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Sheard C, Skinner N, Caro T. The Evolution of Rodent Tail Morphology. Am Nat 2024; 203:629-643. [PMID: 38781527 DOI: 10.1086/729751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
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 and social correlates to explaining the tremendous interspecific diversity of this appendage. To investigate the potential drivers of rodent tail morphology at a macroevolutionary level, we first carefully reviewed the literature and constructed a list of major hypotheses regarding this variation. We then compiled a database of 11 different tail traits related to length, color, texture, and ecological characteristics for 2,101 species of rodents (order Rodentia) and examined their key evolutionary correlates. Using Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models across the entire order and additionally within the five rodent suborders, we found that tail length is correlated with both temperature (Allen's rule) and locomotory mode, that black tips are more common in brightly lit environments, that naked tails are often found in warmer climates, that fluffy-tipped tails are more common in smaller and/or arboreal species, that prehensility is predominant in arboreal species and/or species with longer tails, and that tail autotomy is more common in open environments. Most of our tested predictions, largely drawn from population-level studies, are not recapitulated across the entire order, potentially indicating a role of local ecological context in shaping tail morphology.
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Song WY, Onditi KO, Li XY, Chen ZZ, He SW, Li Q, Jiang XL. Decomposing niche components reveals simultaneous effects of opposite deterministic processes structuring alpine small mammal assembly. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.999573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionSpecies distribution in alpine areas is constrained by multiple abiotic and biotic stressors. This leads to discrepant assembly patterns between different locations and study objects as opposite niche-based processes—limiting similarity and habitat filtering—simultaneously structure communities, masking overall patterns. We aimed to address how these processes structure small mammal communities in the alpine tree line transition zone, one of the most distinct vegetation transitions between alpine and montane habitats.MethodsWe compiled a dataset of species checklist, phylogeny, and functional traits from field collection and published sources spanning 18 mountains in southwest China. We first examined hypothetical niche-based processes with frequently used phylogenetic and trait approaches using this dataset. The species traits were decomposed into different niche components to explore the respective effects of specific stressors. Indices representing evolutionary history, trait space, and pairwise species distance were estimated and compared with null model expectations. Linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the association patterns between diversity indices and elevation.ResultsThe results indicated that phylogenetic and functional richness were positively correlated with species richness. In contrast, distance-based indices were either negatively or weakly positively correlated with species richness. Null model analyses suggested no evidence of non-random phylogenetic or overall trait patterns. However, the resource acquisition niche tended to be more overdispersed (positive slopes), while the habitat affinity niche tended to be more clustered (negative slopes) beyond the high elevation tree line.DiscussionThese findings show that opposite niche-based processes simultaneously structure small mammal communities in alpine areas. Overall, the present study provides vital insights into the complexity of assembly processes in these habitats. It also highlights the importance of relating relevant traits to distinguish the influences of specific abiotic and biotic stressors.
