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Chen A, Wang Q, Zhao X, Wang G, Zhang X, Ren X, Zhang Y, Cheng X, Yu X, Mei X, Wang H, Guo M, Jiang X, Wei G, Wang X, Jiang R, Guo X, Ning Z, Qu L. Molecular genetic foundation of a sex-linked tailless trait in Hongshan chicken by whole genome data analysis. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103685. [PMID: 38603937 PMCID: PMC11017342 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103685] [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] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
As a Chinese local chicken breed, Hongshan chickens have 2 kinds of tail feather phenotypes, normal and taillessness. Our previous studies showed that taillessness was a sex-linked dominant trait. Abnormal development of the tail vertebrae could be explained this phenomenon in some chicken breeds. However, the number of caudal vertebrae in rumpless Hongshan chickens was normal, so rumplessness in Hongshan chicken was not related to the development of the caudal vertebrae. Afterwards, we found that rumplessness in Hongshan was due to abnormal development of tail feather rather than abnormal development of caudal vertebrae. In order to understand the genetic foundation of the rumplessness of Hongshan chickens, we compared and reanalyzed 2 sets of data in normal and rumpless Hongshan chickens from our previous studies. By joint analysis of genome-wide selection signature analysis and genome-wide association approach, we found that 1 overlapping gene (EDIL3) and 16 peak genes (ENSGALG00000051843, ENSGALG00000053498, ENSGALG00000054800, KIF27, PTPRD, ENSGALG00000047579, ENSGALG00000041052, ARHGEF28, CAMK4, SERINC5, ENSGALG00000050776, ERCC8, MCC, ADAMTS19, ENSGALG00000053322, CHRNA8) located on the Z chromosome was associated with the rumpless trait. The results of this study furtherly revealed the molecular mechanism of the rumpless trait in Hongshan chickens, and identified the candidate genes associated with this trait. Our results will help to improve the shape of chicken tail feathers and to rise individual economic value in some specific market in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Chen
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xiurong Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Gang Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xinye Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xufang Ren
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yalan Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xue Cheng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaofan Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaohan Mei
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huie Wang
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
| | - Menghan Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoyu Jiang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guozhen Wei
- Qingliu Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Aquatic Products Center, Sanming, China
| | - Xue Wang
- VVBK Animal Medical Diagnostic Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Runshen Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xing Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhonghua Ning
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lujiang Qu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China.
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2
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Laumer IB, Rahman A, Rahmaeti T, Azhari U, Hermansyah, Atmoko SSU, Schuppli C. Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8932. [PMID: 38698007 PMCID: PMC11066025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58988-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Although self-medication in non-human animals is often difficult to document systematically due to the difficulty of predicting its occurrence, there is widespread evidence of such behaviors as whole leaf swallowing, bitter pith chewing, and fur rubbing in African great apes, orangutans, white handed gibbons, and several other species of monkeys in Africa, Central and South America and Madagascar. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one report of active wound treatment in non-human animals, namely in chimpanzees. We observed a male Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) who sustained a facial wound. Three days after the injury he selectively ripped off leaves of a liana with the common name Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria), chewed on them, and then repeatedly applied the resulting juice onto the facial wound. As a last step, he fully covered the wound with the chewed leaves. Found in tropical forests of Southeast Asia, this and related liana species are known for their analgesic, antipyretic, and diuretic effects and are used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, such as dysentery, diabetes, and malaria. Previous analyses of plant chemical compounds show the presence of furanoditerpenoids and protoberberine alkaloids, which are known to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant, and other biological activities of relevance to wound healing. This possibly innovative behavior presents the first systematically documented case of active wound treatment with a plant species know to contain biologically active substances by a wild animal and provides new insights into the origins of human wound care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle B Laumer
- Development and Evolution of Cognition Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Arif Rahman
- Department of Biology, Graduate Program, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, 12520, Indonesia
| | - Tri Rahmaeti
- Department of Biology, Graduate Program, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, 12520, Indonesia
| | | | - Hermansyah
- Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL), Medan, Indonesia
| | | | - Caroline Schuppli
- Development and Evolution of Cognition Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
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3
