Island biogeography and competition drive rapid venom complexity evolution across rattlesnakes

Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 23, 2025

Abstract Understanding how human-mediated environmental change affects biodiversity is key for conserving evolvability. Because the most severe impacts are ongoing, such an understanding proving exceptionally difficult to attain. Islands natural, replicated experiments that serve as proxies habitat fragmentation and, therefore, allow us use historical changes in under Island Biogeography Theory (IBT) predict consequences of immediate anthropogenic on functional trait evolution. Rattlesnake venoms molecular phenotypes mediate interactions with prey, and diet venom complexity positively correlated. Consequently, rattlesnake investigate traits co-vary according IBT. We collected from 83 rattlesnakes across multiple species 11 islands Gulf California estimated using Shannon Diversity Index. Using a mixed effects modeling approach, we found number congenerics, island isolation, area best predicted variability. All variables exhibited negative relationship complexity, contrary predictions Larger more congenerics reduced perhaps reflecting niche partitioning specialization. Ultimately, used synthetic eco-evolutionary framework evolution fragmented landscapes.

Language: Английский

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No geographical differences in male mate choice in a widespread fish, Limia perugiae

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 35(2)

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

Abstract Behavior, like most other traits, can have a spatial component, and variability of behavior at the population level is predicted. In this article, we explore male mate choice level. Male choice, while maybe not as common female expected to evolve when males respond significant variation in quality and, for example, prefer females with higher fecundity. fishes, fecundity associated larger body size, an easily measured trait. study, investigated presence widespread species livebearing fish, Limia perugiae, comparing preferences between populations. We hypothesized that environmental variation, form salinity, might result differences. Using dichotomous tests, analyzed behavioral data 80 individuals from 7 distinct populations Hispaniola. found L. perugiae significantly preferred large females, but there was no statistical

Language: Английский

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Leveraging social media and other online data to study animal behavior

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22(8), P. e3002793 - e3002793

Published: Aug. 29, 2024

The widespread sharing of information on the Internet has given rise to ecological studies that use data from digital sources including digitized museum records and social media posts. Most these have focused understanding species occurrences distributions. In this essay, we argue also offer many opportunities study animal behavior long-term large-scale comparisons within between species. Following Nikko Tinbergen’s classical roadmap for behavioral investigation, show how using videos, photos, text, audio posted other platforms can shed new light known behaviors, particularly in a changing world, lead discovery ones.

Language: Английский

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Interactive effects of Orobanche latisquama parasitism and drought stress in Salvia rosmarinus plants growing under Mediterranean field conditions

Physiologia Plantarum, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 176(6)

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Abstract Mediterranean‐type ecosystems are recognized as critical hotspots for both biodiversity and climate change. Within these environments, plants often interact with diverse species, including holoparasitic plants, while simultaneously facing increasing episodes of precipitation shortages rising temperatures. Here, we investigated the impact Orobanche latisquama Reut. ex Boiss infestation on Mediterranean shrub Salvia rosmarinus (L.) Spenn (rosemary) across three populations along an altitudinal gradient, focusing its effects host tolerance resilience to severe summer drought in natural habitat. Results showed no major physiological parasite during spring but revealed enhanced photo‐ antioxidant‐protective response rosemary infested O. . Infested elevated contents α‐tocopherol a shift ascorbate ratio towards oxidized state summer, particularly upper sun‐exposed leaves. This was accompanied by malondialdehyde content, indicating lipid peroxidation. However, despite heightened photo‐oxidative stress observed leaves from damage photosystem II observed, good interaction between parasitism drought. By autumn, all displayed similar recovery patterns, differences non‐infested disappeared, thus high combination biotic abiotic stresses. Overall, findings underscore great adaptive mechanisms S. have evolved endure drought, even when challenged plant infestation, provide new insights into plant‐parasite interactions ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Species interactions and eco-evolutionary dynamics of dispersal: the diversity dependence of dispersal

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1907)

Published: June 24, 2024

Dispersal plays a pivotal role in the eco-evolutionary dynamics of spatially structured populations, communities and ecosystems. As an individual-based trait, dispersal is subject to both plasticity evolution. Its dependence on conditions context well understood within single-species metapopulations. However, species do not exist isolation; they interact locally through various horizontal vertical interactions. While significance interactions recognized for coexistence food web functioning, our understanding their influence regional dynamics, such as impact spatial metacommunities meta-food webs, remains limited. Building upon insights from behavioural community ecology, we aim elucidate biodiversity driver outcome connectivity. By synthesizing conceptual, theoretical empirical contributions global experts field, seek explore how more mechanistic diversity–dispersal relationships influences distribution temporally changing environments. Our findings highlight importance explicitly considering interspecific drivers dispersal, thus reshaping fundamental including emergent meta-ecosystems. We envision that this initiative will pave way advanced forecasting approaches under pressures change. This article part theme issue ‘Diversity-dependence dispersal: determine dynamics’.

