The interspecific and intraspecific trophic niches of Two jerboa species in the desert steppe

The interspecific and intraspecific trophic niches of Two jerboa species in the desert steppe | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 3 March 2026 V1 Latest version Share on The interspecific and intraspecific trophic niches of Two jerboa species in the desert steppe Authors : Guokang Chen 0009-0006-5901-8530 , Haoting Zhang , Xin Li , Dongyang Chu 0009-0003-4516-7912 , Yuan Shuai [email protected] , and Heping Fu 0000-0002-6863-1728 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177253754.44641980/v1 124 views 74 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Abstract: Trophic niche partitioning is one of the principal mechanisms maintaining the coexistence of species in communities. There is relatively little information on trophic niche partitioning of rodents in Chinese deserts. Here we investigated the diets of two sympatric jerboa species ( Dipus sagitta and Orientallactaga sibirica) in Inner Mongolia. We sampled hair and feces in different seasons in 2021 in Alxa Desert, a typical temperate desert located in the central area of the arid and semi-arid regions of China and Mongolia. We conducted a stable isotope analyses(δ 15N, δ 13C) of the hair and DNA metabarcoding analyses of feces to determine the trophic niche and diets of the jerboa speciesin different seasons (Spring, Summer, and Autumn). The diet of D.sagitta shifted largely with season, the species can be characterized as a generalist, its main foods include: Corispermum mongolicum, Nitraria tangutorum, Salsola tragus, Sarcozygium xanthoxylon. Whereas O. sibirica had a stable choice for the main food in their diet, it tended towards specialization, mainly feeding on Salsola tragus and Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, especially in autumn.We found that the two sympatric species had limited overlap of dietary, and their core trophic niches were separated in all seasons. When food was scarce, both jerboa species’ expanded their diet range, but it led to increased similarity of intra-species diets. Therefore, higher intra-specific diet and trophic niche overlap are occurring across the seasons between genders (male and female). This study demonstrates that these jerboa species partitioned their nutritional niches thereby achieving coexistence. Supplementary Material File (oik-12463-file001.doc) Download 1.47 MB File (oik-12463-file003.pdf) Download 429.51 KB File (oik-12463-file004.doc) Download 67.50 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 03 March 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords coexistence desert dna metabarcoding rodents stable isotope trophic niche Authors Affiliations Guokang Chen 0009-0006-5901-8530 Inner Mongolia Agricultural University View all articles by this author Haoting Zhang Inner Mongolia Agricultural University View all articles by this author Xin Li Inner Mongolia Agricultural University View all articles by this author Dongyang Chu 0009-0003-4516-7912 Inner Mongolia Agricultural University View all articles by this author Yuan Shuai [email protected] Inner Mongolia Agricultural University View all articles by this author Heping Fu 0000-0002-6863-1728 Inner Mongolia Agricultural University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 124 views 74 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Guokang Chen, Haoting Zhang, Xin Li, et al. The interspecific and intraspecific trophic niches of Two jerboa species in the desert steppe. Authorea . 03 March 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177253754.44641980/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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