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Preemption of space can lead to intransitive coexistence of competitors.
- Source :
- Oikos; Jul2010, Vol. 119 Issue 7, p1201-1209, 9p, 1 Diagram, 2 Graphs
- Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Intransitive competition has the potential to be a powerful contributor to species coexistence, but there are few proposed biological mechanisms that could create intransitivities in natural communities. Using a three-species model of competition for space, we demonstrate a mechanism for coexistence that combines a colonization–competition tradeoff between two species with the ability of a third species to preempt space from the other competitors. The combination of differential abilities to colonize, preempt, and overtake space creates a community where no single species can exclude both of its competitors. The dynamics of this kind of community are analogous to rock-paper-scissors competition, and the three-species community can persist even though not all pairs of species can coexist in isolation. In distinction to prior results, this is a mechanism of intransitivity that does not require nonhierarchical local interference competition. We present parameter estimates from a subtidal marine community illustrating how documented competitive traits can lead to preemption-based intransitivities in natural communities, and we describe methods for an empirical test of the occurrence of this mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00301299
- Volume :
- 119
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Oikos
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 51249012
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0706.2009.18068.x