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Ashe‐Jepson E, Hayes MP, Hitchcock GE, Wingader K, Turner EC, Bladon AJ. Day-flying lepidoptera larvae have a poorer ability to thermoregulate than adults. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10623. [PMID: 37854314 PMCID: PMC10580006 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes to ambient temperatures under climate change may detrimentally impact small ectotherms that rely on their environment for thermoregulation; however, there is currently a limited understanding of insect larval thermoregulation. As holometabolous insects, Lepidoptera differ in morphology, ecology and behaviour across the life cycle, and so it is likely that adults and larvae differ in their capacity to thermoregulate. In this study, we investigated the thermoregulatory capacity (buffering ability) of 14 species of day-flying Lepidoptera, whether this is influenced by body length or gregariousness, and whether it differs between adult and larval life stages. We also investigated what thermoregulation mechanisms are used: microclimate selection (choosing locations with a particular temperature) or behavioural thermoregulation (controlling temperature through other means, such as basking). We found that Lepidoptera larvae differ in their buffering ability between species and body lengths, but gregariousness did not influence buffering ability. Larvae are worse at buffering themselves against changes in air temperature than adults. Therefore Lepidoptera may be more vulnerable to adverse temperature conditions during their larval life stage. Adults and larvae rely on different thermoregulatory mechanisms; adults primarily use behavioural thermoregulation, whereas larvae use microclimate selection. This implies that larvae are highly dependent on the area around their foodplant for effective thermoregulation. These findings have implications for the management of land and species, for example, highlighting the importance of creating and preserving microclimates and vegetation complexity surrounding Lepidoptera foodplants for larval thermoregulation under future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gwen E. Hitchcock
- The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and NorthamptonshireCambridgeUK
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Bladon AJ, Lewis M, Bladon EK, Buckton SJ, Corbett S, Ewing SR, Hayes MP, Hitchcock GE, Knock R, Lucas C, McVeigh A, Menéndez R, Walker JM, Fayle TM, Turner EC. How butterflies keep their cool: Physical and ecological traits influence thermoregulatory ability and population trends. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:2440-2450. [PMID: 32969021 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding which factors influence the ability of individuals to respond to changing temperatures is fundamental to species conservation under climate change. We investigated how a community of butterflies responded to fine-scale changes in air temperature, and whether species-specific responses were predicted by ecological or morphological traits. Using data collected across a UK reserve network, we investigated the ability of 29 butterfly species to buffer thoracic temperature against changes in air temperature. First, we tested whether differences were attributable to taxonomic family, morphology or habitat association. We then investigated the relative importance of two buffering mechanisms: behavioural thermoregulation versus fine-scale microclimate selection. Finally, we tested whether species' responses to changing temperatures predicted their population trends from a UK-wide dataset. We found significant interspecific variation in buffering ability, which varied between families and increased with wing length. We also found interspecific differences in the relative importance of the two buffering mechanisms, with species relying on microclimate selection suffering larger population declines over the last 40 years than those that could alter their temperature behaviourally. Our results highlight the importance of understanding how different species respond to fine-scale temperature variation, and the value of taking microclimate into account in conservation management to ensure favourable conditions are maintained for temperature-sensitive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Bladon
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Lewis
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sam J Buckton
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire, Cambridge, UK.,Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, York, UK
| | | | - Steven R Ewing
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matthew P Hayes
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gwen E Hitchcock
- The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard Knock
- The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire, Cambridge, UK
| | - Colin Lucas
- 49 Mill Road, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9UT, UK
| | - Adam McVeigh
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Rosa Menéndez
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jonah M Walker
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tom M Fayle
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Edgar C Turner
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Turlure C, Schtickzelle N, Dubois Q, Baguette M, Dennis RLH, Van Dyck H. Suitability and Transferability of the Resource-Based Habitat Concept: A Test With an Assemblage of Butterflies. Front Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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4
