title: The role of melanism in oncillas on the temporal segregation of nocturnal activity.
abstract: The occurrence of coat colour polymorphisms in populations may promote the ecological success of species by permitting a wider spectrum of use of different subsets of available resources. We conducted an analysis of temporal segregation by comparing night brightness with nocturnal activity of spotted and melanistic oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). Melanistic oncillas were more active during bright nights and spotted oncillas and other species were more active during dark nights. Each colour morph occupied a temporal niche outside the confidence interval of the other colour morph, demonstrating the ecological significance of polymorphic colour patterns in this felid species.
authors: Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Universitário, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Graipel
authors: Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Universitário, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors: L G R
authors: LG
authors: Oliveira-Santos
authors: Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Universitário, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors: F V B
authors: FV
authors: Goulart
authors: Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Universitário, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Tortato
authors: Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Universitário, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors: P R M
authors: PR
authors: Miller
authors: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria - UFSM, Prédio 17, Cidade Universitária, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors: N C
authors: NC
authors: Cáceres
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D045989:Felidae / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D006200:Hair Color; D008548:Melanosis