Bird extinctions threaten to cause disproportionate reductions of functional diversity and uniqueness

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(1), P. 162 - 175

Published: Nov. 23, 2022

Abstract Human activities are driving rapid defaunation of Earth's ecosystems through increasing rates extinction. However, the ecological consequences species loss remain unclear, in part due to limited availability high‐resolution functional trait data. To address this, we assess how predicted extinctions will reshape avian diversity quantified using a multidimensional space, or morphospace, reflecting variation eight key morphological traits closely linked function across 9943 (>99%) extant bird species. We show that large regions this morphospace represented by very few and, thus, vulnerable loss. also find evidence at highest risk extinction both larger and functionally unique terms dimensions unrelated size, such as beak shape wing shape. Although raw patterns suggest positive relationship between uniqueness, is removed when accounting for phylogeny body mass, indicating dominant role clade‐specific factors, including combination average size higher non‐passerine clade. Regardless threat related simulations currently threatened would result greater than expected under random extinctions. Our results ongoing declines may drive disproportionately diversity, with potentially major ecosystem functioning. Read free Plain Language Summary article on Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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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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Macroevolution of the plant–hummingbird pollination system

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(5), P. 1831 - 1847

Published: May 5, 2024

ABSTRACT Plant–hummingbird interactions are considered a classic example of coevolution, process in which mutually dependent species influence each other's evolution. Plants depend on hummingbirds for pollination, whereas rely nectar food. As step towards understanding this review focuses the macroevolutionary consequences plant–hummingbird interactions, relatively underexplored area current literature. We synthesize prior studies, illustrating origins and dynamics hummingbird pollination across different angiosperm clades previously pollinated by insects (mostly bees), bats, passerine birds. In some cases, crown age pre‐dates plants they pollinate. other plant groups transitioned to early establishment bird group Americas, with build‐up both diversities coinciding temporally, hence suggesting co‐diversification. Determining what triggers shifts away from remains major open challenge. The impact diversification is complex, many tropical lineages experiencing increased after acquiring flowers that attract hummingbirds, others no change or even decrease rates. This mixed evidence suggests extrinsic intrinsic factors, such as local climate isolation, important covariables driving adapted pollination. To guide future we discuss mechanisms contexts under clade individual (e.g. traits, foraging behaviour, degree specialization), could conclude commenting how signals mutualism relate highlighting unbalanced focus side interaction, advocating use species‐level interaction data studies.

Language: Английский

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Changes in functional traits and resources reduce the specialization of hummingbirds in fragmented landscapes

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03469 - e03469

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Plant-pollinator trait matching affects pollen transfer but not feeding efficiency of Australian honeyeaters (Aves, Meliphagidae)

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract Animal pollination is common among flowering plants. Increased morphological matching between floral and pollinator traits thought to increase pollen transfer feeding efficiency, but we lack studies that empirically demonstrate this. Working with Australian honeyeaters, find there positive correlation bill-corolla deposition at flowers, no how efficiently birds can extract nectar. The species the lowest deposited fewest grains had highest showing expectations were met on plant side of this interaction not side. Finally, different interspecific patterns scales a single flower visit versus landscape, due differences in visitation. This work illustrates need for more directly correlate trait fitness proxies plants avian pollinators.

Language: Английский

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Incidental pollination by passing animals: An overlooked mechanism?

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

Societal Impact Statement The conservation of pollinators is essential for sustaining the ecosystem services pollen transfer, which support crop production, biodiversity and health. While primary have been focus most efforts, subordinate or incidental largely overlooked. Animals that pass through vegetation may compensate pollination deficits in context ongoing pollinator declines. Such could potentially enhance gene flow among plants over greater distances more varied directions compared to alone. To fully benefit from these supplementary services, it preserve diverse habitats across broader landscapes spatial scales. Summary Terrestrial angiosperms primarily employ two strategies: anemophily zoophily. Anemophilous flowers produce large quantities small grains wind‐mediated transport, often inefficient. In contrast, zoophilous attract flower‐visiting insects, other invertebrates vertebrate using visual, olfactory cues, exchange rewards. However, non‐target animals, including mammals, birds arthropods, frequently visit flowering without consuming floral These visitors inadvertently transfer between plants, contributing fruit set. This phenomenon, termed “background pollination”, be particularly relevant mass‐flowering species, generalist flowers, riverine zoochorous where passage combined with static electricity, facilitates deposition. Detecting such mechanisms poses challenges traditional methods, as situ observation bagging experiments field. Emerging approaches, camera trapping examination wild‐caught animals' body surfaces, offer useful insights into interactions. Background likely complements anemophilous strategies, introducing additional complexity dynamics within plant populations.

