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Experimental evidence for niche segregation in a sister species pair of non-biting midges

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Abstract

The principle of limiting similarity states that closely related species need to partition resources of the habitat in order to coexist in the same general area. We tested this hypothesis experimentally with a sister species pair of non-biting midges (Chironomus riparius and C. piger) by assessing their relative larval fitness under several concentrations of nitrite and temperature regimes, as suggested by the observed habitat segregation in a previous field study. Both chironomid species often occur in eutrophic habitats like agricultural areas or industrial point source effluents. Based on field observations, we hypothesised C. piger to tolerate higher nitrite concentrations, higher temperatures and larger temperature ranges than C. riparius. As predicted, C. piger coped better with higher nitrite concentrations. Against the expectations, C. riparius had a tendentially higher fitness at both higher constant temperatures and larger daily temperature ranges. However, the interaction of both stressors favoured C. piger in warm high-nitrite habitats thus concurring to the field observations. The complex interaction of candidate environmental factors with antagonistic effects found here emphasises thus the necessity to experimentally assess field observations of niche segregation.

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Acknowledgments

The kind assistance of Lucas Jagodzinski, Christiane Frosch and the staff of the Departments Aquatic Ecotoxicology and Ecology & Evolution of the Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main is greatly appreciated. We also thank Christian Abel and Simit Patel for language corrections. This research project has been funded by the research funding programme “LOEWE—Landes-Offensive zur Entwicklung Wissenschaftlich-ökonomischer Exzellenz” of Hesse’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and the Arts.

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  1. Maren Heß

    Present address: Institute for Hydrobiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Ecology Group, Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) by Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung and Goethe University, 60325, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Sabrina Nemec & Markus Pfenninger

  2. Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg Research Institutes and Natural History Museums, Clamecystraße 12, 63571, Gelnhausen, Germany

    Sabrina Nemec & Carsten Nowak

  3. Department of Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Siesmayerstraße 70, 60323, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Maren Heß

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  1. Sabrina Nemec
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Correspondence to Sabrina Nemec.

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Nemec, S., Heß, M., Nowak, C. et al. Experimental evidence for niche segregation in a sister species pair of non-biting midges. Hydrobiologia 691, 203–212 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1074-4

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