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Mészáros Á, Kriska G, Egri Á. Wavelength-specific negatively phototactic responses of the burrowing mayfly larvae Ephoron virgo. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247142. [PMID: 38699809 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247142] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Mayflies are typically negatively phototactic during larval development, whereas the adults possess positive phototaxis. However, no extensive research has been done into the wavelength dependence of phototaxis in any mayfly larvae. We measured the repellency rate of Ephoron virgo larvae to light as a function of wavelength in the 368-743 nm spectral range. We established that the magnitude of repellence increased with decreasing wavelength and the maximal responses were elicited by 400 nm violet light. This wavelength dependence of phototaxis is similar to the recently reported spectral sensitivity of positive phototaxis of the twilight-swarming E. virgo adults. Negative phototaxis not only facilitates predation evasion: avoidance of the blue-violet spectral range could also promote the larvae to withdraw towards the river midline in the case of a drop in the water level, when the underwater light becomes enriched with shorter wavelengths as a result of the decreasing depth of overhead river water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Mészáros
- HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
| | - György Kriska
- HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29, Hungary
- Group for Methodology in Biology Teaching, Biological Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
- MTA-ÖK Lendület "Momentum" Fluvial Ecology Research Group, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29, Hungary
| | - Ádám Egri
- HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29, Hungary
- MTA-ÖK Lendület "Momentum" Fluvial Ecology Research Group, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29, Hungary
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2
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He Y, Ganguly A, Lindgren S, Quispe L, Suvanto C, Zhao K, Candolin U. Carry-over effect of artificial light at night on daytime mating activity in an ecologically important detritivore, the amphipod Gammarus pulex. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246682. [PMID: 38516876 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246682] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a growing environmental problem influencing the fitness of individuals through effects on their physiology and behaviour. Research on animals has primarily focused on effects on behaviour during the night, whereas less is known about effects transferred to daytime. Here, we investigated in the lab the impact of ALAN on the mating behaviour of an ecologically important freshwater amphipod, Gammarus pulex, during both daytime and nighttime. We manipulated the presence of ALAN and the intensity of male-male competition for access to females, and found the impact of ALAN on mating activity to be stronger during daytime than during nighttime, independent of male-male competition. At night, ALAN only reduced the probability of precopula pair formation, while during the daytime, it both decreased general activity and increased the probability of pair separation after pair formation. Thus, ALAN reduced mating success in G. pulex not only directly, through effects on mating behaviour at night, but also indirectly through a carry-over effect on daytime activity and the ability to remain in precopula. These results emphasise the importance of considering delayed effects of ALAN on organisms, including daytime activities that can be more important fitness determinants than nighttime activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan He
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Anirban Ganguly
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Susan Lindgren
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Laura Quispe
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne 69622, France
| | - Corinne Suvanto
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Kangshun Zhao
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology of China, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ulrika Candolin
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki 00014, Finland
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3
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Hölker F, Jechow A, Schroer S, Tockner K, Gessner MO. Light pollution of freshwater ecosystems: principles, ecological impacts and remedies. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220360. [PMID: 37899012 PMCID: PMC10613548 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0360] [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: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Light pollution caused by artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasingly recognized as a major driver of global environmental change. Since emissions are rapidly growing in an urbanizing world and half of the human population lives close to a freshwater shoreline, rivers and lakes are ever more exposed to light pollution worldwide. However, although light conditions are critical to aquatic species, and freshwaters are biodiversity hotspots and vital to human well-being, only a small fraction of studies conducted on ALAN focus on these ecosystems. The effects of light pollution on freshwaters are broad and concern all levels of biodiversity. Experiments have demonstrated diverse behavioural and physiological responses of species, even at low light levels. Prominent examples are skyglow effects on diel vertical migration of zooplankton and the suppression of melatonin production in fish. However, responses vary widely among taxa, suggesting consequences for species distribution patterns, potential to create novel communities across ecosystem boundaries, and cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. Understanding, predicting and alleviating the ecological impacts of light pollution on freshwaters requires a solid consideration of the physical properties of light propagating in water and a multitude of biological responses. This knowledge is urgently needed to develop innovative lighting concepts, mitigation strategies and specifically targeted measures. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Hölker
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin and 16775 Stechlin, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Jechow
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin and 16775 Stechlin, Germany
| | - Sibylle Schroer
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin and 16775 Stechlin, Germany
| | - Klement Tockner
- Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, 60325 Frankfurt Germany
- Department of BioSciences, Goethe-University, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mark O. Gessner
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), 12587 Berlin and 16775 Stechlin, Germany
- Department of Ecology, Berlin Institute of Technology, 10587 Berlin, Germany
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4
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Gaston KJ, Gardner AS, Cox DTC. Anthropogenic changes to the nighttime environment. Bioscience 2023; 73:280-290. [PMID: 37091747 PMCID: PMC10113933 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
How the relative impacts of anthropogenic pressures on the natural environment vary between different taxonomic groups, habitats, and geographic regions is increasingly well established. By contrast, the times of day at which those pressures are most forcefully exerted or have greatest influence are not well understood. The impact on the nighttime environment bears particular scrutiny, given that for practical reasons (e.g., researchers themselves belong to a diurnal species), most studies on the impacts of anthropogenic pressures are conducted during the daytime on organisms that are predominantly day active or in ways that do not differentiate between daytime and nighttime. In the present article, we synthesize the current state of knowledge of impacts of anthropogenic pressures on the nighttime environment, highlighting key findings and examples. The evidence available suggests that the nighttime environment is under intense stress across increasing areas of the world, especially from nighttime pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra S Gardner
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel T C Cox
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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5
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Introduction of artificial light at night increases the abundance of predators, scavengers, and parasites in arthropod communities. iScience 2023; 26:106203. [PMID: 36876132 PMCID: PMC9982679 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
While recent studies explore the negative impacts of light pollution on arthropods, few studies investigated community-level responses to artificial light. Using an array of landscaping lights and pitfall traps, we track community composition over 15 consecutive days and nights, including a five-night pre-light period, a five-night during-light period, and a five-night post-light period. Our results highlight a trophic-level response to artificial nighttime lighting with shifts in the presence and abundance of predators, scavengers, parasites, and herbivores. We show that associated trophic shifts occurred immediately upon the introduction of artificial light at night and are limited to nocturnal communities. Lastly, trophic levels reverted to their pre-light state, suggesting many short-term changes in communities are likely the result of behavioral shifts. These trophic shifts may become common as light pollution increases, implicating artificial light as a cause of global arthropod community change and highlighting light pollution's role in global herbivorous arthropod decline.
