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Does interspecific competition affect territorial distribution of birds? A long-term study on Siberian Phylloscopus warblers

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Does interspecific competition affect territorial distribution of birds? A long-term study on Siberian Phylloscopus warblers
Authors: Bourski, O. V., Forstmeier, W.
Source: Oikos. Feb2000, Vol. 88 Issue 2, p341. 0p.
Subjects: Wood warblers, Birds, Competition (Biology), Ecology, Ornithology
Geographic Terms: Siberia (Russia)
Abstract: Seven species of Phylloscopus warblers breed in the middle taiga subzone of Central Siberia. We studied their territorial distribution over 18 breeding seasons between 1978 and 1996. Phylloscopus inornatus,the most abundant breeding bird species in the study area, breeds indense clusters of territories. In some habitats, these clusters are very unstable from year to year, providing an excellent opportunity to study the influence of P. inornatus on the territorial distributionof other species. We present a method for quantifying decreases in aspecies' breeding density caused by the presence of a competing congener. Analysing all possible combinations of species, we found reciprocal territorial avoidance between P. inornatus and P. proregulus as well as between P. inornatus and P. collybita. This is consistent with the hypothesis that territorial avoidance occurs between the species of greatest morphological similarity. The occurrence of territorialavoidance is not explained by habitat characteristics such as vegetation cover and productivity. However low productivity may be necessary for territorial avoidance to occur. An alternative explanation for the observed territorial separation of some species, derived from theFretwell-Lucas model of habitat occupancy, is examined and rejected.Causes and implications of clustering behaviour of P. inornatus are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Seven species of Phylloscopus warblers breed in the middle taiga subzone of Central Siberia. We studied their territorial distribution over 18 breeding seasons between 1978 and 1996. Phylloscopus inornatus,the most abundant breeding bird species in the study area, breeds indense clusters of territories. In some habitats, these clusters are very unstable from year to year, providing an excellent opportunity to study the influence of P. inornatus on the territorial distributionof other species. We present a method for quantifying decreases in aspecies' breeding density caused by the presence of a competing congener. Analysing all possible combinations of species, we found reciprocal territorial avoidance between P. inornatus and P. proregulus as well as between P. inornatus and P. collybita. This is consistent with the hypothesis that territorial avoidance occurs between the species of greatest morphological similarity. The occurrence of territorialavoidance is not explained by habitat characteristics such as vegetation cover and productivity. However low productivity may be necessary for territorial avoidance to occur. An alternative explanation for the observed territorial separation of some species, derived from theFretwell-Lucas model of habitat occupancy, is examined and rejected.Causes and implications of clustering behaviour of P. inornatus are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00301299
DOI:10.1034/j.1600-0706.2000.880213.x