Testing for niche partitioning and specialization in plant-frugivore
interactions using generalized joint attribute modeling
Abstract
We use generalized joint attribute modeling (GJAM) to estimate how the
proclivity to consume different Piper species varies among three
syntopic Carollia species my depend on bat traits (e.g., body
size and age) or Piper fruit traits. How these ecologically and
morphologically similar bats coexist is unclear. Compared to the
Piper-specialist Carollia castanea, generalist C.
perspicillata had a higher proclivity for several Piper species
that were the lowest ranked for the specialist, indicating some degree
of niche partitioning. Piper proclivity estimates were associated
with bat forearm length and age after controlling for bat species,
reproductive condition and sex. However, neither fruit nor seed shape
influence dietary differences among bats. Understanding the mechanisms
of coexistence for closely related species with a high degree of
morphological and behavioral similarity is complex, but simultaneously
controlling for multiple sources of variation among different data types
allowed us to discover key differences in resource consumption and
traits contributing to niche partitioning among frugivores.