The classical niche theory supports the idea that stable coexistence requires ecological differences between closely related species. However, information on waterbirds coexistence in the entirely landlocked freshwater system of Poyang Lake is not well understood, especially when the available biomass of their food in the area decreases.In this study, we tested the ecological segregation mechanisms in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 wintering periods among eight herbivorous waterbirds (including the Siberian crane Grus leucogeranus, hooded crane Grus monacha, white-naped crane Grus vipio, common crane Grus grus, greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons, bean goose Anser fabalis, swan goose Anser cygnoides, and tundra swan Cygnus columbianus) at Poyang Lake. Using field observations and species niche and foraging habitat selection models, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and food sources of these eight waterbird species to quantify and compare their habitat use and ecological niches. Our results showed that niche segregation among the waterbirds, with respect to food types, time, and spatial location, allow them to coexist and use similar resources. The water level gradually receded in the sub-lakes of the Poyang Lake, which could provide food sources and various habitats for wintering herbivorous waterbirds to coexist. We demonstrated that the differences in habitat use could mitigate interspecific competition, which may explain the mechanism whereby waterbirds of Poyang Lake coexist during the wintering period, despite considerable overlap in the dietary niches of herbivorous waterbirds.
High gene flow and population expansion can promote genetic diversity (Song and Lei, 2014; Ruan et al., 2018; Xu et al., 2019). However, low genetic diversity can lead to a population bottlenecks (Excoffier et al., 2009). Sexbiased dispersal can improve breeding opportunities for birds, thereby increasing gene flow, genetic diversity, and inclusive fitness (Clinton et al., 2007; Hamilton and May, 1977; Taylor, 1988; Pernetta et al., 2011), which are significantly beneficial to the evolutionary process of a population (Paris et al., 2016). The silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) is a common species that is widely distributed in southern China and Southeast Asia, which prefers to inhabit shrub patches (Zhang et al., 2003). Based on mitochondrial markers, previous researchers studied the divergence time and evolutionary history of Lophura (Alain et al., 1998; Huang et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2014). However, there are no previous studies of the sex-biased dispersal patterns or population structures of the silver pheasant in southern China. Considering previous results, we adopted mitochondrial and microsatellite approaches to explore
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