Shape-shifting: changing animal morphologies as a response to climatic warming

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(11), P. 1036 - 1048

Published: Sept. 7, 2021

Language: Английский

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A set of principles and practical suggestions for equitable fieldwork in biology

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 119(34)

Published: Aug. 16, 2022

Field biology is an area of research that involves working directly with living organisms in situ through a practice known as "fieldwork." Conducting fieldwork often requires complex logistical planning within multiregional or multinational teams, interacting local communities at field sites, and collaborative led by one few the core team members. However, existing power imbalances stemming from geopolitical history, discrimination, professional position, among other factors, perpetuate inequities when conducting these endeavors. After reflecting on our own programs, we propose four general principles to guide equitable, inclusive, ethical, safe practices biology: be collaborative, respectful, legal, safe. Although many biologists already structure their programs around similar values, executing equitable can prove challenging careful consideration, especially those positions relatively greater privilege. Based experiences input diverse group global collaborators, provide suggestions for action-oriented approaches make more particular attention how privilege contribute. While acknowledge not all will applicable every institution program, hope they generate discussions baseline training proactive, practices.

Language: Английский

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Natural history collections as a resource for conservation genomics: Understanding the past to preserve the future

Journal of Heredity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 114(4), P. 367 - 384

Published: Dec. 8, 2022

To avoid the worst outcomes of current biodiversity crisis we need a deep understanding population responses to human-induced ecological change. Rapidly expanding access genomic resources for nonmodel taxa promises play unique role in meeting this goal. In particular, increasing feasibility sequencing DNA from historical specimens enables direct measures past century anthropogenic change that will inform management strategies and refine projections species future environmental review, discuss methods can be used generate genome-scale data hundreds millions housed natural history collections around world. We then highlight recent studies utilize address questions fundamental importance conservation. Finally, emphasize how traditional motivations museum collectors, such as geographic variation community-wide inventories, provide opportunities broad scale comparisons across time. conclude technologies become increasingly accessible more researchers take advantage resource, conservation continue grow.

Language: Английский

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Genetic and morphological shifts associated with climate change in a migratory bird

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

Abstract Background Rapid morphological change is emerging as a consequence of climate in many systems. It intuitive to hypothesize that temporal trends are driven by the same selective pressures have established well-known ecogeographic patterns over spatial environmental gradients (e.g., Bergman’s and Allen’s rules). However, mechanistic understanding contemporary shifts lacking. Results We combine data whole genome sequencing from four-decade dataset migratory bird hermit thrush ( Catharus guttatus ) test whether time accompanied genetic change. Using genome-wide association, we identify alleles associated with body size, bill length, wing length. Shifts morphology concordant morphology-associated would support basis for observed changes recent decades, potentially an adaptive response In our data, size decreases were paralleled size-associated alleles. On other hand, showed no shift frequency time. Conclusions Together, results show mixed evolutionary explanations Temporal hypothesis selection driving trends. The lack evidence could be explained large role plasticity or technical limitations likely polygenic architecture both. Disentangling mechanisms responsible changing environments will vital predicting future organismal population responses

Language: Английский

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The influence of spatially heterogeneous anthropogenic change on bill size evolution in a coastal songbird

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 607 - 624

Published: Oct. 6, 2020

Abstract Natural history collections provide an unparalleled resource for documenting population responses to past anthropogenic change. However, in many cases, traits measured on specimens may vary temporally response a number of different pressures or demographic processes. While teasing apart these drivers is challenging, approaches that integrate analyses spatial and temporal series can robust framework examining whether exhibit common ecological variation space time. We applied this approach analyze bill morphology California Savannah Sparrows ( Passerculus sandwichensis ). found surface area increased birds from higher salinity tidal marshes are hotter drier. Only the coastal subspecies, alaudinus, exhibited significant increase size through As with patterns variation, alaudinus populations occupying have become warmer drier over century greatest increases area. also negative correlation between total evaporative water loss (TEWL) estimated observed could result reduction up 16.2% daily losses. Together, were consistent hypothesis larger bills favored freshwater‐limited environments as mechanism dissipating heat, reducing reliance cooling, increasing conservation. With museum increasingly being leveraged understand global change, work highlights importance considering influence axes change integrating better specific human impacts

Language: Английский

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Spatial variation in population genomic responses to over a century of anthropogenic change within a tidal marsh songbird

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Combating the current biodiversity crisis requires accurate documentation of population responses to human‐induced ecological change. However, our ability pinpoint human activities is often limited analysis populations studied well after fact. Museum collections preserve a record anthropogenic change that can provide critical baseline data on patterns genetic diversity, connectivity, and structure prior onset perturbation. Here, we leverage spatially replicated time series specimens document genomic destruction nearly 90% coastal habitats occupied by Savannah sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ) in California. We sequenced 219 sparrows collected from 1889 2017 across state California using an exome capture approach. Spatial–temporal analyses diversity found amount habitat lost was not predictive loss. Sparrow southern historically exhibited lower levels experienced most significant temporal declines diversity. Despite experiencing greatest loss, San Francisco Bay area remained relatively high. This potentially related observed increase gene flow into Area other populations. While may have minimized declines, also immigration inland freshwater‐adapted tidal marsh led erosion divergence at loci associated with adaptation. Shifting through response loss thus contribute negative fitness consequences outbreeding depression. Together, results underscore importance tracing trajectories multiple over address issues fundamental conservation concern.

