title: Coexistence of crowned and blackwinged plovers.
abstract: Coexisting Crowned Plovers Vanellus coronatus and Blackwinged Plovers V. melanopterus were studied to determine whether niche partitioning occurred or was necessary to facilitate their coexistence. The results of this study show that niche partitioning did not occur. We suggest that the association of these two species potentially enhances the ability of each to detect and avoid predation, in spite of any possible deleterious effect of interspecific competition (e.g. reduced per capita food intake).
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Natal, P.O. Box 375, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Natal, P.O. Box 375, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maclean
keywords: Coexistence; Plovers; Vanellus