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Haight JD, Hall SJ, Fidino M, Adalsteinsson SA, Ahlers AA, Angstmann J, Anthonysamy WJB, Biro E, Collins MK, Dugelby B, Gallo T, Green AM, Hartley L, Jordan MJ, Kay CAM, Lehrer EW, Long RA, MacDougall B, Magle SB, Minier DE, Mowry C, Murray M, Nininger K, Pendergast ME, Remine KR, Ryan T, Salsbury C, Sander HA, Schell CJ, Șekercioğlu ÇH, Shier CJ, Simon KC, St Clair CC, Stankowich T, Stevenson CJ, Wayne L, Will D, Williamson J, Wilson L, Zellmer AJ, Lewis JS. Urbanization, climate and species traits shape mammal communities from local to continental scales. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:1654-1666. [PMID: 37667002 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02166-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Human-driven environmental changes shape ecological communities from local to global scales. Within cities, landscape-scale patterns and processes and species characteristics generally drive local-scale wildlife diversity. However, cities differ in their structure, species pools, geographies and histories, calling into question the extent to which these drivers of wildlife diversity are predictive at continental scales. In partnership with the Urban Wildlife Information Network, we used occurrence data from 725 sites located across 20 North American cities and a multi-city, multi-species occupancy modelling approach to evaluate the effects of ecoregional characteristics and mammal species traits on the urbanization-diversity relationship. Among 37 native terrestrial mammal species, regional environmental characteristics and species traits influenced within-city effects of urbanization on species occupancy and community composition. Species occupancy and diversity were most negatively related to urbanization in the warmer, less vegetated cities. Additionally, larger-bodied species were most negatively impacted by urbanization across North America. Our results suggest that shifting climate conditions could worsen the effects of urbanization on native wildlife communities, such that conservation strategies should seek to mitigate the combined effects of a warming and urbanizing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Haight
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Sharon J Hall
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Mason Fidino
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Austin M Green
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Cria A M Kay
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Seth B Magle
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Maureen Murray
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Çagan H Șekercioğlu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Kelly C Simon
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lisa Wayne
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amanda J Zellmer
- Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jesse S Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ, USA
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Fidino M, Lehrer EW, Kay CAM, Yarmey NT, Murray MH, Fake K, Adams HC, Magle SB. Integrated species distribution models reveal spatiotemporal patterns of human-wildlife conflict. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2647. [PMID: 35535608 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To mitigate human-wildlife conflict it is imperative to know where and when conflict occurs. However, standard methods used to predict the occurrence of human-wildlife conflict often fail to recognize how a species distribution likely limits where and when conflict may happen. As such, methods that predict human-wildlife conflict could be improved if they could identify where conflict will occur relative to species' underlying distribution. To this end, we used an integrated species distribution model that combined presence-only wildlife complaints with data from a systematic camera trapping survey throughout Chicago, Illinois. This model draws upon both data sources to estimate a latent distribution of species; in addition, the model can estimate where conflict is most likely to occur within that distribution. We modeled the occupancy and conflict potential of coyote (Canis latrans), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoon (Procyon lotor) as a function of urban intensity, per capita income, and home vacancy rates throughout Chicago. Overall, the distribution of each species constrained the spatiotemporal patterns of conflict throughout the city of Chicago. Within each species distribution, we found that human-wildlife conflict was most likely to occur where humans and wildlife habitat overlap (e.g., featuring higher-than-average canopy cover and housing density). Furthermore, human-wildlife conflict was most likely to occur in high-income neighborhoods for Virginia opossum and raccoon, despite the fact that those two species have higher occupancy in low-income neighborhoods. As such, knowing where species are distributed can inform guidelines on where wildlife management should be focused, especially if it overlaps with human habitats. Finally, because this integrated model can incorporate data that have already been collected by wildlife managers or city officials, this approach could be used to develop stronger collaborations with wildlife management agencies and conduct applied research that will inform landscape-scale wildlife management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason Fidino
- Conservation and Science Department, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Cria A M Kay
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Nicholas T Yarmey
- Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Kimberly Fake
- Conservation and Science Department, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Henry C Adams
- Conservation and Science Department, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Seth B Magle
- Conservation and Science Department, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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3
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Bernasconi DA, Dixon WC, Hamilton MT, Helton JL, Chipman RB, Gilbert AT, Beasley JC, Rhodes OE, Dharmarajan G. Influence of landscape attributes on Virginia opossum density. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Bernasconi
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia, Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Wesley C. Dixon
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia, Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Matthew T. Hamilton
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - James L. Helton
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia, Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Richard B. Chipman
- National Rabies Management Program, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services Concord NH 03301 USA
| | - Amy T. Gilbert
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia, Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Division of Sciences, School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences, Krea University, Sri City Andhra Pradesh India
