Do the evolutionary interactions between moths and bats promote niche
partitioning between bats and birds?
Abstract
Ecological theory suggests that the coexistence of species is promoted
by the partitioning of available resources, as in dietary niche
partitioning where predators partitioning prey. Yet, the mechanisms
underlying dietary niche partitioning are not always clear. We used
fecal DNA barcoding to investigate diets of seven nocturnal
insectivorous bird and bat species. Low diet overlap (2-22%) supported
resource partitioning among all species. Differences in diet
corresponded with species identity, prey detection method, and foraging
behavior of predators. Insects with ultrasonic hearing capabilities were
consumed significantly more often by birds than by bats, consistent with
an evolved avoidance of echolocating strategies. In turn, bats consumed
a greater proportion of non-eared insects such as spruce budworm.
Overall, our results suggest that evolutionary interactions among bats
and moths translate to dietary niche partitioning and coexistence among
bats and nocturnal birds.