Resource partitioning along multiple niche dimensions in differently sized African savanna grazers

摘要: Resource partitioning among mammalian savanna herbivores is thought to be predominantly driven by differences in body size. In general, large herbivore species utilize abundant low quality forage while small focus on scarcer high food items. However, a natural system other factors such as digestive strategy, season and the presence of megaherbivores (body size  1000 kg) are likely complicate allometric predictions. Non-ruminants probably better able cope with than ruminants same causing non-ruminant act ‘larger’ allometrically predicted. Also, effect alternating seasons availability diet choice hence competitive interactions between co-occurring still poorly understood. Lastly, how deviate from predictions (based smaller species) not well quantified. this study we examine resource three ruminant grazers: impala, wildebeest, buffalo, warthog, zebra white rhinoceros (megaherbivore) Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, South Africa. We analysed habitat overlap, specifically grass (something commonly investigated) height eaten, both wet dry seasons. found that utilization were generally did vary Diets within feeding patches overlapped during but highly diverged season. Body mass explained their for all except comparisons megaherbivore (white rhino), strategy related niche overlap either conclude coexist mostly through size-driven dry-season, exception rhino (megaherbivore).