Climate underpins continent‐wide patterns of carotenoid‐based feather colour consistent with Gloger's observations

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 25, 2025

Animal coloration has long been predicted to vary across geographic and climatic gradients in accordance with a long-standing ecogeographical rule. But further his widely supported predictions that melanin pigmentation increases towards the Equator, Gloger observed reds yellows are more vivid warm regions thus prevalent at lower latitudes, prediction by Görnitz, who suggested these colours would be intense areas higher rainfall. Yet, studies of associations between geography or climate carotenoid-based plumage test observations continental scale scarce. Here, we investigated extent which yellow red feather colour varies according hypotheses Pogoniulus tinkerbirds distributions sub-Saharan Africa. We tested first for along latitudinal elevational gradients, then factors rainfall temperature may underpin variation on scales. find evidence consistent Görnitz's saturated warmer hues latitudes were primarily attributed relationship underpart By contrast, forecrown colour, trait previously associated sexual selection, had complex association climate, hue rainfall, but intensity showing contrasting patterns latitude. highlight nature coloration, suggesting although environmental affect abundance carotenoid availability, is also influenced other selective pressures.

Language: Английский

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Beak shape and nest material use in birds

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

Published: July 10, 2023

The evolution of behaviour can both influence, and be influenced by, morphology. Recent advances in methods data availability have facilitated broad-scale investigations physical form behavioural function many contexts, but the relationship between animal morphology object manipulation-particularly objects used construction-remains largely unknown. Here, we employ a new global database nest materials by 5924 species birds together with phylogenetically informed random forest models to evaluate link beak shape these nest-building materials. We find that morphology, diet access materials, predict nest-material use above chance high accuracy (68-97%). Much this relationship, however, is driven phylogenetic signal sampling biases. therefore conclude while variation material linked across bird species, correlations are modulated ecological context evolutionary history species. This article part theme issue 'The ecology nests: cross-taxon approach'.

Language: Английский

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A genomic basis of vocal rhythm in birds

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 23, 2024

Abstract Vocal rhythm plays a fundamental role in sexual selection and species recognition birds, but little is known of its genetic basis due to the confounding effect vocal learning model systems. Uncovering could facilitate identifying genes potentially important speciation. Here we investigate genomic underpinnings non-learning Pogoniulus tinkerbirds using 135 individual whole genomes distributed across southern African hybrid zone. We find speed associated with two that are also affect human speech, Neurexin-1 Coenzyme Q8A. Models leveraging ancestry reveal these candidate loci impact rhythmic stability, trait linked motor performance which an indicator quality. Character displacement stability suggests possible reinforcement against hybridization, supported by evidence asymmetric assortative mating producing faster, more stable rhythms. Because omnipresent animal communication, identified here may shape birds other vertebrates.

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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Year-round vocal activity of two African barbet species

Emu - Austral Ornithology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 124(3-4), P. 221 - 231

Published: May 21, 2024

Passive acoustic monitoring is a reliable method to study species behaviour and ecology, enabling the discovery of activity patterns, especially in remote locations. Here, we conducted year-long recording describe annual circadian patterns vocal two African barbet species, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Western coryphaea. We used automated software detect vocalisations from 4893 one-hour recordings taken Cameroon. In total, obtained 31,526 Tinkerbirds 1318 Tinkerbirds. generalised additive mixed models determine whether month or hour meteorological conditions influenced species' activity. Our results indicated that both tinkerbirds are likely seasonal breeders, as highest was during dry season. Both exhibited smaller peaks wet provides new information on which could be valuable future surveying efforts. This an illustrative example useful technologies facilitate studies areas: passive for determining automatic recognition rapid analysis large datasets.

Language: Английский

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Plio‐Pleistocene Climatic Fluctuations and Divergence With Gene Flow Drive Continent‐Wide Diversification in an African Bird

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

Published: April 21, 2025

ABSTRACT Diversification mechanisms in Sub‐Saharan Africa have long attracted research interest, with varying support for either allopatric or parapatric models of speciation. However, studies seldom been performed across the entire continent, a scale which could elucidate relative importance and divergence. To shed light on continental‐scale patterns African biogeography diversification, we investigated historical demography bird continent‐wide distribution Africa, Yellow‐Rumped Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus . We sampled populations from continent and, using genomic data, assessed genetic diversity, structure, differentiation, reconstructed phylogeny, alternative demographic model selection between neighbouring clade pairs. uncovered substantial structure differentiation corroborated phylogenetic topology. Structure was chiefly influenced by arid corridor, postulated biogeographical barrier Africa. Moreover, peak diversities coincided refugial areas while reconstructions lineages supported consistent Pleistocene Forest Refuge hypothesis. within lineages, divergence gene flow supported. Continent‐wide diversification involve an integration both mechanisms, role periods isolation ecological gradients. Furthermore, our study emphasises corridor as primary feature occurs, yet one that has hitherto received scant attention regarding its avian

