Dissertation Research: Termitaria and Avian Coexistence

种间竞争在构建许多群落中起着重要作用，但专业化也可能产生类似的模式。在鸟类群落中，许多物种在树洞中筑巢，这是一个长期限制的基质。一些热带森林鸟类可能通过在活跃的树栖白蚁群中的白蚁巢中筑巢来避免对树穴的竞争。本论文的研究将验证两种假设：(1)白蚁巢的筑巢鸟对白蚁有专门的偏好，并且不依赖于树洞的可用性；(2)白蚁巢目前为有限的树洞竞争提供了一个避难所。这些假设将通过巢箱实验和确定白蚁和树洞的自然占用率来解决。行为数据将用于确定鸟类在白蚁巢而不是树洞中筑巢是否会获得优势。本研究将深入了解用于单一、特殊生活史阶段（筑巢）的基质如何影响群落结构，并为理解白蚁如何影响鸟类结构和物种共存提供框架。

9520800 Terborgh Interspecific competition plays an important role in structuring many communities, but similar patterns may also be produced by specialization. In avian communities many species nest in tree cavities, a chronically limiting substrate. Some tropical forest birds may avoid competition for tree cavities by nesting in the termitaria in active colonies of arboreal termites. This dissertation research will test two alternative hypotheses: (1) termitarium nesting birds specialize on termitaria and prefer to use them independent of the availability of tree cavities, and (2) termitaria currently provide a refuge from competition for limited tree cavities. These hypotheses will be addressed by using nest box experiments and determining the natural occupancy rates of termitaria and tree cavities. Behavioral data will be used to determine if birds receive advantages by nesting in termitaria instead of tree cavities. This research will provide insight into how the presence of a substrate used for a single, specialized life history stage (nesting) influences community structure and provides a framework for understanding how termitaria affect avian structure and species coexistence.