Space‐for‐time substitutions in climate change ecology and evolution

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(6), P. 2243 - 2270

Published: Aug. 9, 2023

ABSTRACT In an epoch of rapid environmental change, understanding and predicting how biodiversity will respond to a changing climate is urgent challenge. Since we seldom have sufficient long‐term biological data use the past anticipate future, spatial climate–biotic relationships are often used as proxy for biotic responses change over time. These ‘space‐for‐time substitutions’ (SFTS) become near ubiquitous in global biology, but with different subfields largely developing methods isolation. We review climate‐focussed SFTS four ecology evolution, each focussed on type variable – population phenotypes, genotypes, species' distributions, ecological communities. then examine similarities differences between terms methods, limitations opportunities. While wide range applications, two main approaches applied across subfields: situ gradient transplant experiments. find that share common relating ( i ) causality identified ii transferability these relationships, i.e. whether observed space equivalent those occurring Moreover, despite widespread application research, key assumptions remain untested. highlight opportunities enhance robustness by addressing limitations, particular emphasis where could be shared subfields.

Language: Английский

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Long-term increases in wing length occur independently of changes in climate and climate-driven shifts in body size

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2039)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Recent widespread reductions in body size across species have been linked to increasing temperatures; simultaneous increases wing length relative broadly observed but remain unexplained. Size and shape may change independently of one another, or these morphological shifts be linked, with mediating directly driving the degree which changes. Using hierarchical Bayesian models a time series 27 366 specimens from five North American migratory passerine bird species, we tested roles that climate played shifting allometry over four decades. We found colder temperatures reduced precipitation during first year life were associated did not explain long-term length. no conclusive evidence slope relationship between changed among adult birds response any climatic variable through time, suggesting does mediate Together, findings suggest are compensatory adaptation mediated by reductions, rather driven non-climatic factors.

Language: Английский

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Understanding mechanisms of avian flight by integrating observations with tests of competing hypotheses

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 228(Suppl_1)

Published: Feb. 15, 2025

ABSTRACT A long-standing problem in the study of avian flight is determining how biomechanics and physiology are associated with behaviour, ecological interactions evolution. In some clades, mechanisms strongly linked to ecology. Hummingbirds, for example, exhibit traits that support both hovering nectar foraging. most however, features such as wing shape highly variable among taxa without clear relationships biomechanics, energetics or this Commentary, we discuss challenges understanding associations between phenotype performance flight. potential pitfall studies attempt link trait specialization relevant environments not being considered. Additionally, a large number phenomenological. Although observations essential hypothesis development, argue our discipline make progress, will need much more integration observational phase developing crucial tests competing hypotheses. Direct comparison alternative hypotheses can be accomplished through analytical frameworks well experimentation.

Language: Английский

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Fall advances in the timing of molt in birds in the Southwestern United States

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 21, 2025

Language: Английский

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Climate underpins continent‐wide patterns of carotenoid‐based feather colour consistent with Gloger's observations

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 25, 2025

Animal coloration has long been predicted to vary across geographic and climatic gradients in accordance with a long-standing ecogeographical rule. But further his widely supported predictions that melanin pigmentation increases towards the Equator, Gloger observed reds yellows are more vivid warm regions thus prevalent at lower latitudes, prediction by Görnitz, who suggested these colours would be intense areas higher rainfall. Yet, studies of associations between geography or climate carotenoid-based plumage test observations continental scale scarce. Here, we investigated extent which yellow red feather colour varies according hypotheses Pogoniulus tinkerbirds distributions sub-Saharan Africa. We tested first for along latitudinal elevational gradients, then factors rainfall temperature may underpin variation on scales. find evidence consistent Görnitz's saturated warmer hues latitudes were primarily attributed relationship underpart By contrast, forecrown colour, trait previously associated sexual selection, had complex association climate, hue rainfall, but intensity showing contrasting patterns latitude. highlight nature coloration, suggesting although environmental affect abundance carotenoid availability, is also influenced other selective pressures.