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Degen T, Kolláth Z, Degen J. X,Y, and Z: A bird's eye view on light pollution. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9608. [PMID: 36540078 PMCID: PMC9754910 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The global increase in light pollution is being viewed with growing concern, as it has been reported to have negative effects ranging from the individual to the ecosystem level.Unlike movement on the ground, flying and swimming allows vertical motion. Here, we demonstrate that flight altitude change is crucial to the perception and susceptibility of artificial light at night of air-borne organisms. Because air-borne species can propagate through the airspace and easily across ecotones, effects might not be small-scale. Therefore, we propose including airspace as a vital habitat in the concept of ecological light pollution.The interplay between flight altitude and the effects of light pollution may not only be crucial for understanding flying species but may also provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of responses to artificial light at night in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Degen
- Department of Zoology IIIUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
- Department of Zoology IIUniversity of WürzburgWürzburgGermany
| | - Zoltán Kolláth
- Department of PhysicsEszterházy Károly Catholic UniversityEgerHungary
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7
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Mayer-Pinto M, Jones TM, Swearer SE, Robert KA, Bolton D, Aulsebrook AE, Dafforn KA, Dickerson AL, Dimovski AM, Hubbard N, McLay LK, Pendoley K, Poore AG, Thums M, Willmott NJ, Yokochi K, Fobert EK. Light pollution: a landscape-scale issue requiring cross-realm consideration. UCL OPEN ENVIRONMENT 2022; 4:e036. [PMID: 37228454 PMCID: PMC10171420 DOI: 10.14324/111.444/ucloe.000036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial, marine and freshwater realms are inherently linked through ecological, biogeochemical and/or physical processes. An understanding of these connections is critical to optimise management strategies and ensure the ongoing resilience of ecosystems. Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a global stressor that can profoundly affect a wide range of organisms and habitats and impact multiple realms. Despite this, current management practices for light pollution rarely consider connectivity between realms. Here we discuss the ways in which ALAN can have cross-realm impacts and provide case studies for each example discussed. We identified three main ways in which ALAN can affect two or more realms: 1) impacts on species that have life cycles and/or stages in two or more realms, such as diadromous fish that cross realms during ontogenetic migrations and many terrestrial insects that have juvenile phases of the life cycle in aquatic realms; 2) impacts on species interactions that occur across realm boundaries, and 3) impacts on transition zones or ecosystems such as mangroves and estuaries. We then propose a framework for cross-realm management of light pollution and discuss current challenges and potential solutions to increase the uptake of a cross-realm approach for ALAN management. We argue that the strengthening and formalisation of professional networks that involve academics, lighting practitioners, environmental managers and regulators that work in multiple realms is essential to provide an integrated approach to light pollution. Networks that have a strong multi-realm and multi-disciplinary focus are important as they enable a holistic understanding of issues related to ALAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Mayer-Pinto
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Theresa M. Jones
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Stephen E. Swearer
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kylie A. Robert
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Damon Bolton
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Anne E. Aulsebrook
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen 82319, Germany
| | - Katherine A. Dafforn
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ashton L. Dickerson
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alicia M. Dimovski
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Niki Hubbard
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Lucy K. McLay
- Agriculture Victoria Research, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Kellie Pendoley
- Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, 12A Pitt Way, Booragoon, WA 6154, Australia
| | - Alistair G.B. Poore
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Michele Thums
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nikolas J. Willmott
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Kaori Yokochi
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Emily K. Fobert
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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8
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Egri Á, Mészáros Á, Kriska G. Spectral sensitivity transition in the compound eyes of a twilight-swarming mayfly and its visual ecological implications. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220318. [PMID: 35473376 PMCID: PMC9043733 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquatic insect species that leave the water after larval development, such as mayflies, have to deal with extremely different visual environments in their different life stages. Measuring the spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes of the virgin mayfly (Ephoron virgo) resulted in differences between the sensitivity of adults and larvae. Larvae were primarily green-, while adults were mostly UV-sensitive. The sensitivity of adults and larvae was the same in the UV, but in the green spectral range, adults were 3.3 times less sensitive than larvae. Transmittance spectrum measurements of larval skins covering the eye showed that the removal of exuvium during emergence cannot explain the spectral sensitivity change of the eyes. Taking numerous sky spectra from the literature, the ratio of UV and green photons in the skylight was shown to be maximal for θ ≈ -13° solar elevation, which is in the θmin = -14.7° and θmax = -7.1° typical range of swarming that was established from webcam images of real swarmings. We suggest that the spectral sensitivity of both the larval and adult eyes are adapted to the optical environment of the corresponding life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Egri
