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The effect of resource limitation on competing populations of flour beetles, tribolium spp. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Michael Nathanson
Affiliation:
Environmental Statement Project, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439, U.S.A.

Abstract

Single-species and mixed-species populations of Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) and T. confusum Duv. were followed in two experiments. Food (flour) was renewed at various intervals between 30 days and 180 days or was not renewed at all. As the interval between food renewals lengthened, single-species populations of T. confusum became extinct later than populations of T. castaneum, the survivor in mixed-species populations changed from T. castaneum to T. confusum, and the mixed-species populations became extinct later than the single-species populations. When resource is limited, therefore, populations of the two species may persist longer if they compete than if they are husbanded as single species.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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