The theory of limiting similarity

The theory of limiting similarity is an outgrowth of the competitive exclusion principle. Until recently [i.e. before the work of Armstrong & McGehee (13, 14)], the competitive exclusion principle, as usually formulated, stated that two species with identical niches could not coexist. The ease with which ecologists discovered differences between species when they looked for them must have suggested that a stronger principle might apply. At the risk of oversimplifica­ tion, one may say that limiting similarity means that there is some maximum level of similarity (i.e. similar use of a set of resources that are in short supply) between competing species short of complete identity that will allow these species to coexist. D. Lack apparently thought of the competitive exclu sion principle in these terms during the 1940s (41) and G. E. Hutchinson discussed the idea in 1959 (35). MacArthur & Levins were responsible for introducing the term limiting similarity in their 1967 paper (47). Since then, there have been dozens of papers on the topic, and the idea that there is such a thing as a limiting similarity between competitors has found its way into most of the major textbooks [e.g. Krebs (40), Ricklefs (57), McNaughton & Wolf (54)]. The logical point at which to begin a review article about a concept is with its definition. In the present case, however, the concept is particularly difficult to define. Similarity is limited in the sense that too great a degree of similarity can result in the exclusion of a species by one or more others. The term exclusion is vague, because extinction as a result of competition may take a very long time. Similarity is even more difficult to define. [Hurlbert (34) gives a partial catalogue of proposed definitions.] Deciding between mathematical definitions of similarity is only part of the problem. One must decide whether the similarity in question is one of resources actually used in a given environment or

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