Mean reef fish body size decreases towards warmer waters

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Aquatic ectotherms often attain smaller body sizes at higher temperatures. By analysing ~15,000 coastal‐reef fish surveys across a 15°C spatial sea surface temperature (SST) gradient, we found that the mean length of in communities decreased by ~5% for each 1°C increase space, or 50% decrease from 14 to 29°C annual SST. Community size change was driven differential responses within trophic groups and temperature‐driven their relative abundance. Herbivores, invertivores planktivores became on average warmer temperatures, but no trend piscivores. Nearly 25% temperature‐related community attributable composition warmest sites, colder this <1% due being similarly sized. Our findings suggest small changes are associated with large sizes, important ecological implications.

Language: Английский

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Local Habitat Complexity and Its Effects on Herbivores and Predators in Urban Agroecosystems

Insects, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. 41 - 41

Published: Jan. 7, 2024

In urban community gardens, cultivated vegetation provides variable levels of habitat complexity, which can suppress pests by promoting predator diversity and improving pest control. this study, we examine three components the structural complexity garden (cover, diversity, connectivity) to investigate whether higher leads fewer herbivores, more predators, predation. We worked in eight gardens where quantified sampled arthropod community, measured predation on corn earworm eggs. found that plots with high cover supported species richness greater abundance predatory insects. High also a spiders. contrast, was negatively associated abundance. While positively egg predation, had negative impact suggesting antagonism between predators may limit biological Community gardeners thus manipulate promote their plots. However, composition prevalence interspecific ultimately determine subsequent impacts

Language: Английский

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The role of plasticity and stochasticity in coexistence

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Species coexistence in ecological communities is a central feature of biodiversity. Different concepts, i.e., contemporary niche theory, modern and the unified neutral have identified many building blocks such assemblies. However, other factors, as phenotypic plasticity stochastic inter‐individual variation, received little attention, particular animals. For example, how resource polyphenisms resulting predator–prey interactions affect currently unknown. Here, we present an integrative theoretical–experimental framework using nematode model Pristionchus pacificus with its well‐studied mouth‐form dimorphism cannibalism. We develop individual‐based that relies upon synthetic data based on our empirical measurements fecundity polyphenism to preserve demographic heterogeneity. demonstrate interplay between individual stochasticity result all‐or‐nothing outcomes at local level. Coexistence made possible when spatial structure introduced.

Language: Английский

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Intraguild predation by a biocontrol predator is reduced at lower temperatures

Food Webs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e00397 - e00397

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Foraging rates from metabarcoding: Predators have reduced functional responses in wild, diverse prey communities

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Functional responses describe foraging rates across prey densities and underlie many fundamental ecological processes. Most functional response knowledge comes from simplified lab experiments, but we do not know whether these experiments accurately represent in nature. In addition, the difficulty of conducting multispecies means that it is unclear interaction strengths are weakened presence multiple types. We developed a novel method to estimate wild predators' metabarcoding data use this present for wolf spiders on 27 families. These field were considerably reduced compared responses. further find sometimes increased other types, contrary expectations. Our estimating will allow researchers determine predators address long‐standing questions about

Language: Английский

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Coexistence mechanisms of small carnivores in a near-pristine area within the mountains of Southwest China

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 49, P. e02777 - e02777

Published: Dec. 30, 2023

Biodiversity is a vital aspect of an ecosystem and investigating its formation maintenance vital. Maintaining biodiversity notably requires clear understanding the mechanisms underlying species coexistence. However, in Anthropocene, absence large carnivores most areas has reduced number relatively intact ecosystems suitable for coexistence research. The mountains Southwest China, hotspot with low anthropogenic disturbance, offer potentially area studying carnivore coexistence, especially Xinlong region Sichuan. To understand small carnivores, we used infrared cameras to investigate their spatiotemporal activity. We explored interspecific niche differentiation carnivore' responses top predators human disturbances using occupancy modeling avoidance-attraction ratios (AARs). results were as follows: 1) different exhibited unique spatial temporal predators, leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) preferring occupy occupied by leopards (Panthera pardus), whereas yellow-throated martens (Martes flavigula) red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) remained spatially independent leopards; 2) activities did not significantly affect but time-resistant behavior toward humans domestic cattle; 3) observed avoidance between other (yellow-throated foxes). Overall, our study highlights complex unexpected behavioral survival strategies animals within integrated community. In future, aim further wildlife communities this elucidate potential roles ecological

Language: Английский

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Evaluating the impact of alyssum flower strips on biological control of key pests in flue‐cured tobacco agroecosystems

Journal of Applied Entomology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 148(10), P. 1245 - 1260

Published: Aug. 19, 2024

Abstract Flue‐cured tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum (L.), is often attacked by various pests such as aphids, whiteflies and tobacco budworm. Insecticide application has been the primary method in managing these for Yunnan Province. However, it necessary to look more sustainable strategies that can help control pests. In this context, conservation biological a highly promising alternative, involving cultivation or of flowering plants within agricultural ecosystem attract support natural enemies. The objective study was evaluate potential alyssum, Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., attracting enemies flue‐cured cultivation. conducted two field experiments over successive years, each with treatments three replicates, arranged completely randomized design. were (1) monoculture (2) intercropped alyssum flower strips. population density monitored weekly throughout period. results showed presence flowers tobaccosalyssum treatment significantly increased abundance generalist predators syrphids, rove beetles, carabids, Orius sp. spiders during both experiments. This increase predator led substantial reduction pests, particularly aphids. Intercropping serve an effective strategy specific plant, well addressing limited availability approved insecticides crop. approach may mitigate pest‐related issues reduce reliance on cultivation, contributing pest management practices.

Language: Английский

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