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Hinckley A, Sanchez-Donoso I, Comas M, Camacho-Sanchez M, Hawkins MTR, Hasan NH, Leonard JA. Challenging ecogeographical rules: Phenotypic variation in the Mountain Treeshrew (Tupaia montana) along tropical elevational gradients. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268213. [PMID: 35714073 PMCID: PMC9205479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules were defined to describe macroecological patterns across latitudinal gradients. Bergmann observed a positive association between body size and latitude for endothermic species while Allen described shorter appendages as latitude increases. Almost two centuries later, there is still ongoing discussion about these patterns. Temperature, the common variable in these two rules, varies predictably across both latitude and elevation. Although these rules have been assessed extensively in mammals across latitude, particularly in regions with strong seasonality, studies on tropical montane mammals are scarce. We here test for these patterns and assess the variation of several other locomotory, diet-associated, body condition, and thermoregulatory traits across elevation in the Mountain Treeshrew (Tupaia montana) on tropical mountains in Borneo. Based on morphological measurements from both the field and scientific collections, we found a complex pattern: Bergmann’s rule was not supported in our tropical mountain system, since skull length, body size, and weight decreased from the lowest elevations (<1000 m) to middle elevations (2000–2500 m), and then increased from middle elevations to highest elevations. Allen’s rule was supported for relative tail length, which decreased with elevation, but not for ear and hindfoot length, with the former remaining constant and the latter increasing with elevation. This evidence together with changes in presumed diet-related traits (rostrum length, zygomatic breadth and upper tooth row length) along elevation suggest that selective pressures other than temperature, are playing a more important role shaping the morphological variation across the distribution of the Mountain Treeshrew. Diet, food acquisition, predation pressure, and/or intra- and inter-specific competition, are some of the potential factors driving the phenotypic variation of this study system. The lack of variation in body condition might suggest local adaptation of this species across its elevational range, perhaps due to generalist foraging strategies. Finally, a highly significant temporal effect was detected in several traits but not in others, representing the first phenotypic variation temporal trends described on treeshrews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlo Hinckley
- Conservation & Evolutionary Genetics Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- Division of Mammals, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Departamento de Zoología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- * E-mail: (AH); (JAL)
| | - Ines Sanchez-Donoso
- Conservation & Evolutionary Genetics Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Seville, Spain
| | - Mar Comas
- Conservation & Evolutionary Genetics Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Zoología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Miguel Camacho-Sanchez
- Conservation & Evolutionary Genetics Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- Instituto Andaluz de Investigación y Formación Agraria, Pesquera, Alimentaria y de la Producción Ecológica (IFAPA), Alcalá del Río, Seville, Spain
| | - Melissa T. R. Hawkins
- Division of Mammals, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Noor Haliza Hasan
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Jennifer A. Leonard
- Conservation & Evolutionary Genetics Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Seville, Spain
- * E-mail: (AH); (JAL)
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Li F, Yang S, Zhang L, Qiao L, Wang L, He S, Li J, Yang N, Yue B, Zhou C. Comparative metagenomics analysis reveals how the diet shapes the gut microbiota in several small mammals. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8470. [PMID: 35136548 PMCID: PMC8809447 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiomes of the host are large and complex communities, which helps to maintain homeostasis, improves digestive efficiency, and promotes the development of the immune system. The small mammals distributed in Sichuan Province are the most popular species for biodiversity research in Southwest China. However, the effects of different diets on the structure and function of the gut microbial community of these small mammals are poorly understood. In this study, whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing has been used to analyze the composition and functional structures of the gut microbiota of seven small mammals in Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. Taxonomic classification revealed that the most abundant phyla in the gut of seven small mammals were Bacteroides, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. Moreover, Hafnia, Lactobacillus, and Yersinia were the most abundant genus in the gut microbiomes of these seven species. At the functional level, we annotated a series of KEGG functional pathways, six Cazy categories, and 46,163 AROs in the gut microbiomes of the seven species. Comparative analysis found that the difference in the gut microbiomes between the Soricidea and Muridae concentrated on the increase in the F/B (Firmicutes/Bacteroides) ratio in the Soricidea group, probably driven by the high-fat and -calorie digestive requirements due to their insectivorous diet. The