Spatial partitioning and structure of small vertebrate communities in the Chihuahuan Deserte
Grenot C and Serrano V. 1982. Spatial partitioning and structure of small vertebrate communities in the Chihuahuan Deserte. Compte Rendu Sommaria des Seances. Societe de Biogeographie. 58(4):159-191
This paper is devoted to the comparative study of the general patterns of resource use and partitioning by small vertebrates in the Chihuahuan Desert. Lizard and small mammal communities appear to be subdivided spatially into different subgroups of 2 to 6 species. Coexisting species are separated by differentiated utilization of microhabitats (guilds). There is indirect evidence of the partitioning of resources based on the separation of small vertebrates according to body size. Home range is not related to body size in the rodent species studied, but there is an inverse relationship between population abundance and size of home range. Home range dynamics between the species is primarily a manifestation of the using of resources available in the environment. The spatial relationships among individuals of a population are determined more by behavioral and social interactions. The species diversity and equitability, especially of small mammal populations are related to habitat heterogeneity, structural complexity of the plant community, rainfall and primary productivity. The herpetofaunas and the non-flying mammal faunas of the four North American deserts were compared on the basis of their species and guild composition. The similarity is rather constant among hot deserts and different between hot deserts and cold deserts (Great Basin). In spite of the variation of the species similarity from desert to desert, the functional similarity based on guilds remains the same.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Grenot, Claude; Serrano, Valentina
- Units
- BIBE
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Animals, Biodiversity, Chihuahuan Desert, Competition (Species), Distribution, Size