Scaling ecological niches from individuals to populations and beyond

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 11, 2024

Abstract The niche is a key concept that unifies ecology and evolutionary biology. However, empirical theoretical treatments of the are mostly performed at species level, neglecting individuals as important units ecological processes. So far, formal mathematical link between individual-level niches higher organismal-level has been lacking, hampering unification theories more accurate forecasts biodiversity change. To fill in this gap, we propose bottom-up approach to derive population from individual niches. We demonstrate power our framework by showing 1) statistical properties (e.g. breadth, skewness etc.) can be partitioned into contributions; 2) species-level shifts estimated tracing responses individuals. Our method paves way for unifying theory enables mechanistic assessments organism-environment relationships across organismal scales.

Language: Английский

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Manatees in Zoological Parks throughout the World: History, State, and Welfare

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(20), P. 3228 - 3228

Published: Oct. 16, 2023

The order Sirenia comprises several species of manatees and one dugong. These popular marine mammals are relatively recent acquisitions to zoological parks throughout the world. As far as we know, there less than 200 manatees, mostly American, a few African, ever Amazonian, currently in parks. American predominantly found zoos Europe, North America, some Asian countries, while African ones present exclusively zoos. living conditions captive differ considerably from zoo (i.e., numbers, sex ratio, outdoor vs. indoor habitats, complex simple habitats). Most research on manatee behaviour has been recent, studies cognition, sociality, ecology have significant impact our perception needs management, with wider implications for their welfare. In wild, demonstrated various cognitive capacities; spatial memory learning abilities play an important role daily life dynamic environment. Furthermore, is evidence that these more social animals expected. Individuals show personality traits boldness-shyness continuum sociality varies. All those parameters terms animal Several behavioural showed standardized enrichment programs benefit ensure welfare animals. However, obtaining accurate information presence zoos, conditions, consequently remains challenging. This study examines current knowledge cognition then discusses different approaches improving this charismatic mammal

Language: Английский

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Interaction intensity as determinant of geographic range overlap between ant-following birds and army ants

Neotropical Biology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(2), P. 137 - 186

Published: June 28, 2024

Biogeography has as a central theme, which is the study of geographic ranges species that are determined by evolutionary history, abiotic factors, and biotic interactions. Understanding influence interactions on topic been little explored, especially in way compares vary intensity interaction. Here, we assessed interaction determinant range overlap between ant-following birds army ants Mexico Central America. We hypothesized birds, obligate or facultative, predicts interacting species, well extension ranges. generated distribution models with MAXENT estimated percentage two 10 birds. Contrary to our predictions, Bayesian regression found no support for an higher ants, wider facultative bird species. However, results suggested trends percentages extending areas without presence ants. Our research encourages further exploration biogeography part quantitative gradient intensities not qualitative categories, integrating spatial temporal variation

Language: Английский

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Confronting Biodiversity Loss: Strategies to Mitigate Climate Impact on Global Ecosystems

Published: Aug. 13, 2024

Abstract: This chapter addresses the critical issue of biodiversity loss in context climate change, exploring interconnected drivers and impacts that threaten global ecosystems. It provides an in-depth analysis factors contributing to loss, such as habitat destruction, species distribution changes, phenological shifts, ocean acidification. The outlines effective strategies for mitigating these impacts, including conservation efforts, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land water management, development climate-resilient agricultural systems. also examines role international agreements, national policies, local initiatives supporting conservation, highlighting importance public awareness, education, community involvement. concludes with a discussion on challenges opportunities emphasizing need technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, cooperation protect ecosystems ensure resilience face ongoing change. Keywords: Biodiversity Loss, Climate Change, Ecosystem Resilience, Habitat Destruction, Conservation Strategies, Restoration, Sustainable Management, International Agreements, Public Awareness, Phenological Shifts, Species Distribution, Ocean Acidification, Technological Innovation, Global Cooperation, Environmental Education Policy Governance.

Language: Английский

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Resolving the climatic and ecological drivers of geographical gradients in avian sexual selection

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

Published: Sept. 2, 2023

Abstract 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 standardized data strength sexual selection is sparse even for well-studied organisms. Here we use information mating systems – including incidence polygamy extra-pair paternity to quantify intensity 10671 (>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, migration, diet, territoriality. Overall, these analyses suggest climatic conditions leading 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, provide comprehensive species-level dataset studies phenotypic evolution context global change.

Language: Английский

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