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Limiting similarity in subterranean ecosystems: a case of niche differentiation in Elmidae (Coleoptera) from epigean and hypogean environments

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Abstract

Environmental pressures in caves can act on species, selecting functional attributes that allow their best performance in such habitats. Caves are simplified habitats, which makes them ideal for testing ecological models more accurately. From this perspective, we examined whether competition limits the morphological similarity among individuals of the species Heterelmis sp. and Hexacylloepus sp. (Coleoptera—Elmidae), along a surface-subterranean gradient. We used a Mann–Whitney test to assess morphological differences among individuals. Furthermore, we used the outlying mean index to explore the extent of niche overlap between the two species in surface and subterranean environments. The results indicate that in a cave environment, organisms avoid niche overlap by differing their body size and environmental preferences, and such avoidance is likely related to the increase of competitive interactions. Hence, it is plausible to assume that morphological modifications, such as increased body size, may occur in response to evolution within cave environments, partly due to the reduction of similarity between co-occurring species.

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Acknowledgements

To the CEBS team for assistance in the field and laboratory, especially to Gilson Argolo for helping to sort the samples. To Ana Clara Viana for the drawing that exemplifies the methodology. To the employees and managers of the State Park of Lapa Grande (Instituto Estadual de Florestas do Estado de Minas Gerais – IEF) for providing the accommodation, as well as for the attention. VMM is grateful to Vale for the grant awarded. RLF is grateful to the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq Grant No. 308334/2018). We also thank the three anonymous referees that provided valuable advice, which significantly increased the quality of the manuscript.

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  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Aplicada, Universidade Federal de Lavras, 3037, Lavras, CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil

    Vanessa Mendes Martins & Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira

  2. Centro de Estudos em Biologia Subterrânea, Universidade Federal de Lavras, 3037, Lavras, CEP 37200-900, MG, Brazil

    Vanessa Mendes Martins & Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira

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  1. Vanessa Mendes Martins
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  2. Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira
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Correspondence to Vanessa Mendes Martins.

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Martins, V.M., Ferreira, R.L. Limiting similarity in subterranean ecosystems: a case of niche differentiation in Elmidae (Coleoptera) from epigean and hypogean environments. Hydrobiologia 847, 593–604 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-019-04123-x

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