate habitats may contribute to 34 effectively reduce predation risk.
生境偏好取决于合作育种者的基质质量
背景:复杂社会组织的进化受到多种环境约束的调节,包括捕食风险、食物资源的可得性和分布、交配伙伴和繁殖栖息地。这种群居繁殖的慈鲷栖息在18个截然不同的栖息地,从陡峭的岩石表面到腹足类动物的贝壳、碎石和沙质底部,有19块分散的石头。自然生境特征影响捕食者的丰度,从而影响该物种的社会系统和繁殖性能。在自然条件下,栖息地21的偏好应该考虑到在一个群体内优化领土位置。问题:如果可以选择,N. pulcher会区分结构复杂性和沙子存在的不同环境吗?方法:建立1对优势和2对从属的育种组。我们25操纵了结构复杂性(低vs高的石头覆盖)和沙质环境(存在vs不存在)。我们使用二元选择选项的四因子设计来测量栖息地偏好。预测:我们预测,群体更喜欢在高度结构化的环境中定居,这样就有可能躲避潜在的捕食者。我们进一步预测了29砂底的偏好,特别是在结构复杂性较低的环境中,因为沙子允许30挖出避难所。31结果和结论:N. pulcher偏爱较复杂的生境而不是较不复杂的生境,32独立于沙子的存在。当鱼在两个实验隔间中面临较低的结构复杂性时,沙子的存在成为关键因素。选择合适的栖息地有助于有效降低捕食风险。
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来源期刊
Evolutionary Ecology Research
Evolutionary Ecology Research 生物-进化生物学
自引率
0.00%
发文量
0
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: Evolutionary Ecology Research publishes original research contributions focusing on the overlap between ecology and evolution. Papers may treat any taxon or be general. They may be empirical, theoretical or a combination of the two. EER prefers conceptual contributions that take intellectual risks or that test ideas.
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