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest H-1113, Hungary
| | - Ádám Mészáros
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest H-1113, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences, Eötvös University, Pázmány sétány 1, Budapest H-1117 Hungary.,Group for Methodology in Biology Teaching, Biological Institute, Eötvös University, Pázmány sétány 1, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
| | - György Kriska
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Centre for Ecological Research, Karolina út 29, Budapest H-1113, Hungary.,Group for Methodology in Biology Teaching, Biological Institute, Eötvös University, Pázmány sétány 1, Budapest H-1117, Hungary
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9
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Krauß A, Gross T, Drossel B. Master stability functions for metacommunities with two types of habitats. Phys Rev E 2022; 105:044310. [PMID: 35590669 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.105.044310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Current questions in ecology revolve around instabilities in the dynamics on spatial networks and particularly the effect of node heterogeneity. We extend the master stability function formalism to inhomogeneous biregular networks having two types of spatial nodes. Notably, this class of systems also allows the investigation of certain types of dynamics on higher-order networks. Combined with the generalized modeling approach to study the linear stability of steady states, this is a powerful tool to numerically asses the stability of large ensembles of systems. We analyze the stability of ecological metacommunities with two distinct types of habitats analytically and numerically in order to identify several sets of conditions under which the dynamics can become stabilized by dispersal. Our analytical approach allows general insights into stabilizing and destabilizing effects in metapopulations. Specifically, we identify self-regulation and negative feedback loops between source and sink populations as stabilizing mechanisms and we show that maladaptive dispersal may be stable under certain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Krauß
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Thilo Gross
- Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Marine and Polar Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Drossel
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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Kaunath V, Eccard JA. Light Attraction in Carabid Beetles: Comparison Among Animals From the Inner City and a Dark Sky Reserve. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.751288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is altering the behaviour of nocturnal animals in a manifold of ways. Nocturnal invertebrates are particularly affected, due to their fatal attraction to ALAN. This selective pressure has the potential to reduce the strength of the flight-to-light response in insects, as shown recently in a moth species. Here we investigated light attraction of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). We compared among animals (three genera) from a highly light polluted (HLP) grassland in the centre of Berlin and animals collected at a low-polluted area in a Dark Sky Reserve (DSR), captured using odour bait. In an arena setting tested at night time, HLP beetles (n = 75 across all genera) showed a reduced attraction towards ALAN. Tested during daytime, HLP beetles were less active in an open field test (measured as latency to start moving), compared to DSR (n = 143). However, we did not observe a reduced attraction towards ALAN within the species most common at both sides, Calathus fuscipes (HLP = 37, DSR = 118 individuals) indicating that not all species may be equally affected by ALAN. Reduced attraction to ALAN in urban beetles may either be a result of phenotypic selection in each generation removing HLP individuals that are attracted to light, or an indication for ongoing evolutionary differentiation among city and rural populations in their light response. Reduced attraction to light sources may directly enhance survival and reproductive success of urban individuals. However, decrease in mobility may negatively influence dispersal, reproduction and foraging success, highlighting the selective pressure that light pollution may have on fitness, by shaping and modifying the behaviour of insects.
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A Systematic Review for Establishing Relevant Environmental Parameters for Urban Lighting: Translating Research into Practice. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The application of lighting technologies developed in the 20th century has increased the brightness and changed the spectral composition of nocturnal night-time habitats and night skies across urban, peri-urban, rural, and pristine landscapes, and subsequently, researchers have observed the disturbance of biological rhythms of flora and fauna. To reduce these impacts, it is essential to translate relevant knowledge about the potential adverse effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) from research into applicable urban lighting practice. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to identify and report, via a systematic review, the effects of exposure to different physical properties of artificial light sources on various organism groups, including plants, arthropods, insects, spiders, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and non-human mammals (including bats, rodents, and primates). PRISMA 2020 guidelines were used to identify a total of 1417 studies from Web of Science and PubMed. In 216 studies, diverse behavioral and physiological responses were observed across taxa when organisms were exposed to ALAN. The studies showed that the responses were dependent on high illuminance levels, duration of light exposure, and unnatural color spectra at night and also highlighted where research gaps remain in the domains of ALAN research and urban lighting practice. To avoid misinterpretation, and to define a common language, key terminologies and definitions connected to natural and artificial light have been provided. Furthermore, the adverse impacts of ALAN urgently need to be better researched, understood, and managed for the development of future lighting guidelines and standards to optimize sustainable design applications that preserve night-time environment(s) and their inhabiting flora and fauna.
