Abstract:
Mixed-species groups of birds, fishes and mammals have traditionally been described in taxa-specific journals. However, mixed-species systems are actually more widely found when one includes aggregative (non-moving) systems, such as those common in amphibians and invertebrates. The objective of this special issue is to dispel the idea that mixed-species phenomena are a \'niche topic\' to ecology and instead explore how taking a mixed-species perspective can change our conception of important ecological patterns and processes. A mixed-species perspective starts by understanding the relative abundance and positioning of individuals of different species and their behavioural synchrony; it is enriched by understanding differences between species in their vulnerability/attractiveness to predators, their potential for competing with other group participants and their use as a source of public information. Contributions to the special issue show how the mixed-species perspective can change our ideas about invasion ecology, island biogeography, keystone species, mimicry, predator eavesdropping and more. Rather than seeking synthesis, the special issue celebrates the taxonomic and conceptual breadth of the field of mixed-species groups, with detailed descriptions of many distinctive systems. This article is part of the theme issue \'Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes\'.
摘要:
混合种类的鸟类,传统上,鱼类和哺乳动物在分类群特定的期刊中被描述。然而,当混合物种系统包括聚集(非移动)系统时,实际上更广泛地发现,如两栖动物和无脊椎动物中常见的。本特刊的目的是消除混合物种现象是生态学的“利基话题”的想法,而是探索采用混合物种观点如何改变我们对重要生态模式和过程的观念。混合物种的观点始于了解不同物种个体的相对丰度和定位及其行为同步性;通过了解物种之间对捕食者的脆弱性/吸引力的差异来丰富它,他们与其他团体参与者竞争的潜力,以及他们作为公共信息来源的使用。对特刊的贡献表明,混合物种的观点如何改变我们对入侵生态学的看法,岛屿生物地理学,基石物种,模仿,捕食者窃听和更多。而不是寻求综合,特刊庆祝混合物种群体领域的分类学和概念广度,详细描述了许多独特的系统。本文是“混合物种群体和聚集:塑造生态和行为模式和过程”主题的一部分。