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Fattorini S, Vitozzi A, Di Biase L, Bergamaschi D. Macroecology of Dung Beetles in Italy. INSECTS 2024; 15:39. [PMID: 38249045 PMCID: PMC10816216 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The Italian fauna includes about 170 species/subspecies of dung beetles, being one of the richest in Europe. We used data on dung beetle distribution in the Italian regions to investigate some macroecological patterns. Specifically, we tested if species richness decreased southward (peninsula effect) or northward (latitudinal gradient). We also considered the effects of area (i.e., the species-area relationship), topographic complexity, and climate in explaining dung beetle richness. Finally, we used multivariate techniques to identify biotic relationships between regions. We found no support for the peninsula effect, whereas scarabaeines followed a latitudinal gradient, thus supporting a possible role of southern areas as Pleistocene refuges for this group of mainly thermophilic beetles. By contrast, aphodiines were more associated with cold and humid climates and do not show a distinct latitudinal pattern. In general, species richness was influenced by area, with the Sardinian fauna being however strongly impoverished because of its isolation. Faunal patterns for mainland regions reflect the influence of current ecological settings and historical factors (Pleistocene glaciations) in determining species distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fattorini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Alessia Vitozzi
- Department of Statistical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Letizia Di Biase
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Davide Bergamaschi
- Department of Entomology, Forbes 410, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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2
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García-Andrade AB, Tedesco PA, Carvajal-Quintero JD, Arango A, Villalobos F. Same process, different patterns: pervasive effect of evolutionary time on species richness in freshwater fishes. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231066. [PMID: 37700646 PMCID: PMC10498035 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1066] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropical lands harbour the highest number of species, resulting in the ubiquitous latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG). However, exceptions to this pattern have been observed in some taxa, explained by the interaction between the evolutionary histories and environmental factors that constrain species' physiological and ecological requirements. Here, we applied a deconstruction approach to map the detailed species richness patterns of Actinopterygian freshwater fishes at the class and order levels and to disentangle their drivers using geographical ranges and a phylogeny, comprising 77% (12 557) of all described species. We jointly evaluated seven evolutionary and ecological hypotheses posited to explain the LDG: diversification rate, time for speciation, species-area relationship, environmental heterogeneity, energy, temperature seasonality and past temperature stability. We found distinct diversity gradients across orders, including expected, bimodal and inverse LDGs. Despite these differences, the positive effect of evolutionary time explained patterns for all orders, where species-rich regions are inhabited by older species compared to species-poor regions. Overall, the LDG of each order has been shaped by a unique combination of factors, highlighting the importance of performing a joint evaluation of evolutionary, historical and ecological factors at different taxonomic levels to reach a comprehensive understanding on the causes driving global species richness patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Berenice García-Andrade
- Laboratorio de Macroecología Evolutiva, Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, 91070 Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Pablo A. Tedesco
- UMR 5174 EDB—Evolution & Diversité Biologique, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université Paul Sabatier - Bat. 4R1, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse cedex 4, France
| | - Juan D. Carvajal-Quintero
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Axel Arango
- Laboratorio de Macroecología Evolutiva, Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, 91070 Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Fabricio Villalobos
- Laboratorio de Macroecología Evolutiva, Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, 91070 Xalapa, Veracruz, México
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3
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Fattorini S. Biogeographical Patterns of Earwigs in Italy. INSECTS 2023; 14:235. [PMID: 36975920 PMCID: PMC10056290 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Placed in the center of the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, Italy plays a central role for the study of Europe's biogeography. In this paper, the influence of climatic, spatial, and historical factors on current patterns of variation in earwig species richness and composition is investigated. The Italian earwig fauna is mainly composed of species which are either widely distributed in Europe and the Palearctic region or that are endemic to the Alps and the Apennines. Variation in species richness does not follow any obvious geographical patterns, but a positive influence of precipitation on richness is consistent with earwig preferences for humid climates. European mainland territories did not contribute substantially to the current biodiversity of Italian earwigs, which explains the lack of a distinct peninsula effect, although a southward decrease in similarity with the central European fauna was observed. However, southern areas did not exert a pivotal role during Pleistocene glaciations in determining current patterns of species richness. Variation in species composition among Italian regions can be mostly explained by geographical proximity, while climatic differences and historical (paleogeographical and paleoecological) events seem to have played a minor role. However, the isolation of ancient earwig stocks on Italian mountains led to the origin of a relatively large number of endemics, which makes the Italian earwig fauna one of the richest in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Fattorini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
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4
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Abstract
One of the most investigated patterns in species diversity is the so-called latitudinal gradient, that is, a decrease in species richness from the equator to the poles. However, few studies investigated this pattern in insects at a global scale because of insufficient taxonomic and biogeographical information. Using estimates of earwig species richness at country level, their latitudinal diversity gradient was modelled globally and for the two hemispheres separately after correcting for differences in country areas. Separate analyses were also conducted for mainland and island countries. All analyses clearly indicated the existence of latitudinal gradients. The most plausible explanation for the observed pattern is the so-called tropical conservatism hypothesis, which postulates (1) a tropical origin of many extant clades, (2) a longer time for cladogenesis in tropical environments thanks to their environmental stability, and (3) a limited ability of historically tropical lineages to adapt to temperate climates. Earwigs probably evolved on Gondwana and secondarily colonized the Northern Hemisphere. This colonization was hampered by both geographical and climatic factors. The Himalayan orogenesis obstructed earwig dispersal into the Palearctic region. Additionally, earwig preferences for warm/hot and humid climates hampered the colonization of temperate regions. Pleistocene glaciation further contributed to reducing diversity at northern latitudes.