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12
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Zielinska-Dabkowska KM, Szlachetko K, Bobkowska K. An Impact Analysis of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on Bats. A Case Study of the Historic Monument and Natura 2000 Wisłoujście Fortress in Gdansk, Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11327. [PMID: 34769843 PMCID: PMC8582723 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The artificial light at night (ALAN) present in many cities and towns has a negative impact on numerous organisms that live alongside humans, including bats. Therefore, we investigated if the artificial illumination of the historic Wisłoujście Fortress in Gdańsk, Poland (part of the Natura 2000 network), during nighttime events, which included an outdoor electronic dance music (EDM) festival, might be responsible for increased light pollution and the decline in recent years of the pond bat (Myotis dasycneme). An assessment of light pollution levels was made using the methods of geographical information system (GIS) and free-of-charge satellite remote sensing (SRS) technology. Moreover, this paper reviewed the most important approaches for environmental protection of bats in the context of ecological light pollution, including International, European, and Polish regulatory frameworks. The analysis of this interdisciplinary study confirmed the complexity of the problem and highlighted, too, the need for better control of artificial illumination in such sensitive areas. It also revealed that SRS was not the best light pollution assessment method for this particular case study due to several reasons listed in this paper. As a result, the authors' proposal for improvements also involved practical recommendations for devising suitable strategies for lighting research and practice in the Natura 2000 Wisłoujście Fortress site located adjacent to urban areas to reduce the potential negative impact of ALAN on bats and their natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katarzyna Bobkowska
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland;
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13
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Zuñiga-Palacios J, Zuria I, Castellanos I, Lara C, Sánchez-Rojas G. What do we know (and need to know) about the role of urban habitats as ecological traps? Systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146559. [PMID: 34030347 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas represent a spectrum that goes from being safe habitats for biodiversity (i.e., habitats more or equally preferred, without costs to fitness) to being ecological traps (i.e., habitats more or equally preferred, but with costs to fitness). Given the imminent urban expansion, it is valuable to assess how biodiversity is responding to urbanization and thus generate timely conservation strategies. We systematically review the urban ecology literature to analyze how much do we know about the role of urban areas as ecological traps. Using a formal meta-analytical approach, we test whether urban areas are functioning as ecological traps or as safe habitats for different taxonomic groups. We generated a data set of 646 effect sizes of different measures of habitat preferences and fitness from 38 papers published between 1985 and 2020. The data set covered 15 countries and 47 urban areas from four continents, including 29 animal species. Studies from North America and Europe were best represented, and birds were the most studied taxa. Overall, the meta-analysis suggests that urbanized habitats are functioning more as safe sites than as ecological traps, mainly for certain species with characteristics that have allowed them to adapt well to urban areas. That is, many of the studied species prefer more urbanized habitats over other less urbanized sites, and their fitness is not modified, or it is even increased. However, there was high heterogeneity among studies. We also performed meta-regressions to identify variables accounting for this heterogeneity across studies and we demonstrate that outcomes may depend on methodological aspects of studies, such as study design or the approach used to measure habitat preference and fitness. More research is needed for poorly studied regions and on a wider range of species before generalizations can be made on the role of urban areas for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Zuñiga-Palacios
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Iriana Zuria
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.
| | - Ignacio Castellanos
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
| | - Carlos Lara
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Sánchez-Rojas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
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14
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Mukai A, Yamaguchi K, Goto SG. Urban warming and artificial light alter dormancy in the flesh fly. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210866. [PMID: 34295533 PMCID: PMC8278053 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal changes in temperature and day length are distinct between rural and urban areas due to urban warming and the presence of artificial light at night. Many studies have focused on the impacts of these ubiquitous signatures on daily biological events, but empirical studies on their impacts on insect seasonality are limited. In the present study, we used the flesh fly Sarcophaga similis as a model insect to determine the impacts of urbanization on the incidence and timing of diapause (dormancy), not only in the laboratory but also in rural and urban conditions. In the laboratory, diapause entry was affected by night-time light levels as low as 0.01 lux. We placed fly cages on outdoor shelves in urban and rural areas to determine the timing of diapause entry; it was retarded by approximately four weeks in urban areas relative to that in rural areas. Moreover, almost all flies in the site facing an urban residential area failed to enter diapause, even by late autumn. Although an autumnal low temperature in the urban area would mitigate the negative effect of artificial light at night, strong light pollution seriously disrupts the flesh fly seasonal adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumu Mukai
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Setsunan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koki Yamaguchi
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shin G. Goto
- Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
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15
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Haynes KJ, Robertson BA. A transdisciplinary research agenda for understanding insect responses to ecological light pollution informed by evolutionary trap theory. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 45:91-96. [PMID: 33601058 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary traps are phenomena in which rapid environmental change causes environmental cues that historically guided adaptive behavioral or life-history decisions to become poor predictors of the consequences of such decisions for an organism's fitness. Evolutionary trap theory offers an ideal framework for understanding and mitigating the effects of ecological light pollution (ELP) on insects. We emphasize the utility of an evolutionary trap perspective in demonstrating the importance of an integrated understanding of the sensory, behavioral, evolutionary, and demographic mechanisms underlying insect responses to ELP. We also highlight neglected areas of research where greater focus can help enhance understanding of how ELP affects the persistence, evolutionary trajectory, and population dynamics of insects across space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Haynes
- Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA, 22620, USA.
