Do species-specific traits rather than resource partitioning mediate diversity effects on resource use?
Overall, we found no evidence for resource partitioning at the biochemical level, as pigment composition was similar between individuals, which is likely due to plentiful food availability. Reduced intra-specific competition in the species mixture combined with greater adsorption efficiency and differences in feeding behaviour likely explain the dominant use of resources by B. lyrifera.
The present study suggests that leptin is involved in the mechanisms of CSD.