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5
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Schmidt C, Muñoz G, Lancaster LT, Lessard JP, Marske KA, Marshall KE, Garroway CJ. Population demography maintains biogeographic boundaries. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:1905-1913. [PMID: 35753949 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Global biodiversity is organised into biogeographic regions that comprise distinct biotas. The contemporary factors maintaining differences in species composition between regions are poorly understood. Given evidence that populations with sufficient genetic variation can adapt to fill new habitats, it is surprising that more homogenisation of species assemblages across regions has not occurred. Theory suggests that expansion across biogeographic regions could be limited by reduced adaptive capacity due to demographic variation along environmental gradients, but this possibility has not been empirically explored. Using three independently curated data sets describing continental patterns of mammalian demography and population genetics, we show that populations near biogeographic boundaries have lower effective population sizes and genetic diversity, and are more genetically differentiated. These patterns are consistent with reduced adaptive capacity in areas where one biogeographic region transitions into the next. That these patterns are replicated across mammals suggests they are stable and generalisable in their contribution to long-term limits on biodiversity homogenisation. Understanding the contemporary processes that maintain compositional differences among regional biotas is crucial for our understanding of the current and future organisation of global biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Schmidt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Gabriel Muñoz
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Jean-Philippe Lessard
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Katie E Marshall
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Colin J Garroway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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6
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Odonate Diversity Patterns in Italy Disclose Intricate Colonization Pathways. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060886. [PMID: 35741407 PMCID: PMC9220287 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As a natural bridge between Europe and Africa, Italy occupies a prominent position to understand the biogeography of Europe. The influence of climatic, spatial, and historical factors on current patterns of species richness and turnover (i.e., inter-regional biogeographical differences) has been analyzed for 88 species occurring in 17 Italian natural regions. Use of multimodel inference showed that odonate richness decreased southwards in response to decreasing rainfall, as expected for animals that depend on freshwater for their development. Use of Mantel tests indicated that patterns of inter-regional similarities were influenced by both climate and geographical distances. These patterns, as highlighted using Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling, indicate a role for historical factors. Biogeographical similarities between Italian regions and adjacent areas revealed multiple colonization pathways. These results, coupled with the overall southward decrease in species richness, suggest that, after serving as a Pleistocene refuge from which odonates may have colonized medio-European areas, Italy was in turn subject to colonization from north to south. This resulted in Italian odonate fauna being less species rich compared to faunas in the medio-European territories, but also being biogeographically very complex.
