Niche differentiation, reproductive interference, and range expansion

Grether, Gregory F.; Finneran, Ann E.; Drury, Jonathan P.

Abstract

Understanding species distributions and predicting future range shifts requires considering all relevant abiotic factors and biotic interactions. Resource competition has received the most attention, but reproductive interference is another widespread biotic interaction that could influence species ranges. Rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina spp.) exhibit a biogeographic pattern consistent with the hypothesis that reproductive interference has limited range expansion. Here, we use ecological niche models to evaluate whether this pattern could have instead been caused by niche differentiation. We found evidence for climatic niche differentiation, but the species that encounters the least reproductive interference has one of the narrowest and most peripheral niches. These findings strengthen the case that reproductive interference has limited range expansion and also provide a counterexample to the idea that release from negative species interactions triggers niche expansion. We propose that release from reproductive interference enables species to expand in range while specializing on the habitats most suitable for breeding.

Citation

Grether, G. F., Finneran, A. E., & Drury, J. P. (2024). Niche differentiation, reproductive interference, and range expansion. Ecology Letters, 27(1), https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14350

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 23, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 8, 2023
• Publication Date: Jan 27, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 8, 2023
• Journal: Ecology Letters
• Print ISSN: 1461-023X
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-0248
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14350
• Keywords: reproductive interference, species distribution model, habitat suitability model, niche overlap, ecological niche model, niche similarity, Odonata, niche breadth, ecological release, behavioural interference
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1961004
• Additional Information: The data and code that support the findings of this study are openly available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.23739582.v2