Functional convergence underground? The scale-dependency of community assembly processes in European cave spiders

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 20, 2023

Abstract Understanding how species assemble into communities is a central tenet in ecology. One of the most elusive questions relative contribution environmental filtering versus limiting similarity. Important advances this area have been achieved by looking at through functional lens (i.e., traits they express), so as to derive principles valid across pools. Yet, even using lieu taxonomy, issue remains controversial because i) and similarity often act simultaneously shaping communities; ii) their effect scale-dependent. We exploited experimental arena offered caves, island-like natural laboratories characterized largely constant gradients limited diversity interactions. Leveraging uniquely available data on distribution for European cave spiders, we tested explicit hypotheses about variations community assembly rules ecological scales. demonstrate that shape acting trait evolution opposing directions. These effects are strongly scale dependent, varying along multiple gradients. Conversely, geography composition weak, indicating turnover space happens primarily substitution pursuing similar functions due strong filters. Our findings reconcile contrasted views importance two main mechanisms patterns biodiversity, provide conceptual foundation account scaling study assembly.

Язык: Английский

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The biomimetic potential of novel adaptations in subterranean animals

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11

Опубликована: Окт. 13, 2023

Subterranean habitats can be considered harsh conditions with lack of light, low nutrients levels and constant high humidity. To thrive under such conditions, cave-adapted species have evolved a range novel morphological, physiological behavioural adaptations. These adaptations might significant biomimetic potential. Biomimetics or biologically inspired design is relatively new interdisciplinary field that aims to harness the processes mechanisms in nature been optimised over millions years’ evolution improve our own technology. There are two main approaches design—the problem-driven approach starting an engineering problem searching through biological equivalents solution-driven approach, which starts example solution followed by identification suitable application. While former most popular favoured engineers, latter remains successful typically driven fundamental research. However, few solutions concepts so far described from subterranean despite rich In this review paper, I first outline theory behind before related studies cave adapted organisms mainly based on exceptional lateral line systems blind fish. body focuses identifying discussing particular strong potential including biomimetics sensors, adhesion humidity wet biomaterials

Язык: Английский

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Two new subterranean Typhlonesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) from the Alps with notes on their ecology, distribution and conservation

Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 81, С. 801 - 818

Опубликована: Ноя. 2, 2023

The spider genus Typhlonesticus Kulczyński, 1914 (Araneae: Nesticidae) includes seven species, most of which exhibiting strict preference for caves, abandoned mines and other subterranean habitats. In Italy the is represented by two species: T. morisii (Brignoli, 1975), an extremely narrow endemic species from SW-Alps with a very high level adaptation idriacus (Roewer, 1931), showing much wider distribution in NE-Italy poor adaptations to life. Our recent biospeleological surveys Alps lead discovery new populations highly troglomorphic that proved belong based on morphological molecular data. Considering rarity these we provide general information their ecology distribution, including comparative analysis traits relation biogeographic factors. Information conservation status, useful assessing extinction risk International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) guidelines, also provided.

Язык: Английский

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Towards a mechanistic explanation of Island biogeography using subterranean animal communities

Authorea (Authorea), Год журнала: 2022, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Июнь 29, 2022

Using subterranean fauna in the Canary Islands as a simplified natural laboratory, we explored how interplay of eco-evolutionary processes shape taxonomic and functional diversity patterns oceanic archipelagos through geological times. First, demonstrated an overall convergence trait spaces communities across islands, yet with variability according to each island’s ontogenetic state—young, mature, or senescent. Next, showed that reduced species contribution traits space mature islands is consequence optimisation use available niche driven by interactions. Finally, link those lines evidence showing interactions select non-random combination islands. Collectively, our results provided mechanistic description drivers suggesting causal relationships between properties island metrics accounting for their age.

Язык: Английский

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