comparative functional profiling revealed that functions related to metabolism and carbohydrates were significantly more abundant in Muridae group, which may be attributed to their high carbohydrate digestion requirements caused by their herbivorous diet. These data suggested that different diets in the host may play an important role in shaping the gut microbiota, and lay the foundation for teasing apart the influences of heritable and environmental factors on the evolution of gut microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education)College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shengzhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education)College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Linwan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education)College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lu Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education)College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education)College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Song He
- Laojunshan National Nature ReserveSichuan ProvincePingshanChina
| | - Jian Li
- Laojunshan National Nature ReserveSichuan ProvincePingshanChina
| | - Nan Yang
- Institute of Qinghai‐Tibetan PlateauSouthwest Minzu UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bisong Yue
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education)College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chuang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education)College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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Motevalli-Haghi SF, Ozbaki GM, Hosseini-Vasoukolaei N, Nikookar SH, Dehghan O, Yazdani-Charati J, Siahsarvie R, Dehbandi R, Fazeli-Dinan M, Enayati A. Rodent Species Diversity and Occurrence of Leishmania in Northeastern Iran. POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3161/15052249pje2021.69.1.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Farzad Motevalli-Haghi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ghorban Mohammad Ozbaki
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasibeh Hosseini-Vasoukolaei
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Hassan Nikookar
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Omid Dehghan
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Jamshid Yazdani-Charati
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute,Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Reza Dehbandi
- Department of Environmental Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Fazeli-Dinan
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmadali Enayati
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Du Y, Fan L, Xu Z, Wen Z, Cai T, Feijo A, Hu J, Lei F, Yang Q, Qiao H. A multi-faceted comparative perspective on elevational beta-diversity: the patterns and their causes. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210343. [PMID: 33878923 PMCID: PMC8059517 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The observed patterns and underlying mechanisms of elevational beta-diversity have been explored intensively, but multi-dimensional comparative studies remain scarce. Herein, across distinct beta-diversity components, dimensions and species groups, we designed a multi-faceted comparative framework aiming to reveal the general rules in the observed patterns and underlying causes of elevational beta-diversity. We have found that: first, the turnover process dominated altitudinal patterns of species beta-diversity (βsim > βsne), whereas the nestedness process appeared relatively more important for elevational trait dissimilarity (βfuncsim < βfuncsne); second, the taxonomic turnover was relative higher than its phylogenetic and functional analogues (βsim > βphylosim/βfuncsim), conversely, nestedness-resultant trait dissimilarity tended to be higher than the taxonomic and phylogenetic measures (βfuncsne > βsne/βphylosne); and third, as elevational distance increased, the contradicting dynamics of environmental filtering and limiting similarity have jointly led the elevational patterns of beta-diversity, especially at taxonomic dimension. Based on these findings, we infer that the species turnover among phylogenetic relatives sharing similar functional attributes appears to be the main cause of shaping the altitudinal patterns of multi-dimensional beta-diversity. Owing to the methodological limitation in the randomization approach, currently, it remains extremely challenging to distinguish the influence of the neutral process from the offset between opposing niche-based processes. Despite the complexities and uncertainties during species assembling, with a multi-dimensional comparative perspective, this work offers us several important commonalities of elevational beta-diversity dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbao Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqing Fan
- National Forest Ecosystem Observation & Research Station of Nyingchi Tibet, Institute of Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau (Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry University), Ministry of Education, Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenghui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control in Yunnan Province, College of Biodiversity Conservation, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixin Wen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianlong Cai
- School of Life Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Anderson Feijo