Language: Английский

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Body size shapes song in honeyeaters

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2021)

Published: April 24, 2024

Birdsongs are among the most distinctive animal signals. Their evolution is thought to be shaped simultaneously by habitat structure and constraints of morphology. Habitat affects song transmission detectability, thus influencing (the acoustic adaptation hypothesis), while body size beak shape necessarily constrain characteristics morphological constraint hypothesis). Yet, support for hypotheses remains equivocal, their simultaneous examination infrequent. Using a phenotypically diverse Australasian bird clade, honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae), we compile dataset consisting song, environmental, variables 163 species jointly examine predictions these two hypotheses. Overall, find that constrains frequency pace in honeyeaters. Although type environmental temperature influence aspects indirect, likely via effects variation on size, with some evidence elevation peak frequency. Our results demonstrate morphology has an overwhelming birdsong, hypothesis, environment playing secondary role generally rather than structure. These suggest changing (a consequence both global such as climate change local transformation) will substantially nature birdsong.

Language: Английский

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Continent‐wide patterns of song variation predicted by classical rules of biogeography

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(11), P. 2448 - 2462

Published: Sept. 20, 2022

Physiological constraints related to atmospheric temperature pose a limit body and appendage size in endothermic animals. This relationship has been summarised by two classical principles of biogeography: Bergmann's Allen's rules. Body may also constrain other phenotypic traits important ecology, evolution behaviour, such effects have seldom investigated at continental scale. Through multilevel-modelling approach, we demonstrate that continent-wide morphology African barbets follows predictions rule, mirrors variation song pitch, an acoustic trait species recognition sexual selection. Specifically, on frequency accordance with rule dwarf those adaptation Our findings suggest macroecological patterns can influence ecology evolution, provide baseline for further studies the environmental change bird song.

Language: Английский

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The evolution of rodent tail morphology

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 203(6), P. 629 - 643

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

AbstractPopulation-level variation in rodent tail structures has been variously attributed to facilitating social communication, locomotion, thermoregulation, and predator avoidance. Little is known, however, about the applicability of these ecological correlates explaining tremendous interspecific diversity this appendage. To investigate potential drivers morphology at a macroevolutionary level, we first carefully reviewed literature constructed list major hypotheses regarding variation. We then compiled database 11 different traits related length, color, texture, characteristics for 2,101 species rodents (order Rodentia) examined their key evolutionary correlates. Using Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models across entire order additionally within five suborders, found that length correlated with both temperature (Allen's rule) locomotory mode, black tips are more common brightly lit environments, naked tails often warmer climates, fluffy-tipped smaller and/or arboreal species, prehensility predominant longer tails, autotomy open environments. Most our tested predictions, largely drawn from population-level studies, not recapitulated order, potentially indicating role local context shaping morphology.

Language: Английский

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Disentangling the mechanisms of signal evolution in Tyrannidae flycatchers, part I: song is constrained by morphology and covaries with ecological factors

Journal of Field Ornithology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 94(3)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Acoustic signals mediate key animal interactions and can evolve through a variety of factors. Signal divergence reinforce pre-zygotic barriers minimize costly hybridizations among closely related species or partition acoustic space to avoid signal interference. To unravel the drivers song evolution, it is critical simultaneously test multiple evolutionary axes leading heterospecific variation (e.g., role morphology, ecology, recognition). Tyrannidae largest Passeriformes family occurs across broad environmental gradient. Tyrannids are suboscines, so represents differences that not confounded by social learning. Several genera show conserved plumage coloration, but exhibit pronounced vocal differences. In first our two-part paper on ecology we leveraged large-scale dataset in (n = 282 species) testing relative influence morphology (body bill size), (vegetation cover, diet, climate), proximity evolution. Based phylogenetically controlled analyses, found evolution was primarily driven morphological adaptation, where larger-bodied birds with heftier bills sang lower frequency slower paced songs. Pairwise were weakly some genera, lending support recognition hypothesis drift. Given many flycatchers habitat specialists, natural selection acting body size specific environmental-contexts may shape tyrannids. By roles morphological, ecological, geographical factors study highlights complexity suboscine importance comparative studies hypotheses.

Language: Английский

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