Language: Английский

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An evaluation of migration fidelity of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds inferred from stable isotope methods

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e19252 - e19252

Published: April 7, 2025

Knowledge of spatial connectivity between breeding and non-breeding locations migratory birds their site fidelity are important for avian conservation. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (RTHU, Archilochus colubris ) breed in eastern Canada west to the Rocky Mountains USA east Mississippi River spend period Mexico, Central America, southern Florida, USA. We measured hydrogen oxygen stable isotopic compositions adult RTHU tailfeathers (fourth rectrix) from three North America estimate grounds where feathers grown. Feather δ 2 H values showed no statistical difference among sampling as well disparate geographic assignments one location on Costa Rica. Therefore, only weak evidence could be ascertained our sample this species. The lack detected using isotopes is consistent with origins broad regions grounds. However, it may also imply that precipitation do not vary enough detect a study populations. Sampling additional populations portion species’ range reveal differences requires further investigation. 18 O correlated poorly values, an effect reflect balance metabolically driven processes environmental water hummingbird tissues. This provides foundations investigations into f suggests potential avenues use tissues metabolic research.

Language: Английский

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Pollination efficiency of hummingbirds and flowerpiercers at the flowers of Lobelia laxiflora (Campanulaceae): morphological fit matters

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 207(5)

Published: April 30, 2025

Language: Английский

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Unexpected spatial aggregation between two species of hummingbirds and their inconsistent spatial interactions with native and exotic plants in an urban ecological reserve

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

Published: March 25, 2025

Hummingbirds play an important role as pollinators and are one of the primary examples animal–plant coevolution. However, factors such land‐use change, urbanization, exotic species introductions disappearance native plants can negatively affect persistence hummingbird populations. Thus, understanding ecological that may favour their presence is essential for effective conservation in urban areas. We conducted repeated surveys a scrubland reserve within Mexico City from 2015 to 2018, used conditional two‐species occupancy models estimate interaction factor, analyse effect five ( Agave salmiana , Echeveria gibbiflora Opuntia lasiacantha O. tomentosa Wigandia urens ) plant Leonotis nepetifolia on probability two hummingbirds: Broad‐billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris Berylline Saucerottia beryllina ). Considering both could be competing similar resources, we also tested Hummingbird, assuming its dominance based larger body‐size. found evidence positive spatial interactions between hummingbirds, but did not find these consistent throughout 3 years monitoring, which indicate modification original hummingbird–plant networks resulting disturbance. In addition, there were no negative hummingbirds. Instead, detected aggregation during separate seasons, probably owing using other cue profitable sites. Even though populations thrive ecosystem, changes might reflect alterations structure functioning community. Therefore, consider it crucial continue studying population dynamics implications

Language: Английский

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When disparity arises: heterochronic development of spiral ginger flowers with contrasting pollination syndromes

Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 3, 2025

Abstract The relationship between plants and their pollinators has played a crucial role in floral diversification throughout the evolution of angiosperms. genus Costus L. presents morphologies associated with melittophilous ornithophilous pollination syndromes, species intermediate morphology. To understand origin different within genus, we used optical microscopy to analyse ontogeny seven morphologies. Our results demonstrate that all is similar early stages development, disparity occurs later, mainly based on differences growth staminodial labellum. Furthermore, observed gynoecium bilateral symmetry, changing an actinomorphic ovary zygomorphic stigma at maturity. Thus, suggest morphology flowers arose from heterochronic events paedomorphy type. We also identified this morphology, necessary for transition visitors, evolved convergently through changes same developmental process. highlight patterns development organization Costaceae Zingiberaceae, which may indicate synapomorphy these families.

Language: Английский

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