Niche partitioning in scorpions across neotropical dry-wet forests in Brazil

 

Species inhabiting the same ecosystem usually tries to find their own niche to avoid competition and predation. A ecosystem with high heterogeneity will probably provides more niches and thereby contribute to a higher diversity.

Andre Felipe de Araujo Lira have recently published an article looking into "spatial niche dynamics of a scorpion assemblage along a dry-wet bioclimatic gradient characterized by sharp transitions in precipitation and humidity regimes" in an area in Brazil.

The study concludes that "spatial niche dynamics of scorpion assemblages along the dry-wet bioclimatic gradient in Brazilian forests are strongly influenced by both microhabitat availability and species ecological specificity". Check out the article for further details.

Abstract:
Understanding spatial niche partitioning can provide useful insights into habitat use, especially in predator assemblages. This study investigated the spatial niche partitioning of scorpion assemblages along a dry-wet bioclimatic gradient in northeastern Brazil, encompassing the Atlantic Forest and two types of Caatinga ecosystems. Using microhabitat presence-absence data from 2692 specimens collected at 20 sites, were quantified niche volumes and overlaps through principal component analysis and kernel density estimation. Results showed that dominant species such as Ananteris mauryi and Tityus pusillus exhibit large niche volumes in the Atlantic Forest, while species distributions and niche breadth vary notably between hypoxerophytic and hyperxerophytic Caatinga. Intraspecific niche overlap was generally high for widely distributed species, reflecting behavioral plasticity and ecological adaptability. Conversely, species with specialized microhabitats exhibited lower niche overlap, indicating niche differentiation. Interspecific overlap varied with ecosystem complexity; high overlaps likely facilitate coexistence through spatial segregation and avoidance of intraguild predation. These findings emphasize the role of microhabitat availability and species ecological traits in shaping niche dynamics, contributing to species coexistence along environmental gradients. The study underscores the importance of habitat heterogeneity for maintaining scorpion diversity and informs conservation efforts aimed at protecting Neotropical dry and wet forest ecosystems.

Reference: 
de Araujo Lira AF. Niche partitioning in scorpions across neotropical dry-wet forests: an intra- and interspecific analysis. Acta Oecologica. 2025;129:104134. [Subscription required for full text]