| | - Bruce A Robertson
- Division of Science, Mathematics and Computing, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York 12504, USA
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16
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Steward RA, Okamura Y, Boggs CL, Vogel H, Wheat CW. The Genome of the Margined White Butterfly (Pieris macdunnoughii): Sex Chromosome Insights and the Power of Polishing with PoolSeq Data. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab053. [PMID: 33739414 PMCID: PMC8085124 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab053] [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] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a chromosome-level assembly for Pieris macdunnoughii, a North American butterfly whose involvement in an evolutionary trap imposed by an invasive Eurasian mustard has made it an emerging model system for studying maladaptation in plant-insect interactions. Assembled using nearly 100× coverage of Oxford Nanopore long reads, the contig-level assembly comprised 106 contigs totaling 316,549,294 bases, with an N50 of 5.2 Mb. We polished the assembly with PoolSeq Illumina short-read data, demonstrating for the first time the comparable performance of individual and pooled short reads as polishing data sets. Extensive synteny between the reported contig-level assembly and a published, chromosome-level assembly of the European butterfly Pieris napi allowed us to generate a pseudochromosomal assembly of 47 contigs, placing 91.1% of our 317 Mb genome into a chromosomal framework. Additionally, we found support for a Z chromosome arrangement in P. napi, showing that the fusion event leading to this rearrangement predates the split between European and North American lineages of Pieris butterflies. This genome assembly and its functional annotation lay the groundwork for future research into the genetic basis of adaptive and maladaptive egg-laying behavior by P. macdunnoughii, contributing to our understanding of the susceptibility and responses of insects to evolutionary traps.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu Okamura
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Carol L Boggs
- School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado, USA
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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17
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Pérez Vega C, Zielinska-Dabkowska KM, Hölker F. Urban Lighting Research Transdisciplinary Framework-A Collaborative Process with Lighting Professionals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:E624. [PMID: 33450951 PMCID: PMC7828419 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, lighting professionals have influenced the experience of the night by brightly illuminating streets, buildings, skylines, and landscapes 24/7. When this became the accepted norm, a dual perspective on night-time was shaped and the visual enjoyment of visitors after dusk was prioritized over natural nightscapes (nocturnal landscapes). During this time, researchers of artificial light at night (ALAN) observed and reported a gradual increase in unnatural brightness and a shift in color of the night-time environment. As a consequence, ALAN has been identified as a relevant pollutant of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and an environmental stressor, which may adversely affect a wide range of organisms, from micro-organisms to humans. Unfortunately, lighting professionals and ALAN researchers usually attempt to solve today's sustainable urban lighting problems distinctive to their fields of study, without a dialogue between research and practice. Therefore, in order to translate research knowledge as an applicable solution for the lighting practice and to minimize the impact on the environment, a collaborative framework involving a transdisciplinary process with lighting professionals is crucial to potentially bring the practice, research, production, decision-making, and planning closer to each other. This paper presents a framework to help reduce the existing gap of knowledge, because appropriate lighting applications depend upon it. Access to less light polluted nightscapes in urban environments is just as important as access to unpolluted water, food, and air. This call for action towards sustainable urban lighting should be included in future lighting policies to solve the urgent environmental and health challenges facing our world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Pérez Vega
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany; (C.P.V.); (F.H.)
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Architecture and Design, Hochschule Wismar University of Applied Sciences Technology, Business and Design, 23966 Wismar, Germany
| | - Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska
- Faculty of Architecture and Design, Hochschule Wismar University of Applied Sciences Technology, Business and Design, 23966 Wismar, Germany
- GUT Light Lab, Faculty of Architecture, Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Franz Hölker
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany; (C.P.V.); (F.H.)
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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18
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Steward RA, Boggs CL. Experience may outweigh cue similarity in maintaining a persistent host‐plant‐based evolutionary trap. ECOL MONOGR 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Steward
- Department of Biological Sciences University of South Carolina 715 Sumter Street Columbia South Carolina 29208 USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte Colorado 81224 USA
| | - Carol L. Boggs
- Department of Biological Sciences University of South Carolina 715 Sumter Street Columbia South Carolina 29208 USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory PO Box 519 Crested Butte Colorado 81224 USA
- School of the Earth, Ocean, & Environment University of South Carolina 701 Sumter Street Columbia South Carolina 29208 USA
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19
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Working with Inadequate Tools: Legislative Shortcomings in Protection against Ecological Effects of Artificial Light at Night. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12062551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The fundamental change in nocturnal landscapes due to the increasing use of artificial light at night (ALAN) is recognized as being detrimental to the environment and raises important regulatory questions as to whether and how it should be regulated based on the manifold risks to the environment. Here, we present the results of an analysis of the current legal obligations on ALAN in context with a systematic review of adverse effects. The legal analysis includes the relevant aspects of European and German environmental law, specifically nature conservation and immission control. The review represents the results of 303 studies indicating significant disturbances of organisms and landscapes. We discuss the conditions for prohibitions by environmental laws and whether protection gaps persist and, hence, whether specific legislation for light pollution is necessary. While protection is predominantly provided for species with special protection status that reveal avoidance behavior of artificially lit landscapes and associated habitat loss, adverse effects on species and landscapes without special protection status are often unaddressed by existing regulations. Legislative shortcomings are caused by difficulties in proving adverse effect on the population level, detecting lighting malpractice, and applying the law to ALAN-related situations. Measures to reduce ALAN-induced environmental impacts are highlighted. We discuss whether an obligation to implement such measures is favorable for environmental protection and how regulations can be implemented.