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Knutie SA, Webster CN, Vaziri GJ, Albert L, Harvey JA, LaRue M, Verrett TB, Soldo A, Koop JAH, Chaves JA, Wegrzyn JL. Urban living can rescue Darwin's finches from the lethal effects of invasive vampire flies. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17145. [PMID: 38273516 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Human activity changes multiple factors in the environment, which can have positive or negative synergistic effects on organisms. However, few studies have explored the causal effects of multiple anthropogenic factors, such as urbanization and invasive species, on animals and the mechanisms that mediate these interactions. This study examines the influence of urbanization on the detrimental effect of invasive avian vampire flies (Philornis downsi) on endemic Darwin's finches in the Galápagos Islands. We experimentally manipulated nest fly abundance in urban and non-urban locations and then characterized nestling health, fledging success, diet, and gene expression patterns related to host defense. Fledging success of non-parasitized nestlings from urban (79%) and non-urban (75%) nests did not differ significantly. However, parasitized, non-urban nestlings lost more blood, and fewer nestlings survived (8%) compared to urban nestlings (50%). Stable isotopic values (δ15 N) from urban nestling feces were higher than those from non-urban nestlings, suggesting that urban nestlings are consuming more protein. δ15 N values correlated negatively with parasite abundance, which suggests that diet might influence host defenses (e.g., tolerance and resistance). Parasitized, urban nestlings differentially expressed genes within pathways associated with red blood cell production (tolerance) and pro-inflammatory response (innate immunological resistance), compared to parasitized, non-urban nestlings. In contrast, parasitized non-urban nestlings differentially expressed genes within pathways associated with immunoglobulin production (adaptive immunological resistance). Our results suggest that urban nestlings are investing more in pro-inflammatory responses to resist parasites but also recovering more blood cells to tolerate blood loss. Although non-urban nestlings are mounting an adaptive immune response, it is likely a last effort by the immune system rather than an effective defense against avian vampire flies since few nestlings survived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Knutie
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Cynthia N Webster
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Grace J Vaziri
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lauren Albert
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Johanna A Harvey
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Michelle LaRue
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Taylor B Verrett
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Alexandria Soldo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jennifer A H Koop
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA
| | - Jaime A Chaves
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jill L Wegrzyn
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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4
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Terrill RS, Shultz AJ. Feather function and the evolution of birds. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:540-566. [PMID: 36424880 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The ability of feathers to perform many functions either simultaneously or at different times throughout the year or life of a bird is integral to the evolutionary history of birds. Many studies focus on single functions of feathers, but any given feather performs many functions over its lifetime. These functions necessarily interact with each other throughout the evolution and development of birds, so our knowledge of avian evolution is incomplete without understanding the multifunctionality of feathers, and how different functions may act synergistically or antagonistically during natural selection. Here, we review how feather functions interact with avian evolution, with a focus on recent technological and discovery-based advances. By synthesising research into feather functions over hierarchical scales (pattern, arrangement, macrostructure, microstructure, nanostructure, molecules), we aim to provide a broad context for how the adaptability and multifunctionality of feathers have allowed birds to diversify into an astounding array of environments and life-history strategies. We suggest that future research into avian evolution involving feather function should consider multiple aspects of a feather, including multiple functions, seasonal wear and renewal, and ecological or mechanical interactions. With this more holistic view, processes such as the evolution of avian coloration and flight can be understood in a broader and more nuanced context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S Terrill
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, 1600 Campus rd., Los Angeles, CA, 90042, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA, 95382, USA
| | - Allison J Shultz
- Ornithology Department, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
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5
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Bulgarella M, Lincango MP, Lahuatte PF, Oliver JD, Cahuana A, Ramírez IE, Sage R, Colwitz AJ, Freund DA, Miksanek JR, Moon RD, Causton CE, Heimpel GE. Persistence of the invasive bird-parasitic fly Philornis downsi over the host interbreeding period in the Galapagos Islands. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2325. [PMID: 35149738 PMCID: PMC8837626 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06208-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many parasites of seasonally available hosts must persist through times of the year when hosts are unavailable. In tropical environments, host availability is often linked to rainfall, and adaptations of parasites to dry periods remain understudied. The bird-parasitic fly Philornis downsi has invaded the Galapagos Islands and is causing high mortality of Darwin's finches and other bird species, and the mechanisms by which it was able to invade the islands are of great interest to conservationists. In the dry lowlands, this fly persists over a seven-month cool season when availability of hosts is very limited. We tested the hypothesis that adult flies could survive from one bird-breeding season until the next by using a pterin-based age-grading method to estimate the age of P. downsi captured during and between bird-breeding seasons. This study showed that significantly older flies were present towards the end of the cool season, with ~ 5% of captured females exhibiting estimated ages greater than seven months. However, younger flies also occurred during the cool season suggesting that some fly reproduction occurs when host availability is low. We discuss the possible ecological mechanisms that could allow for such a mixed strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Bulgarella