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Gargano D, Bernardo L, Rovito S, Passalacqua NG, Abeli T. Do marginal plant populations enhance the fitness of larger core units under ongoing climate change? Empirical insights from a rare carnation. AOB PLANTS 2022; 14:plac022. [PMID: 35673362 PMCID: PMC9167561 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Assisted gene flow (AGF) can restore fitness in small plant populations. Due to climate change, current fitness patterns could vary in the future ecological scenario, as highly performant lineages can undergo maladaptation under the new climatic contexts. Peripheral populations have been argued to represent a potential source of species adaptation against climate change, but experimental evidence is poor. This paper considers the consequences of within- and between-population mating between a large core population and the southernmost population, the rare Dianthus guliae, to evaluate optimal AGF design under current and future conditions. We performed experimental self-pollinations and within- and between-population cross-pollinations to generate seed material and test its adaptive value to aridity. Seed germination, seedling growth and survival were measured under current and expected aridity. Effects of population type, pollination treatment and stress treatment on fitness components were analysed by generalized linear models. Relative measures of inbreeding depression and heterosis were taken under different stress treatments. Self-pollination reduced fitness for all the considered traits compared to within- and between-population cross-pollination. Under current aridity regime, the core population expressed higher fitness, and a larger magnitude of inbreeding depression. This indicated the core unit is close to its fitness optimum and could allow for restoring the fitness of the small peripheral population. Contrarily, under increased aridity, the fitness of outbred core lineages decreased, suggesting the rise of maladaptation. In this scenario, AGF from the small peripheral population enhanced the fitness of the core unit, whereas AGF from the core population promoted a fitness loss in the peripheral population. Hence, the small peripheral population could improve fitness of large core units versus climate change, while the contrary could be not true. Integrating reciprocal breeding programmes and fitness analyses under current and predicted ecological conditions can support optimal AGF design in a long-term perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liliana Bernardo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra dell’Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
- Museo di Storia Naturale della Calabria ed Orto Botanico dell’Università della Calabria, loc. Polifunzionale, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Simone Rovito
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra dell’Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Nicodemo G Passalacqua
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra dell’Università della Calabria, Via P. Bucci, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
- Museo di Storia Naturale della Calabria ed Orto Botanico dell’Università della Calabria, loc. Polifunzionale, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Thomas Abeli
- Department of Science, University of Roma Tre, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Roma, Italy
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DeGregorio BA, Veon JT, Massey A. Wildlife associates of nine‐banded armadillo (
Dasypus novemcinctus
) burrows in Arkansas. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8858. [PMID: 35600691 PMCID: PMC9108314 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brett A. DeGregorio
- U.S. Geological Survey Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA
| | - John T. Veon
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA
| | - Andrhea Massey
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville Arkansas USA
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6
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Goel N, Keitt TH. The mismatch between range and niche limits due to source-sink dynamics can be greater than species mean dispersal distance. Am Nat 2022; 200:448-455. [DOI: 10.1086/720420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Veals AM, Koprowski JL, Bergman DL, VerCauteren KC, Wester DB. Occurrence of mesocarnivores in montane sky islands: How spatial and temporal overlap informs rabies management in a regional hotspot. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259260. [PMID: 34739496 PMCID: PMC8570508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecific interactions among mesocarnivores can influence community dynamics and resource partitioning. Insights into these interactions can enhance understanding of local ecological processes that have impacts on pathogen transmission, such as the rabies lyssavirus. Host species ecology can provide an important baseline for disease management strategies especially in biologically diverse ecosystems and heterogeneous landscapes. We used a mesocarnivore guild native to the southwestern United States, a regional rabies hotspot, that are prone to rabies outbreaks as our study system. Gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) share large portions of their geographic ranges and can compete for resources, occupy similar niches, and influence population dynamics of each other. We deployed 80 cameras across two mountain ranges in Arizona, stratified by vegetation type. We used two-stage modeling to gain insight into species occurrence and co-occurrence patterns. There was strong evidence for the effects of elevation, season, and temperature impacting detection probability of all four species, with understory height and canopy cover also influencing gray foxes and skunks. For all four mesocarnivores, a second stage multi-species co-occurrence model better explained patterns of detection than the single-species occurrence model. These four species are influencing the space use of each other and are likely competing for resources seasonally. We did not observe spatial partitioning between these competitors, likely due to an abundance of cover and food resources in the biologically diverse system we studied. From our results we can draw inferences on community dynamics to inform rabies management in a regional hotspot. Understanding environmental factors in disease hotspots can provide useful information to develop more reliable early-warning systems for viral outbreaks. We recommend that disease management focus on delivering oral vaccine baits onto the landscape when natural food resources are less abundant, specifically during the two drier seasons in Arizona (pre-monsoon spring and autumn) to maximize intake by all mesocarnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Veals
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - John L. Koprowski
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - David L. Bergman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Kurt C. VerCauteren
- United States Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research Center, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - David B. Wester
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, United States of America
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8
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Napolitano C, Larraguibel-González C, Cepeda-Mercado AA, Vial P, Sanderson J. New records of Leopardus guigna in its northern-most distribution in Chile: implications for conservation. REVISTA CHILENA DE HISTORIA NATURAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s40693-020-00095-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWe report new records of the wild felid Leopardus guigna in its northern-most distribution, in the southern Coquimbo and northern Valparaíso regions, in northern-central Chile. To our knowledge, these are the northern-most confirmed guigna records to date. We discuss implications for the conservation of these fragile populations in the face of different anthropic threats.
