Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha Archipelago
Studying coexistence mechanisms is practically important for understanding and conserving marine biodiversity and community structure. Tropical marine ecosystems may exhibit higher competition between top predators due to generally low primary productivity and pronounced seasonal fluctuation in food...
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Avian Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716625000477 |
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| author | Yuanyuan Zhao Yangfei Yu Yunteng Liu Lei Zhu Zhikai Liao Yuelou Liu Jian Su Yilin Deng Siqi He Cheng Wenda Yachang Cheng Yang Liu |
| author_facet | Yuanyuan Zhao Yangfei Yu Yunteng Liu Lei Zhu Zhikai Liao Yuelou Liu Jian Su Yilin Deng Siqi He Cheng Wenda Yachang Cheng Yang Liu |
| author_sort | Yuanyuan Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Studying coexistence mechanisms is practically important for understanding and conserving marine biodiversity and community structure. Tropical marine ecosystems may exhibit higher competition between top predators due to generally low primary productivity and pronounced seasonal fluctuation in food availability. Consequentially, niche segregation in sympatric breeding seabirds is expected to occur as a mechanism to maintain species coexistence. However, a single-dimensional study on seabird niche segregation might result in unclear niche overlap. Here, we investigated multi-dimensional niche segregation of tropical seabirds during field expeditions to the Xisha Archipelago, China, in 2023. We reconfirmed the breeding status of six species of terns and noddy, and further revealed the multi-dimensional niche segregation among Black-naped (Sterna sumatrana), Bridled (Onychoprion anaethetus) and Roseate (Sterna dougallii) Terns. Spatially, these three species utilized nest sites that differentiated by vegetation and distance to sea. Temporally, Black-naped Terns bred earlier and for a longer period, while Bridled and Roseate Terns had more restricted breeding seasons. Furthermore, the daily foraging activity patterns of these species also differed, with Bridled Terns potentially having a longer foraging time at noon. In terms of diet, Bridled Terns were opportunists that fed on fishes, squids and insects, such as migratory fruit-piercing moths, while Roseate Terns were primarily piscivorous, especially feeding on Exocoetidae (flying fishes). Seabirds play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and are globally threatened. Our findings shed light on the complex mechanisms facilitating the coexistence of sympatric seabird species in China. Further research is needed to examine other ecological interactions and to develop effective conservation strategies for protecting these valuable seabird populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-917183df010945aa8869d0944f81d656 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2053-7166 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Avian Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-917183df010945aa8869d0944f81d6562025-08-20T02:47:25ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Avian Research2053-71662025-09-0116310026810.1016/j.avrs.2025.100268Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha ArchipelagoYuanyuan Zhao0Yangfei Yu1Yunteng Liu2Lei Zhu3Zhikai Liao4Yuelou Liu5Jian Su6Yilin Deng7Siqi He8Cheng Wenda9Yachang Cheng10Yang Liu11State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, ChinaMinistry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, 571158, China; Marine Protected Area Administration of Sansha City, Sansha, 573100, ChinaMarine Protected Area Administration of Sansha City, Sansha, 573100, ChinaGuangxi Marine Academy of Sciences, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530012, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Corresponding author.State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, ChinaStudying coexistence mechanisms is practically important for understanding and conserving marine biodiversity and community structure. Tropical marine ecosystems may exhibit higher competition between top predators due to generally low primary productivity and pronounced seasonal fluctuation in food availability. Consequentially, niche segregation in sympatric breeding seabirds is expected to occur as a mechanism to maintain species coexistence. However, a single-dimensional study on seabird niche segregation might result in unclear niche overlap. Here, we investigated multi-dimensional niche segregation of tropical seabirds during field expeditions to the Xisha Archipelago, China, in 2023. We reconfirmed the breeding status of six species of terns and noddy, and further revealed the multi-dimensional niche segregation among Black-naped (Sterna sumatrana), Bridled (Onychoprion anaethetus) and Roseate (Sterna dougallii) Terns. Spatially, these three species utilized nest sites that differentiated by vegetation and distance to sea. Temporally, Black-naped Terns bred earlier and for a longer period, while Bridled and Roseate Terns had more restricted breeding seasons. Furthermore, the daily foraging activity patterns of these species also differed, with Bridled Terns potentially having a longer foraging time at noon. In terms of diet, Bridled Terns were opportunists that fed on fishes, squids and insects, such as migratory fruit-piercing moths, while Roseate Terns were primarily piscivorous, especially feeding on Exocoetidae (flying fishes). Seabirds play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and are globally threatened. Our findings shed light on the complex mechanisms facilitating the coexistence of sympatric seabird species in China. Further research is needed to examine other ecological interactions and to develop effective conservation strategies for protecting these valuable seabird populations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716625000477DietEudocima phaloniaNiche partitioningSympatricXisha Archipelago |
| spellingShingle | Yuanyuan Zhao Yangfei Yu Yunteng Liu Lei Zhu Zhikai Liao Yuelou Liu Jian Su Yilin Deng Siqi He Cheng Wenda Yachang Cheng Yang Liu Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha Archipelago Avian Research Diet Eudocima phalonia Niche partitioning Sympatric Xisha Archipelago |
| title | Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha Archipelago |
| title_full | Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha Archipelago |
| title_fullStr | Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha Archipelago |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha Archipelago |
| title_short | Multi-dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the Xisha Archipelago |
| title_sort | multi dimensional niche segregation of sympatric breeding seabirds in the xisha archipelago |
| topic | Diet Eudocima phalonia Niche partitioning Sympatric Xisha Archipelago |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716625000477 |
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