Language: Английский

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Mapping fine-scale distribution of the northern pika Ochotona hyperborea considering duality in microhabitat thermal conditions

Published: July 15, 2024

Species distributions are frequently modeled using predictors that exceed the spatial scale experienced by focal species. Incorporating fine-scale environmental conditions is therefore expected to lead more realistic model predictions. However, importance of variety in existing on species distribution remains poorly assessed although can effectively utilize multiple microhabitats for behavioral adaptation withstand climate change impacts. Here, we developed a based ambient air northern pika ( Ochotona hyperborea ), small lagomorph found rocky landforms, first understand improvement performance from conventional coarse-scale model. We then how predictions alter incorporating rock-interstice microclimates their habitats baseline (1981–2010) and future periods (2041–2100). The performed better overall predicted lower habitat suitability across study area than Incorporation microclimate increased markedly relative conditions, which resulted predicting suitable areas elevations remaining into future. This result suggests may negative impacts rising temperatures utilizing rock interstices via adaptation. Our findings highlight analyzing at fine scales considering local heterogeneity, helps mitigate adverse change, conservation under change.

Language: Английский

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Climate change may impact habitat complementation and cause disassociation for mobile species

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(8)

Published: July 30, 2024

Abstract Context As complementary terrestrial and aquatic habitats are pulled apart by environmental change, animals will have to adjust their behaviours successfully track fundamental niches. We introduce a novel example of how climate change impacts can drive separation between foraging breeding in seabirds. Objectives evaluated Black Noddies ( Anous minutus ) modified movement behaviour across the seascape access habitat types during period local food scarcity; whether this influenced success. Methods quantified characteristics relating energy consumption (time, distance area covered) over four seasons for A. compared favourable years (2019, 2020 2021) an unfavourable year (2022). also chick health survival rates same period. Results In 2022, severe reduction abundance on Heron Island led forage further order magnitude, utilizing remote wooded island (Bushy Islet) as overnight roosting location. This was completely unexpected response altered conditions. At time, 2022 saw significant increases mortality decreases other years. Conclusions show growing mismatch nesting, roosting, sites pushed individuals tropical seabird population extend range with direct negative consequences juveniles. Our findings highlight need explicitly consider complementation land- conservation initiatives planning.

Language: Английский

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Climate and ecology predict latitudinal trends in sexual selection inferred from avian mating systems

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22(11), P. e3002856 - e3002856

Published: Nov. 4, 2024

Sexual selection, one of the central pillars evolutionary theory, has powerful effects on organismal morphology, behaviour, and population dynamics. However, current knowledge about geographical variation in this mechanism its underlying drivers remains highly incomplete, part because standardised data strength sexual selection is sparse even for well-studied organisms. Here, we use information mating systems—including incidence polygamy extra-pair paternity—to estimate intensity 10,671 (>99.9%) bird species distributed worldwide. We show that avian varies latitudinally, peaking at higher latitudes, although gradient reversed world’s most sexually selected birds—specialist frugivores—which are strongly associated with tropical forests. Phylogenetic models further reveal explained by temperature seasonality coupled a suite climate-associated factors, including migration, diet, territoriality. Overall, these analyses suggest climatic conditions leading to short, intense breeding seasons, or abundant patchy food resources, increase potential birds, driving latitudinal gradients selection. Our findings help resolve longstanding debates spatial mechanisms linked reproductive biology also provide comprehensive species-level set studies phenotypic evolution context global change.

Language: Английский

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Habitat Selection Differences of Two Sympatric Large Carnivores in the Southwestern Mountains of China

Diversity, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(9), P. 968 - 968

Published: Aug. 27, 2023

Large terrestrial carnivores play a crucial role in the top–down control of ecosystems by maintaining ecosystem stability and biodiversity. However, intense interspecific competition typically occurs among large sympatric carnivores, leading to population reduction or extinction. Spatial partitioning through divergent habitat selection mitigates such competition. In this study, we analyzed main environmental factors influencing fragmentation suitable habitats Xinlong County, Sichuan Province, using 410 infrared cameras from 2015 2023. By employing generalized linear maximum entropy models, developed an ensemble model predict distribution leopards (Panthera pardus) wolves (Canis lupus). The results revealed significant disparities distributions as coexisting carnivores. Leopards prefer understory, whereas high-altitude meadows. Wolves spatially avoid leopards, who secure relatively superior resources relegate inferior habitats. Although patches for both species cluster intensely, connectivity remains low owing pronounced anthropogenic disturbances, which is especially evident higher wolf These suggest that can reduce spatial intensity promote selecting divergently habitats, thereby facilitating coexistence.

Language: Английский

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Smart phone-macro lens setup (SPMLS): a low-cost and portable photography device for amateur taxonomists, biodiversity researchers, and citizen enthusiasts

Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research Center, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 47(1)

Published: Oct. 6, 2023

Abstract Background In the present era of scientific and technological advancements, use smartphones among people has witnessed a large-scale progression. The camera serves as an important tool on smartphones, quality built-in varies with megapixels. photography videography can be enhanced by employing macro lenses that provide precise high-quality photographs for documentation monitoring macroorganisms, particularly insects. We used smartphone-macro lens setup (SPMLS), comprising Redmi Note 8 Pro Skyvik Signi-20 mm lens, along Snapseed image processing. SPMLS, costing USD 217, was employed in Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir, during May to October 2021 insect diversity documentation. aim this study is introduce demonstrate utility SPMLS affordable portable solution enhancing biodiversity documentation, making it accessible wide range users. Results study, we report device uses smartphone which low-cost gear researchers, photographers, citizen enthusiasts, general public who are not able buy high-end costly equipment field-based studies. utilization significantly augmented resolution pixel density, thereby substantially overall photographic quality, demonstrating its substantial utility. Conclusions presented useful scientists, students, common engaged conservation animal plant species across globe. addition, post-photography part paper provides users outlook editing, processing, uploading, marketing different platforms.

Language: Английский

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