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20
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Robertson BA, Blumstein DT. How to disarm an evolutionary trap. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A. Robertson
- Division of Science, Mathematics, and Computing Bard College Annandale‐on‐Hudson New York
| | - Daniel T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles California
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21
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Russo D, Cosentino F, Festa F, De Benedetta F, Pejic B, Cerretti P, Ancillotto L. Artificial illumination near rivers may alter bat-insect trophic interactions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:1671-1677. [PMID: 31284209 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Artificial illumination at night represents an increasingly concerning threat to ecosystems worldwide, altering persistence, behaviour, physiology and fitness of many organisms and their mutual interactions, in the long-term affecting ecosystem functioning. Bats are very sensitive to artificial light at night because they are obligate nocturnal and feed on insects which are often also responsive to lights. Here we tested the effects of LED lighting on prey-predator interactions at riverine ecosystems, using bats and their insect prey as models, and compared bat and insect reactions in terms of bat activity and prey insect abundance and diversity, respectively, on artificially lit vs. unlit nights. Artificial light influenced both insect and bat assemblages in taxon-specific directions: insect abundances increased at lit sites, particularly due to an increase in small dipterans near the light source. Composition of insect assemblages also differed significantly between lit and unlit sites. Total bat activity declined at lit sites, but this change was mainly due to the response of the most abundant species, Myotis daubentonii, while opportunistic species showed no reaction or even an opposite pattern (Pipistrellus kuhlii). We show that artificial lighting along rivers may affect trophic interactions between bats and insects, resulting in a profound alteration of community structure and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università, 100, 80055, Portici, Italy; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK.
| | - Francesca Cosentino
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Festa
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Flavia De Benedetta
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università, 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Branka Pejic
- Department of Genetic Research, Institute for Biological Research "S. Stanković", University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Pierfilippo Cerretti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università, 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
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22
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Abstract
Abstract
Sexual reproduction is overwhelmingly the most common reproductive mode among Metazoans, although it has been secondarily lost in some organisms. Ephoron shigae is a geographically parthenogenetic mayfly. Here, we provide details of the frequency of bisexual and parthenogenetic strains of E. shigae together with data on their sex ratios in the Abukuma-gawa River and one of its downstream tributaries, the Surikami-gawa River, in Japan. In a previous study in the 1990s, bisexual populations were observed in both rivers. The present study clearly shows that sex ratios have since changed to be almost entirely unisexual within the downstream area of the Abukuma-gawa River and the Surikami-gawa River. Our genetic analyses also show that these females are of a parthenogenetic strain, and that the original bisexual strains were overwhelmed within a period of <20 years. However, it was recently observed that many males and females of the bisexual strains continue to inhabit upstream areas of the Abukuma-gawa River. Therefore, we suggest that the parthenogenetic strains have increased in abundance primarily downstream. We show that a drastic change has occurred over a short period, involving the replacement of one strain and a corresponding change in reproductive mode along a riverine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sekiné
- Faculty of Geo-Environmental Science, Rissho University, Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
| | - K Tojo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
- Institute of Mountain Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
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23
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Robertson BA, Horváth G. Color polarization vision mediates the strength of an evolutionary trap. Evol Appl 2019; 12:175-186. [PMID: 30697332 PMCID: PMC6346644 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary traps are scenarios in which animals are fooled by rapidly changing conditions into preferring poor-quality resources over those that better improve survival and reproductive success. The maladaptive attraction of aquatic insects to artificial sources of horizontally polarized light (e.g., glass buildings, asphalt roads) has become a first model system by which scientists can investigate the behavioral mechanisms that cause traps to occur. We employ this field-based system to experimentally investigate (a) in which portion(s) of the spectrum are polarizationally water-imitating reflectors attractive to nocturnal terrestrial and aquatics insects, and (b) which modern lamp types result in greater attraction in this typical kind of nocturnal polarized light pollution. We found that most aquatic taxa exhibited preferences for lamps based upon their color spectra, most having lowest preference for lamps emitting blue and red light. Yet, despite previously established preference for higher degrees of polarization of reflected light, most aquatic insect families were attracted to traps based upon their unpolarized spectrum. Chironomid midges, alone, showed a preference for the color of lamplight in both the horizontally polarized and unpolarized spectra indicating only this family has evolved to use light in this color range as a source of information to guide its nocturnal habitat selection. These results demonstrate that the color of artificial lighting can exacerbate or reduce its attractiveness to aquatic insects, but that the strength of attractiveness of nocturnal evolutionary traps, and so their demographic consequences, is primarily driven by unpolarized light pollution. This focuses management attention on limiting broad-spectrum light pollution, as well as its intentional deployment to attract insects back to natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A. Robertson
- Division of Science, Mathematics and ComputingBard CollegeAnnandale‐on‐HudsonNew York
| | - Gábor Horváth
- Environmental Optics LaboratoryDepartment of Biological Physics, Physical InstituteELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
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24
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Owens ACS, Lewis SM. The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11337-11358. [PMID: 30519447 PMCID: PMC6262936 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, advances in lighting technology have precipitated exponential increases in night sky brightness worldwide, raising concerns in the scientific community about the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) on crepuscular and nocturnal biodiversity. Long-term records show that insect abundance has declined significantly over this time, with worrying implications for terrestrial ecosystems. The majority of investigations into the vulnerability of nocturnal insects to artificial light have focused on the flight-to-light behavior exhibited by select insect families. However, ALAN can affect insects in other ways as well. This review proposes five categories of ALAN impact on nocturnal insects, highlighting past research and identifying key knowledge gaps. We conclude with a summary of relevant literature on bioluminescent fireflies, which emphasizes the unique vulnerability of terrestrial light-based communication systems to artificial illumination. Comprehensive understanding of the ecological impacts of ALAN on diverse nocturnal insect taxa will enable researchers to seek out methods whereby fireflies, moths, and other essential members of the nocturnal ecosystem can coexist with humans on an increasingly urbanized planet.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara M. Lewis
- Department of BiologyTufts UniversityMedfordMassachusetts
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25
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Egri Á, Kriska G, Horváth G. Method to reduce motion artifacts of sequential imaging polarimetry: long enough exposures minimize polarization blurs of wavy water surfaces. APPLIED OPTICS 2018; 57:7564-7569. [PMID: 30461822 DOI: 10.1364/ao.57.007564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Researchers studying the polarization characteristics of the optical environment prefer to use sequential imaging polarimetry, because it is inexpensive and simple. This technique takes polarization pictures through polarizers in succession. Its main drawback is, however, that during sequential exposure of the polarization pictures, the target must not move, otherwise so-called motion artifacts are caused after evaluation of the polarization pictures. How could these disturbing motion artifacts be minimized? Taking inspiration from photography, our idea was to take the polarization pictures with an exposure that is long enough so that the changes of the moving/changing target can be averaged and, thus, motion artifacts are reduced, at least in a special case when the motion has a stable mean. In the laboratory, we demonstrated the performance of this method when the target was a wavy water surface. We found that the errors of the measured degree and angle of polarization of light reflected from the undulating water surface decreased with increasing exposure time (shutter speed) and converged to very low values. Although various simultaneous polarimeters (taking the polarization pictures at once) are available that do not suffer from motion artifacts, our method is much cheaper and performs very well, at least when the target is a wavy water surface.