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7
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Latitudinal Diversity Gradient in the Changing World: Retrospectives and Perspectives. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14050334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most extensive and important biodiversity patterns on the Earth. Various studies have established that species diversity increases with higher taxa numbers from the polar to the tropics. Studies of multicellular biotas have supported the LDG patterns from land (e.g., plants, animals, forests, wetlands, grasslands, fungi, and so forth) to oceans (e.g., marine organisms from freshwater invertebrates, continental shelve, open ocean, even to the deep sea invertebrates). So far, there are several hypotheses proposed to explore the diversity patterns and mechanisms of LDG, however, there has been no consensus on the underlying causes of LDG over the past few decades. Thus, we reviewed the progress of LDG studies in recent years. Although several explanations for the LDG have been proposed, these hypotheses are only based on species richness, evolution and the ecosystems. In this review, we summarize the effects of evolution and ecology on the LDG patterns to synthesize the formation mechanisms of the general biodiversity distribution patterns. These intertwined factors from ecology and evolution in the LDG are generally due to the wider distribution of tropical areas, which hinders efforts to distinguish their relative contributions. However, the mechanisms of LDG always engaged controversies, especially in such a context that the human activity and climate change has affected the biodiversity. With the development of molecular biology, more genetic/genomic data are available to facilitate the estimation of global biodiversity patterns with regard to climate, latitude, and other factors. Given that human activity and climate change have inevitably impacted on biodiversity loss, biodiversity conservation should focus on the change in LDG pattern. Using large-scale genetic/genomic data to disentangle the diversity mechanisms and patterns of LDG, will provide insights into biodiversity conservation and management measures. Future perspectives of LDG with integrative genetic/genomic, species, evolution, and ecosystem diversity patterns, as well as the mechanisms that apply to biodiversity conservation, are discussed. It is imperative to explore integrated approaches for recognizing the causes of LDG in the context of rapid loss of diversity in a changing world.
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8
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Raiho AM, Scharf HR, Roland CA, Swanson DK, Stehn SE, Hooten MB. Searching for refuge: A framework for identifying site factors conferring resistance to climate‐driven vegetation change. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ann M. Raiho
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Henry R. Scharf
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics San Diego State University San Diego California USA
| | - Carl A. Roland
- Denali National Park and Preserve National Park Service Anchorage Alaska USA
| | | | - Sarah E. Stehn
- Denali National Park and Preserve National Park Service Anchorage Alaska USA
- Arctic Network National Park Service Anchorage Alaska USA
| | - Mevin B. Hooten
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
- Department of Statistics Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
- Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Colorado USA
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9
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Roslin T, Somervuo P, Pentinsaari M, Hebert PDN, Agda J, Ahlroth P, Anttonen P, Aspi J, Blagoev G, Blanco S, Chan D, Clayhills T, deWaard J, deWaard S, Elliot T, Elo R, Haapala S, Helve E, Ilmonen J, Hirvonen P, Ho C, Itämies J, Ivanov V, Jakovlev J, Juslén A, Jussila R, Kahanpää J, Kaila L, Jari-PekkaKaitila, Kakko A, Kakko I, Karhu A, Karjalainen S, Kjaerandsen J, Koskinen J, Laasonen EM, Laasonen L, Laine E, Lampila P, Levesque-Beaudin V, Lu L, Lähteenaro M, Majuri P, Malmberg S, Manjunath R, Martikainen P, Mattila J, McKeown J, Metsälä P, Miklasevskaja M, Miller M, Miskie R, Muinonen A, Veli-MattiMukkala, Naik S, Nikolova N, Nupponen K, Ovaskainen O, Österblad I, Paasivirta L, Pajunen T, Parkko P, Paukkunen J, Penttinen R, Perez K, Pohjoismäki J, Prosser S, Raekunnas M, Rahulan M, Rannisto M, Ratnasingham S, Raukko P, Rinne A, Rintala T, Miranda Romo S, Salmela J, Salokannel J, Savolainen R, Schulman L, Sihvonen P, Soliman D, Sones J, Steinke C, Ståhls G, Tabell J, Tiusanen M, Várkonyi G, Vesterinen EJ, Viitanen E, Vikberg V, Viitasaari M, Vilen J, Warne C, Wei C, Winqvist K, Zakharov E, Mutanen M. A molecular-based identification resource for the arthropods of Finland. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:803-822. [PMID: 34562055 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
To associate specimens identified by molecular characters to other biological knowledge, we need reference sequences annotated by Linnaean taxonomy. In this study, we (1) report the creation of a comprehensive reference library of DNA barcodes for the arthropods of an entire country (Finland), (2) publish this library, and (3) deliver a new identification tool for insects and spiders, as based on this resource. The reference library contains mtDNA COI barcodes for 11,275 (43%) of 26,437 arthropod species known from Finland, including 10,811 (45%) of 23,956 insect species. To quantify the improvement in identification accuracy enabled by the current reference library, we ran 1000 Finnish insect and spider species through the Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD) identification engine. Of these, 91% were correctly assigned to a unique species when compared to the new reference library alone, 85% were correctly identified when compared to BOLD with the new material included, and 75% with the new material excluded. To capitalize on this resource, we used the new reference material to train a probabilistic taxonomic assignment tool, FinPROTAX, scoring high success. For the full-length barcode region, the accuracy of taxonomic assignments at the level of classes, orders, families, subfamilies, tribes, genera, and species reached 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.8%, 99.7%, 99.4%, 96.8%, and 88.5%, respectively. The FinBOL arthropod reference library and FinPROTAX are available through the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (www.laji.fi) at https://laji.fi/en/theme/protax. Overall, the FinBOL investment represents a massive capacity-transfer from the taxonomic community of Finland to all sectors of society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Roslin
