Rare Species Enhance Niche Differentiation Among Tropical Estuarine Fish Species

摘要: Based on the assumption that rare species in estuarine systems may display a different set of traits relative to common species, we hypothesized extirpation would negatively affect functional diversity components these ecosystems. Therefore, contribution structure fish assemblages tropical lagoon was tested using two simulation scenarios loss: (1) losing first and (2) removal occurring at random. Overall, high redundancy among studied found, with many including some performing similar functions as shown by consistent marked species’ overlap space. Nevertheless, impacted niche differentiation assemblages, indicating while play redundant estuary, they also have crucial role increasing assemblages. Such increase granted species—mostly represented marine straggler species—appears be key component ecosystem stability allowing continued even when estuary is faced disturbances.