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Sielezniew M, Kostro‐Ambroziak A, Klimczuk P, Deoniziak K, Pałka K, Nowicki P. Habitat‐related differences in the adult longevity of two ecotypes of a specialized butterfly. J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Sielezniew
- Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Institute of Biology University of Bialystok Białystok Poland
| | - A. Kostro‐Ambroziak
- Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Institute of Biology University of Bialystok Białystok Poland
| | - P. Klimczuk
- Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Institute of Biology University of Bialystok Białystok Poland
| | - K. Deoniziak
- Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology Institute of Biology University of Bialystok Białystok Poland
- Department of Behavioural Ecology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | - K. Pałka
- Department of Comparative Anatomy and Anthropology Maria Curie‐Skłodowska University Lublin Poland
| | - P. Nowicki
- Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University Kraków Poland
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Biz M, Cornelius C, Metzger JPW. Matrix type affects movement behavior of a Neotropical understory forest bird. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Adams MO, Seifert CL, Lehner L, Truxa C, Wanek W, Fiedler K. Stable isotope signatures reflect dietary diversity in European forest moths. Front Zool 2016; 13:37. [PMID: 27555876 PMCID: PMC4994389 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-016-0170-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Information on larval diet of many holometabolous insects remains incomplete. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope analysis in adult wing tissue can provide an efficient tool to infer such trophic relationships. The present study examines whether moth feeding guild affiliations taken from literature are reflected in isotopic signatures. Results Non-metric multidimensional scaling and permutational analysis of variance indicate that centroids of dietary groups differ significantly. In particular, species whose larvae feed on mosses or aquatic plants deviated from those that consumed vascular land plants. Moth δ15N signatures spanned a broader range, and were less dependent on species identity than δ13C values. Comparison between moth samples and ostensible food sources revealed heterogeneity in the lichenivorous guild, indicating only Lithosia quadra as an obligate lichen feeder. Among root-feeding Agrotis segetum, some specimens appear to have developed on crop plants in forest-adjacent farm land. Reed-feeding stem-borers may partially rely on intermediary trophic levels such as fungal or bacterial growth. Conclusion Diagnostic partitioning of moth dietary guilds based on isotopic signatures alone could not be achieved, but hypotheses on trophic relationships based on often vague literature records could be assessed with high resolution. Hence, the approach is well suited for basic categorization of moths where diet is unknown or notoriously difficult to observe (i.e. Microlepidoptera, lichen-feeders). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12983-016-0170-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Oliver Adams
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Carlo Lutz Seifert
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria ; Biology Center, Institute of Entomology, University of South Bohemia and Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovska 31, 37005 Česke Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Lisamarie Lehner
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Truxa
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Wanek
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Konrad Fiedler
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Noreika N, Kotiaho JS, Penttinen J, Punttila P, Vuori A, Pajunen T, Autio O, Loukola OJ, Kotze DJ. Rapid recovery of invertebrate communities after ecological restoration of boreal mires. Restor Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Norbertas Noreika
- Department of Biosciences; University of Helsinki; PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1) FI-00014 Helsinki Finland
- Department of Environmental Sciences; University of Helsinki; PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 2a) FI-00014 Helsinki Finland
| | - Janne S. Kotiaho
- Department of Biology & Environmental Sciences; University of Jyväskylä; PO Box 35 FI-40014 Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Jouni Penttinen
- Metsähallitus; Parks & Wildlife Finland; Kalevankatu 8 (PL 36) FI-40100 Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Pekka Punttila
- Finnish Environment Institute; PO Box 140 FI-00251 Helsinki Finland
| | - Anna Vuori
- Department of Biology & Environmental Sciences; University of Jyväskylä; PO Box 35 FI-40014 Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Timo Pajunen
- Finnish Museum of Natural History; University of Helsinki; PO Box 17 FI-00014 Helsinki Finland
| | - Olli Autio
- Centre for Economic Development; Transport and the Environment in South Ostrobothnia; PO Box 252 FI-65101 Vaasa Finland
| | - Olli J. Loukola
- Department of Biology; University of Oulu; PO Box 3000 FI-90014 Oulu Finland
| | - D. Johan Kotze
- Department of Environmental Sciences; University of Helsinki; PO Box 65 (Viikinkaari 2a) FI-00014 Helsinki Finland