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Panu Somervuo
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Pentinsaari
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Paul D N Hebert
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jireh Agda
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Petri Ahlroth
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Perttu Anttonen
- Institute of Biology/Geobotany and Botanical Garden, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jouni Aspi
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Gergin Blagoev
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Santiago Blanco
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Dean Chan
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jeremy deWaard
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Stephanie deWaard
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Tyler Elliot
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Riikka Elo
- Zoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Jari Ilmonen
- Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland, Vantaa, Finland
| | | | - Chris Ho
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Vladislav Ivanov
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - Aino Juslén
- Finnish Museum of Natural History 'Luomus', University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jere Kahanpää
- Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kaila
- Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Iiro Kakko
- Forssa Museum of Natural History, Forssa, Finland
| | | | | | - Jostein Kjaerandsen
- The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT -The Arctic University of Norway, Langnes, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Janne Koskinen
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Liuqiong Lu
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Meri Lähteenaro
- Division of Systematics, Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Entomology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Ramya Manjunath
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Jaclyn McKeown
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Meredith Miller
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Renee Miskie
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Suresh Naik
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nadia Nikolova
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Otso Ovaskainen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.,Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | - Timo Pajunen
- Finnish Museum of Natural History 'Luomus', University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Juho Paukkunen
- Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ritva Penttinen
- Zoological Museum, Biodiversity Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kate Perez
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jaakko Pohjoismäki
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Sean Prosser
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Miduna Rahulan
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Meeri Rannisto
- Finnish Museum of Natural History 'Luomus', University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jukka Salmela
- Regional Museum of Lapland, Arktikum, Rovaniemi, Finland.,Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | | | - Riitta Savolainen
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leif Schulman
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Helsinki, Finland.,Finnish Museum of Natural History 'Luomus', University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pasi Sihvonen
- Finnish Museum of Natural History 'Luomus', University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dina Soliman
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jayme Sones
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Claudia Steinke
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Gunilla Ståhls
- Finnish Museum of Natural History 'Luomus', University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Mikko Tiusanen
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gergely Várkonyi
- Biodiversity Centre, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Kuhmo, Finland
| | - Eero J Vesterinen
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | - Connor Warne
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Catherine Wei
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Evgeny Zakharov
- Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Marko Mutanen
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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10
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Abstract
Microbiomes play essential roles in the health and function of animal and plant hosts and drive nutrient cycling across ecosystems. Integrating novel trait-based approaches with ecological theory can facilitate the prediction of microbial functional traits important for ecosystem functioning and health. In particular, the yield-acquisition-stress (Y-A-S) framework considers dominant microbial life history strategies across gradients of resource availability and stress. However, microbiomes are dynamic, and spatial and temporal shifts in taxonomic and trait composition can affect ecosystem functions. We posit that extending the Y-A-S framework to microbiomes during succession and across biogeographic gradients can lead to generalizable rules for how microbiomes and their functions respond to resources and stress across space, time, and diverse ecosystems. We demonstrate the potential of this framework by applying it to the microbiomes hosted by the carnivorous pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea, which have clear successional trajectories and are distributed across a broad climatic gradient.
