Leveraging camera traps and artificial intelligence to explore thermoregulation behaviour

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(9), P. 1246 - 1261

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Behavioural thermoregulation has critical ecological and physiological consequences that profoundly influence individual fitness species distributions, particularly in the context of climate change. However, field monitoring this behaviour remains labour‐intensive time‐consuming. With rise camera‐based surveys artificial intelligence (AI) approaches computer vision, we should try to build better tools for characterizing animals' behavioural thermoregulation. In study, developed a deep learning framework automate detection classification behaviour. We used lizards, Rough‐tail rock agama ( Laudakia vulgaris ), as model animal colour‐marked lizards curated diverse dataset images captured by trail cameras under semi‐natural conditions. Subsequently, trained an object‐detection identify image models determine their microclimate usage (activity sun or shade), which may indicate preferences. then evaluated performance each analysed how thermoregulating performed different solar conditions (sun times day marking colours. Our framework's achieved high scores several metrics. The significantly on sun‐basking achieving highest accuracy with white‐marked lizards. Moreover, hours activity choices vs shade‐seeking behaviour) generated our framework, are closely aligned manually annotated data. study underscores potential AI effectively tracking thermoregulation, offering promising new direction camera trap studies. This approach can potentially reduce labour time associated data collection analysis help gain deeper understanding species' thermal preferences risks change

Language: Английский

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Structural elements enhanced by retention forestry promote forest and non-forest specialist bees and wasps

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 529, P. 120709 - 120709

Published: Dec. 15, 2022

Retention forestry promotes certain forest structural elements to enhance biodiversity. It is unclear however what extent retention measures are suited the biodiversity of bees and wasps, how relationships promoted by may differ when habitat-based classifications accounted for. Here, we analyze abundance, diversity species richness non-forest specialist cavity-nesting wasps collected on 127 plots in southern Black Forest, Germany. Our aim was use classifications, or groupings based habitat occurrence evaluate effectiveness importance that prioritized biodiversity-focused conservation. We found canopy cover, stand complexity standing deadwood were principally important for with differing responses among classifications. Forest metrics composition related variables indicating greater feeding nesting resource availability, namely herb complexity. Non-forest primarily cover elevation while community structured only understory richness. results indicate considering specializations bee wasp communities meaningful evaluation elements. The presence arrangement these can be altered level management practices utilizing cascading effects changes, such as increasing sun exposed via opening, high stump during tree harvesting.

Language: Английский

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Pseudoendemism in Mediterranean black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae): a new record for Africa

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5446(2), P. 257 - 264

Published: April 29, 2024

The first record of a European black fly, Simulium ichnusae Rivosecchi & Contini, is documented for Africa, where it was found at elevations above 1000 m in the Djurdjura Mountains Algeria. Considered an endemic species Sardinia 60 years, S. must now be regarded as pseudoendemic. Larvae, pupae, females, and males from compare well with those original description species. Chromosomally, differs standard banding sequence vernum group by transposed nucleolar organizer—the only known member this condition—and three fixed inversions, all which are shared other members group. addition to Algerian fauna increases number nominal flies country 34. discovery suggests that additional trans-Mediterranean await coastal Mediterranean mountains emphasizes claims endemism depend on thorough surveys taxonomic accuracy.

Language: Английский

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Revealing the Baja California Peninsula’s Hidden Treasures: An Annotated checklist of the native bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila)

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5522(1), P. 1 - 391

Published: Oct. 10, 2024

To date, the knowledge of bee diversity in Baja California Peninsula has primarily relied on large, sporadic expeditions from first half 20th century. address gaps, we conducted extensive fieldwork 2019 to 2023, visited entomological collections Mexico and USA, accessed digital databases community science platforms compile records. As a result our field surveys, identified 521 morphospecies, with 350 recognized as valid species, including 96 new records for 68 findings Mexico, rediscovery Megachile seducta Mitchell, 1934, ranked possibly extinct. Additionally, museum visits added 24 species peninsula, 12 Mexico. Integrating existing results comprehensive checklist that documents 728 613 California, 300 Sur. Notably, 62 are endemic which 22 only found 23 Our show greater northern latitudes, sharp decrease central southern corresponds geographic distribution This supports premise peninsula remains an unexplored area highlights importance conducting studies like one presented here.

