Testing predictions of the coexistence of golden-mantled ground squirrels, <i>Spermophilus lateralis</i>, and least chipmunks, <i>Tamias minimus</i>, in meadows with various distances from cover
Abstract
Differing sensitivities to predation risk contribute to diversity by allowing similar organisms to coexist. Such is the case with the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis, and the least chipmunk, Tamias minimus. These sciurids are both abundant in the area surrounding the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Gunnison County, Colorado. Because of predation risk, T. minimus tends to forage closer to cover, while S. lateralis forages more efficiently farther from cover (Smith 1991). This phenomena was revisited to support the theory that these two species differ in sensitivities to predation risk. Meadows with various distances from cover were observed during the sciurids’ active hours. Most meadows with less than 14 meters from cover contained only T. minimus, and most meadows with equal to or greater than 14 meters from cover contained both T. minimus and S. lateralis, showing the importance of predation risk to species coexistence.
Local Knowledge Graph (9 entities)
Related Works
Items connected by shared entities, co-authorship, citations, or semantic similarity.
Harvest rates and escape speeds in two coexisting species of montane ground squirrels
Food habits of two sympatric Colorado sciurids
Using GIS techniques to test a model of the coexistence of the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Callospermopholis lateralis, and the least chipmunk, Tamias minimus
Maternal survival costs in an asocial mammal: Data and analysis
Data from: Optimal multisensory integration
Data from: Extreme site fidelity as an optimal strategy in an unpredictable and homogeneous environment
Small Mammals: A Beaver Pond Ecosystem and Adjacent Riparian Habitat in Idaho
Ecosystem Disturbance and Wildlife Conservation in Western Grasslands
Small Mammal Survey, Acid Fen, Mt. Emmons Gunnison, Colorado
References (15)
4 in Knowledge Hub, 11 external