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9
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Arreola-Gómez R, Mendoza E. Marsupial Visitation to the Inflorescences of the Endemic Agave cupreata in Western Mexico. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2020. [DOI: 10.3398/064.080.0417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Arreola-Gómez
- Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. San Juanito Itzicuaro s/n, Nueva Esperanza, Morelia, C.P. 58337, Michoacán, México
| | - Eduardo Mendoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. San Juanito Itzicuaro s/n, Nueva Esperanza, Morelia, C.P. 58337, Michoacán, México
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10
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Sirén APK, Morelli TL. Interactive range-limit theory (iRLT): An extension for predicting range shifts. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:940-954. [PMID: 31758805 PMCID: PMC7187220 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A central theme of range-limit theory (RLT) posits that abiotic factors form high-latitude/altitude limits, whereas biotic interactions create lower limits. This hypothesis, often credited to Charles Darwin, is a pattern widely assumed to occur in nature. However, abiotic factors can impose constraints on both limits and there is scant evidence to support the latter prediction. Deviations from these predictions may arise from correlations between abiotic factors and biotic interactions, as a lack of data to evaluate the hypothesis, or be an artifact of scale. Combining two tenets of ecology-niche theory and predator-prey theory-provides an opportunity to understand how biotic interactions influence range limits and how this varies by trophic level. We propose an expansion of RLT, interactive RLT (iRLT), to understand the causes of range limits and predict range shifts. Incorporating the main predictions of Darwin's hypothesis, iRLT hypothesizes that abiotic and biotic factors can interact to impact both limits of a species' range. We summarize current thinking on range limits and perform an integrative review to evaluate support for iRLT and trophic differences along range margins, surveying the mammal community along the boreal-temperate and forest-tundra ecotones of North America. Our review suggests that range-limit dynamics are more nuanced and interactive than classically predicted by RLT. Many (57 of 70) studies indicate that biotic factors can ameliorate harsh climatic conditions along high-latitude/altitude limits. Conversely, abiotic factors can also mediate biotic interactions along low-latitude/altitude limits (44 of 68 studies). Both scenarios facilitate range expansion, contraction or stability depending on the strength and the direction of the abiotic or biotic factors. As predicted, biotic interactions most often occurred along lower limits, yet there were trophic differences. Carnivores were only limited by competitive interactions (n = 25), whereas herbivores were more influenced by predation and parasitism (77%; 55 of 71 studies). We highlight how these differences may create divergent range patterns along lower limits. We conclude by (a) summarizing iRLT; (b) contrasting how our model system and others fit this hypothesis and (c) suggesting future directions for evaluating iRLT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexej P. K. Sirén
- Department of Interior Northeast Climate Adaptation Science CenterU.S. Geological SurveyAmherstMAUSA
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMAUSA
| | - Toni Lyn Morelli
- Department of Interior Northeast Climate Adaptation Science CenterU.S. Geological SurveyAmherstMAUSA
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMAUSA
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11
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Wait KR, Ahlers AA. Virginia opossum distributions are influenced by human-modified landscapes and water availability in tallgrass prairies. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The Flint Hills represent the largest tract of tallgrass prairie in North America and is located near the western edge of the native range of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). This region is undergoing rapid landscape changes (e.g., urbanization, agriculture, woody encroachment) that are negatively affecting mammal communities. Although previous research has revealed northward distributional expansions of Virginia opossums facilitated by urban development, no studies have assessed how landscape change affects distribution patterns along the western edge of their geographic range. During 2016–2018, we monitored site (n = 74) occupancy along urban–rural transects in the Flint Hills to assess the influence of landscape change (i.e., urban, grassland, agriculture, woody encroachment) and water availability on the distribution of Virginia opossums. Sites surrounded by urban land cover had greater initial occupancy probabilities and lower extinction rates. Sites closer to permanent water sources experienced greater colonization rates and lower extinction rates. In addition, site extinction rates were lower in areas surrounded by woody encroachment. Our results concur with other studies suggesting that growing urban areas may expand opossum distributions along the edges of their geographic range. Our study also suggests that woody encroachment into tallgrass prairies may provide an alternative pathway for future distributional expansions. Future research must consider the potential for landscape change, along with dynamic water availability, in models predicting the distribution of Virginia opossums.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle R Wait
- Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Adam A Ahlers
- Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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12
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Stinson K, Carley L, Hancock L, Donohue K. Effects of maternal source and progeny microhabitat on natural selection and population dynamics in Alliaria petiolata. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2019; 106:821-832. [PMID: 31162644 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE The success or failure of propagules in contrasting microhabitats may play a role in biological invasion. We tested for variation in demographic performance and phenotypic trait expression during invasion by Alliaria petiolata in different microhabitats. METHODS We performed a reciprocal transplant experiment with Alliaria petiolata from edge, intermediate, and forest understory microhabitats to determine the roles of the environment and maternal source on traits, fecundity, population growth rates (λ), and selection. RESULTS Observations of in situ populations show that edge populations had the highest density and reproductive output, and forest populations had the lowest. In experimental populations, population growth rates and reproductive output were highest in the edge, and the intermediate habitat had the lowest germination and juvenile survival. Traits exhibited phenotypic plasticity in response to microhabitat, but that plasticity was not adaptive. There were few effects of maternal source location on fitness components or traits. CONCLUSIONS Alliaria petiolata appears to be viable, or nearly so, in all three microhabitat types, with edge populations likely providing seed to the other microhabitats. The intermediate microhabitat may filter propagules at the seed stage, but discrepancies between in situ observations and experimental transplants preclude clear conclusions about the role of each microhabitat in niche expansion. However, edge microhabitats show the highest seed output in both analyses, suggesting that managing edge habitats might reduce spread to the forest understory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Stinson
- University of Massachusetts, Environmental Conservation, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
- Harvard University, Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA, 01366, USA
| | - Lauren Carley
- Duke University Program in Ecology, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Duke University Biology Department, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Laura Hancock
- University of Massachusetts, Environmental Conservation, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
- University of Massachusetts, Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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13
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LeFlore EG, Fuller TK, Finn JT, DeStefano S, Organ JF. Wild Canid Distribution and Co-existence in a Natural–Urban Matrix of the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2019. [DOI: 10.1656/045.026.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric G. LeFlore
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Todd K. Fuller
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - John T. Finn
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Stephen DeStefano
- US Geological Survey Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
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14
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Bondo KJ, Pearl DL, Janecko N, Reid-Smith RJ, Parmley EJ, Weese JS, Rousseau J, Taboada E, Mutschall S, Jardine CM. Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, and anti-microbial resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of sympatric meso-mammals in southern Ontario, Canada. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:406-416. [PMID: 30985994 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The role of free-ranging wildlife in the epidemiology of enteropathogens causing clinical illness in humans and domestic animals is unclear. Salmonella enterica and anti-microbial resistant bacteria have been detected in the faeces of raccoons (Procyon lotor), but little is known about the carriage of these bacteria in other sympatric meso-mammals. Our objectives were to: (a) report the prevalence of Salmonella and associated anti-microbial resistance, Campylobacter spp, Clostridium difficile, and anti-microbial resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in southern Ontario; and (b) compare the prevalence of these bacteria in the faeces of these meso-mammal hosts with raccoons from a previously reported study. Faecal swabs were collected from striped skunks and Virginia opossums on five swine farms and five conservation areas from 2011 to 2013. Salmonella was detected in 41% (9/22) and 5% (5/95) of faecal swabs from Virginia opossums and striped skunks, respectively. None of the Salmonella serovars carried resistance to anti-microbials. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp., C. difficile, and anti-microbial resistant E. coli ranged from 6% to 22% in striped skunk and Virginia opossums. Using exact logistic regression, Salmonella was significantly more likely to be detected in faecal swabs of Virginia opossums than skunks and significantly less likely in faecal swabs from skunks than raccoons from a previously reported study. In addition, Campylobacter spp. was significantly more likely to be detected in raccoons than opossums. Salmonella Give was detected in 8/9 (89%) of Salmonella-positive Virginia opossum faecal swabs. Our results suggest that striped skunks and Virginia opossums have the potential to carry pathogenic enteric bacteria in their faeces. The high prevalence of Salmonella Give in Virginia opossum faecal swabs in this study as well as its common occurrence in other Virginia opossum studies throughout North America suggests Virginia opossums may be reservoirs of this serovar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J Bondo
