Alien war: ectoparasite load, diet and temporal niche partitioning in a multi-species assembly of small rodents

摘要: Interspecific interactions shape the structure of animal communities, and they rely on a number multifactorial mechanisms, including e.g. activity rhythms, ectoparasite prevalence, predation pressure food habits. Despite this, no study has analysed multispecies by combining such high aspects, mostly because experimental manipulation studied populations is rarely possible. In our work, we assessed several aspects interspecific in rodent assembly composed three species, examining diet temporal- niche partitioning, as well relevant load pressure, natural environment. We stomach contents 78 individuals belonging to all whereas rhythms were measured with camera trapping (2200 night-traps, throughout 1 year). Our findings showed that largest-sized i.e. brown rat Rattus norvegicus was strongest competitor may affect diet, temporal behaviour susceptibility parasites smaller-sized ones, black rattus house mouse Mus domesticus. Larger-sized species broader trophic respect smallest seemed avoid largest ones shifting its when latter inactive. also act potential predators towards smaller which are more vulnerable infestation only raptor bird present area, barn owl Tyto alba. therefore highlight importance carry out community-wide studies, understand intraguild relationships.