The dimensionality of individual niche variation

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Quantitative Genetics

Background:

• The multidimensional nature of ecological niches is often overlooked in studies of individual specialization within populations.
• Existing frameworks may not fully capture the complexity of niche variation at both population and individual levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel framework for modeling the between- and within-individual components of population niches in multiple dimensions.
• To integrate diverse data types for a comprehensive analysis of niche specialization.
• To enhance understanding of ecological and evolutionary concepts through a multivariate approach.

Main Methods:

• Modeling population niche components using variance-covariance matrices visualized as ellipses/ellipsoids.
• Inferring niche components with multiple response mixed models.
• Incorporating diverse data: diet composition, stable isotopes, spatial location, and continuous niche measures.

Main Results:

• The framework allows for visualization and inference of multidimensional niche components.
• Considering within-individual variation and multiple dimensions leads to more accurate niche overlap measures.
• Demonstrated application using empirical data from sea otters, wetland frogs, and threespine stickleback.

Conclusions:

• A multivariate framework for individual variation can transform the understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes.
• This approach offers new hypotheses for the ecological and evolutionary basis of niche shifts.
• Highlights the potential of multidimensional niche variation to impact food webs and ecosystems.