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - David L Pearl
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicol Janecko
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard J Reid-Smith
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - E Jane Parmley
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joyce Rousseau
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eduardo Taboada
- National Microbiology Laboratory at Lethbridge, Public Health Agency of Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steven Mutschall
- National Microbiology Laboratory at Lethbridge, Public Health Agency of Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Claire M Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Potential distribution of coyotes (Canis latrans), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Urban Ecosyst 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-018-0778-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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16
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Walsh L, Tucker P. Contemporary range expansion of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) impacted by humans and snow cover. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Range expansions are key demographic events driven by factors such as climate change and human intervention that ultimately influence the genetic composition of peripheral populations. The expansion of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana Kerr, 1792) into Michigan has been documented over the past 200 years, indicating relatively new colonizations in northern Michigan. Although most contemporary expansions are a result of shifts in climate regimes, the opossum has spread beyond its hypothesized climate niche, offering an opportunity to examine the compounding influence that climate change and humans have on a species’ distribution. The genetic consequences of two range expansions were investigated using genotypic data for nine microsatellite markers from opossums collected in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, USA. Two genetic clusters were identified: one on either side of Lake Michigan. Using general linear models, we found that measurements of genetic diversity across 15 counties are best explained by days of snow on the ground. Next best models incorporate anthropogenic covariates including farm density. These models suggest that opossum expansion may be facilitated by agricultural land development and at the same time be limited by their inability to forage in snow.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.L. Walsh
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - P.K. Tucker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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17
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Barnett LK, Phillips BL, Hoskin CJ. Going feral: Time and propagule pressure determine range expansion of Asian house geckos into natural environments. AUSTRAL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Louise K. Barnett
- College of Marine & Environmental Sciences; James Cook University; Townsville Queensland 4811 Australia
| | - Ben L. Phillips
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Conrad J. Hoskin
- College of Marine & Environmental Sciences; James Cook University; Townsville Queensland 4811 Australia
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18
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Lowrey C, Longshore K, Riddle B, Mantooth S. Ecology, distribution, and predictive occurrence modeling of Palmer’s chipmunk (Tamias palmeri): a high-elevation small mammal endemic to the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada, USA. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Although montane sky islands surrounded by desert scrub and shrub steppe comprise a large part of the biological diversity of the Basin and Range Province of southwestern North America, comprehensive ecological and population demographic studies for high-elevation small mammals within these areas are rare. Here, we examine the ecology and population parameters of the Palmer’s chipmunk (Tamias palmeri) in the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada, and present a predictive GIS-based distribution and probability of occurrence model at both home range and geographic spatial scales. Logistic regression analyses and Akaike Information Criterion model selection found variables of forest type, slope, and distance to water sources as predictive of chipmunk occurrence at the geographic scale. At the home range scale, increasing population density, decreasing overstory canopy cover, and decreasing understory canopy cover contributed to increased survival rates.
