Structure of Recent brachiopod assemblages from the waters off Tane-ga-shima Island : competition model in heterogeneous environments and its analysis

Gunji Yukio

doi:10.14825/kaseki.40.0_17

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Other Title

種子島沖における現生腕足動物の群集構造 : 不均質環境の競争モデルとその解析
タネガシマオキニオケルゲンセイワンソクドウブツノグンシュウコウ

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Description

Spatial heterogeneity, in other words, patchness of the distribution of Recent brachiopod assemblages is discussed in respect to inter-specific interactions. This heterogeneity could be inferred to be a result of adaptation to certain environmental factors, when it might have a mutual relationship with certain environmental parameters. However, patchness could also be inferred to be a result of inter-specific interactions in certain assemblages. Therefore species interactions can be analyzed by the distribution of species. In order to explain spatial differentiation of the species in certain assemblages, the author proposes a preference vs. competition system with diffusive effects and its spatial static model. Based on this model. he discusses a method of determination whether the specific interactions are strong or weak. These models are applied to brachiopod assemblages collected from the waters off Tane-ga-shima Island. so that three parts are discriminated in the study area : The first part is represented by a competition system at 130-170 m depth; the second by a co-existence system. These two parts share with each other in such common species as Gryphus tokionis, Campages basilanica, and Basiliora lucida; the third part is the bottom of low mud-contents which Pictothyris picta has been adapted to.

Journal

Fossils

Fossils 40 (0), 17-34, 1986

Palaeontological Society of Japan