The global loss of avian functional and phylogenetic diversity from anthropogenic extinctions

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 386(6717), P. 55 - 60

Published: Oct. 3, 2024

Humans have been driving a global erosion of species richness for millennia, but the consequences past extinctions other dimensions biodiversity-functional and phylogenetic diversity-are poorly understood. In this work, we show that, since Late Pleistocene, extinction 610 bird has caused disproportionate loss avian functional space along with ~3 billion years unique evolutionary history. For island endemics, proportional losses even greater. Projected future more than 1000 over next two centuries will incur further substantial reductions in diversity. These results highlight severe ongoing biodiversity crisis urgent need to identify ecological functions being lost through extinction.

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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Unravelling the functional and phylogenetic dimensions of novel ecosystem assemblages

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 379(1902)

Published: April 7, 2024

Human activities are causing taxonomic rearrangements across ecosystems that often result in the emergence of novel communities (assemblies with no historical representative). It is commonly assumed these changes makeup also inevitably lead to other aspects biodiversity, namely functional and phylogenetic diversity. However, this assumption not always valid, as composition resulting from shifts depend on level redundancy evaluated community. Therefore, we need improved theoretical frameworks predict when can expect coordinated or decoupled responses among three facets biodiversity. To advance understanding, discuss conceptual methodological issues complicate establishing a link between driven by human associated changes. Here, show crucial consider expected reshaped owing drivers biodiversity loss forecast impacts assemblages ecosystem functions services they provide humanity. This article part theme issue ‘Ecological novelty planetary stewardship: dynamics transforming biosphere’.

Language: Английский

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Seasonally migratory songbirds have different historic population size characteristics than resident relatives

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Modern genomic methods enable estimation of a lineage’s long-term effective population sizes back to its origins. This ability allows unprecedented opportunities determine how adoption major life-history trait affects lineages’ populations relative those without the trait. We used this novel approach study effects seasonal migration across evolutionary time. Seasonal is common strategy, but on lineages that don’t migrate are largely unknown. Using whole-genome data, we estimated over millions years in closely related seasonally migratory and resident group songbirds. Our main predictions were borne out: associated with larger ( N e ), greater variation , degree initial growth than among lineages. Initial periods remarkably long (0.63-4.29 Myr), paralleling expansion adaptation phases taxon cycles, framework lineage eventual contraction time encompassing biogeography ecology. Heterogeneity noteworthy, despite geographic proximity (including overlap) close relatedness. imbues these fundamentally different size attributes through compared

Language: Английский

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Drivers of avian genomic change revealed by evolutionary rate decomposition

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

Published: March 19, 2025

Modern birds have diversified into a striking array of forms, behaviours and ecological roles. Analyses molecular evolutionary rates can reveal the links between genomic phenotypic change1–4, but disentangling drivers rate variation at whole-genome scale has been difficult. Using comprehensive estimates traits across family-level phylogeny birds5,6, we find that genome-wide mutation lineages are predominantly explained by clutch size generation length, whereas genes is driven content guanine cytosine. Here, to subsets dominate in birds, estimated influence individual on decomposed axes gene-specific rates. We most occurs along recent branches tree, associated with present-day families birds. Additional tests show rapid changes microchromosomes immediately after Cretaceous–Palaeogene transition. These apparent pulses evolution consistent major genetic machineries for meiosis, heart performance, RNA splicing, surveillance translation, correlate diversity reflected increased tarsus length. Collectively, our analyses paint nuanced picture avian evolution, revealing ancestors diverse underwent related mutation, gene usage niche expansion early Palaeogene period. Genomic identify dominant driving

Language: Английский

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Seasonally migratory songbirds have different historic population size characteristics than resident relatives

eLife, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: May 12, 2025

Modern genomic methods enable estimation of a lineage’s long-term effective population sizes back to its origins. This ability allows unprecedented opportunities determine how the adoption major life-history trait affects lineages’ populations relative those without trait. We used this novel approach study effects seasonal migration across evolutionary time. Seasonal is common strategy, but on lineages that don’t migrate are largely unknown. Using whole-genome data, we estimated over millions years in closely related seasonally migratory and resident group songbirds. Our main predictions were borne out: associated with larger ( N e ), greater variation , degree initial growth than among lineages. Initial periods remarkably long (0.63–4.29 Myr), paralleling expansion adaptation phases taxon cycles, framework lineage eventual contraction time encompassing biogeography ecology. Heterogeneity noteworthy, despite geographic proximity (including overlap) close relatedness. imbues these fundamentally different size attributes through compared

