Niche partitioning at the edge of the range: a multidimensional analysis with sympatric martens

摘要: The structure of mesopredators’ communities is complex and results from a multidimensional web interactions such as top-down bottom-up regulation or intraguild interactions. However, these may change geographically along species’ distribution ranges. pine marten ( Martes martes ) stone foina are 2 similar-sized mustelids with overlapping ecological traits wide overlap. absence martens potentially adequate areas has been advocated resulting competitive exclusion by martens. Particularly, the preference both species for mammalian rodents could be main driver stress. their elusive behavior morphological similarity scats often precluded evaluation in co-occurrence. Using camera trapping diet analysis on genetically identified scats, we evaluated between southwestern limit range 3 niche dimensions: spatial, trophic, temporal, under hypothesis dominance We found no spatial segregation, that coexistence was facilitated seasonally adjusted shifts trophic temporal axes. While co-occurred, during season low food resources, exploited less profitable feeding resource. Moreover, they not only displayed an activity pattern limited access to rodents, but also reduced probabilities direct encounters suggest position changed favor our study area, probably result habitat quality edge effects. These findings support relative instability interspecific among species, which should using site-specific approaches.