Which Factors Determine Spatial Segregation in the South American Opossums (Didelphis aurita and D. albiventris)? An Ecological Niche Modelling and Geometric Morphometrics Approach

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157723
• Publication Date: 2016-06-23T18:22:09Z
• Authors: Nilton Carlos Các...; Marcelo de Moraes...; Geruza Leal Melo; Carlo Meloro; Jonas Sponchiado; Renan dos Santos ...; Jamile de Moura B...
• Keywords: Character displacement; Niche segregation; Niche differentiation; Morphometrics; Ecomorphology

Didelphis albiventris and D. aurita are Neotropical marsupials that share a unique evolutionary history both largely distributed throughout South America, being primarily allopatric their ranges. In the Araucaria moist forest of Southern Brazil these species sympatric they might potentially compete having similar ecology. For this reason, ideal biological models to address questions about ecological character displacement how closely related geographic space. Little is known two morphologically may affect each other through competition, if by competitive exclusion release. We combined niche modeling geometric morphometrics explore possible effects competition on distributional ranges skull morphology. Ecological was used predict potential distribution method enabled us identify case biotic where habit generalist excluded presence specialist aurita. The morphometric analyses show degree shape discrimination occurs between species, strengthened allometric differences, which possibly allowed them occupy marginally different feeding niches supplemented behavioral shift in contact areas. Overlap morphology shown specimens significant, but weak, only This could be residual evidence higher past when zones were larger than today. Therefore, acts barrier diversity not available for coexistence. On hand, there diversification (e.g. habitat mosaic), capable coexist with minimal effect