Bringing traits back into the equation: A roadmap to understand species redistribution

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Ecological and evolutionary theories have proposed that species traits should be important in mediating responses to contemporary climate change; yet, empirical evidence has so far provided mixed for the role of behavioral, life history, or ecological characteristics facilitating hindering range shifts. As such, utility trait‐based approaches predict redistribution under change been called into question. We develop perspective, supported by evidence, trait variation, if used carefully can high potential utility, but past analyses many cases failed identify an explanatory value not fully embracing complexity First, we discuss relevant theory linking shift processes at leading (expansion) trailing (contraction) edges distributions highlight need clarify mechanistic basis approaches. Second, provide a brief overview shift–trait studies new opportunities integration consider range‐specific intraspecific variability. Third, explore circumstances which environmental biotic context dependencies are likely affect our ability contribution processes. Finally, propose revealing shaping may require accounting methodological variation arising from estimation process as well addressing existing functional, geographical, phylogenetic biases. series considerations more effectively integrating extrinsic factors research. Together, these analytical promise stronger predictive understanding help society mitigate adapt effects on biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Body size predicts the rate of contemporary morphological change in birds

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(20)

Published: May 8, 2023

Variation in evolutionary rates among species is a defining characteristic of the tree life and may be an important predictor species' capacities to adapt rapid environmental change. It broadly assumed that generation length determinant microevolutionary rates, body size often used as proxy for length. However, has myriad biological correlates could affect independently from We leverage two large, collected datasets on recent morphological change birds (52 migratory breeding North America 77 South American resident species) test how are related contemporary Both show have declined increased wing over past 40 y. found, both systems, consistent pattern wherein smaller proportionally faster By contrast, explained less variation than did size. Although mechanisms warrant further investigation, our study demonstrates Given correlations between breadth morphological, physiological, ecological traits predicted mediate phenotypic responses change, relationship should considered when testing hypotheses about adaptive climate

Language: Английский

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Complementarity in Allen’s and Bergmann’s rules among birds

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: July 15, 2023

Abstract Biologists have long noted that endotherms tend to larger bodies (Bergmann’s rule) and shorter appendages (Allen’s in colder environments. Nevertheless, many taxonomic groups appear not conform these ‘rules’, general explanations for frequent exceptions are currently lacking. Here we note by combining complementary changes body extremity size, lineages could theoretically respond thermal gradients with smaller either trait than those predicted Bergmann’s or Allen’s rule alone. To test this idea, leverage geographic, ecological, phylogenetic, morphological data on 6,974 non-migratory terrestrial bird species, show stronger family-wide bill size over correlated more muted size. Additionally, most families exhibit weak but appropriately directed both traits, supporting the notion of complementarity rules. Finally, few significant be speciose, widely distributed, ecologically constrained. Our findings validate logic remind us simply convenient proxies their true quantity interest: surface-to-volume ratio.

Language: Английский

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Variation in nest-building behaviour in birds: a multi-species approach

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 378(1884)

Published: July 10, 2023

Researchers have long suggested that animals with greater behavioural flexibility will be more likely to survive in face of environmental changes. However, it is unknown how this varies across species. Nest building a behaviour directly related the reproduction and survival species by conferring protection from external conditions. The study nests offers window into birds, variation nest morphology necessarily linked behaviours. We test whether phylogenetically conserved using data on 55 passerine (>700 specimens) measuring intraspecific variability structure. found mean within-species are conserved, domed presented higher levels than cup also revealed capacity present innovative behaviours not they vary morphology. Moreover, we larger clutch size built single parents variable. Our results help understanding extended phenotypes evolve, highlight importance exploring phylogenetic history when trying predict respond novel challenges. This article part theme issue ‘The evolutionary ecology nests: cross-taxon approach’.

Language: Английский

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Does brain size matter? Linking cognitive and ecological traits to climate change vulnerability in seabirds

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Abstract Understanding the mechanisms that increase a species resilience to climate change is central predicting how they are likely respond. One determinant of vulnerability identified in multiple taxa thermal range species' distribution. In this context, with narrow ranges reportedly more vulnerable change. paradigm for environmental conditions can occupy ‘cognitive buffer hypothesis’. The cognitive hypothesis predicts larger brain sizes (relative body mass) display greater behavioural flexibility and able persist thrive within variable conditions. Following theory, we expect relative will broader be less study, collate species‐specific information 206 seabird. We then use phylogenetic generalised least squares regression path analysis quantify identify linkages connecting size, range, migration pattern, hand‐wing index, foraging behaviour, extinction risk while controlling shared ancestry between species. focused our study on seabirds, highly threatened group displays large variation these variables. Previous work has also proposed seabird narrower across their geographic distribution impacted by Consistent hypothesis, found increases size. having size or being long‐distance migrant may indirectly reduce through range. Additionally, higher index employing generalist behaviours reduces risk. Our suggests migrant, behaviour lower Identifying ecological traits promote crucial determining which most at population declines direct conservation. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Increasing winter temperatures explain body size decrease in wintering bird populations of Northern Europe—But response patterns vary along the spatioclimatic gradient