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junhua Hu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qisen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huijie Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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7
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Song WY, Li XY, Chen ZZ, Li Q, Onditi KO, He SW, Jiang XL. Isolated alpine habitats reveal disparate ecological drivers of taxonomic and functional beta-diversity of small mammal assemblages. Zool Res 2021; 41:670-683. [PMID: 32918407 PMCID: PMC7671915 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The interpretation of patterns of biodiversity requires the disentanglement of geographical and environmental variables. Disjunct alpine communities are geographically isolated from one another but experience similar environmental impacts. Isolated homogenous habitats may promote speciation but constrain functional trait variation. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that dispersal limitation promotes taxonomic divergence, whereas habitat similarity in alpine mountains leads to functional convergence. We performed standardized field investigation to sample non-volant small mammals from 18 prominent alpine sites in the Three Parallel Rivers area. We estimated indices quantifying taxonomic and functional alpha- and beta-diversity, as well as beta-diversity components. We then assessed the respective importance of geographical and environmental predictors in explaining taxonomic and functional compositions. No evidence was found to show that species were more functionally similar than expected in local assemblages. However, the taxonomic turnover components were higher than functional ones (0.471±0.230 vs. 0.243±0.215), with nestedness components showing the opposite pattern (0.063±0.054 vs. 0.269±0.225). This indicated that differences in taxonomic compositions between sites occurred from replacement of functionally similar species. Geographical barriers were the key factor influencing both taxonomic total dissimilarity and turnover components, whereas functional beta-diversity was primarily explained by climatic factors such as minimum temperature of the coldest month. Our findings provide empirical evidence that taxonomic and functional diversity patterns can be independently driven by different ecological processes. Our results point to the importance of clarifying different components of beta-diversity to understand the underlying mechanisms of community assembly. These results also shed light on the assembly rules and ecological processes of terrestrial mammal communities in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China
| | - Xue-You Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China
| | - Zhong-Zheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Recovery and Reconstruction of Degraded Ecosystem in Wanjiang Basin Co-founded by Anhui Province and Ministry of Education, School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000 China
| | - Quan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China
| | - Kenneth Otieno Onditi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China
| | - Shui-Wang He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China
| | - Xue-Long Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223 China. E-mail:
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Martín-Regalado CN, Briones-Salas M, Manríquez-Morán N, Sánchez-Rojas G, Cornejo-Latorre C, Lavariega MC, Moreno CE. Assembly mechanisms and environmental predictors of the phylogenetic diversity of cricetid rodents in southern Mexico. Evol Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-020-10034-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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9
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Taxonomic and functional anuran beta diversity of a subtropical metacommunity respond differentially to environmental and spatial predictors. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214902. [PMID: 31725730 PMCID: PMC6855460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anurans exhibit limited dispersion ability and have physiological and behavioural characteristics that narrow their relationships with both environmental and spatial predictors. So, the relative contributions of environmental and spatial predictors in the patterns of taxonomic and functional anuran beta diversity were examined in a metacommunity of 33 ponds along the coast of south Brazil. We expected that neutral processes and, in particular, niche-based processes could have similar influence on the taxonomic and functional beta diversity patterns. Distance-based methods (db-RDA) with variation partitioning were conducted with abundance data to examine taxonomic and functional facets and components (total, turnover and nestedness) in relation to environmental and spatial predictors. Processes determining metacommunity structure differed between the components of beta diversity and among taxonomic and functional diversity. While taxonomic beta diversity was further accounted by both environmental and spatial predictors, functional beta diversity responded more strongly to spatial predictors. These two contrasting patterns were different to what we had predicted, suggesting that while there is a taxonomic turnover mediated by environmental filters, the spatial distance promotes the trait dissimilarity between sites. In addition, our data confirm that neutral and niche-based processes operate on anuran metacommunities even at short geographic scales. Our results reinforce the idea that studies aiming to evaluate the patterns of structure in metacommunities should include different facets of diversity so that better interpretations can be achieved.
