Niche Relationships In Shore Bugs Of The Genus Valleriola

Antonio  A. Barroso,

Niche Relationships In Shore Bugs Of The Genus Valleriola

Abstract:

Valleriola buenoi (Usinger) and Valleriola mindorana i Drake were found to "coexist" on the same rock surfaces in the same area at the same time in Molawin Creek, Los Baños, Laguna. A closer examination of their niche relationships revealed varying degrees of habitat specialization in favorable areas. Differences in dispersion, behavioral patterns and microclimatic factors influencing fluctuation in their populations reveal a well-defined degree of niche divergence which explains their coexistence. Elevation, rock size and vegetation cover strongly determine their presence in streams. Observed mating preference for members of the same species demonstrates distinctness of V. buenoi and V. mindorana.

References:

DE BACH, P. 1965. The competitive displacement and coexistence principles. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 11:183-212.
DE BACH, P., and SUNDBY, R.A. 1963. Competitive displacement between ecological homologues. Hilgardia 34(5): 105-166.
DRAKE, C.J. 1956. Philippine Leptopodidae (Hemiptera). Phil. J. Sci. 85: 467-469.
DRAKE, C.J., and HOTTES, F.C. 1951. Two new species of Leptopodidae (Hemiptera). J. Kansas Entomol. Soc. 24(1): 215-221.
GAPUD, V.P. 1976. A progress report on: The aquatic and semi-aquatic Hemiptera of the Philippines. DNR-UPNSRC Inventory of Philippine Flora and Fauna (unpub-lished).
HARDIN, C. 1960. The competitive exclusion principle. Science 131 (3409): 1292-1297.
KLOMP. H. 1961. The concepts "similar ecology" and "competition" in animal ecology. Arch. Neverl. Zool. 14:90-102.
MAYR, E. 1969. Principles of Systematic Zoology. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 428 pp.
MILLER, N.C.E. 1971. The Biology of Heteroptera. E.W. Classey Ltd., England. p. 163.
ODUM, E.P. 1971. Fundamentals of Ecology. J.C. Press, Inc., Quezon City, Philip-pines. 373 pp.