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11
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Hagen O, Flück B, Fopp F, Cabral JS, Hartig F, Pontarp M, Rangel TF, Pellissier L. gen3sis: A general engine for eco-evolutionary simulations of the processes that shape Earth's biodiversity. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001340. [PMID: 34252071 PMCID: PMC8384074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the origins of biodiversity has been an aspiration since the days of early naturalists. The immense complexity of ecological, evolutionary, and spatial processes, however, has made this goal elusive to this day. Computer models serve progress in many scientific fields, but in the fields of macroecology and macroevolution, eco-evolutionary models are comparatively less developed. We present a general, spatially explicit, eco-evolutionary engine with a modular implementation that enables the modeling of multiple macroecological and macroevolutionary processes and feedbacks across representative spatiotemporally dynamic landscapes. Modeled processes can include species' abiotic tolerances, biotic interactions, dispersal, speciation, and evolution of ecological traits. Commonly observed biodiversity patterns, such as α, β, and γ diversity, species ranges, ecological traits, and phylogenies, emerge as simulations proceed. As an illustration, we examine alternative hypotheses expected to have shaped the latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) during the Earth's Cenozoic era. Our exploratory simulations simultaneously produce multiple realistic biodiversity patterns, such as the LDG, current species richness, and range size frequencies, as well as phylogenetic metrics. The model engine is open source and available as an R package, enabling future exploration of various landscapes and biological processes, while outputs can be linked with a variety of empirical biodiversity patterns. This work represents a key toward a numeric, interdisciplinary, and mechanistic understanding of the physical and biological processes that shape Earth's biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Hagen
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of
Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Land Change Science Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest,
Snow and Landscape Research, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Flück
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of
Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Land Change Science Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest,
Snow and Landscape Research, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Fopp
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of
Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Land Change Science Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest,
Snow and Landscape Research, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Juliano S. Cabral
- Ecosystem Modeling, Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology,
University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian Hartig
- Theoretical Ecology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg,
Germany
| | | | - Thiago F. Rangel
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal
University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Loïc Pellissier
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of
Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Land Change Science Research Unit, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest,
Snow and Landscape Research, WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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12
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Penczykowski RM, Sieg RD. Plantago spp. as Models for Studying the Ecology and Evolution of Species Interactions across Environmental Gradients. Am Nat 2021; 198:158-176. [PMID: 34143715 DOI: 10.1086/714589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA central challenge in ecology and evolutionary biology is to understand how variation in abiotic and biotic factors combine to shape the distribution, abundance, and diversity of focal species. Environmental gradients, whether natural (e.g., latitude, elevation, ocean proximity) or anthropogenic (e.g., land-use intensity, urbanization), provide compelling settings for addressing this challenge. However, not all organisms are amenable to the observational and experimental approaches required for untangling the factors that structure species along gradients. Here we highlight herbaceous plants in the genus Plantago as models for studying the ecology and evolution of species interactions along abiotic gradients. Plantago lanceolata and P. major are native to Europe and Asia but distributed globally, and they are established models for studying population ecology and interactions with herbivores, pathogens, and soil microbes. Studying restricted range congeners in comparison with those cosmopolitan species can provide insight into abiotic and biotic determinants of range size and population structure. We highlight one such species, P. rugelii, which is endemic to eastern North America. We give an overview of the literature on these focal Plantago species and explain why they are logical candidates for studies of species interactions across environmental gradients. Finally, we emphasize collaborative and community science approaches that can facilitate such research and note the amenability of Plantago for authentic research projects in science education.
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Abstract
Abstract
This paper is an introduction to the special issue of the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society entitled OCBIL theory: a new science for old ecosystems. Firstly, we elaborate on the origins and development of OCBIL theory, which argues that landscape age, climatic buffering and soil fertility are key environmental dimensions shaping ecological and evolutionary processes across different scales. We then consider the 21 contributions made in this special issue in terms of cutting edge advances in the Southern Hemisphere that test, explore and apply aspects of OCBIL theory at the end of its first decade of formal publication. More attempts at refutation are urged, as untested aspects remain controversial. Lastly, a concluding discussion is offered on promising new lines of enquiry to develop the theory further and ensure its global application to pressing conservation issues facing biological and cultural diversity. Although OCBILs are absent or rare in much of the postglacial and periglacial Northern Hemisphere, we demonstrate, in south-west Europe and North America, starting with California, that they are likely to be found, thus extending the implications and applications of OCBIL theory in new directions. We also propose that, in many ways, Noongar Aboriginal cosmology from south-west Australia has developed sophisticated insights about ancient uplands that are precursors to key ideas in OCBIL theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando A O Silveira
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Peggy L Fiedler
- Natural Reserve System, University of California, Office of the President, Oakland,CA 94607-5200, USA
