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Horn K, Shidemantle G, Velasquez I, Ronan E, Blackwood J, Reinke BA, Hua J. Evaluating the interactive effects of artificial light at night and background color on tadpole crypsis, background adaptation efficacy, and growth. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:122056. [PMID: 37343910 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a global pollutant of rising concern. While alterations to natural day-night cycles caused by ALAN can affect a variety of traits, the broader fitness and ecological implications of these ALAN-induced shifts remain unclear. This study evaluated the interactive effects of ALAN and background color on traits that have important implications for predator-prey interactions and fitness: crypsis, background adaptation efficacy, and growth. Using three amphibian species as our models, we discovered that: (1) Exposure to ALAN reduced the ability for some species to match their backgrounds (background adaptation efficacy), (2) Crypsis and background adaptation efficacy were enhanced when tadpoles were exposed to dark backgrounds only, emphasizing the importance of environmental context when evaluating the effects of ALAN, (3) ALAN and background color have a combined effect on a common metric of fitness (growth), and (4) Effects of ALAN were not generalizable across amphibian species, supporting calls for more studies that utilize a diversity of species. Notably, to our knowledge, we found the first evidence that ALAN can diminish background adaptation efficacy in an amphibian species (American toad tadpoles). Collectively, our study joins others in highlighting the complex effects of ALAN on wildlife and underscores the challenges of generalizing ALAN's effect across species, emphasizing the need for a greater diversity of species and approaches used in ALAN research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Horn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA.
| | - Grascen Shidemantle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Isabela Velasquez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA; Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Emily Ronan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Jurnee Blackwood
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Beth A Reinke
- Department of Biology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL 60625, USA
| | - Jessica Hua
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA; Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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Phenotypic Plasticity in Juvenile Frogs That Experienced Predation Pressure as Tadpoles Does Not Alter Their Locomotory Performance. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030341. [PMID: 36979033 PMCID: PMC10045024 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Anuran species can respond to environmental changes via phenotypic plasticity, which can also result in ecological impacts across the life history of such species. We investigated the effects of predation pressure (i.e., the non-consumption effect) from the dragonfly larva (Anax parthenope) on the phenotypical change of tadpoles into juvenile frogs (specifically the black-spotted pond frog, Pelophylax nigromaculatus), and also analyzed the impact of morphological changes on locomotory performance after metamorphosis. The experiments on predator impact were conducted in the laboratory. Body length, weight, development timing, and metamorphosis timing in the presence of dragonfly nymphs were measured in both tadpoles and juvenile frogs. The body and tail shapes of the tadpoles, as well as the skeletal shape of the juvenile frogs, were analyzed using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. Furthermore, the locomotory performance of the juvenile frogs was tested by measuring their jumping and swimming speeds. Tadpoles that had grown with predators possessed smaller bodies, deeper tail fins, and slower development rates, and they waited longer periods of time before commencing metamorphosis. Having said this, however, the effect of predator cues on the body length and weight of juvenile frogs was not found to be significant. These juvenile frogs possessed longer limbs and narrower skulls, with subtle morphological changes in the pelvis and ilium, but there was no subsequent difference in their swimming and jumping speeds. Our results showed that the changes in anatomical traits that can affect locomotor performance are so subtle that they do not affect the jumping or swimming speeds. Therefore, we support the view that these morphological changes are thus by-products of an altered tadpole period, rather than an adaptive response to predator-escape ability or to post-metamorphosis life history. On the other hand, delayed metamorphosis, without an increase in body size, may still be disadvantageous to the reproduction, growth, and survival of frogs in their life history following metamorphosis.
