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Green Ii DA. Tracking technologies: advances driving new insights into monarch migration. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 60:101111. [PMID: 37678709 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the rules of how monarch butterflies complete their annual North American migration will be clarified by studying them within a movement ecology framework. Insect movement ecology is growing at a rapid pace due to the development of novel monitoring systems that allow ever-smaller animals to be tracked at higher spatiotemporal resolution for longer periods of time. New innovations in tracking hardware and associated software, including miniaturization, energy autonomy, data management, and wireless communication, are reducing the size and increasing the capability of next-generation tracking technologies, bringing the goal of tracking monarchs over their entire migration closer within reach. These tools are beginning to be leveraged to provide insight into different aspects of monarch biology and ecology, and to contribute to a growing capacity to understand insect movement ecology more broadly and its impact on human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delbert A Green Ii
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 1105 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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2
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Kendzel MJ, Altizer SM, de Roode JC. Interactions between parasitism and migration in monarch butterflies. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 59:101089. [PMID: 37506879 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
In many species, migration can increase parasite burdens or diversity as hosts move between diverse habitats with different parasite assemblages. On the other hand, migration can reduce parasite prevalence by letting animals escape infested habitats, or by exacerbating the costs of parasitism, leading to culling or dropout. How the balance between these negative and positive interactions is maintained or how they will change under anthropogenic pressure remains poorly understood. Here, we summarize the relationship between migration and infectious disease in monarch butterflies, finding that migration can reduce parasite prevalence through a combination of migratory culling and dropout. Because parasite prevalence has risen in recent decades, these processes are now resulting in the loss of tens of millions of monarchs. We highlight the remaining questions, asking how migration influences population genetics and virulence, how the establishment of resident populations interferes with migration, and whether infection can interfere with migratory cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sonia M Altizer
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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3
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Tenger-Trolander A. Environmental and genetic effects of captivity - are there lessons for monarch butterfly conservation? CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 59:101088. [PMID: 37500011 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Rearing monarch butterflies in captivity for later release is a popular but contentious activity due to concerns about its potential negative effects on the wild population. In this review, I discuss how captive rearing and breeding could impact monarch fitness in the wild, the current evidence for such impacts in monarchs and other captive-reared/released organisms, and how this should inform our efforts to conserve monarchs and other species.
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4
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Yang LH. Complexity, humility, and action: a current perspective on monarchs in Western North America. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 59:101078. [PMID: 37380104 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have continued to shed light on the ecology of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in western North America. These studies have documented a declining overwintering population over several decades, punctuated by unexpected variability in recent years. Understanding this variability will require grappling with the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of resources and risks presented to western monarchs throughout their annual life cycle. Recent changes in the western monarch population further illustrate how interacting global change drivers can create complex causes and consequences in this system. The complexity of this system should inspire humility. However, even recognizing the limits of our current understanding, there is enough scientific common ground to take some conservation actions now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louie H Yang
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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5
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Parlin AF, Stratton SM, Guerra PA. Oriented migratory flight at night: Consequences of nighttime light pollution for monarch butterflies. iScience 2022; 25:104310. [PMID: 35573206 PMCID: PMC9097705 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We show that light trespass—a form of nighttime light pollution (NLP)—elicits normal daytime clock-mediated migratory behavior in fall monarch butterflies during their night-cycle. In controlled indoor flight simulator studies isolating the role of NLP on the expression of oriented migratory flight using a time-compensated sun compass,a full-spectrum light source consistent with lights used outdoors at night by the public,triggered proper fall directional flight at night in monarchs. Monarchs remained quiescent when initially placed in the flight simulator in the dark, but flight was immediately triggered when our light source was turned on. This nighttime behavior was identical to that seen in outdoor free-flying fall conspecifics during the day. The light source provided directional cues equivalent to those provided by the sun and could either phase-advance or phase-delay monarchs. Our study highlights the negative consequences of NLP on diurnal animals, especially those that rely on clock-mediated behavior. Nighttime light pollution can disturb diurnal migratory monarch butterflies Exposure to this pollution induces abnormal activity in normally quiescent monarchs This pollution acts as sensory noise that perturbs the circadian clock of monarchs Conservation should consider susceptibility of habitat to nighttime light pollution
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam F. Parlin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Rieveschl Hall, 318 College Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Samuel M. Stratton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Rieveschl Hall, 318 College Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Biological Sciences Building, 1105 N University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Patrick A. Guerra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Rieveschl Hall, 318 College Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
- Corresponding author
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Pocius VM, Majewska AA, Freedman MG. The Role of Experiments in Monarch Butterfly Conservation: A Review of Recent Studies and Approaches. ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 115:10-24. [PMID: 35069967 PMCID: PMC8764570 DOI: 10.1093/aesa/saab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) (Lepidoptera Danaidae Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus)) are an iconic species of conservation concern due to declines in the overwintering colonies over the past twenty years. Because of this downward trend in overwintering numbers in both California and Mexico, monarchs are currently considered 'warranted-but-precluded' for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Monarchs have a fascinating life history and have become a model system in chemical ecology, migration biology, and host-parasite interactions, but many aspects of monarch biology important for informing conservation practices remain unresolved. In this review, we focus on recent advances using experimental and genetic approaches that inform monarch conservation. In particular, we emphasize three areas of broad importance, which could have an immediate impact on monarch conservation efforts: 1) breeding habitat and host plant use, 2) natural enemies and exotic caterpillar food plants, and 3) the utility of genetic and genomic approaches for understanding monarch biology and informing ongoing conservation efforts. We also suggest future studies in these areas that could improve our understanding of monarch behavior and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M Pocius
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | | | - Micah G Freedman
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Davis AK. Captive-reared migratory monarchs fly in the wrong direction: a critique of Wilcox et al. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab063. [PMID: 34413978 PMCID: PMC8372217 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Davis
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Wilcox AAE, Newman AEM, Raine NE, Mitchell GW, Norris DR. Captive-reared monarchs tracked in the wild show southward migration: reply to Davis (2021). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab064. [PMID: 34413979 PMCID: PMC8372216 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alana A E Wilcox
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Amy E M Newman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nigel E Raine
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Greg W Mitchell
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - D Ryan Norris
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
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