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - M Piedad Lincango
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Paola F Lahuatte
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Jonathan D Oliver
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Andrea Cahuana
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Ismael E Ramírez
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Roxanne Sage
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Alyssa J Colwitz
- Biology Department, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | - Deborah A Freund
- Biology Department, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | - James R Miksanek
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Roger D Moon
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Charlotte E Causton
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - George E Heimpel
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
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6
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Martina C, Krenn L, Krupicka L, Yamada H, Hood-Nowotny R, Lahuatte PF, Yar J, Schwemhofer T, Fischer B, Causton CE, Tebbich S. Evaluating Volatile Plant Compounds of Psidium galapageium (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) as Repellents Against Invasive Parasitic Diptera in the Galapagos Islands. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:89-98. [PMID: 34761264 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjab183] [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: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant-based repellents represent a safe, economic, and viable alternative to managing invasive insects that threaten native fauna. Observations of self-medication in animals can provide important cues to the medicinal properties of plants. A recent study in the Galapagos Islands found that Darwin's finches apply the leaves of Psidium galapageium (Hooker 1847) to their feathers, extracts of which were repellent to mosquitoes and the parasitic fly Philornis downsi (Dodge & Aitkens 1968; Diptera: Muscidae). Introduced mosquitoes are suspected vectors of avian pathogens in the Galapagos Islands, whereas the larvae of P. downsi are blood-feeders, causing significant declines of the endemic avifauna. In this study, we investigated the volatile compounds found in P. galapageium, testing each against a model organism, the mosquito Anopheles arabiensis (Patton 1905; Diptera: Culicidae), with the aim of singling out the most effective compound for repelling dipterans. Examinations of an ethanolic extract of P. galapageium, its essential oil and each of their respective fractions, revealed a mixture of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, the latter consisting mainly of guaiol, trans-nerolidol, and β-eudesmol. Of these, trans-nerolidol was identified as the most effective repellent to mosquitoes. This was subsequently tested at four different concentrations against P. downsi, but we did not find a repellence response. A tendency to avoid the compound was observed, albeit significance was not achieved in any case. The lack of repellence suggests that flies may respond to a combination of the volatile compounds found in P. galapageium, rather than to a single compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Martina
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Insect Pest Control Section, International Atomic Energy Agency, 1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Krenn
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - L Krupicka
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - H Yamada
- Insect Pest Control Section, International Atomic Energy Agency, 1400, Vienna, Austria
| | - R Hood-Nowotny
- Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - P F Lahuatte
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - J Yar
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - T Schwemhofer
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - B Fischer
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Unit for Theoretical Biology, University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - C E Causton
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - S Tebbich
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Valentova JV, Mafra AL, Varella MAC. Enhancing the Evolutionary Science of Self-Presentation Modification. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:79-84. [PMID: 33738591 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-01975-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslava Varella Valentova
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Mello de Morais, 1721 - Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil.
| | - Anthonieta Looman Mafra
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Mello de Morais, 1721 - Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Correa Varella
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Mello de Morais, 1721 - Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil
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Kleindorfer S, Common LK, O'Connor JA, Garcia-Loor J, Katsis AC, Dudaniec RY, Colombelli-Négrel D, Adreani NM. Female in-nest attendance predicts the number of ectoparasites in Darwin's finch species. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211668. [PMID: 34905711 PMCID: PMC8670954 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Selection should act on parental care and favour parental investment decisions that optimize the number of offspring produced. Such predictions have been robustly tested in predation risk contexts, but less is known about alternative functions of parental care under conditions of parasitism. The avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi) is a myasis-causing ectoparasite accidentally introduced to the Galápagos Islands, and one of the major mortality causes in Darwin's finch nests. With an 11-year dataset spanning 21 years, we examine the relationship between parental care behaviours and number of fly larvae and pupae in Darwin's finch nests. We do so across three host species (Camarhynchus parvulus, C. pauper, Geospiza fuliginosa) and one hybrid Camarhynchus group. Nests with longer female brooding duration (minutes per hour spent sitting on hatchlings to provide warmth) had fewer parasites, and this effect depended on male food delivery to chicks. Neither male age nor number of nest provisioning visits were directly associated with number of parasites. While the causal mechanisms remain unknown, we provide the first empirical study showing that female brooding duration is negatively related to the number of ectoparasites in nests. We predict selection for coordinated host male and female behaviour to reduce gaps in nest attendance, especially under conditions of novel and introduced ectoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Kleindorfer