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(12), P. 2100 - 2110

Published: Sept. 13, 2023

Abstract Aim Recent evidence has shown changes in body size and shape of individuals, which are suggested to be a result global warming caused by climate change. Here, we explored the spatiotemporal wing length mass 24 wintering bird species Northern Europe how these relate temperature anomaly. Location Finland Sweden, Europe. Time Period 50 years, 1970 2020. Major Taxa Studied Birds, species. Methods We used site‐specific, long‐term winter ringing data containing measurements from across Sweden for modelled change over time, relation spatioclimatic gradient as response anomalies (of [i] same took place, [ii] previous [iii] spring) accounting phylogenetic relatedness between their species‐specific responses each predictor interest. Results show that all species, decreased since 1970s, with negative relationship winters, suggesting carry‐over effects likely linked size‐related survival or dispersal. Body was negatively related anomaly winter, indicating more immediate reduced fat reserves during mild winters. Main Conclusions Our results highlight climate‐driven decrease several its association positive high latitudes. However, not spatially uniform there is considerable variation, emphasizing importance conducting multispecies studies when investigating The mechanisms decreasing seem differ underline nonbreeding season.

Language: Английский

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Big‐brained alien birds tend to occur climatic niche shifts through enhanced behavioral innovation

Integrative Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 13, 2024

Abstract Identifying climatic niche shift and its influencing factors is of great significance in predicting the risk alien species invasions accurately. Previous studies have attempted to identify related their invaded ranges, including changes introduction history, selection exact climate predictors, anthropogenic factors. However, effect species‐level traits on remains largely unexplored, especially those reflecting species' adaptation ability new environments. Based occurrence data 117 successful bird invaders at a global scale, native niches were compared, potential identified. Our results show overlap was low, with more than 75% non‐native birds representing (i.e. >10% expansion). In addition, 85% showed large proportion (mean ± SD, 39% 21%) unfilling. Relative brain size (RBS) after accounting for body had no direct shift, but path analysis that RBS an indirect by acting behavioral innovation primarily technical rather consumer innovation. These findings suggested incorporation species’ important may be promising develop future prediction frameworks biological invasion response continued change.

Language: Английский

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Relative brain size is associated with natal dispersal rate and species' vulnerability to climate change in seabirds

Oikos, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(7)

Published: March 29, 2023

The cognitive buffer hypothesis proposes that species with larger brains (relative to their body size) exhibit greater behavioural flexibility, conferring an advantage in unpredictable or novel environments. Therefore, flexibility – and relative brain size are likely be important predictors of a species' vulnerability anthropogenic pressures and, ultimately, extinction risk. However, current evidence linking risk is inconclusive. Furthermore, studies examining the relationship between have mainly focused on foraging innovations, whilst other forms remain unexplored. In this study, we collate species‐specific information examine links size, rates natal adult dispersal (a measure breeding site fidelity), six threats for 131 seabird. We our study seabirds, highly threatened group displays large variation both behaviour. found significant positive rate, suggesting could enhance choice consistent hypothesis. does not persist when consider dispersal, possibly reflecting constraints imposed by mate selection knowledge transfer seabirds. also show negatively associated climate change. These findings immediate application predicting interspecific change identifying priority conservation.

Language: Английский

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Interactive effects of increased nestbox temperature and vitamin E on nestling growth are attenuated by plasticity in female incubation effort

Ethology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 6, 2023

Abstract In recent years, temperatures have increased globally, and nestlings of many bird species are likely regularly exposed to both pre‐ post‐natally. Even small increases in nest temperature during incubation affect offspring growth survival a variety species, one cause which is thought be production pro‐oxidants embryos nestlings. Defences marshalled response this oxidative stress could, turn, result trade‐offs that lead reduced or growth. If so, any downstream negative effects on ambient could counteracted by increasing their antioxidant intake. We predicted, therefore, dietary supplements an would reduce eliminate detrimental nestling experimentally the period. employed split‐brood design we entire clutches and, after hatching, provided vitamin E half within broods. also recorded female provisioning behaviour control for possibility heating nests might influence maternal behaviour. There was significant interaction between nestbox treatment effect mass, trait positively correlated with future reproductive success study population. Vitamin supplementation promoted mass heated nests, whereas it had opposite but these were weak. Heating significantly affected behaviour, females nestboxes investing less than those unheated boxes. These results suggest at least some range expected 21st century, climate change development can mitigated adjustments

Language: Английский

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Selective effect of winter weather on a songbird’s morphology depends on individual sex and winter condition

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 205(2), P. 339 - 350

Published: June 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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