| | - Stephen D Hopper
- Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management, School of Agriculture & Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Terrace, Albany, WA 6330, Australia
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14
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Page NV, Shanker K. Climatic stability drives latitudinal trends in range size and richness of woody plants in the Western Ghats, India. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235733. [PMID: 32673330 PMCID: PMC7365598 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the determinants of range location and size is fundamental to our understanding of spatial patterns in species richness. Here, we aimed to test the role of ‘climatic stability’ in determining latitudinal trends in range size and as a consequence on species richness of tropical woody plants. Using primary data from 156 (0.06 ha) plots comprising 20,400 occurrences of more than 400 species of tropical woody plants, we built a biome-wide species database that covers the entire latitudinal extent of the wet-evergreen forests of the Western Ghats (8o to 20o N), India. We consolidated this database using secondary data from other published species inventories. We then calculated the range sizes and climatic niche width of woody plants to test the predictions of the climatic stability hypothesis and examined the relationship between range position and climatic tolerance of species. Our results show a significant latitudinal gradient in species richness and turnover where local and regional species richness increase monotonically from higher latitudes to lower latitudes of the Western Ghats. We found strong support for Rapoport’s Rule with an increase in range size from lower to higher latitudes; our results are consistent with the predictions of the climatic stability hypothesis, where species at higher latitudes exhibited greater tolerance to temperature and rainfall seasonality. Contrary to earlier work, our findings suggest that Rapoport’s Rule and the climatic stability hypothesis can operate over regional scales, and even at lower latitudes. We suggest that latitude associated climatic seasonality through its influence on species ranges, can influence latitudinal patterns in species turnover as well as species richness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navendu V. Page
- Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Kartik Shanker
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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15
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Latitude- and climate-associated patterns in small mammal fauna changes of the West Yakutia. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF THERIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.18.2.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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16
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Maravalhas JB, Vasconcelos HL. Ant diversity in Neotropical savannas: Hierarchical processes acting at multiple spatial scales. J Anim Ecol 2019; 89:412-422. [PMID: 31556096 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Understanding what creates and maintains macroscale biodiversity gradients is a central focus of ecological and evolutionary research. Spatial patterns in diversity are driven by a hierarchy of factors operating at multiple scales. Historical and climatic factors drive large-scale patterns of diversity by affecting the size of regional species pools, while habitat heterogeneity or microhabitat characteristics further influence species coexistence at small scales. We tested the degree to which the species-energy, historical factors, habitat heterogeneity and local environment hypotheses explain observed patterns of ant diversity across hierarchical spatial scales. We sampled ground-dwelling ants at 29 sites within a Neotropical savanna region, the Brazilian Cerrado. We measured species density - an abundance-dependent diversity metric - and rarefied species richness - an abundance-independent metric - at spatial scales with varying grain sizes. For each hypothesis, two correlates were used to predict ant diversity patterns: (a) species-energy: rainfall and productivity; (b) historical factors: historical variation in rainfall and refugial areas; (c) habitat heterogeneity: heterogeneity in greenness and diversity of land cover; and (d) local factors: contents of sand and coarse fragments in the soil. Ant diversity patterns correlated to net primary productivity and to the proportion of coarse fragments in the soil, corroborating the species-energy and local environment hypotheses, respectively. Soil negatively influenced species density, but not rarefied species richness, which was positively influenced by productivity. We found scale dependencies in the effects of soil/productivity on species density; productivity best predicted species density patterns at large scales, since sampling completeness offset the abundance-driven effects of soil. Considering abundance differences may help to discern the mechanisms underlying the relationship between macroscale diversity patterns and its ecological drivers. Plant productivity affected ant diversity independently of abundance, possibly by limiting the size of regional species pools. On the other hand, soil properties had an abundance-dependent effect on ant diversity, indicating a sampling mechanism. Our findings are consistent with predictions of the hierarchical theory of diversity. Large-scale patterns of productivity limit regional diversity, an effect that cascades down to finer spatial scales, where soil properties influence the number of coexisting species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas B Maravalhas
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
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17
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Culumber ZW, Anaya-Rojas JM, Booker WW, Hooks AP, Lange EC, Pluer B, Ramírez-Bullón N, Travis J. Widespread Biases in Ecological and Evolutionary Studies. Bioscience 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biz063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
There has been widespread discussion of biases in the sciences. The extent of most forms of bias has scarcely been confronted with rigorous data. In the present article, we evaluated the potential for geographic, taxonomic, and citation biases in publications between temperate and tropical systems for nine broad topics in ecology and evolutionary biology. Across 1,800 papers sampled from 60,000 peer-reviewed, empirical studies, we found consistent patterns of bias in the form of increased numbers of studies in temperate systems. Tropical studies were nearly absent from some topics. Furthermore, there were strong taxonomic biases across topics and geographic regions, as well as evidence for citation biases in many topics. Our results indicate a strong geographic imbalance in publishing patterns and among different taxonomic groups across a wide range of topics. The task ahead is to address what these biases mean and how they influence the state of our knowledge in ecology and evolution.
