Chronic disturbance induces attenuation of the acute glucocorticoid response in an urban adapter, the dark-eyed junco

Frontiers in Bird Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Oct. 26, 2023

Urban birds’ stress response frequently differs in magnitude from non-urban conspecifics. This urban phenotype may reflect to selection, sorting during colonization of environments, developmental plasticity, or phenotypic flexibility environments. We investigated whether exposure one characteristic an environment, chronic disturbance, could induce attenuated acute glucocorticoid over a short time adult dark-eyed juncos ( Junco hyemalis ), which, if true, would support the hypothesis. tested this period spring gonadal recrudescence. simulated high-disturbance urban-like environment by exposing experimental birds disturbance (30-min psychological stressors 4x/day for 3 weeks); controls were minimally disturbed. found that chronically disturbed had lower corticosterone after weeks treatment. Baseline was not affected. Chronically less body fat and condition than at end experiment, although on average all gained weight course experiment. Feathers grown experiment did show effect treatment feather fault bars, captive-grown feathers more bars wild-grown feathers. conclude male have capacity attenuate their with high frequency potentially facilitating habitats. Future research successful colonists differ unsuccessful species regard.

Language: Английский

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Online toolkits for collaborative and inclusive global research in urban evolutionary ecology

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(6)

Published: June 1, 2024

Abstract Urban evolutionary ecology is inherently interdisciplinary. Moreover, it a field with global significance. However, bringing researchers and resources together across fields countries challenging. Therefore, an online collaborative research hub, where common methods best practices are shared among scientists from diverse geographic, ethnic, career backgrounds would make focused on urban more inclusive. Here, we describe freely available hub for toolkits that facilitate in ecology. We provide rationales descriptions of for: (1) decolonizing ecology; (2) identifying fostering international partnerships; (3) freely‐available datasets trait mapping cities; (4) cross‐city experiments; (5) public outreach communication findings outline how the can be accessed, archived, modified over time order to sustain long‐term will advance our understanding

Language: Английский

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How does urbanization affect natural selection?

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(12), P. 2522 - 2536

Published: Sept. 29, 2024

Abstract Urbanization is one of the most significant contributors to Anthropocene, and urban evolutionary ecology has become an important field research. While it commonly assumed that cities impose new stronger selection, contradictory assertion selection may be relaxed in also frequently mentioned, overall, our understanding effects urbanization on natural incomplete. In this review, we first conduct a literature search find evidence for patterns phenotypic traits including morphology, physiology, behaviour life history, non‐urban populations animals plants. This reveals coefficients context are scarce ( n = 8 studies providing gradients/differentials include total 200 coefficients) lack standardized methods hinders quantitative comparisons across (e.g. with meta‐analysis). These studies, however, provide interesting insight agents shaping improve mechanistic processes at different spatial scales. We then perform second review genomic assessing intensity cities, genome non‐human populations. returns 383 articles, only 34 these truly investigate footprints associated urbanization, study provides genetic coefficients. Here again, highly heterogeneous approaches, yet some strong adaptation. neither nor were able quantitatively assess versus habitats. Thus, propose roadmap how future should metrics facilitate mega‐ or meta‐analyses explore generalized selection. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Rural selection drives the evolution of an urban-rural cline in coat color in gray squirrels

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 3, 2023

Abstract Phenotypic differences between urban and rural populations are well-documented, but the evolutionary processes driving trait variation along urbanization gradients often unclear. We combined spatial data on abundance, variation, measurements of fitness to understand cline structure test for natural selection heritable coat color morphs (melanic, gray) eastern gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) an gradient. Population surveys using remote cameras visual counts at 76 sites gradient revealed a significant in melanism, decreasing from 48% city center <5% woodlands. Among translocated phenotypic selection, survival was lower melanic than morph woodlands, whereas there no difference city. These results suggest urban-rural melanism is explained by favoring woodlands with relaxed Our study illustrates how can emerge primarily rather adaptation novel features environment.

Language: Английский

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Range-wide site-occupancy modeling of Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Journal of Urban Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract Globally, habitat loss and land conversion are major drivers of bird population decline. To halt the decline, it is essential that conservation restoration efforts based on an understanding how individual species use their habitat. Here, we examine by Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) quantifying probability occurrence in different cover types association with varying degrees modification across most species’ range. do so, used citizen-science eBird dataset, combination MODIS data to model site occupancy for two breeding seasons related presence/absence Global Human Modification Index. We found occupy rural suburban habitats at higher probabilities than they high levels urbanization, similar or historic, natural habitats. Furthermore, peaks intermediate values The results were consistent ecoregions geographic range species, confirming Blackbird a suburban-adaptable persisting moderately disturbed environments. Although more research needed understand ecological evolutionary consequences this pattern use, our provide novel midst increasing urbanization. More broadly, insight into common, widespread avian may be affected anthropogenic disturbance highlight importance environments urban ecology evolution.

Language: Английский

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Integrating Molecular Methods with a Social-Ecological Focus to Advance Urban Biodiversity Management

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 145 - 164

Published: Sept. 26, 2023

Abstract Many urban wildlife species are relatively rare, difficult to capture, and not routinely observed. Over the last 30 years, molecular genetic tools have been adopted for a wide range of ecological, evolutionary, management applications. This work reviews how these used highlights approaches can guide conservation decision-making. Further, it integral understanding human societal conditions allow us describe biodiversity patterns within cities at scale individual buildings, city blocks, or neighborhoods. underscores need better incorporating social economic variation into connectivity in across areas. synthesis demonstrates power modern methods general but especially provides framework prioritizing achieving goals.

Language: Английский

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Questioning modernity and heritage: The case of the River Club development in Cape Town, South Africa

Curator The Museum Journal, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 67(1), P. 239 - 254

Published: Dec. 26, 2023

Abstract The proposed construction of the controversial Amazon African headquarters at River Club site in Cape Town encompasses several issues related to modern heritage, colonial practices, sustainable development, nature‐culture divide, and Anthropocene. Although approved by City provincial government Western Cape, with plans for residential business units, activists, researchers, environmental organizations, workers' unions, social justice coalitions associated indigenous Khoe San groups oppose development on grounds symbolic historical importance earmarked development. paper aims explore significance site, analyze ensuing confrontations contestations examine how represents spaces public history, urban spatial construction, memory. focus will be complex interplay between social, cultural, ethical, political forces, their intersection legal institutional policy processes different levels state local. Ultimately, challenges claim Town, government, developers that version progress is equitable fair, raises a broader question about Eurocentric ideas emancipation, aesthetics notions heritage

Language: Английский

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