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Shidemantle G, Blackwood J, Horn K, Velasquez I, Ronan E, Reinke B, Hua J. The morphological effects of artificial light at night on amphibian predators and prey are masked at the community level. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119604. [PMID: 35691446 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a pervasive pollutant that influences wildlife at both the individual and community level. In this study, we tested the individual-level effects of ALAN on three species of tadpole prey and their newt predators by measuring prey pigmentation and predator and prey mass. Then we evaluated whether the individual-level effects of ALAN on pigmentation and mass had cascading community-level effects by assessing the outcome of predator-prey interactions. We found that spring peepers exposed to ALAN were significantly darker than those reared under control conditions. Additionally, wood frogs reared in ALAN conditions were significantly smaller than those reared in control conditions. In contrast, Eastern newts collected earlier in the spring that were exposed to ALAN were significantly larger than controls while those collected later in the spring were not affected by ALAN, suggesting phenological differences in the effect of ALAN. To understand how changes in pigmentation and size due to ALAN influence predation rates, we ran predation assays in both ALAN-polluted and ALAN-free outdoor environments. After the predation assay, the size disparity in wood frogs reared in ALAN was eliminated such that there was no longer a treatment difference in wood frog size, likely due to size-selective predation. This demonstrates the beneficial nature of predators' selective pressure on prey populations. Lastly, despite individual-level effects of ALAN on pigmentation and mass, we did not detect cascading community-level effects on predation rates. Overall, this study highlights important species-level distinctions in the effects of ALAN. It also emphasizes the need to incorporate ecological complexity to understand the net impact of ALAN.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jurnee Blackwood
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Kelsey Horn
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Isabela Velasquez
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Emily Ronan
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Beth Reinke
- Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N St Louis Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, USA
| | - Jessica Hua
- Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Pkway East, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
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Pu YC, Wang R, Liu HH, Lu SP, Tang FX, Hou YM. Immunosenescence along with direct physiological allocation trade-offs between life history and immunity in the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 123:104143. [PMID: 34051204 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent works have generally indicated that insects exhibit two immune response strategies: external and internal immune defense. However, the immune-related trade-offs and physiological regulatory mechanisms in red palm weevil, a major invasive pest, remain unclear. Based on postinfection survivorship experiments, we initially measured baseline constitutive external immunity (antibacterial activity of external secretions) and internal immunity (phenoloxidase and antibacterial activity of hemolymph) in uninfected individuals. Then, we challenged the individual immune system and examined subsequent investment in immune function. Our data showed that multiple factors (instar, age, sex, mating status, immune treatment) interacted to affect immune components and infection outcomes, but the magnitude and nature of the impact varied in each case. Although immune senescence is a common phenomenon in which immune function decreases with age, different components of the immune system changed differentially. Notably, mating activity may impose an immunity-related cost, with some evidence of sexual dimorphism and age-associated differences. Finally, parameters related to life-history traits usually decreased temporarily because of increased immunity, suggesting that the ultimate consequences of immune function fitness may be physiologically traded off with other fitness aspects, including growth, development, mating, reproduction, and longevity. These results reveal the complex factors that impact immunity as well as the physiological regulation of individual immunity, which may determine the evolution and outcome of immune senescence and trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Pu
- School of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou, Fujian, 363000, China; State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - Hui-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - Sheng-Ping Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - Fan-Xi Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - You-Ming Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Ecology, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China.
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Neptune TC, Bouchard SS. Predation and competition induce variable organ size trade‐offs in larval anurans. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. C. Neptune
- Department of Biology and Earth Science Otterbein University Westerville OH USA
| | - S. S. Bouchard
- Department of Biology and Earth Science Otterbein University Westerville OH USA
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Ramamonjisoa N, Mori A. Growth, developmental, and size structure responses in tadpole prey under increasing threat from gape-limited newts. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Size variability within a cohort can have profound effects on community ecology and evolution. Although competition for resources generally increases size variability, the effect of (non-consumptive) predation on this demographic trait remains relatively poorly understood. Existing models suggest a positive correlation between growth rate (mediated by resource level) and expression of size variability (as measured by the coefficient of variation) in prey cohorts. We tested this prediction by exposing the tadpoles of the Japanese Forest Green Treefrog (Rhacophorus arboreus (Okada and Kawano, 1924) = Zhangixalus arboreus (Okada and Kawano, 1924)) to the non-lethal presence of gape-limited Japanese Fire-bellied Newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster (Boie, 1826)) at low and high predator densities in an outdoor mesocosm experiment. Tadpole growth rates and periphyton biomass increased with newt density. But in contrast to prediction, elevated growth rates did not increase but, reversely, decreased cohort size variability in the tadpoles. We discuss two potential mechanisms behind this outcome. First, increased resource availability mediated by predator feeding may have reduced the strength of competition, ultimately leading to more evenly distributed resource gains among individuals; second, if smaller individuals grew relatively faster than larger individuals, as to quicken entry to a size refuge against the gape-limited predator, then inter-individual size differences could diminish over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelikanto Ramamonjisoa
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
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Ramamonjisoa N, Mori A. Temporal variation in behavioral responses to dietary cues from a gape‐limited predator in tadpole prey: A test of the phylogenetic relatedness hypothesis. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Akira Mori
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
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Predation decreases cohort foraging activity and growth, yet increases individual size variation in prey. Evol Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-019-09977-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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