Make like a glass frog: In support of increased transparency in herpetology

Опубликована: Апрель 7, 2020

Across many scientific disciplines, direct replication efforts and meta-analyses have fuelled concerns on the replicability of findings. Ecology evolution are similarly affected. Investigations into causes this lack implicated a suite research practices linked to incentives in current publishing system. Other fields taken great strides counter that can reward obfuscation –chiefly by championing transparency. But how prominent pro-transparency (open science) policies herpetology journals? We use recently developed Transparency Openness Promotion (TOP) Factor assess transparency promotion 19 journals, compare TOP scores broader science. find transparent currently lacking herpetological journals; encourage authors, students, editors, publishers redouble bring open science changing journal policy, peer-review, personal practice. promote an array options –developed tested other fields– demonstrated publication bias, boost uptake, enable more science, enrich research.

Язык: Английский

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abmAnimalMovement: An R package for simulating animal movement using an agent-based model

F1000Research, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 11, С. 1182 - 1182

Опубликована: Окт. 17, 2022

Animal movement datasets are growing in number and depth, researchers require a of analytical approaches to adequately answer questions using datasets. As the complexity analyses increase, deciding on best approach both terms study design analysis can become more difficult. A potential solution is simulate an array synthetic under varying designs simulation parametrisations gain insight into impact choice(s) different contexts. The abmAnimalMovement R package provides means simulating animal for this purpose. simulations use discrete time agent-based model does not previous data as input. include key internal external influences, well parameters navigation mobility capacity animal. Internal influences three predefined behavioural states (e.g., rest, explore, forage) any activity cycles diel, seasonal). External implemented via matrices describing landscape characteristics shelter quality, foraging resources, ease), points sites aims avoid. Navigation defined by range dynamically choose location which it subsequently attracted. Mobility user distributions, from step length turn angles draw at each step, governing possible subsequent locations Critically, (the choice destination) operates scale capacity, allowing state differ observed movements. When combined with other emergent properties, such site fidelity generated repeated use, offer opportunities test whether accurately recover hidden mechanisms, states, drivers.

Язык: Английский

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Fitness costs of female choosiness are low in a socially monogamous songbird

PLoS Biology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 19(11), С. e3001257 - e3001257

Опубликована: Ноя. 4, 2021

Female mate choice is thought to be responsible for the evolution of many extravagant male ornaments and displays, but costs being too selective may hinder choosiness. Selection against choosiness particularly strong in socially monogamous mating systems, because females end up without a partner forego reproduction, especially when prefer same few partners (frequency-dependent selection). Here, we quantify fitness having preferences that are difficult satisfy, by manipulating availability preferred males. We capitalize on recent discovery female zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) males familiar song dialect. measured captive breeding colonies which one-third were given ample opportunity choose their dialect (two-thirds all males; “relaxed competition”), while two-thirds had compete over limited pool mates they (one-third “high competition”). As expected, social pairings strongly assortative with regard In high-competition group, 26% remained unpaired, yet still obtained relatively high using brood parasitism as an alternative reproductive tactic. Another 31% paired disassortatively These showed increased levels extra-pair paternity, mostly same-dialect sires, suggesting not abolished after pairing. However, did have lower success. Overall, group reached equal those experienced relaxed competition. Our study suggests tactics such egg dumping can help overcome frequency-dependent system, thereby facilitating

Язык: Английский

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Doing Reliable Research in Comparative Psychology: Challenges and Proposals for Improvement

Опубликована: Июнь 3, 2021

Unlike some other areas of psychology that have experienced a ‘reproducibility crisis’, the ex-tent to which research findings in comparative are reliable is only just beginning come under spotlight. I outline what known about where we as field stand terms reliability our findings, and highlight characteristic features give may cause for concern, focusing primarily on experimental cognition. then dis-cuss ways individual researchers wider community can take steps improve current practices (and cases already are), well highlighting crucial role insti-tutions gatekeepers play effecting change. By tackling potential issues head on, more confidence resultant claims make animal behaviour cognition reliable.

Язык: Английский

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Meta-analysis challenges a textbook example of status signalling: evidence for publication bias

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2018, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 16, 2018

Abstract The status signalling hypothesis aims to explain conspecific variation in ornamentation by suggesting that some ornaments signal dominance status. Here, we use multilevel meta-analytic models challenge the textbook example of this hypothesis, black bib house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ). We conducted a systematic review, and obtained raw data from published unpublished studies test whether rank is positively associated with size across studies. Contrary previous studies, our meta-analysis did not support prediction. Furthermore, found several biases literature further question available for hypothesis. First, overall effect was zero, compared medium detected Second, sizes decreased over time, recently effects were, on average, no longer distinguishable zero. discuss explanations including pleiotropic, population- context-dependent effects. Our findings call reconsidering established evolutionary behavioural ecology, raise important concerns about validity current scientific publishing culture, should stimulate renewed interest understanding within-species ornamental traits.

Язык: Английский

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