Clump size selection: A field test with two species of Dipodomys

Robert J. Frye, Michael L. Rosenzweig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Seed distribution (clump size) selection has been proposed as a possible mechanism of resource subdivision for competing heteromyid rodent species. To test this hypothesis, field experiments were conducted over two years during both richer and sparser seasons of the year. None of the predictions derived from the hypothesis were supported by our results. Though some selectivity was displayed by both Dipodomys spectabilis and D. merriami, the patterns of selectivity did not match the expected patterns. Our results further indicate that clump selection may be influenced by variables other than the density of seeds within a clump. These results have led us to conclude that clump size selection is unlikely to play a role in the coexistence of different species of the genus Dipodomys.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)323-327
Number of pages5
JournalOecologia
Volume47
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1980
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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