The distribution of plant consumption traits across habitat types and the patterns of fruit availability suggest a mechanism of coexistence of two sympatric frugivorous mammals.

摘要: Understanding the mechanisms governing coexistence of organisms is an important question in ecology, and providing potential solutions contributes to conservation science. In this study, we evaluated contribution several two sympatric frugivores, using western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) a tropical rainforest southeast Cameroon as model system. We collected great ape fecal samples determine classify fruit species consumed; conducted nest surveys evaluate seasonal patterns habitat use; botanical data investigate distribution plant across types relation their “consumption traits” (which indicate whether plants are preferred or fallback for either gorilla, chimpanzee, both). found that use varied seasonally both chimpanzee fruits differed. Also, consumption traits was influenced by type matched accordingly with chimpanzees. show neither selection nor preference alone can explain chimpanzees, but considering together fruiting woody habitats well pattern availability may contribute explaining coexistence. This supports assumptions niche theory dominant subordinate heterogeneous landscapes, whereby prefer nesting where it less subject competitive exclusion food higher. To our knowledge, study first traits, seasonality, heterogeneity enabling frugivores.