Consequence of inter class competition and predation on the adaptive radiation of lizards and birds in the dry forest of western Madagascar

J-STAGE
  • Hasegawa Masami
    Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University
  • Mori Akira
    Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
  • Nakamura Masahiko
    Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Department of Biology, Joetsu University of Education
  • Mizuta Taku
    Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
  • Asai Shigeki
    Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
  • Ikeuchi Isami
    Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
  • Rakotomanana Hajarinina
    Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Antananarivo
  • Okamiya Takayoshi
    Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Department of Biology, Joetsu University of Education
  • Yamagishi Satoshi
    Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University

Abstract

Species interactions among phylogenetically distant but ecologically related vertebrates were studied in a dry forest of western Madagascar to evaluate whether competition and predation between lizards and birds have reciprocally affected adaptive radiation in Madagascar. Of 49 terrestrial and diurnal birds regularly seen in the study forest, we identified six guilds as carnivore (5 spp.), omnivore (2 spp.), carnivore/insectivore (7 spp.), strict insectivore (15 spp.), insectivore/nectarivore (6 spp.), and frugivore (5 spp.). Twelve lizards species were classified as omnivore (1 sp.), strict insectivore (9 spp.), and insectivore with occasional frugivory and nectarivory (2 spp.). The most dominant guilds of the vertebrates in terms of biomass were folivorous/frugivorous parrots, doves, and lemurs (6.7 kg/ha), followed by insectivorous lizards (1.7 kg/ha) and insectivorous birds (0.8 kg/ha) in the Ampijoroa dry forest. Despite their lower biomass, insectivorous birds appeared to be competitively more advantageous than the lizards in terms of prey consumption speed (230 prey/ha/hr by birds vs. 35 prey/ha/hr by lizards). Insectivorous and carnivorous birds may have kept insectivorous lizards from radiating in various niches in Madagascar, and may have promoted a reclusive lifestyle in lizards.

Journal

  • Ornithol. Sci.

    Ornithol. Sci. 8 (1), 55-66, 2009

    The Ornithological Society of Japan

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