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26
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Heinloth T, Uhlhorn J, Wernet MF. Insect Responses to Linearly Polarized Reflections: Orphan Behaviors Without Neural Circuits. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:50. [PMID: 29615868 PMCID: PMC5870057 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The e-vector orientation of linearly polarized light represents an important visual stimulus for many insects. Especially the detection of polarized skylight by many navigating insect species is known to improve their orientation skills. While great progress has been made towards describing both the anatomy and function of neural circuit elements mediating behaviors related to navigation, relatively little is known about how insects perceive non-celestial polarized light stimuli, like reflections off water, leaves, or shiny body surfaces. Work on different species suggests that these behaviors are not mediated by the “Dorsal Rim Area” (DRA), a specialized region in the dorsal periphery of the adult compound eye, where ommatidia contain highly polarization-sensitive photoreceptor cells whose receptive fields point towards the sky. So far, only few cases of polarization-sensitive photoreceptors have been described in the ventral periphery of the insect retina. Furthermore, both the structure and function of those neural circuits connecting to these photoreceptor inputs remain largely uncharacterized. Here we review the known data on non-celestial polarization vision from different insect species (dragonflies, butterflies, beetles, bugs and flies) and present three well-characterized examples for functionally specialized non-DRA detectors from different insects that seem perfectly suited for mediating such behaviors. Finally, using recent advances from circuit dissection in Drosophila melanogaster, we discuss what types of potential candidate neurons could be involved in forming the underlying neural circuitry mediating non-celestial polarization vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Heinloth
- Division of Neurobiology, Institut für Biology, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juliane Uhlhorn
- Division of Neurobiology, Institut für Biology, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias F Wernet
- Division of Neurobiology, Institut für Biology, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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27
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Seymoure BM. Enlightening Butterfly Conservation Efforts: The Importance of Natural Lighting for Butterfly Behavioral Ecology and Conservation. INSECTS 2018; 9:E22. [PMID: 29439549 PMCID: PMC5872287 DOI: 10.3390/insects9010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Light is arguably the most important abiotic factor for living organisms. Organisms evolved under specific lighting conditions and their behavior, physiology, and ecology are inexorably linked to light. Understanding light effects on biology could not be more important as present anthropogenic effects are greatly changing the light environments in which animals exist. The two biggest anthropogenic contributors changing light environments are: (1) anthropogenic lighting at night (i.e., light pollution); and (2) deforestation and the built environment. I highlight light importance for butterfly behavior, physiology, and ecology and stress the importance of including light as a conservation factor for conserving butterfly biodiversity. This review focuses on four parts: (1) Introducing the nature and extent of light. (2) Visual and non-visual light reception in butterflies. (3) Implications of unnatural lighting for butterflies across several different behavioral and ecological contexts. (4). Future directions for quantifying the threat of unnatural lighting on butterflies and simple approaches to mitigate unnatural light impacts on butterflies. I urge future research to include light as a factor and end with the hopeful thought that controlling many unnatural light conditions is simply done by flipping a switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Seymoure
- Department of Biology and Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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28
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Manfrin A, Lehmann D, van Grunsven RHA, Larsen S, Syväranta J, Wharton G, Voigt CC, Monaghan MT, Hölker F. Dietary changes in predators and scavengers in a nocturnally illuminated riparian ecosystem. OIKOS 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Manfrin
- Leibniz Inst. of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB); Berlin Germany
- Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld; Univ. of Applied Sciences Trier; Birkenfeld Germany
| | - David Lehmann
- Leibniz-Inst. for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW); Berlin Germany
- Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences; Univ. of Stirling; Stirling UK
| | | | - Stefano Larsen
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Leipzig Germany
- Dept of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering; Univ. of Trento; Trento Italy
| | - Jari Syväranta
- Dept of Environmental and Biological Sciences; Univ. of Eastern Finland; Joensuu Finland
| | | | | | - Michael T. Monaghan
- Leibniz Inst. of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB); Berlin Germany
| | - Franz Hölker
- Leibniz Inst. of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB); Berlin Germany
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29
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Robertson BA, Keddy-Hector IA, Shrestha SD, Silverberg LY, Woolner CE, Hetterich I, Horváth G. Susceptibility to ecological traps is similar among closely related taxa but sensitive to spatial isolation. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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30
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Gaston KJ, Davies TW, Nedelec SL, Holt LA. Impacts of Artificial Light at Night on Biological Timings. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2017. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110316-022745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom;, , ,
| | - Thomas W. Davies
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom;, , ,
| | - Sophie L. Nedelec
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom;, , ,
| | - Lauren A. Holt
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom;, , ,