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behavior and Cognition and Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Lauren K. Common
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia
| | | | - Jefferson Garcia-Loor
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behavior and Cognition and Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Andrew C. Katsis
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia
| | - Rachael Y. Dudaniec
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia
| | | | - Nico M. Adreani
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behavior and Cognition and Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
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9
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Pike CL, Ramirez IE, Anchundia DJ, Fessl B, Heimpel GE, Causton CE. Behavior of the Avian Parasite Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) in and Near Host Nests in the Galapagos Islands. JOURNAL OF INSECT BEHAVIOR 2021; 34:296-311. [PMID: 35153376 PMCID: PMC8813692 DOI: 10.1007/s10905-021-09789-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The Avian Vampire Fly, Philornis downsi, has invaded the Galapagos Islands, where it causes high mortality of endemic and native landbird species, including most species of Darwin's finches. Control methods are under development, but key information is missing about the reproductive biology of P. downsi and the behavior of flies in and near nests of their hosts. We used external and internal nest cameras to record the behavior of P. downsi adults within and outside nests of the Galapagos Flycatcher, Myiarchus magnirostris, throughout all stages of the nesting cycle. These recordings showed that P. downsi visited flycatcher nests throughout the day with higher fly activity during the nestling phase during vespertine hours. The observations also revealed that multiple P. downsi individuals can visit nests concurrently, and that there are some interactions among these flies within the nest. Fly visitation to nests occurred significantly more often while parent birds were away from the nest than in the nest, and this timing appears to be a strategy to avoid predation by parent birds. We report fly mating behavior outside the nest but not in the nest cavity. We discuss the relevance of these findings for the adaptive forces shaping P. downsi life history strategies as well as rearing and control measures. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10905-021-09789-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney L. Pike
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Ecuador
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Vienna Austria
| | | | - David J. Anchundia
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Ecuador
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Vienna Austria
| | - Birgit Fessl
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Ecuador
| | | | - Charlotte E. Causton
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Ecuador
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10
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Tebbich S, Schwemhofer T, Fischer B, Pike C. Darwin’s finches habitually anoint their feathers with leaves of the endemic tree
Psidium galapageium
during the non‐breeding season. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Tebbich
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Timo Schwemhofer
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Barbara Fischer
- Department of Evolutionary Biology Unit for Theoretical Biology University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Courtney Pike
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology University of Vienna Vienna Austria
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11
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Timing of infestation influences virulence and parasite success in a dynamic multi-host-parasite interaction between the invasive parasite, Philornis downsi, and Darwin's finches. Oecologia 2020; 195:249-259. [PMID: 33258992 PMCID: PMC7882474 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04807-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently commenced host–parasite interactions provide an excellent opportunity to study co-evolutionary processes. Multi-host systems are especially informative because variation in virulence between hosts and temporal changes provides insight into evolutionary dynamics. However, empirical data under natural conditions are scarce. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between Darwin’s finches and the invasive fly Philornis downsi whose larvae feed on the blood of nestlings. Recently, however, the fly has changed its behavior and now also attacks incubating females. Two sympatric hosts are affected differently by the parasite and parasite load has changed over time. Our study observed a reversal of trends described two decades ago: while, currently, small tree finches (Camarhynchus parvulus) experience significantly higher parasite load than warbler finches (Certhidea olivacea), this was the opposite two decades ago. Currently, fledging success is higher in warbler finches compared to small tree finches. Our data indicate that not only intensity but also timing of infestation influences hosts’ reproductive success and parasite fitness. During incubation, prevalence was higher in warbler finches, but once chicks had hatched, prevalence was 100% in both species and parasite load was higher in small tree finches. Furthermore, our results suggest faster development and higher reproductive success of P. downsi in small tree finch nests. A change in host preference driven by larvae competition could have led to the reversal in parasite load.
