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Intragroup competition predicts individual foraging specialisation in a group‐living mammal
Author(s) -
Sheppard Catherine E.,
Inger Richard,
McDonald Robbie A.,
Barker Sam,
Jackson Andrew L.,
Thompson Faye J.,
Vitikainen Emma I. K.,
Cant Michael A.,
Marshall Harry H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12933
Subject(s) - foraging , niche , biology , competition (biology) , ecology , niche differentiation , optimal foraging theory , niche segregation , predation , coexistence theory , ecological niche , habitat
Individual foraging specialisation has important ecological implications, but its causes in group‐living species are unclear. One of the major consequences of group living is increased intragroup competition for resources. Foraging theory predicts that with increased competition, individuals should add new prey items to their diet, widening their foraging niche (‘optimal foraging hypothesis’). However, classic competition theory suggests the opposite: that increased competition leads to niche partitioning and greater individual foraging specialisation (‘niche partitioning hypothesis’). We tested these opposing predictions in wild, group‐living banded mongooses ( Mungos mungo ), using stable isotope analysis of banded mongoose whiskers to quantify individual and group foraging niche. Individual foraging niche size declined with increasing group size, despite all groups having a similar overall niche size. Our findings support the prediction that competition promotes niche partitioning within social groups and suggest that individual foraging specialisation may play an important role in the formation of stable social groupings.