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<p>Niche partitioning is a crucial mechanism explaining species coexistence and biodiversity; however, the role of individual variation is less understood. As global changes reshuffle species communities, understanding coexistence mechanisms is vital. In this study, we use two co-occurring, morphologically similar bat species, Nathusius’ pipistrelle (<i>Pipistrellus nathusii</i>) and the range-expanding Kuhl’s pipistrelle (<i>P. kuhlii</i>), as models. We examine their niche partitioning across habitats and time, considering individual variations by analysing the spatio-temporal habitat selection of 58 radio-tracked individuals. For resource assessment, we use metabarcoding of guano samples. Our results show that individual variation in both species exceeded species-level differences. Nathusius’ pipistrelle exhibits greater between-individual variation, while the range-expanding Kuhl’s pipistrelle shows stronger within-individual variation, probably facilitating its expansion. This study emphasises the significance of individual variation in investigating animal niche partitioning. It suggests a contribution of within-individual variation in the range expansion of bat species, reshaping animal communities under global change.</p>

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How individual variation shapes ecological niches in two Pipistrellus bat species

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月27日

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  • Markus Milchram,
  • Alexander Bruckner,
  • Edwin Kniha,
  • Lukas Landler,
  • Ina Hoxha,
  • Guido Reiter,
  • Samira Linhart,
  • Monica Sageder,
  • Thomas Zechmeister,
  • Marcela Suarez-Rubio

摘要

Niche partitioning is a crucial mechanism explaining species coexistence and biodiversity; however, the role of individual variation is less understood. As global changes reshuffle species communities, understanding coexistence mechanisms is vital. In this study, we use two co-occurring, morphologically similar bat species, Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) and the range-expanding Kuhl’s pipistrelle (P. kuhlii), as models. We examine their niche partitioning across habitats and time, considering individual variations by analysing the spatio-temporal habitat selection of 58 radio-tracked individuals. For resource assessment, we use metabarcoding of guano samples. Our results show that individual variation in both species exceeded species-level differences. Nathusius’ pipistrelle exhibits greater between-individual variation, while the range-expanding Kuhl’s pipistrelle shows stronger within-individual variation, probably facilitating its expansion. This study emphasises the significance of individual variation in investigating animal niche partitioning. It suggests a contribution of within-individual variation in the range expansion of bat species, reshaping animal communities under global change.