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18
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Dyer LA, Forister ML. Challenges and advances in the study of latitudinal gradients in multitrophic interactions, with a focus on consumer specialization. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 32:68-76. [PMID: 31113634 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Increases in data availability and geographic ranges of studies have allowed for more thorough tests of latitudinal gradients in trophic interactions, with numerous recent studies testing hypotheses that strength of interactions, herbivory, plant chemical defense, and dietary specialization all increase with decreasing latitude. We review the issues surrounding these latitudinal gradients, discuss some methodological challenges, and provide some caveats relevant to inferences from existing approaches. To examine some potential issues with studies on latitudinal gradients in dietary specialization, we simulate a latitudinal gradient of communities that increase in diversity and specialization towards the equator then test the power of different sampling designs for detecting the gradient. Based on this simple simulation, as well as apparent incongruities in the literature, we conclude that subtle differences in sampling design can be responsible for failure to detect existing gradients. Despite calls for rejecting some latitudinal gradient hypotheses, it is clear that a great deal of careful research remains to determine important correlates of the well-established latitudinal gradient in diversity. In particular, future studies should focus on replicated gradients, greater emphasis on continuous sampling, and use of taxonomic controls that allow for meaningful analyses across latitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee A Dyer
- EECB and Biology Department, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
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19
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Do the pattern and strength of species associations in ectoparasite communities conform to biogeographic rules? Parasitol Res 2019; 118:1113-1125. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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20
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Read QD, Baiser B, Grady JM, Zarnetske PL, Record S, Belmaker J. Tropical bird species have less variable body sizes. Biol Lett 2018; 14:rsbl.2017.0453. [PMID: 29367214 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecologists have often predicted that species' niche breadths should decline towards the Equator. Dan Janzen arrived at this prediction based on climatic constraints, while Robert MacArthur argued that a latitudinal gradient in resource specialization drives the pattern. This idea has some support when it comes to thermal niches, but has rarely been explored for other niche dimensions. Body size is linked to niche dimensions related to diet, competition and environmental tolerance in vertebrates. We identified 68 pairs of tropical and nontropical sister bird species using a comprehensive phylogeny and used the VertNet specimen database to ask whether tropical birds have lower intraspecific body-size variation than their nontropical sister species. Our results show that tropical species have less intraspecific variability in body mass ([Formula: see text]; p = 0.009). Variation in body-size variability was poorly explained by both abiotic and biotic drivers; thus the mechanisms underlying the pattern are still unclear. The lower variation in body size of tropical bird species may have evolved in response to more stable climates and resource environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin D Read
- Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA .,Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin Baiser
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John M Grady
- Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
| | - Phoebe L Zarnetske
- Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Sydne Record
- Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan Belmaker
- School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Bacterial natural product biosynthetic domain composition in soil correlates with changes in latitude on a continent-wide scale. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:11615-11620. [PMID: 29078342 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1710262114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although bacterial bioactive metabolites have been one of the most prolific sources of lead structures for the development of small-molecule therapeutics, very little is known about the environmental factors associated with changes in secondary metabolism across natural environments. Large-scale sequencing of environmental microbiomes has the potential to shed light on the richness of bacterial biosynthetic diversity hidden in the environment, how it varies from one environment to the next, and what environmental factors correlate with changes in biosynthetic diversity. In this study, the sequencing of PCR amplicons generated using primers targeting either ketosynthase domains from polyketide biosynthesis or adenylation domains from nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis was used to assess biosynthetic domain composition and richness in soils collected across the Australian continent. Using environmental variables collected at each soil site, we looked for environmental factors that correlated with either high overall domain richness or changes in the domain composition. Among the environmental variables we measured, changes in biosynthetic domain composition correlate most closely with changes in latitude and to a lesser extent changes in pH. Although it is unclear at this time the exact mix of factors that may drive the relationship between biosynthetic domain composition and latitude, from a practical perspective the identification of a latitudinal basis for differences in soil metagenome biosynthetic domain compositions should help guide future natural product discovery efforts.
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