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Sympatry with the devil: reproductive interference could hamper species coexistence
Axel Hochkirch1, Julia Gröning, Amelie Bücker
1University of Osnabrück, Department of Biology/Chemistry, Division of Ecology, Barbarastr. 13, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany. hochkirch@biologie.uni-osnabrueck.de
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|June 23, 2007
Summary
Reproductive interference between ground-hopper species, Tetrix ceperoi and Tetrix subulata, significantly reduced reproductive success. This sexual interaction can lead to species displacement, similar to competition.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Interspecific sexual interactions are often overlooked in community composition studies.
- Reproductive interference, including signal jamming and hybridization, can negatively impact species with overlapping signal channels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of sexual interactions on the coexistence of two congeneric ground-hopper species, Tetrix ceperoi and Tetrix subulata.
- To assess the impact of reproductive interference on the reproductive success and population dynamics of these species.
Main Methods:
- Combined laboratory and field experiments were conducted.
- Laboratory experiments involved observing mating behaviors and success rates.
- Field experiments assessed the reproductive success of Tetrix species in overlapping ranges.
Main Results:
- Tetrix ceperoi conspecific copulations decreased in the presence of Tetrix subulata.
- Males of T. ceperoi showed increased mating attempts with heterospecific females, which were often rejected.
- No heterospecific matings occurred, but T. ceperoi reproductive success was substantially reduced in field experiments.
- Negative effects on T. subulata were observed only at high population densities.
Conclusions:
- Reproductive interference can cause demographic displacement, termed 'sexual exclusion', comparable to competitive exclusion.
- Reproductive interference may drive the evolution of reproductive character displacement or promote ecological segregation (habitat, spatial, or temporal).
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