Language: Английский

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Spatial management of poverty-biodiversity interactions in semi-arid ecosystems

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: June 5, 2025

Among the challenges to sustainable development, two primary obstacles stand out: poverty and biodiversity loss. Despite acknowledged significance of link between reduction conservation, this relationship remains underexplored due its complex nature, a lack integrated data, tendency address separately in research policy. This study aims explore conservation semi-arid ecosystems Iran, focusing on natural, social, economic, governmental drivers involved. The results revealed spatially varied poverty, with both positive negative outcomes. structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that nature (p < 0.001), economy 0.01), society government serving as mediating factor, significantly influence conservation. Further analysis SEM specific factors play key roles: ecosystem production was identified most important natural driver income economic population influential social services leading 0.01) Results positively correlate while negatively impacts it. however, is more complex. offers novel approach for spatial assessment alleviation using inform policy management decisions.

Language: Английский

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Island biodiversity in peril: Anticipating a loss of mammals' functional diversity with future species extinctions

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(6)

Published: June 1, 2024

Abstract Islands are biodiversity hotspots that host unique assemblages. However, a substantial proportion of island species threatened and their long‐term survival is uncertain. Identifying preserving vulnerable has become priority, but it also essential to combine this information with other facets like functional diversity, understand how future extinctions might affect ecosystem stability functioning. Focusing on mammals, we (i) assessed much space would be lost if go extinct, (ii) determined the minimum number cause significant loss, (iii) identified characteristics (e.g., biotic, climatic, geographic, or orographic) islands most changes in space, (iv) quantified potential loss offset by introduced species. Using trait for 1474 mammal occurring 318 worldwide, built probability density functions quantify richness redundancy each mammals categorized IUCN as disappeared. We found extinction reduce 63% islands, although these general reduction less than 15% overall space. Also, just few sufficient diversity. The higher small, isolated, and/or species‐rich and, general, not Our results show preservation native ecological roles remains crucial maintaining current functioning ecosystems. Therefore, conservation measures considering diversity imperative safeguard islands.

Language: Английский

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Does Effective Population Size Govern Evolutionary Differences in Telomere Length?

Genome Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Lengths of telomeres vary by an order magnitude across mammalian species. Similarly, age- and sex-standardized telomere lengths differ up to 1 kb (14%) human populations. How explain these differences? Telomeres play a central role in senescence aging, genes that affect length are likely under weak selection (i.e. is trait subject nearly neutral evolution). Importantly, natural more effective large populations than small Here, we propose observed differences species largely due population sizes. In this perspective, present preliminary evolutionary genetic evidence supporting hypothesis highlight the need for data.

Language: Английский

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Nonbreeding distributions of four declining Nearctic–Neotropical migrants are predicted to contract under future climate and socioeconomic scenarios

Ornithological Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 19, 2024

ABSTRACT Climate and land use/land cover change are expected to influence the stationary nonbreeding distributions of 4 Nearctic–Neotropical migrant bird species experiencing population declines: Cardellina canadensis (Canada Warbler), Setophaga cerulea (Cerulean Vermivora chrysoptera (Golden-winged Hylocichla mustelina (Wood Thrush). Understanding how where these species’ shift in response environmental drivers is critical inform conservation planning Neotropics. For each species, we quantified current (2012 2021) projected future (2050) suitable climatic conditions as components distributions. Multi-source occurrence data were used an ensemble modeling approach with covariates from 3 global coupled climate models (CMCC-ESM2, FIO-ESM-2-0, MIROC-ES2L) 2 shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP2-RCP4.5, SSP5-RCP8.5) predict varying conditions. Our findings suggest that distribution contraction, upslope elevational shifts conditions, limited latitude longitude will occur species. S. experience a moderate contraction (7% 29% 19% 43%, respectively), primarily temperature changes. The V. was modeled by sex, females males major (56% 79% loss for females, 46% 65% males), accompanied peak densities higher elevations minimal changes upper elevation limit. Expected precipitation had greatest effect on chrysoptera. experienced smallest change, consistent flexibility habitat selection broader range. We recommend defining priority areas those remain or arise next 25 years. particular, it urgent ensure mid-elevation forests Costa Rica Honduras adequately managed protected.

Language: Английский

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