Abstract
Spatial distribution pattern of biological related species present unique opportunities and challenges to explain species coexistence. In this study, we explored the spatial distributions and associations among congeneric species at both the species and genus levels to explain their coexistence through examining the similarities and differences at these two levels. We first used DNA and cluster analysis to confirmed the relative relationship of eight species within a 20 ha subtropical forest in southern China. We compared Diameter at breast height (DBH) classes, aggregation intensities and spatial patterns, associations, and distributions of four closely related species pairs to reveal similarities and differences at the species and genus levels. These comparisons provided insight into the mechanisms of coexistence of these congeners. O-ring statistics were used to measure spatial patterns of species. Ω 0–10, the mean conspecific density within 10 m of a tree, was used as a measure of the intensity of aggregation of a species, and g-function was used to analyze spatial associations. Our results suggested that spatial aggregations were common, but the differences between spatial patterns were reduced at the genus level. Aggregation intensity clearly reduced at the genus level. Negative association frequencies decreased at the genus level, such that independent association was commonplace among all four genera. Relationships between more closely related species appeared to be more competitive at both the species and genus levels. The importance of competition on interactions is most likely influenced by similarity in lifestyle, and the habitat diversity within the species’ distribution areas. Relatives with different lifestyles likely produce different distribution patterns through different interaction process. In order to fully understand the mechanisms generating spatial distributions of coexisting siblings, further research is required to determine the spatial patterns and associations at other classification levels.
Highlights
The spatial distribution of species and inter-species interactions provide fundamental information for understanding species structures and coexistence in communities
Population Structure The abundance of the eight study species ranged from 223 individuals of Neolitsea membranaceum (NEME) to 4478 of Cryptocarya concinna (CRCO) (Table 1)
Spatial aggregations were common, and the differences in spatial patterns were reduced at genus, relative to species level
Summary
The spatial distribution of species and inter-species interactions provide fundamental information for understanding species structures and coexistence in communities. A recent study [6], which simulated spatial processes of seed dispersal and habitat association found that niche- and neutral-based interactive operations may have important roles in generating spatial patterns. Spatial distribution of species can essentially be used to understand and model biodiversity patterns over space [7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. Gotelli et al [15] used a general simulation model to explain the patterns and causes of species richness. Rahbek et al [16] found correlative climatic models substantially underestimate the importance of historical factors and small-scale niche-driven assembly processes in shaping contemporary species-richness patterns
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