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Martín-Regalado CN, Briones-Salas M, Lavariega MC, Moreno CE. Spatial incongruence in the species richness and functional diversity of cricetid rodents. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217154. [PMID: 31173585 PMCID: PMC6555520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity is multidimensional and different mechanisms can influence different dimensions. The spatial distribution of these dimensions can help in conservation decisions through the location of complementary areas with high diversity. We analyzed congruence in spatial patterns of species richness and functional diversity of cricetid rodents in the state of Oaxaca, southern Mexico, at different scales, and environmental variables related. Potential distribution models were produced for 49 species of cricetids in Maxent and superimposed to obtain potential communities in cells of 25, 50,100, 200 and 400 km2. We estimated species richness (SR) and functional diversity (SES.FD) eliminating the species richness effect through null models. The patterns and spatial congruence of species richness and functional diversity are described. The relationships between the environmental variables (elevation, temperature, precipitation, net primary productivity and potential evapotranspiration) and the SR and SES.FD were explored using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). The highest species richness was found in mountainous ecosystems while the highest functional diversity was in tropical forests, revealing a spatial incongruence among these components of biodiversity (r = -0.14, p = 0.42; Pearson correlation). The locations of the cells of low congruence varied according to spatial resolution. In univariate models, elevation was the variable that best explained species richness (R2 = 0.77). No single variable explained the functional diversity; however, the models that included multiple environmental variables partially explained both the high and low functional diversity. The different patterns suggest that different historic, ecological and environmental processes could be responsible for the community structure of cricetid rodents in Oaxaca. These results indicate that one great challenge to be met to achieve more effective planning for biological conservation is to integrate knowledge regarding the spatial distribution of different dimensions of biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Natalia Martín-Regalado
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, México
| | - Miguel Briones-Salas
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, México
| | - Mario C. Lavariega
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, México
| | - Claudia E. Moreno
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, México
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11
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Balčiauskas L, Amshokova A, Balčiauskienė L, Benedek AM, Cichocki J, Csanády A, DE Mendonça PG, Nistreanu V. Geographical clines in the size of the herb field mouse (Apodemus uralensis). Integr Zool 2019; 15:55-68. [PMID: 31149780 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Patterns of body size variation along geographical gradients have long been searched for and generalized into eco-geographical rules. However, no rodent species has yet been analyzed in relation to the 3 dimensions of latitude, longitude and altitude. We analyzed geographical clines and dimorphism of body and skull size in the herb field mouse (Apodemus uralensis) across the species range, based on field data and on data from the literature. Sexual dimorphism in adult A. uralensis was not expressed at a large scale, while local patterns were inconsistent. Age-dependent size changes were most expressed in adult individuals: most characters of adults exceeded in size those of subadults, while subadult-juvenile size differences were only significant in body weight and length, zygomatic skull width, length of cranial diastema and breadth of braincase. Despite central morphological niches along the clines being separated, A. uralensis populations showed a high degree of size overlap in morphological space. We found the species to be characterized by high size variability, with the largest individuals inhabiting the eastern and southern edges of the distribution range. Tail, hind foot and ear lengths were largest in the southern part of the range, in agreement with Allen's rule. The main measurements that we analyzed, namely body mass, zygomatic skull width and condylobasal skull length, show the presence of 3 clines in the size of adult A. uralensis: (i) a decreasing south-north cline, opposing Bergmann's rule; (ii) an increasing west-east cline, in accordance with Murphy's rule; and (iii) an increasing altitudinal cline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Albina Amshokova
- Tembotov Institute of Ecology of Mountain Territories RAS, Nalchik, Russia
| | | | | | - Jan Cichocki
- University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Alexander Csanády
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia
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12
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Feijó A, Wen Z, Cheng J, Ge D, Xia L, Yang Q. Divergent selection along elevational gradients promotes genetic and phenotypic disparities among small mammal populations. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:7080-7095. [PMID: 31380035 PMCID: PMC6662404 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Species distributed along mountain slopes, facing contrasting habitats in short geographic scale, are of particular interest to test how ecologically based divergent selection promotes phenotypic and genetic disparities as well as to assess isolation-by-environment mechanisms. Here, we conduct the first broad comparative study of phenotypic variation along elevational gradients, integrating a large array of ecological predictors and disentangling population genetic driver processes. The skull form of nine ecologically distinct species distributed over a large altitudinal range (100-4200 m) was compared to assess whether phenotypic divergence is a common phenomenon in small mammals and whether it shows parallel patterns. We also investigated the relative contribution of biotic (competition and predation) and abiotic parameters on phenotypic divergence via mixed models. Finally, we assessed the population genetic structure of a rodent species (Niviventer confucianus) via