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Thermoregulation and microhabitat use in mountain butterflies of the genus Erebia: Importance of fine-scale habitat heterogeneity. J Therm Biol 2014; 41:50-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Integrating life stages into ecological niche models: a case study on tiger beetles. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70038. [PMID: 23894582 PMCID: PMC3720956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed understanding of a species' natural history and environmental needs across spatial scales is a primary requisite for effective conservation planning, particularly for species with complex life cycles in which different life stages occupy different niches and respond to the environment at different scales. However, niche models applied to conservation often neglect early life stages and are mostly performed at broad spatial scales. Using the endangered heath tiger beetle (Cicindela sylvatica) as a model species, we relate presence/absence and abundance data of locally dispersing adults and sedentary larvae to abiotic and biotic variables measured in a multiscale approach within the geographic extent relevant to active conservation management. At the scale of hundreds of meters, fine-grained abiotic conditions (i.e., vegetation structure) are fundamental determinants of the occurrence of both life stages, whereas the effect of biotic factors is mostly contained in the abiotic signature. The combination of dense heath vegetation and bare ground areas is thus the first requirement for the species' preservation, provided that accessibility to the suitable habitat is ensured. At a smaller scale (centimetres), the influence of abiotic factors on larval occurrence becomes negligible, suggesting the existence of important additional variables acting within larval proximity. Sustained significant correlations between neighbouring larvae in the models provide an indication of the potential impact of neighbourhood crowding on the larval niche within a few centimetres. Since the species spends the majority of its life cycle in the larval stage, it is essential to consider the hierarchical abiotic and biotic processes affecting the larvae when designing practical conservation guidelines for the species. This underlines the necessity for a more critical evaluation of the consequences of disregarding niche variation between life stages when estimating niches and addressing effective conservation measures for species with complex life cycles.
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Radchuk V, Johst K, Groeneveld J, Grimm V, Schtickzelle N. Behind the scenes of population viability modeling: Predicting butterfly metapopulation dynamics under climate change. Ecol Modell 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2013.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Radchuk V, Turlure C, Schtickzelle N. Each life stage matters: the importance of assessing the response to climate change over the complete life cycle in butterflies. J Anim Ecol 2012; 82:275-85. [PMID: 22924795 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02029.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 07/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
As ectothermic organisms, butterflies have widely been used as models to explore the predicted impacts of climate change. However, most studies explore only one life stage; to our best knowledge, none have integrated the impact of temperature on the vital rates of all life stages for a species of conservation concern. Besides, most population viability analysis models for butterflies are based on yearly population growth rate, precluding the implementation and assessment of important climate change scenarios, where climate change occurs mainly, or differently, during some seasons. Here, we used a combination of laboratory and field experiments to quantify the impact of temperature on all life stages of a vulnerable glacial relict butterfly. Next, we integrated these impacts into an overall population response using a deterministic periodic matrix model and explored the impact of several climate change scenarios. Temperature positively affected egg, pre-diapause larva and pupal survival, and the number of eggs laid by a female; only the survival of overwintering larva was negatively affected by an increase in temperature. Despite the positive impact of warming on many life stages, population viability was reduced under all scenarios, with predictions of much shorter times to extinction than under the baseline (current temperature situation) scenario. Indeed, model predictions were the most sensitive to changes in survival of overwintering larva, the only stage negatively affected by warming. A proper consideration of every stage of the life cycle is important when designing conservation guidelines in the light of climate change. This is in line with the resource-based habitat view, which explicitly refers to the habitat as a collection of resources needed for all life stages of the species. We, therefore, encourage adopting a resource-based habitat view for population viability analysis and development of conservation guidelines for butterflies, and more generally, other organisms. Life stages that are cryptic or difficult to study should not be forsaken as they may be key determinants in the overall response to climate change, as we found with overwintering Boloria eunomia larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriia Radchuk
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Earth & Life Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Place Croix du Sud, 4, L7.07.04, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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