Language: Английский

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Body size predicts the rate of contemporary morphological change in birds

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(20)

Published: May 8, 2023

Variation in evolutionary rates among species is a defining characteristic of the tree life and may be an important predictor species' capacities to adapt rapid environmental change. It broadly assumed that generation length determinant microevolutionary rates, body size often used as proxy for length. However, has myriad biological correlates could affect independently from We leverage two large, collected datasets on recent morphological change birds (52 migratory breeding North America 77 South American resident species) test how are related contemporary Both show have declined increased wing over past 40 y. found, both systems, consistent pattern wherein smaller proportionally faster By contrast, explained less variation than did size. Although mechanisms warrant further investigation, our study demonstrates Given correlations between breadth morphological, physiological, ecological traits predicted mediate phenotypic responses change, relationship should considered when testing hypotheses about adaptive climate

Language: Английский

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Shrinking body size may not provide meaningful thermoregulatory benefits in a warmer world

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(3), P. 387 - 389

Published: Jan. 15, 2024

Language: Английский

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Temperature-dependent Developmental Plasticity and Its Effects on Allen’s and Bergmann’s Rules in Endotherms

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 63(3), P. 758 - 771

Published: May 9, 2023

Ecogeographical rules, describing common trends in animal form across space and time, have provided key insights into the primary factors driving species diversity on our planet. Among most well-known ecogeographical rules are Bergmann's rule Allen's rule, with each correlating ambient temperature to size shape of endotherms within a species. In recent years, these two attracted renewed research attention, largely goal understanding how they emerge (e.g., via natural selection or phenotypic plasticity) and, thus, whether may quickly enough aid adaptations warming world. Yet despite this precise proximate ultimate drivers remain unresolved. conceptual paper, we articulate novel classic hypotheses for plastic responses developmental temperatures might contributed rule. Next, compare over century empirical literature surrounding against uncover likely avenues by which plasticity drive temperature-phenotype correlations. Across birds mammals, studies strongly support as driver particularly regards However, contributions toward appear non-linear dependent upon: (1) efficiency energy use (Bergmann's rule) (2) thermal advantages (Allen's at given temperatures. These findings suggest that, among endotherms, rapid changes body will continue co-occur changing climate, but generalizing direction populations is naive.

Language: Английский

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Endocrine flexibility can facilitate or constrain the ability to cope with global change

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1898)

Published: Feb. 5, 2024

Global climate change has increased average environmental temperatures world-wide, simultaneously intensifying temperature variability and extremes. Growing numbers of studies have documented phenological, behavioural morphological responses to in wild populations. As systemic signals, hormones can contribute orchestrating many these phenotypic changes. Yet little is known about whether mechanisms like hormonal flexibility (reversible changes hormone concentrations) facilitate or limit the ability individuals, populations species cope with a changing climate. In this perspective, we discuss different by which flexibility, primarily glucocorticoids, could promote versus hinder evolutionary adaptation regimes. We focus on because it key gradient influenced change, easy quantify, its links are well established. argue that reaction norm connect individual population-level species-wide patterns will be critical for making progress field. also develop case study urban heat islands, where several questions regarding addressed. Understanding allow animals when conditions become more challenging help predicting vulnerable ongoing change. This article part theme issue 'Endocrine variation: conceptual approaches recent developments'.

Language: Английский

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Afromontane understory birds increase in body size over four decades

Ecography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(4)

Published: Jan. 18, 2024

Of the myriad responses to climate change, an emerging trend is widespread decrease in animal body size with warming temperatures. Birds, particular, have been shown be decreasing several areas – most notably Amazon Basin and temperate North America but trends much of world remain unexplored. Here, we analyze temporal climatic associations mass for 42 resident bird species over 36 years Usambara Mountains Tanzania, a tropical montane global biodiversity hotspot. In addition, assess wing length mass:wing ratio 21 years. Finally, examine whether species‐specific are related average or apparent survival. Overall, species' increased by 0.023 g decade ‐1 , amounting increases 4.1% These long‐term shifts were strongly positively associated annual mean temperature showed no relationship precipitation. Wing on 2.0% 21‐year period, yet there was mixed evidence ratio, suggesting that general increasing. While percentage not survival, smaller did display greater proportional mass. Although drivers unclear change cannot ruled out such among Afrotropical birds provide intriguing counterpoint observed declines elsewhere suggest may mediated biogeography other abiotic biotic drivers.

Language: Английский

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