Co-occurrence of cryptic species raises theoretically relevant questions regarding their coexistence and ecological similarity. Given their great morphological similitude and close phylogenetic relationship (i.e., niche retention), these species will have similar ecological requirements and are expected to have strong competitive interactions. This raises the problem of finding the mechanisms t...

In ecology, stable isotope labelling is commonly used for tracing material transfer in trophic interactions, nutrient budgets and biogeochemical processes. The main assumption in this approach is that the enrichment with a heavy isotope has no effect on the organism growth and metabolism. This assumption is, however, challenged by theoretical considerations and experimental studies on kinetic i...

Abstract The emergence of reproductive isolation is key in maintaining within- and between-species diversity one the initial steps speciation. In Iberian Peninsula, diverging populations Brachionus plicatilis rotifer create an ideal system to shed light on mechanisms that give rise isolation. Herein, we quantify degree behavioural two groups B. populations, namely, neighbouring by adaptation lo...