The effects of urbanisation on ecological interactions

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52, P. 100922 - 100922

Published: April 28, 2022

Cities are expanding worldwide and urbanisation is considered a global threat to biodiversity. Urban ecology has provided important insights on how urban environmental changes might affect individuals, populations, species; however, we know little about the ecological impacts of alter species interactions. Species interactions backbone communities play crucial role in population community dynamics generation, maintenance structure Here, I review studies identify key mechanistic pathways through which processes could antagonistic mutualistic among species. More specifically, focus insect predation, parasitoidism herbivory, competition, host-pathogen interactions, pollination. furthermore knowledge gaps that require additional research attention suggest future directions may help shed light mechanisms will thus aid conservation management cities.

Language: Английский

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Neural and behavioral evolution in an eavesdropper with a rapidly evolving host

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

The diversification of animal communication systems is driven by the interacting effects signalers, signal receivers, and environment. Yet, critical role unintended like eavesdropping enemies, has been underappreciated. Furthermore, contemporary evolution signals rare, making it difficult to directly observe this process. Ormiine parasitoid flies rely exclusively on acoustic cues locate singing male orthopteran hosts. In Hawaii, selection imposed Ormia ochracea led recent rapid their local host crickets' song. We use complementary lab field experiments understand how receiver psychology (sensory cognitive mechanisms) evolves accommodate a new that host's signal. Receiver our understanding host-parasite coevolution communication, as sensory system establishes limits behavioral responses exert signals. demonstrate neural auditory tuning behavior O. have evolved in these differences likely facilitate detection novel songs. Further, recently songs are highly variable among males, prefer with particular spectral characteristics, enabling us predict eavesdroppers may shape song evolution. To knowledge, first evidence for an eavesdropper. Our work links systems, signals, behavior, heeding call better integration mechanisms receivers into communication.

Language: Английский

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Vibroscape analysis reveals acoustic niche overlap and plastic alteration of vibratory courtship signals in ground-dwelling wolf spiders

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

To expand the scope of soundscape ecology to encompass substrate-borne vibrations (i.e. vibroscapes), we analyzed vibroscape a deciduous forest floor using contact microphone arrays followed by automated processing large audio datasets. We then focused on vibratory signaling ground-dwelling Schizocosa wolf spiders test for (i) acoustic niche partitioning and (ii) plastic behavioral responses that might reduce risk signal interference from noise conspecific/heterospecific signaling. Two closely related species - S. stridulans uetzi showed high overlap across space, time, dominant frequency. Both show males shorten their courtship in higher abundance noise, increased duration signals conspecific signals, decreased complexity signals.

Language: Английский

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How Urban-Tolerant Are They? Testing Prey–Capture Behavior of Introduced Jorō Spiders (Trichonephila clavata) Next to Busy Roads

Arthropoda, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(1), P. 55 - 65

Published: Feb. 13, 2024

An invasive orb-weaving spider from east Asia is now spreading through the southeastern United States; Trichonephila clavata (the “jorō spider”) makes large, imposing webs seemingly everywhere, including in urban landscapes, and even next to busy roads. However, areas near roads come with frequent disturbances, auditory vibrational, which for many animals, leads physiological or behavioral changes. Here we tested if varying levels of road traffic affect prey–capture behavior jorō spiders northeast Georgia. We visited roadsides that ranged density exposed nearby a simulated prey (a tuning fork at 128 hz frequency, touched web), recorded whether not attacked it. Out 357 total trials across 20 different roads, 59% time, but local scale, there was high variability this rate; some roadsides, over 80% attacked, while others, less than 30% did. When all were considered collectively, small significant (negative) correlation between daily attack rates. Put another way, moderate- heavy-traffic slightly likely those low-traffic (51% vs. 65%). Jorō appear be able live does cost terms capture. busier did weigh other sites, suggesting they may compensate disturbance. These findings add accumulating evidence around species points its ability exist human-dominated will aid spread introduced range.

Language: Английский

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Spatial and temporal variation in ambient vibratory noise and its impact potential on a common urban arthropod

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 14, 2024

Abstract Recent, rapid arthropod declines have been tied to human activity. Yet, the propensity for human‐produced noise disturb substrate‐borne (vibratory) channel remains virtually untested despite arthropods' ubiquitous use of vibratory information. Characterizing landscape at biologically relevant scales is an essential initial step. We aimed measure across space and time assess its potential overlap with urban–rural range season a funnel‐weaving spider, Agelenopsis pennsylvanica (C.L. Koch) (Araneae: Agelenidae), common urban arthropod. assessed 24‐h ambient vibrations (hereafter “noise”) 23 sites Lincoln, Nebraska (NE, USA), during adult A. (August–October). Vibratory (amplitude, Leq) varied by ~15 dB overlapping frequencies within 's sensitivity (20–1000 Hz). Urban was positively correlated principal component containing estimates traffic‐induced (e.g., traffic volume, road proximity, impervious cover), whereas rural levels probable harvest times. Our findings indicate spatial variation in areas seasonal variability areas. also tested how —collected from four distinct survey sites—use their microhabitat. daily spider position dry silk mass microcosm that played loud quiet (white differing dB) separate but connected chambers. Age affected chamber choice “microhabitat use”) spiders collected loudest site, as younger adults associated used more chamber, this effect decreased age. As our data demonstrate varies microhabitat high impacting behavior, we hypothesize environmental likely impacts other arthropods well.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating biotic and abiotic drivers of avian community mobbing responses along urban gradients in Southern California

