Eltonian niche
Encyclopedia
The term Eltonian Niche refers to a definition of the ecological niche
concept that emphasizes the functional attributes of animals and their corresponding trophic position. This was the definition Eugene Odum
popularized in his analogy of the niche
of a species with its profession in the ecosystem as opposed to the habitat
being its address. The definition is attributed to Charles Elton
in his 1927 now classic book Animal Ecology. Elton used the two Africa
n Rhinoceros
species to exemplify the definition. The White Rhinoceros
has broad (wide, hence its name) mouthparts, which are efficient in harvesting grass, while the Black Rhinoceros
has narrow pointed lips enabling it to feed selectively on the foliage of thorny bushes.
Ecological niche
In ecology, a niche is a term describing the relational position of a species or population in its ecosystem to each other; e.g. a dolphin could potentially be in another ecological niche from one that travels in a different pod if the members of these pods utilize significantly different food...
concept that emphasizes the functional attributes of animals and their corresponding trophic position. This was the definition Eugene Odum
Eugene Odum
Eugene Pleasants Odum was an American scientist known for his pioneering work on ecosystem ecology. He wrote the first ecology textbook: Fundamentals of Ecology....
popularized in his analogy of the niche
Ecological niche
In ecology, a niche is a term describing the relational position of a species or population in its ecosystem to each other; e.g. a dolphin could potentially be in another ecological niche from one that travels in a different pod if the members of these pods utilize significantly different food...
of a species with its profession in the ecosystem as opposed to the habitat
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
being its address. The definition is attributed to Charles Elton
Charles Elton
Charles Elton may refer to:* Charles Isaac Elton , English lawyer, politician, writer and antiquarian* Charles Sutherland Elton , English biologist* Charles Elton , Chief of Police in Los Angeles, California...
in his 1927 now classic book Animal Ecology. Elton used the two Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....
species to exemplify the definition. The White Rhinoceros
White Rhinoceros
The White Rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros is one of the five species of rhinoceros that still exist. It has a wide mouth used for grazing and is the most social of all rhino species...
has broad (wide, hence its name) mouthparts, which are efficient in harvesting grass, while the Black Rhinoceros
Black Rhinoceros
The Black Rhinoceros or Hook-lipped Rhinoceros , is a species of rhinoceros, native to the eastern and central areas of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola...
has narrow pointed lips enabling it to feed selectively on the foliage of thorny bushes.