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Understanding the genetic diversity of the guayabillo (Psidium galapageium), an endemic plant of the Galapagos Islands. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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Population structure of a nest parasite of Darwin’s finches within its native and invasive ranges. CONSERV GENET 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-020-01315-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Ducatez S, Lefebvre L, Sayol F, Audet JN, Sol D. Host Cognition and Parasitism in Birds: A Review of the Main Mechanisms. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Common LK, O'Connor JA, Dudaniec RY, Peters KJ, Kleindorfer S. Evidence for rapid downward fecundity selection in an ectoparasite (Philornis downsi) with earlier host mortality in Darwin's finches. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:524-533. [PMID: 31961983 PMCID: PMC7217188 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Fecundity selection is a critical component of fitness and a major driver of adaptive evolution. Trade‐offs between parasite mortality and host resources are likely to impose a selection pressure on parasite fecundity, but this is little studied in natural systems. The ‘fecundity advantage hypothesis’ predicts female‐biased sexual size dimorphism whereby larger females produce more offspring. Parasitic insects are useful for exploring the interplay between host resource availability and parasite fecundity, because female body size is a reliable proxy for fecundity in insects. Here we explore temporal changes in body size in the myiasis‐causing parasite Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) on the Galápagos Islands under conditions of earlier in‐nest host mortality. We aim to investigate the effects of decreasing host resources on parasite body size and fecundity. Across a 12‐year period, we observed a mean of c. 17% P. downsi mortality in host nests with 55 ± 6.2% host mortality and a trend of c. 66% higher host mortality throughout the study period. Using specimens from 116 Darwin's finch nests (Passeriformes: Thraupidae) and 114 traps, we found that over time, P. downsi pupae mass decreased by c. 32%, and male (c. 6%) and female adult size (c. 11%) decreased. Notably, females had c. 26% smaller abdomens in later years, and female abdomen size was correlated with number of eggs. Our findings imply natural selection for faster P. downsi pupation and consequently smaller body size and lower parasite fecundity in this newly evolving host–parasite system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren K Common
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jody A O'Connor
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department for Environment and Water, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Rachael Y Dudaniec
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katharina J Peters
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sonia Kleindorfer
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Konrad Lorenz Research Center for Behaviour and Cognition and Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Causton CE, Moon RD, Cimadom A, Boulton RA, Cedeño D, Lincango MP, Tebbich S, Ulloa A. Population dynamics of an invasive bird parasite, Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae), in the Galapagos Islands. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224125. [PMID: 31626686 PMCID: PMC6874344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasive parasitic fly, Philornis downsi (Muscidae), is one of the greatest threats to the avifauna of the Galapagos Islands. The larvae of this fly feed on the blood and tissues of developing nestlings of at least 18 endemic and native birds. The aim of the current study was to investigate biotic and abiotic factors that may influence the population dynamics of this invasive parasite. To study the influence of vegetation zone and related climatic factors on fly numbers, a bi-weekly monitoring program using papaya-baited traps was carried out at a dry, lowland site and at a humid, highland site on Santa Cruz Island between 2012-2014. Female flies, a large proportion of which were inseminated and gravid, were collected throughout the year at both sites, indicating females were active during and between the bird breeding seasons. This is the first evidence that female flies are able to persist even when hosts are scarce. On the other hand, catch rates of male flies declined between bird breeding seasons. Overall, catch rates of P. downsi were higher in the drier, lowland habitat, which may be a consequence of host or resource availability. Time was a stronger predictor of adult fly numbers than climate, further suggesting that P. downsi does not appear to be limited by its environment, but rather by host availability. Seasonal catch rates suggested that populations in both habitats were continuous and multivoltine. Numbers of adult female flies appeared to be regulated chiefly by simple direct density dependence, and may be governed by availability of bird nests with nestlings. Nevertheless, confounding factors such as the existence of reservoir hosts that perpetuate fly populations and changes in behavior of P. downsi may increase the vulnerability of bird hosts that are already IUCN red-listed or in decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E. Causton
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora,
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Roger D. Moon
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United
States of America
| | - Arno Cimadom
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna,
Austria
| | - Rebecca A. Boulton
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter,
Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Cedeño
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora,
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - María Piedad Lincango
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora,
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Facultad De Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Central Del Ecuador, Quito,
Pichincha, Ecuador
| | - Sabine Tebbich
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna,
Austria
| | - Angel Ulloa
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora,
Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