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Egri Á, Száz D, Farkas A, Pereszlényi Á, Horváth G, Kriska G. Method to improve the survival of night-swarming mayflies near bridges in areas of distracting light pollution. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:171166. [PMID: 29291103 PMCID: PMC5717677 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Numerous negative ecological effects of urban lighting have been identified during the last decades. In spite of the development of lighting technologies, the detrimental effect of this form of light pollution has not declined. Several insect species are affected including the night-swarming mayfly Ephoron virgo: when encountering bridges during their mass swarming, these mayflies often fall victim to artificial lighting. We show a simple method for the conservation of these mayflies exploiting their positive phototaxis. With downstream-facing light-emitting diode beacon lights above two tributaries of the river Danube, we managed to guide egg-laying females to the water and prevent them from perishing outside the river near urban lights. By means of measuring the mayfly outflow from the river as a function of time and the on/off state of the beacons, we showed that the number of mayflies exiting the river's area was practically zero when our beacons were operating. Tributaries could be the sources of mayfly recolonization in case of water quality degradation of large rivers. The protection of mayfly populations in small rivers and safeguarding their aggregation and oviposition sites is therefore important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Egri
- MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Institute, 1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29-31, Hungary
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
| | - Dénes Száz
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Farkas
- MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Institute, 1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29-31, Hungary
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
| | - Ádám Pereszlényi
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Bird Collection, 1083 Budapest, Ludovika tér 2-6, Hungary
| | - Gábor Horváth
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
| | - György Kriska
- MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Institute, 1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29-31, Hungary
- Group for Methodology in Biology Teaching, Biological Institute, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary
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Robertson BA, Campbell DR, Durovich C, Hetterich I, Les J, Horváth G. The interface of ecological novelty and behavioral context in the formation of ecological traps. Behav Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Bennett VJ. Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40823-017-0020-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Farkas A, Száz D, Egri Á, Barta A, Mészáros Á, Hegedüs R, Horváth G, Kriska G. Mayflies are least attracted to vertical polarization: A polarotactic reaction helping to avoid unsuitable habitats. Physiol Behav 2016; 163:219-227. [PMID: 27178399 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Like other aquatic insects, mayflies are positively polarotactic and locate water surfaces by means of the horizontal polarization of water-reflected light. However, may vertically polarized light also have implications for the swarming behaviour of mayflies? To answer this question, we studied in four field experiments the behavioural responses of Ephoron virgo and Caenis robusta mayflies to lamps emitting horizontally and vertically polarized and unpolarized light. In both species, unpolarized light induces positive phototaxis, horizontally polarized light elicits positive photo- and polarotaxis, horizontally polarized light is much more attractive than unpolarized light, and vertically polarized light is the least attractive if the stimulus intensities and spectra are the same. Vertically polarized light was the most attractive for C. robusta if its intensity was about two and five times higher than that of the unpolarized and horizontally polarized stimuli, respectively. We suggest that the mayfly behaviour observed in our experiments may facilitate the stability of swarming above water surfaces. Beside the open water surface reflecting horizontally polarized light, the shadow and mirror image of riparian vegetation at the edge of the water surface reflect weakly and non-horizontally (mainly vertically) polarized light. Due to their positive polarotaxis, flying mayflies remain continuously above the water surface, because they keep away from the unpolarized or non-horizontally polarizing edge regions (water surface and coast line) of water bodies. We also discuss how our findings can explain the regulation of mayfly colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Farkas
- Danube Research Institute, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29-31, Hungary; Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary.
| | - Dénes Száz
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary.
| | - Ádám Egri
- Danube Research Institute, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29-31, Hungary; Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary.
| | - András Barta
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary; Estrato Research and Development Ltd., H-1124 Budapest, Németvölgyi út 91/c, Hungary.
| | - Ádám Mészáros
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary.
| | - Ramón Hegedüs
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Biology, Eberhard Karls University, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Gábor Horváth
- Environmental Optics Laboratory, Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary.
| | - György Kriska
- Danube Research Institute, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, H-1113 Budapest, Karolina út 29-31, Hungary; Group for Methodology in Biology Teaching, Biological Institute, Eötvös University, H-1117 Budapest, Pázmány sétány 1, Hungary.
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Sleep Ecophysiology: Integrating Neuroscience and Ecology. Trends Ecol Evol 2016; 31:590-599. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Price B, Baker E. NightLife: A cheap, robust, LED based light trap for collecting aquatic insects in remote areas. Biodivers Data J 2016:e7648. [PMID: 27099554 PMCID: PMC4822069 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.4.e7648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ed Baker
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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Blumstein DT, Berger-Tal O. Understanding sensory mechanisms to develop effective conservation and management tools. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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