analysis of molecular variance and FST along three mountain slopes and tested the isolation-by-environment hypothesis using Mantel test and redundancy analysis. We found a consistent phenotypic divergence and marked genetic structure along elevational gradients; however, the species showed mixed patterns of size and skull shape trends across mountain zones. Individuals living at lower altitudes differed greatly in both phenotype and genotype from those living at high elevations, while middle-elevation individuals showed more intermediate forms. The ecological parameters associated with phenotypic divergence along elevation gradients are partly related to species' ecological and evolutionary constraints. Fossorial and solitary animals are mainly affected by climatic factors, while terrestrial and more gregarious species are influenced by biotic and abiotic parameters. A novel finding of our study is that predator richness emerged as an important factor associated with the intraspecific diversification of the mammalian skull along elevational gradients, a previously overlooked parameter. Population genetic structure was mainly driven by environmental heterogeneity along mountain slopes, with no or a week spatial effect, fitting the isolation-by-environment scenario. Our study highlights the strong and multifaceted effects of heterogeneous steep habitats and ecologically based divergent selective forces in small mammal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Feijó
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhixin Wen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jilong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Deyan Ge
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lin Xia
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qisen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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13
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Moradi H, Oldeland J. Climatic stress drives plant functional diversity in the Alborz Mountains, Iran. Ecol Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.1015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Halime Moradi
- Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology University of Hamburg Hamburg Germany
| | - Jens Oldeland
- Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology University of Hamburg Hamburg Germany
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14
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Cheng J, Ge D, Xia L, Wen Z, Zhang Q, Lu L, Yang Q. Phylogeny and taxonomic reassessment of jerboa,Dipus(Rodentia, Dipodinae), in inland Asia. ZOOL SCR 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jilong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Deyan Ge
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Lin Xia
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Zhixin Wen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
| | - Liang Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control; Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases; National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; Beijing China
| | - Qisen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
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15
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Du Y, Wen Z, Zhang J, Lv X, Cheng J, Ge D, Xia L, Yang Q. The roles of environment, space, and phylogeny in determining functional dispersion of rodents (Rodentia) in the Hengduan Mountains, China. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:10941-10951. [PMID: 29299271 PMCID: PMC5743695 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently described trait-based approach is becoming widely popular for a mechanistic understanding of species coexistence. However, the greatest challenge in functional analyses is decomposing the contributions of different ecological and evolutionary processes (e.g., niche-based process, neutral process, and evolutionary process) in determining trait structure. Taking rodents (Rodentia) in the Hengduan Mountains as our study model, we aim to (1) quantify the vertical patterns of functional structure for head-body length (HL), tail/body ratio (TR), animal component in diet (ACD), and all traits; (2) disentangle the relative importance of different assembly processes (environment, space, and phylogeny) in structuring trait dispersion; and (3) assess the feasibility of Bergmann's rule and Allen's rule along elevational gradient. Our results have suggested that the vertical functional structure pattern varied across these three traits, indicating distinct functional roles in the community assembly process. These nonrandom vertical patterns of HL, TR, and terminal ACD have demonstrated these traits were dominated by different ecological process along environmental gradient. In variance partitioning, high proportion of the spatial variations in trait dispersion was explained by environmental and spatial models, which have provided supporting strong evidence for niche-based and neutral processes in leading species coexistence. Although the three traits all exhibited apparent phylogenetic signals, phylogenetic relationship within community failed to predict the spatial variations of functional dispersion, confirming the enormous inference of phylogenetic signals in predicting trait structure. By assessing the vertical patterns of HL and TR at order and family levels, we argued that functional adaptation along an environmental gradient is a surrogate of series of complex processes (e.g., environmental filtering, interspecific interaction, and neutral dispersal) acting on multiple functional axes, which results in inconsistence with the empirical rules along elevational gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanbao Du
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,College of Life Science University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Zhixin Wen
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jinlong Zhang
- Flora Conservation Department Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Xue Lv
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jilong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,College of Life Science University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Deyan Ge
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Lin Xia
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Qisen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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