Language: Английский

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Islands in the desert for cavity‐nesting bees and wasps: Ecology, patterns of diversity, and conservation at oases of Baja California Peninsula

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(1), P. 527 - 542

Published: Dec. 17, 2019

Abstract Aims The oases of Baja California Peninsula (BCP) have been proposed as important hotspots biodiversity that hold an exceptional richness in the middle desert conditions. We tested effect habitat and anthropogenic disturbance on communities cavity‐nesting taxa, with specific emphasis bees, wasps, their natural enemies. Methods In BCP neighbor environments, trap‐nesting taxa were evaluated response to factors affecting nest abundance, richness, community structure. used statistical models find correlates abundance patterns diversity, well ecological analyses determine human species diversity Results Solar irradiation, distance a perennial waterbody relative humidity influenced presence nests, number brood cells, parasitism. general, parasitism higher oases, especially those less disturbance. Bees did not discriminate between deserts nest, whereas mud‐daubing wasps more dependent oases. degree affect occurrence parasitism, but it had adverse intensity (number attacked cells). structure was complex even low‐disturbed sites. similarity sites exceed 30%, proportion shared varied from 2.7% 26.6%. Main conclusions are functioning mesic islands desert, each oasis hosting unique taxa. About 65% nests 50% occurred exclusively oasis. Thus, depend conditions could be threatened if disappear future. Local shaping However, large‐scale such climate can influence seasonality within dwellers. Since loss fragmentation degrade oases’ functionality, strategies maintain ecosystem services pollination biological control should included conservation programs these fragile habitats.

Language: Английский

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Metabarcoding reveals seasonal and spatial patterns of arthropod community assemblages in two contrasting habitats: Desert and oasis of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(3), P. 438 - 461

Published: Jan. 23, 2023

Abstract Aim Desert springs or oases are the only permanent mesic environments in highly water‐limited arid regions. Oases have immense cultural, evolutionary and ecological importance for people a high number of endemic relic species. Nevertheless, they also vulnerable ecosystems, with invasive species, overexploitation climate change being primary threats. We used arthropod communities' spatiotemporal diversity distribution patterns as proxy to understand biodiversity dynamics two geographically close but ecologically contrasting threatened ecosystems: deserts oases. Location Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Methods Arthropod communities at five surrounding desert scrub areas were sampled seasons. Using DNA metabarcoding traditional taxonomic surveys, we tried identify what biotic abiotic characteristics habitat important drivers how these can across spatial temporal scales. Results Over 6200 individuals representing 23 orders collected. In oasis samples, community composition fluctuated more space (i.e. among sites) than time seasons). Thus, seasonal changes did not affect composition, dissimilarity sites increased geographic distance. Moreover, anthropic activities negatively correlated On other hand, season, geography (e.g. latitude) species) significantly affected communities. Main Conclusions Neutral historical climatic events, dispersal limitation component) human impact influenced each oasis. contrast, habitat's variation most variables influencing harbour distinct invertebrate communities; therefore, should be conserved individually preserve unique assemblages.

Language: Английский

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The oases of Baja California Peninsula: overlooked hotspots for wild bees

Journal of Insect Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 27(1), P. 117 - 128

Published: Sept. 14, 2022

Language: Английский

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Evolution of social-ecological system and the hydrological linkages in oasis area, northwestern China

Journal of Arid Environments, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 219, P. 105082 - 105082

Published: Oct. 19, 2023

Language: Английский

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Patterns of species richness and endemism in bee and plant communities in California

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Understanding the spatial distribution of species and their patterns endemism is necessary for effective conservation in context climate change.Despite extensive studies on plants butterflies, native bees California remain largely unexplored, even though they provide majority pollination services.Bee populations are threatened by various factors, including urbanization, disease, introduced species, leading to alarming declines.Utilizing datasets bee plant collections as well analysis tools, I analyzed richness across examine degree concordance with distributions.The results reveal several regions high richness, particularly Mojave Desert, San Joaquin Valley, Yosemite National Park.Additionally, areas were identified, such Central Sierra Nevada Foothills parts Valley.Comparisons angiosperm suggest a close association between flowering but surprising lack overlap centers endemism, emphasizing differences among groups face importance floral resources shaping distributions.This study highlights need expanded efforts protect not only diversity also species.Addressing data gaps biases digitized biodiversity should be prioritized improve accuracy reliability analyses.By broadening scope biodiversity, rich ecological heritage can better safeguarded.v v

Language: Английский

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