Ecological similarity of Gerbillus allenbyi and Meriones tristrami

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Two granivorous species of gerbilline rodents exhibit a unique distribution in northern Israel. The larger, Meriones tristrami ( = 78 g), is found in several types of soil forms including sand dunes. However, in areas of geographical overlap with a much smaller species (Gerbillus allenbyi, = 29 g) M. tristrami does not occur in sandy habitats. These are inhabited by G. allenbyi only. This distribution is interpreted as resulting from interspecific competition (Zahavi & Wahrman, 1957). Despite large differences in body size, the two species exhibit similar preferences for the size and degree of dispersion of seeds. Trapping in the narrow transition zone where both species occur, and probably displace each other alternately, showed that both forage in the same micro-habitats. The results suggest that the two species are too similar in their food preferences and foraging strategies to coexist.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-160
JournalJournal of Arid Environments
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1980
Externally publishedYes

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