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Bush SE, Clayton DH. Anti-parasite behaviour of birds. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0196. [PMID: 29866911 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds have many kinds of internal and external parasites, including viruses, bacteria and fungi, as well as protozoa, helminths and arthropods. Because parasites have negative effects on host fitness, selection favours the evolution of anti-parasite defences, many of which involve behaviour. We provide a brief review of anti-parasite behaviours in birds, divided into five major categories: (i) body maintenance, (ii) nest maintenance, (iii) avoidance of parasitized prey, (iv) migration and (v) tolerance. We evaluate the adaptive significance of the different behaviours and note cases in which additional research is particularly needed. We briefly consider the interaction of different behaviours, such as sunning and preening, and how behavioural defences may interact with other forms of defence, such as immune responses. We conclude by suggesting some general questions that need to be addressed concerning the nature of anti-parasite behaviour in birds.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Evolution of pathogen and parasite avoidance behaviours'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Bush
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Dale H Clayton
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Peters KJ, Evans C, Aguirre JD, Kleindorfer S. Genetic admixture predicts parasite intensity: evidence for increased hybrid performance in Darwin's tree finches. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:181616. [PMID: 31183118 PMCID: PMC6502384 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Hybridization can increase adaptive potential when enhanced genetic diversity or novel genetic combinations confer a fitness advantage, such as in the evolution of anti-parasitic mechanisms. Island systems are especially susceptible to invasive parasites due to the lack of defence mechanisms that usually coevolve in long-standing host-parasite relationships. We test if host genetic admixture affects parasite numbers in a novel host-parasite association on the Galápagos Islands. Specifically, we compare the number of Philornis downsi in nests with offspring sired by Darwin's small tree finch (Camarhynchus parvulus), Darwin's medium tree finch (C. pauper) and hybrids of these two species. The number of P. downsi decreased with an increasing genetic admixture of the attending male, and nests of hybrid males had approximately 50% fewer parasites than C. parvulus nests, and approximately 60% fewer parasites than C. pauper nests. This finding indicates that hybridization in this system could be favoured by selection and reveal a mechanism to combat an invasive parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina J. Peters
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Christine Evans
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - J. David Aguirre
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sonia Kleindorfer
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- Konrad Lorenz Research Station and Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Austria
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Non-foraging tool use in European Honey-buzzards: An experimental test. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206843. [PMID: 30462689 PMCID: PMC6248935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Examples of tool-use behaviors by birds outside foraging contexts are scarce and limited to a handful of species. We report a field experiment aimed to test whether an observed suite of odd behaviors by European Honey-buzzards (Pernis apivorus) represents use of green twigs cut from trees and woody shrubs as a tool to attract ants for anting. Specifically, we tested whether buzzards are selective in their choice of twigs, under the assumption that birds would prefer easy-to-collect twigs from plants that effectively attract ants. Experimental results lend support to our hypothesis that European Honey-buzzards cut green twigs of Montpellier maple trees (Acer monspessulanum) and, to a lesser extent, of Pyrenean oaks (Quercus pyrenaica) for their immediate use as ant attractors. Fresh twigs of both tree species attracted large numbers of ants, suggesting that their preferential use in the reported behavior of Honey-buzzards is not a random selection of the available plant material. Maple twigs, however, were the easiest to break and oak twigs the hardest compared to other plants in the community. This suggests that the relative ease of cracking of maple twigs may account for the preference Honey-buzzards have for this plant species as compared with Pyrenean oak, whose twigs demand considerable more effort from the birds to break. Our results lend support to the inclusion of the reported behavioral sequence by this raptor species as a potential example of tool use in birds outside the usual foraging context.
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McNew SM, Clayton DH. Alien Invasion: Biology of Philornis Flies Highlighting Philornis downsi, an Introduced Parasite of Galápagos Birds. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 63:369-387. [PMID: 29058976 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The muscid genus Philornis comprises approximately 50 described species of flies, nearly all of which are obligate parasites of nestling birds. Philornis species are native to the Neotropics and widely distributed from Florida to Argentina. Most research on this group has focused on P. downsi, which was introduced to the Galápagos Islands in the late twentieth century. Although Philornis parasitism kills nestlings in several native host species, nowhere do the effects seem more severe than in P. downsi in the Galápagos. Here, we review studies of native and introduced Philornis in an attempt to identify factors that may influence virulence and consider implications for the conservation of hosts in the Galápagos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina M McNew
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0840, USA;
| | - Dale H Clayton
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0840, USA;
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Fessl B, Heimpel GE, Causton CE. Invasion of an Avian Nest Parasite, Philornis downsi, to the Galapagos Islands: Colonization History, Adaptations to Novel Ecosystems, and Conservation Challenges. DISEASE ECOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-65909-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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