Patterns of Nestedness and Species Association in a Pond-Dwelling Amphibian Fauna

摘要: The pattern of nested species subsets has been reported for many taxa in naturally or anthropogenically fragmented habitats. Of continued interest to ecologists is whether nestedness more frequently and strongly associated with either selective extinction colon, We studied patterns amphibian incidence at 118 ponds southwestern Ontario from 1992 1994. Our objectives were determine if individual species, groups the entire fauna was nested, what spatial scale, examine association, evaluate causal hypotheses. signiticantly geographic. region sub-region scales. Most highly but differences occurred among regions some species. Species grouped by their requirement woodland habitat susceptibility fish predation showed a high degree nestedness. Historic deforestation introduction predatory, are likely mechanisms this fauna. as good dispersers less than spoor disperse. positively correlated potential dispersal abilities. results suggest importance both colonization contributing Nested may be rule faunas having turnover on mainlands. poor sites dominated same assemblage three suggesting that single large reserves preferable several small conservation temperate zone pond-dwelling assemblages.