When sympatric species compete, character divergence may help maintain coexistence.
Snakes are often found in species‐rich assemblages while exploiting similar resources; …

Niche conservatism and niche divergence are both important ecological mechanisms
associated with promoting allopatric speciation across geographical barriers. However, the …

Aim Species richness varies widely across space and is determined by underlying factors
that drive species coexistence. Such factors include the speciation process (sympatric vs …

In a widespread species, a matching of phenotypic traits to local environmental optima is
generally attributed to site-specific adaptation. However, the same matching can occur via …

The ideal free distribution concept predicts that organisms will distribute themselves
between habitats in a density-dependent manner so that individuals, on average, achieve …

Ecological and phenotypic convergence is a potential outcome of adaptive radiation in
response to ecological opportunity. However, a number of factors may limit convergence …

Filesnakes (Acrochordus arafurae) are large (to 2 m), heavy-bodied snakes of tropical
Australia. Sexual dimorphism is evident in adult body sizes, weight/length ratios, and body …

The niche expansion and niche variation hypotheses predict that release from interspecific
competition will promote niche expansion in depauperate assemblages. Niche expansion …

The presence of alien species can embody a form of disturbance for natural communities
and the concomitant presence of alien species at different levels within the trophic chain …

ABSTRACT Spectacled Cobras (Naja naja) and Oriental Ratsnakes (Ptyas mucosa)
frequently share habitats and presumably occupy a similar trophic niche. We present a …