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Abstract
Discrete resource polymorphisms occur in various vertebrate species and probably occur
more frequently than is generally appreciated. They are manifested in a number of
ways, including morphological, behavioral and life history characters. Research on
a number of unrelated taxa suggests that resource polymorphisms may be underestimated
as a diversifying force and potentially play important roles in population divergence
and initial steps in speciation. In an ecological context, they are important in resource
partitioning and reducing intraspecific competition. Recent research suggests that
the mechanisms maintaining these polymorphisms may be similar in diverse taxa, that
phenotypic plasticity is important, and that some are under simple genetic control.