Microhabitat partitioning of closely related Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo)frog species previously assigned to the genus Hylarana (Amphibia: Anura)

Abstract

Microhabitats play an important role as resources that are partitioned between phylogenetically related or ecologically similar species (i.e., a guild). This hypothesis was tested by first elucidating phylogenetically closed Sarawak frog species via DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA gene, and later determining their microhabitat guild and partitioning via nonmetric dimensional scale. Mitochondrial 16S gene revealed 5 monophyletic groups consisting of Hylarana erythraea + Amnirana nicobariensis, Chalcorana raniceps, Abavorana luctuosa, Pulchrana signata + P. picturata, and P. baramica + P. glandulosa + P. laterimaculata. On the other hand, microhabitat utilization grouped the frogs into 5 ecological guilds consisting of semiarboreal species at the forest edge (C. raniceps), ground dwellers in an unforested region (H. erythraea), ground dwellers (rock) at the forest edge (P. picturata), ground dwellers on the forest floor and forest edge species (P. signata, P. glandulosa, A. luctuosa, O. hosii), and semiarboreal forest (riverine) species (P. baramica). Thus, the microhabitats used were not influenced by the proposed phylogenetic relationships. Partitioning of microhabitat utilization, on the other hand, was clearly seen in 2 closely related species in both vertical and substrate utilization. The study supports resource partitioning by closely related species reflected by their ecological guilds, and will be useful for conservation management of the Bornean fauna.

How environmental factors affect the abundance and distribution of two congeneric species of Amazonian frogs

“…Due to similarities in resource use, competition is expected to be greater between phylogenetically close species and that this process will lead to congeneric species generally not occurring in sympatry (Violle et al., 2011; Webb et al., 2002). However, some studies have questioned this prediction, showing that in some groups, closely related species occur in sympatry (Gambale et al., 2020; Moser et al., 2018; Zainudin et al., 2017). Although niche overlap increases interspecific competition, competitive exclusion depends on species differences in fitness‐related traits (HilleRisLambers et al., 2012; Letten et al., 2017), and niche‐related and fitness‐related traits may not depend strongly on phylogenetic relatedness (Godoy et al., 2014).…”

A checklist of amphibians at Lubuk Semilang Recreational Park, Langkawi Island, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia

“…Horizontal position refers to the shortest distance of the species from any water bodies (streams or ponds). Vertical position refers to subsurface on the exposed soil surface (on a rock or on the plant), while substrate refers to the surface area that the individual sits on at the time of capture (rock, vegetation, log, mineral soil or dead leaf) (Zainudin, 2009;Zainudin et al, 2017). We also recorded abiotic conditions such as humidity, temperature, and weather using AccuWeather application (android).…”

Habitat Assemblage of Amphibians from Langkawi Archipelago, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia

“…For instance, Zainudin et al (2017) reported the ecological niche (microhabitat) of closely related ranid frogs from Sarawak. From the research, they categorise these frogs into five ecological guilds: semi-arboreal species at the forest edge, ground dwellers in an unforested region, ground dwellers (rock) at the forest edge, ground dwellers on the forest floor and forest edge species and semi-arboreal forest (riverine) species (Zainudin et al, 2017). At the same time, Deka et al (2019) describe the habitat and microhabitat preferences of Megophrys nasuta from Sarawak.…”