Do ecomorphological differences pbkp_redict the co–existence of cave bats in Cuba?

Abstract:

Do ecomorphological differences pbkp_redict the co–existence of cave bats in Cuba? Identifying mechanisms that influence the coexistence of species is primordial to understanding patterns and processes in biodiversity. Here we aimed to assess the association between coexistence and morphology of cave bats in Cuba and differences in morphologic and dietary aspects. We assembled lists of species from 108 localities with at least three co–in-habiting species. Fourteen species of bats in at least three localities were included. Based on the literature we also obtained the mean values ​of five morphological variables and the basic composition of diet. We calculated coexistence patterns using EcoSim v7.72 based on the average number of checkerboard units that appeared between each pair of species. We evaluated the pbkp_redictive capacity of the morphological variables and diet over the degree of coexistence between species using a neural regression network. The best neural network was accepted (correlation of 0.87, training error < 0.006). The pbkp_rediction error was 13.5 % (± 1.1) of the value of the coexistence index. Our findings indicate that the composition of cave bat assemblages in Cuba has not come about by chance. Rather, we found that the most functionally different species tended to coexist. This finding is consistent with the effect of competitive relationships driving the composition of species of cave bats in Cuba.

Año de publicación:

2022

Keywords:

• Competitive exclusion
• CHIROPTERA
• Biodiversity
• caves
• COEXISTENCE

Fuente:

scopus