Species assembly and the evolution of community structure

摘要: In this paper I consider the evolutionary and ecological implications of an assembly rule which was derived empirically from studies on a heathland small-mammal community in south-eastern Australia. This has been tested successfully against 52 assemblages. Here it is shown to hold also for 80 forest assemblages small mammals spanning latitudinal range 27°S 43°S The observed communities are predicted by they deviate significantly random suggest that unique history Australian fauna made these patterns more apparent. simply stated as: ‘There much higher probability each species entering will be drawn different functional group (genus or other taxonomically related with similar diets) until represented, before cycle repeats’. A theoretical basis proposed extends niche compression hypothesis cover time. Evolutionary constraints adaptations diet selection greater than those operating habitat selection. Successful tests North America granivorous desert rodent guild mixed-forest insectivore support wider application derived. speculative model mechanisms involved operation shape evolution structure.