The thermal ecology and physiology of reptiles and amphibians: A user's guide

Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A Ecological and Integrative Physiology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 335(1), P. 13 - 44

Published: July 8, 2020

Abstract Research on the thermal ecology and physiology of free‐living organisms is accelerating as scientists managers recognize urgency global biodiversity crisis brought by climate change. As ectotherms, temperature fundamentally affects most aspects lives amphibians reptiles, making them excellent models for studying how animals are impacted changing temperatures. research this group accelerates, it essential to maintain consistent optimal methodology so that results can be compared across groups over time. This review addresses utility reptiles model studies reviewing best practices their physiology, highlighting key have advanced field with new improved methods. We end presenting several areas where show great promise further advancing our understanding relations between environments

Language: Английский

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Automated assessment reveals that the extinction risk of reptiles is widely underestimated across space and phylogeny

PLoS Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(5), P. e3001544 - e3001544

Published: May 26, 2022

The Red List of Threatened Species, published by the International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN), is a crucial tool conservation decision-making. However, despite substantial effort, numerous species remain unassessed or have insufficient data available to be assigned extinction risk category. Moreover, Listing process subject various sources uncertainty and bias. development robust automated assessment methods could serve as an efficient highly useful accelerate offer provisional assessments. Here, we aimed (1) present machine learning-based method that can used on less known species; (2) assessments all reptiles-the only major tetrapod group without comprehensive assessment; (3) evaluate potential effects human decision biases outcome We use presented here assess 4,369 reptile are currently classified Data Deficient IUCN. models in our predictions were 90% accurate classifying threatened/nonthreatened, 84% predicting specific categories. Unassessed reptiles considerably more likely threatened than assessed species, adding mounting evidence these warrant attention. overall proportion greatly increased when included Assessor identities strongly affected prediction outcomes, suggesting assessor need carefully considered Regions taxa identified should given attention new planning. Lastly, easily implemented help bridge gap other taxa.

Language: Английский

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Extreme weather events threaten biodiversity and functions of river ecosystems: evidence from a meta‐analysis

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 98(2), P. 450 - 461

Published: Oct. 28, 2022

ABSTRACT Both gradual and extreme weather changes trigger complex ecological responses in river ecosystems. It is still unclear to what extent trend or event effects alter biodiversity functioning ecosystems, adding considerable uncertainty predictions of their future dynamics. Using a comprehensive database 71 published studies, we show that – but not associated with water flow temperature substantially reduce species richness. Furthermore, particularly those affecting hydrological dynamics on primary productivity were twice as high impacts due changes. The synthesis the available evidence reveals induce regime shifts organisms such invertebrates. Among events, dryness interruption caused largest biota ecosystem functions rivers. Effects (primary production, organic matter decomposition respiration) asymmetric, only production exhibiting negative response events. Our meta‐analysis highlights disproportionate impact functions, implications for long‐term conservation management However, few studies from tropical areas, our conclusions therefore remain largely limited temperate systems. Further efforts need be directed assemble events functioning.

Language: Английский

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A global analysis of habitat fragmentation research in reptiles and amphibians: what have we done so far?

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(2), P. 439 - 468

Published: Jan. 8, 2023

Abstract Habitat change and fragmentation are the primary causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Recent decades have seen a surge funding, published papers citations in field as these threats to continue rise. However, how research directions agenda evolving this remains poorly understood. In study, we examined current state on habitat (due agriculture, logging, fragmentation, urbanisation roads) pertaining two most threatened vertebrate groups, reptiles amphibians. We did so by conducting global scale review geographical taxonomical trends types, associated sampling methods response variables. Our analyses revealed number biases with existing efforts being focused three continents (e.g., North America, Europe Australia) surplus studies measuring species richness abundance. saw shift towards utilising technological advancements including genetic spatial data analyses. findings suggest important associations between prevalent variables but not types fragmentation. These agendas found homogeneously distributed across all continents. Increased investment appropriate techniques is crucial hotpots such tropics where unprecedented herpetofauna exist.

Language: Английский

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Potential effects of future climate change on global reptile distributions and diversity

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(4), P. 519 - 534

Published: Feb. 21, 2023

Abstract Aim Until recently, complete information on global reptile distributions has not been widely available. Here, we provide the first comprehensive climate impact assessment for reptiles a scale. Location Global, excluding Antarctica. Time period 1995, 2050 and 2080. Major taxa studied Reptiles. Methods We modelled distribution of 6296 species assessed potential realm‐specific changes in richness, change richness across space, species‐specific range extent, overlap position under future change. To assess climatic 3768 range‐restricted species, which could be modelled, compared conditions between both non‐modelled species. Results Reptile was projected to decline significantly over time, globally but also most zoogeographical realms, with greatest decreases Brazil, Australia South Africa. Species highest warm moist regions, these regions being shift further towards extremes future. Range extents were considerably future, low current ranges. Shifts centroids differed among realms taxa, dominant poleward shift. Non‐modelled stronger affected by than Main conclusions With ongoing change, is likely decrease parts world. This effect, addition considerable impacts position, visible lizards, snakes turtles alike. Together other anthropogenic impacts, such as habitat loss harvesting this cause concern. Given historical lack distributions, calls re‐assessment conservation efforts, specific focus anticipated

