Founder takes more: Interspecific competition affects range expansion of North American mammals into deglaciated areas

Abstract

Aim I assess the impact of interspecific competition on species' post‐glacial range expansions into previously glaciated areas. I hypothesize that expansion of one species (the founder) after the last glacial maximum (LGM) into areas that were glaciated has hindered expansion of its competitor (the latecomer). If true, I predict that range and niche sizes of two congeners are more disproportionate within the previously glaciated areas (i.e. the areas of post‐glacial expansion) than within areas that were not glaciated. I also predict that niche partitioning is reduced within previously glaciated areas. If true, range and climatic niche overlap of two congeners is smaller in the previously glaciated areas than in non‐glaciated areas. Location North America. Taxon Non‐volant mammals. Methods I calculate species range size for 87 congeneric species pairs and climatic niche hypervolume for 71 pairs, separately for areas that were and were not glaciated during the LGM. I then compare (a) range and climatic niche size ratio and (b) range and climatic niche overlap for each species pair between areas that were and were not glaciated using a paired t test. Results Congeneric species pairs exhibit more disproportionate range areas and climatic niche hypervolumes, and smaller range and climatic niche overlap within previously glaciated areas, in comparison with areas that were not glaciated during the LGM. Main conclusions Interspecific competition has likely hindered post‐glacial range expansion of some species into deglaciated areas. Similarly to the founder effect documented on the intraspecific level, the founder species may hinder the expansion of the latecomer. Consequently, one species may expand over very large areas whereas its competitor may expand very little or not at all. Additionally, niche partitioning within the deglaciated areas may be reduced as the founder expands and fills biotopes that would otherwise be utilized by its competitor.

In both directions: Expansions of European land snails to the north and south from glacial refugia

“…This may be a very frequent situation in central European species that have ranges extending to southern Europe. Besides conspecifics, there may also be ecologically similar (often closely related) competing species in the south, and postglacial expansions may be constrained by interspecific priority effects (Jezkova, 2020). Helix pomatia would probably find suitable conditions in much of central Serbia or additional parts of Bulgaria, but related congeners live there (Korábek, Juřičková, et al 2022).…”

Temporal Activity Patterns of the Eurasian Beaver and Coexisting Species in a Mediterranean Ecosystem

“…“Ecosystem engineers” are species able to create or recreate, significantly modify, maintain, or destroy habitats (including microhabitats); thus, their behaviour may deeply influence organisms belonging to all trophic levels through interconnected processes [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. As a rule, all animal communities are shaped by interspecific interactions, including competition and predation [ 5 , 6 ]. When in sympatry, competing species develop strategies to avoid each other by spatial, temporal, or diet segregation, as niche partitioning limits competitive interactions [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Camera trap reveals the co‐occurrence patterns of two sympatric muntjac species in southern Anhui Province, China: No spatial segregation

“…Abiotic and biotic factors operate in concert on species distributional patterns, but may be effective at different scales (Chirima et al, 2013 ; Morin & Lechowicz, 2008 ). Habitat selection and interspecific competition can shape the abundance and distribution of species at local scale (Jezkova, 2020 ; Rosenzweig, 1981 ; Schoener, 1974 ). Habitat and interspecific relationships of rare species need special attention because biodiversity losses occurred largely through the disappearance of these species within regional assemblages (Chirima et al, 2013 ).…”