Language: Английский

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Integrating spatial analyses of genomic and physiological data to understand avian responses to environmental change

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 3, 2024

Projected rates of climate change over the next century are expected to force species shift ranges, adapt or acclimate evade extinction. Predicting which these scenarios may be most likely is a central challenge for conserving biodiversity in immediate future. Modeling frameworks that take advantage intraspecific variation across environmental gradients can particularly important meeting this challenge. While space-for-time approaches essential climatic and genomic modeling approaches, mechanistic models incorporate ecological physiology data into assessing vulnerabilities rarely include variation. A major reason gap general lack empirical on geographic avian physiological traits. In review, we outline evidence processes shaping We use example evaporative water loss underscore research even traits cooling costs birds. demonstrate how shifting focus facilitate greater integration with emerging genomics approaches. Finally, steps an integrative approach advance understanding adaptation within species. Addressing knowledge gaps outlined review will contribute improved predictive framework synthesizes environmental, morphological, physiological, assess specific warming planet.

Language: Английский

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Measuring avian bill size: comparing and evaluating 3D surface scanning with traditional size estimates in Australian birds

Journal of Avian Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 3, 2024

Unidimensional measurements for estimating bill size, like length and width, are commonly used in ecology evolution, but can be criticised due to issues with repeatability accuracy. Furthermore, formula‐based estimates of surface area tend assume uniform shapes across species, which is rarely the case. 3D scanning potentially help overcome some such by collecting detailed external morphology direct area, rather than composite size. Here, we evaluate use scanners on avian museum specimens test 3D‐based compare these traditional methods size from unidimensional measurements. Using 28 Australian bird investigate inter‐observer scans. We then infer accuracy precision area. find that morphometric scans highly repeatable between observers, without need extensive training, demonstrating an advantage over measuring methods, callipers. When comparing most formulae consistently underestimate considerable variation species. Where not possible, a cone formula precise diverse shapes, therefore supporting its interspecific contexts. However, incorporating additional measure curvature into improves calculated Our results reveal high potential research, especially studies necessitating large sample sizes collected multiple gives suggestions approaches estimate

Language: Английский

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Effects of climate on bill morphology within and across Toxostoma thrashers

Journal of Avian Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2022(1)

Published: Nov. 15, 2021

Bird bills possess an important thermoregulatory function as they are a site for environmental heat exchange. Previous studies have demonstrated that birds in warmer climates larger than those living colder climates, can dissipate more heat. Because this dry transfer does not incur water loss, it may be additionally advantageous water‐restricted habitats. Here, we examine the influence of climate on bill morphology Toxostoma thrashers, group 10 North American species varied and occupied niche, with several inhabiting arid climates. Past examinations thrasher only considered foraging, leaving unanswered role morphological divergence within group. We photographed 476 museum specimens encompassing all calculated measurements from photos using MATLAB‐based program. For each species, niche data WorldClim describing temperature precipitation. found no reliable significant relationships between variables across suggesting other factors such foraging behavior shaping genus. Within three follow Allen's rule. However, also strength direction species. Notably, negative relationship maximum hottest month surface area LeConte's thrasher, which occupies most thrashers. This adds to evidence rule reverse extremely hot when become sink instead radiator. These results demonstrate importance considering generality ecogeographical rules lineages occupy extreme

Language: Английский

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Behavioural and physiological responses to experimental temperature changes in a long-billed and long-legged bird: a role for relative appendage size?

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 77(1)

Published: Dec. 20, 2022

Abstract Maintaining homeothermy may be a major challenge when species are confronted with ambient temperatures beyond their thermoneutral zone. Bird occupying open landscapes inherently exposed to acute heat loss and gain, which force them adopt suite of behavioural physiological strategies maintain homeothermy. Both types responses could influenced by relative bill leg sizes, but experimental data lacking. Here, we evaluated how variation in body postural adjustments, panting, locomotor activity the dunlin Calidris alpina can explained temperature sizes. Additionally, estimated resting metabolic rate evaporative water assess potential links between both traits Temperatures below zone were counteracted enhancing production through increased activity, while adjustments used less than expected. Within zone, back rest (tucking under feathers) unipedal (standing on one leg) preferred dunlins, probably as being more comfortable for resting. At above dunlins inactive time exposure wet-sitting ultimately panting challenged 37 °C. Interestingly, temperature, birds relatively longer bills legs spent exposing them, increase dry transfer into environment. Our findings also highlighted importance availability wet substrates minimising stress wetland species. Significance statement Recent correlational field studies found support relationship sizes thermoregulatory behaviour inhabiting landscapes. However, lacking, mechanisms underlying this remain poorly understood. performed an experiment model change , long-billed long-legged shorebird. examined among rates, appendage showed strong well link size postures. have conservation message highlighting that type substrate available roosting is important

Language: Английский

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