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Urbanization is a significant pressure affecting wildlife and has the potential to greatly alter behavioral responses in animal communities. A response that potentially affected by urbanization mobbing of predators avian prey species. We tested three hypotheses concerning effects various abiotic biotic factors influencing along an urban–rural gradient. conducted predator simulations using playback vocalizations Western Screech‐owl, Megascops kennicottii , which predatory species elicits from other birds. These vocalizations, accompanied stuffed models screech‐owls, were broadcast at variety points gradient Los Angeles Orange Counties Southern California. used experimental approach playback, is, vocalization models, investigate whether birds change areas where may be naturally present (high vegetation density) or absent impervious cover). recorded number individual exhibited behavior sites, as well influence mobbing, including noise level, surface cover, community turnover across urban‐to‐rural gradient, structure local vegetation, we assumed important for either hosting roosting screech‐owls providing cover bird For both individuals species, showed decreased with increasing levels percentage surfaces increased woody vegetation. There was some evidence presence influenced responses. Our results show changes associated can significantly antipredator birds, these social eavesdropping networks.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the Factors Driving the Success of Urban-Exploiting Spiders

The Quarterly Review of Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 100(1), P. 5 - 28

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Language: Английский

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Unexpected hormonal and behavioral responses to anthropogenic stressors in young common toads

Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: March 10, 2025

Introduction Anthropogenic conversion of natural habitats is one the most significant threats to biodiversity, and it also partially responsible for largest recorded decline in amphibians. Urbanization exposes wildlife increased disturbance by proximity humans, artificial light at night (ALAN), noise pollution, all which can be harmful wild animals. Glucocorticoid hormones may play an important role coping with environmental challenges. A growing body evidence indicates various vertebrate species that more efficient regulation glucocorticoid stress response favored selection under stressful conditions. In several species, baseline levels glucocorticoids their acute stressors are repeatable, heritable, related individual fitness. However, these latter respects, our knowledge scarce other aspects flexibility, such as ability recover from negative feedback. Methods To address this gap, we measured repeatability four corticosterone (CORT) profile (baseline release rate, strength agitation, rate recovery feedback, a recently proposed measure sequential variability) over ontogeny tadpoles juveniles common toad ( Bufo bufo ). Thereafter toadlets’ behavioral responses three anthropogenic stressors, specifically hop performance while fleeing human, foraging ALAN during daytime test whether hormonal characteristics explain differences between individuals. Results We found CORT changed ontogeny, its had low repeatability. Foraging both noise, two were correlated within individuals, but not performance. None variables variables. Discussion Our results suggest widespread environments, has limited consistency tolerance early development, pointing importance phenotypic plasticity challenges urban environments.

Language: Английский

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Design of a monitoring program to advance nightjar conservation along the Atlantic Flyway

Wildlife Society Bulletin, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 19, 2025

Abstract Survey data on species in the nightjar family (Caprimulgidae) suggest declines population abundance across their range. State and federal migratory bird managers identified need to monitor status of nightjars including common nighthawk ( Chordeiles minor ), chuck‐will's‐widow Antrostomus carolinensis eastern whip‐poor‐will A. vociferus ) United States (U.S.) portion Atlantic Flyway as a high priority need. Previous research has determined appropriate conditions for nightjar‐specific survey efforts, resulting similar designs used network (NJN). Each is also detected part U.S. Geological Survey's Breeding Bird (BBS), though this not optimized crepuscular such nightjars. Our objectives were 1) examine differences estimates occupancy at flyway scale derived from NJN BBS, 2) evaluate probability accurately classifying function number routes, 3) develop spatial allocation routes permit accurate inference population. We did find support negative effect year any using data, but we found all 3 BBS data. tested sample sizes (i.e., routes) within sufficient correctly classify increasing declining trends, none could detect slight trend. Nearly 70% randomly distributed had existing 20 miles >90% miles. The presence road‐based surveys near random points allows meet 2 goals: conduct statistically sound that provides information trends provide volunteer surveyors known complete effort. encourage development implementation consisting 300 chosen populations inform management efforts. Periodic review revision field methodology should be made ensure meeting stated objectives.

Language: Английский

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Urban intensity gradients shape community structure, life‐history traits and performance in a multitrophic system

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 243 - 258

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Urban ecosystems are formed by pronounced socio‐ecological gradients, which distinct from other and can simultaneously filter promote taxa, ultimately affecting their interactions. However, the strength of effect filtering facilitation across different trophic levels could vary among biotic abiotic factors. Here, we investigate effects habitat amount, temperature host‐enemy interactions in shaping communities cavity‐nesting bees wasps natural enemies. We installed trap‐nests 80 sites distributed along urban intensity gradients five European cities (Antwerp, Paris, Poznan, Tartu Zurich). quantified species richness abundance hosts enemies, as well two performance traits (survival parasitism) life‐history (sex ratio number offspring per nest for hosts). analysed importance variables using generalised linear models multi‐model inference. found that amount was main driver multiple host responses, with larger amounts resulting higher a probability survival brood cells hosts. Local resources proxies shaped both indicate uses existing vegetation between wasps. Temperature had minor role Biotic were enemy community structure, enemies being strongly affected availability, is, direct density‐dependence Overall, our study highlights food webs, on through responses subsequent consequences As prepare to tackle global change, strategies make it possible maintain mitigate overheating emerge key adaptation biodiversity conservation.

Language: Английский

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