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Interspecific aggression among parapatric and sympatric songbirds on a tropical elevational gradient

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  • Andy J Boyce
  • Thomas E Martin

Abstract

Interspecific competition is hypothesized to be a strong force that sets species range limits and drives parapatric distributions of closely related species on tropical mountains. Yet, experimental evidence that competition drives spatial segregation of closely related species on elevational gradients is rare. To test whether competition limits elevational ranges of tropical songbirds, we conducted reciprocal playback experiments on 2 pairs of species with adjacent but nonoverlapping (parapatric) distributions and 1 pair of sympatric species. We found asymmetric interspecific aggression in one parapatric pair (Pycnonotidae) and a complete absence of interspecific aggression in the other (Zosteropidae). We also found asymmetric interspecies aggression in a pair of sympatric flycatchers (Muscicapidae). Our results indicate that interspecific aggression may set range limits in some cases, but it is not a prerequisite for parapatry. Furthermore, the presence of interspecific aggression between co-occurring relatives suggests that while competition may play a role in limiting species distributions, interspecific aggression alone is not sufficient evidence to assert that competition is the primary driver of parapatric distributions. Familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt in tropical songbirds. Animals on tropical mountains often live in narrow elevational bands with similar species above and below, but it’s unclear if this is due to competition between species, climatic conditions like temperature and rainfall, or something else entirely. By simulating the presence of a competitor, we show that elevational ranges of birds on Mt. Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo are not always limited by aggression from species with adjacent elevational ranges.

Suggested Citation

  • Andy J Boyce & Thomas E Martin, 2019. "Interspecific aggression among parapatric and sympatric songbirds on a tropical elevational gradient," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 30(2), pages 541-547.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:30:y:2019:i:2:p:541-547.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/ary194
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohd, Mohd Hafiz & Park, Junpyo, 2021. "The interplay of rock-paper-scissors competition and environments mediates species coexistence and intriguing dynamics," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 153(P1).
    2. Montague H C Neate-Clegg & Simon N Stuart & Devolent Mtui & Çağan H Şekercioğlu & William D Newmark, 2021. "Afrotropical montane birds experience upslope shifts and range contractions along a fragmented elevational gradient in response to global warming," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Shannon Buckley Luepold & Sandro Carlotti & Gilberto Pasinelli, 2024. "A test of the mechanistic process behind the convergent agonistic character displacement hypothesis," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 35(6), pages 141-152.

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