Habitat selection of three cryptic Plecotus bat species in the European Alps reveals contrasting implications for conservation
Habitat selection of three cryptic Plecotus bat species in the European Alps reveals contrasting implications for conservation
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DOI：
10.1007/s10531-013-0551-z
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发表时间：
2013-11-01
影响因子：
3.4
通讯作者：
Bontadina, Fabio
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Ashrafi, Sohrab;Rutishauser, Marianne;Bontadina, Fabio
评估群落内共存物种的生态需求是制定合理的保护行动的必要条件。一个特别有趣的问题是，是什么机制控制着一个群落中神秘物种的稳定共存，即几乎不可能区分的物种。资源分配理论预测，隐种，像其他同域类群，将占据不同的生态位。这一预测是从生态形态学研究中广泛推断出来的。最近在欧洲阿尔卑斯山的另外两个物种的复合体中发现了一种新的神秘的长耳蝙蝠物种，Plecotus macrobullaris，甚至有证据表明有一些混合的殖民地。这一发现对蝙蝠生态学家提出了挑战，他们关心的是栖息地保护之外的保护措施。因此，我们测试是否觅食栖息地隔离发生在三个神秘的Plecotus蝙蝠物种在瑞士的radiotracking 24繁殖雌性蝙蝠（每种8）。我们比较了栖息地的功能，在访问的蝙蝠与随机位置在个人的家庭范围内，应用混合效应逻辑回归。独特的，物种特异性的栖息地偏好被揭示。金眼鲷主要在栖息地附近的传统果园内觅食，对生境异质性有明显的偏好。奥地利黑腹蛛的觅食距离可达4.7公里，主要选择果树种植园、树篱和树线。在草原优势基质中，大球松偏好垂直异质性高的斑块状落叶混交林。这些物种特有的栖息地偏好应告知未来的保护计划。他们强调了可能需要对看起来非常相似的物种采取不同的保护措施。
Assessing the ecological requirements of species coexisting within a community is an essential requisite for developing sound conservation action. A particularly interesting question is what mechanisms govern the stable coexistence of cryptic species within a community, i.e. species that are almost impossible to distinguish. Resource partitioning theory predicts that cryptic species, like other sympatric taxa, will occupy distinct ecological niches. This prediction is widely inferred from eco-morphological studies. A new cryptic long-eared bat species, Plecotus macrobullaris, has been recently discovered in the complex of two other species present in the European Alps, with even evidence for a few mixed colonies. This discovery poses challenges to bat ecologists concerned with planning conservation measures beyond roost protection. We therefore tested whether foraging habitat segregation occurred among the three cryptic Plecotus bat species in Switzerland by radiotracking 24 breeding female bats (8 of each species). We compared habitat features at locations visited by a bat versus random locations within individual home ranges, applying mixed effects logistic regression. Distinct, species-specific habitat preferences were revealed. P. auritus foraged mostly within traditional orchards in roost vicinity, with a marked preference for habitat heterogeneity. P. austriacus foraged up to 4.7 km from the roost, selecting mostly fruit tree plantations, hedges and tree lines. P. macrobullaris preferred patchy deciduous and mixed forests with high vertical heterogeneity in a grassland dominated-matrix. These species-specific habitat preferences should inform future conservation programmes. They highlight the possible need of distinct conservation measures for species that look very much alike.