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How variation between individuals affects species coexistence.

Simon P Hart1, Sebastian J Schreiber2, Jonathan M Levine1

  • 1Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), Universitätrasse 16, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intraspecific variation, or differences between individuals within a species, can unexpectedly hinder species coexistence. This variation can increase competition dominance and demographic stochasticity, making it harder for species to coexist.

Keywords:
community assemblycompetitiondemographic heterogeneitydemographic stochasticityfunctional traitsgenetic diversityindividual variationintraspecific variationnonlinear averagingspecies coexistence

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Theoretical Ecology

Background:

  • Traditionally, studies of species coexistence have overlooked intraspecific variation.
  • Growing evidence suggests individual variation may influence diversity maintenance by altering competitive and niche differences between species.
  • Quantitative theoretical evaluation of these intuitive arguments has been limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To incorporate intraspecific variation into a theoretical competition model.
  • To identify and analyze the mechanisms through which intraspecific variation affects species coexistence.
  • To provide a theoretical foundation for empirical research on intraspecific variation and biodiversity.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a theoretical competition model incorporating intraspecific variation.
  • Analyzed the impact of variation on competitive dynamics through nonlinear averaging.
  • Assessed the influence of variation on species' mean interaction strengths.
  • Investigated the effects of intraspecific variation on demographic stochasticity.

Main Results:

  • Intraspecific variation in competitive ability amplifies the dominance of superior competitors, impeding coexistence.
  • Intraspecific niche variation diminishes species-level niche differentiation, also hindering coexistence.
  • Individual variation can intensify demographic stochasticity, further destabilizing species coexistence.

Conclusions:

  • Intraspecific variation presents challenges to species coexistence, contrary to some intuitive arguments.
  • Theoretical modeling reveals that intraspecific variation can decrease, rather than promote, biodiversity.
  • This study provides a crucial theoretical framework for understanding the ecological consequences of intraspecific variation.