Language: Английский

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Predicting the effects of climate and land use changes on small rattlesnakes in central Mexico: Insights for conservation planning

Journal for Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 79, P. 126607 - 126607

Published: March 25, 2024

Language: Английский

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Underlying and proximate drivers of biodiversity changes in Mesoamerican biosphere reserves

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(6)

Published: Jan. 22, 2024

Protected areas are of paramount relevance to conserving wildlife and ecosystem contributions people. Yet, their conservation success is increasingly threatened by human activities including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, species overexploitation. Thus, understanding the underlying proximate drivers anthropogenic threats urgently needed improve protected areas’ effectiveness, especially in biodiversity-rich tropics. We addressed this issue analyzing expert-provided data on long-term biodiversity change (last three decades) over 14 biosphere reserves from Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot. Using multivariate analyses structural equation modeling, we tested influence major socioeconomic (demographic, economic, political factors), spatial indicators (agriculture expansion road extension), forest landscape modifications (forest loss isolation) as change. uncovered a significant proliferation disturbance-tolerant guilds or decline disturbance-sensitive within causing “winner loser” replacement time. Guild was directly related changes promoted agriculture roads reserves. High population density low nonfarming occupation were identified main Our findings suggest that mitigate reserves, fostering well-being via sustainable, livelihood opportunities around imperative.

Language: Английский

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Big City Living: A Global Meta-Analysis Reveals Positive Impact of Urbanization on Body Size in Lizards

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Nov. 27, 2020

Urban environments pose different selective pressures than natural ones, leading to changes in animal behavior, physiology, and morphology. Understanding how animals respond urbanization could inform the management of urban habitats. Non-avian reptiles have important roles ecosystems worldwide, yet their responses not been as comprehensively studied those mammals birds. However, unlike birds, most cannot easily move away from disturbances, making pressure adapt especially strong. In recent years, there has a surge research on lizards urbanization, no formal synthesis determined what makes an lizard, other words, which phenotypic traits are likely change with direction? Here, we present qualitative literature quantitative phylogenetic meta-analysis comparing between non-urban lizard populations. The robust finding our analysis is that larger counterparts. This result remained consistent sexes taxonomic groups. Hence, pass through filter access better resources, more time for foraging, and/or selection attaining body size. Other results included increase diameters perches used longer limb digit lengths, although this may be increased were bolder, active or exploratory, did differ immune Overall, studies biased few geographic regions taxa. More 70% all data came three species anoles family Dactyloidae , it difficult generalize patterns clades. Thus, needed across multiple taxa habitats produce meaningful predictions help conservation ecological communities.

Language: Английский

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A global meta-analysis on patterns of amphibian and reptile diversity in agroforestry systems

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51, P. e02914 - e02914

Published: March 22, 2024

Global herpetofauna faces threats by habitat loss and degradation, with amphibian reptile species maintenance in human-modified landscapes not only depending on forest remnants, but also biodiversity-friendly matrices, such as agroforestry systems. Nevertheless, herpetological studies agroforests are limited, hindering conservation decisions. To fill this gap, we conducted a global meta-analysis to assess the ability of systems maintain abundance richness when compared native forests. We analyze how community parameters (richness or abundance) agroforest types based vegetation characteristics described (simplified complex) impact variation overall effect size. used meta-regression models examine amount cover around affects Finally, calculated Sorensen's Index incidence data investigate degree similarity composition amphibians reptiles between Our results showed that diversity is lower than forests, regardless parameter type. For reptiles, higher similar Simplified support less complex systems, which more Interestingly, landscape modulates richness. In fact, inserted highly forested can harbor found half observed different from those findings highlights cannot replace forests because reduced richness, especially amphibians, distinct composition. However, these agricultural host rich communities. Thus, preserving restoring deforested regions crucial for landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Lots of movement, little progress: a review of reptile home range literature

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9, P. e11742 - e11742

Published: July 20, 2021

Reptiles are the most species-rich terrestrial vertebrate group with a broad diversity of life history traits. Biotelemetry is an essential methodology for studying reptiles as it compensates several limitations when their natural history. We evaluated trends in reptile spatial ecology studies focusing upon quantifying home ranges past twenty years. assessed 290 English-language range published from 2000–2019 via structured literature review investigating publications’ study location, taxonomic group, methodology, reporting, and analytical techniques. Substantial biases remain both location groups literature, nearly half all (45%) originating USA. Snakes were often studied, crocodiles least while testudines tended to have greatest within sample sizes. More than lacked critical methodological details, limiting number inclusion future meta-analyses (55% information on individual tracking durations, 51% sufficient times researchers recorded positions). Studies continue rely outdated methods quantify space-use (including Minimum Convex Polygons Kernel Density Estimators), failing report subtleties regarding decisions that substantial impact area estimates. Moving forward can select suite appropriate techniques tailored research question (dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models interpolation, autocorrelated Estimators beyond extrapolation). Only 1.4% linked available usable telemetry data, further hindering scientific consensus. ultimately implore herpetologists adopt transparent reporting practices make liberal use open data platforms maximize progress field ecology.

Language: Английский

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