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19
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Beatty WS, Beasley JC, Olson ZH, Rhodes OE. Influence of habitat attributes on density of Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in agricultural ecosystems. CAN J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In agriculturally fragmented ecosystems, mesopredators play dominant roles in food webs through scavenging. We examined the influence of habitat attributes associated with carrion on local Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana Kerr, 1792) density in an agricultural landscape. We conducted opossum mark–recapture in 25 forest patches from 2005 to 2010, which represented the most extensive sampling of opossums to date. We analyzed mark–recapture data with a closed robust design and evaluated effects of landscape features linked to carrion on opossum density and female opossum density with generalized linear mixed-effects models. We included landscape-level (1481.6 m buffer) and patch-level covariates linked to carrion in addition to other covariates associated with high opossum densities. We developed a set of 19 candidate models and examined model fit with Akaike’s information criterion. The top model for opossum density included the density of adjoining roads, whereas the top model for female density included patch size, although the statistical null was a competing model in both cases. The long-distance dispersal capability and generalist diet of the opossum likely precluded us from detecting a definitive relationship between covariates and opossum density. The scale of effect for opossum density in agriculturally fragmented landscapes is likely larger than the spatial scales examined here.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S. Beatty
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zachary H. Olson
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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20
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Fidino MA, Lehrer EW, Magle SB. Habitat Dynamics of the Virginia Opossum in a Highly Urban Landscape. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2016. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-175.2.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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21
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Genetic diversity of Didelphis virginiana related to different levels of disturbance in the Highlands and the Central Depression regions of Chiapas, Mexico. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467416000080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is considered highly adaptable to anthropogenic disturbances; however, the genetic effects of disturbance on this marsupial have not been studied in wild populations in Mexico. Here we evaluated the genetic diversity of D. virginiana at sites with different levels of disturbance within the Highlands and Central Depression regions of Chiapas in southern Mexico. Twelve microsatellite loci were used and the results demonstrated moderate mean heterozygosity (He = 0.60; Ho = 0.50). No significant differences in heterozygosity were found among sites with different levels of disturbance in both regions (range Ho = 0.42–0.57). We observed low but significant levels of genetic differentiation according to disturbance level. The inbreeding coefficient did not differ significantly from zero, suggesting that low genetic differentiation in these environments may be associated with sufficient random mating and gene flow, a result associated with the high dispersal and tolerance characteristics of this marsupial. Our results for D. virginiana in this particular area of Mexico provide a foundation for exploring the impact of human disturbance on the genetic diversity of a common and generalist species.
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22
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Direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic bird food on population dynamics of a songbird. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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23
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Magle SB, Lehrer EW, Fidino M. Urban mesopredator distribution: examining the relative effects of landscape and socioeconomic factors. Anim Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. B. Magle
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Department of Conservation and Science; Lincoln Park Zoo; Chicago IL USA
| | - E. W. Lehrer
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Department of Conservation and Science; Lincoln Park Zoo; Chicago IL USA
| | - M. Fidino
- Urban Wildlife Institute, Department of Conservation and Science; Lincoln Park Zoo; Chicago IL USA
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24
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Genetic and fitness consequences of interpopulation mating in Dianthus guliae Janka: conservation implications for severely depleted and isolated plant populations. CONSERV GENET 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-015-0727-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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25
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Beasley JC, Dharmarajan G, Rhodes OE. Melding kin structure and demography to elucidate source and sink habitats in fragmented landscapes. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es14-00274.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J. C. Beasley
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 195 Marsteller Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 USA
| | - G. Dharmarajan
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 195 Marsteller Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 USA
| | - O. E. Rhodes
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 195 Marsteller Street, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 USA
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26
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Fernández M, Hamilton H. Ecological niche transferability using invasive species as a case study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119891. [PMID: 25785858 PMCID: PMC4364959 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Species distribution modeling is widely applied to predict invasive species distributions and species range shifts under climate change. Accurate predictions depend upon meeting the assumption that ecological niches are conserved, i.e., spatially or temporally transferable. Here we present a multi-taxon comparative analysis of niche conservatism using biological invasion events well documented in natural history museum collections. Our goal is to assess spatial transferability of the climatic niche of a range of noxious terrestrial invasive species using two complementary approaches. First we compare species' native versus invasive ranges in environmental space using two distinct methods, Principal Components Analysis and Mahalanobis distance. Second we compare species' native versus invaded ranges in geographic space as estimated using the species distribution modeling technique Maxent and the comparative index Hellinger's I. We find that species exhibit a range of responses, from almost complete transferability, in which the invaded niches completely overlap with the native niches, to a complete dissociation between native and invaded ranges. Intermediate responses included expansion of dimension attributable to either temperature or precipitation derived variables, as well as niche expansion in multiple dimensions. We conclude that the ecological niche in the native range is generally a poor predictor of invaded range and, by analogy, the ecological niche may be a poor predictor of range shifts under climate change. We suggest that assessing dimensions of niche transferability prior to standard species distribution modeling may improve the understanding of species' dynamics in the invaded range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Fernández
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Healy Hamilton
- NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
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27
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Troyer EM, Cameron Devitt SE, Sunquist ME, Goswami VR, Oli MK. Density dependence or climatic variation? Factors influencing survival, recruitment, and population growth rate of Virginia opossums. J Mammal 2014. [DOI: 10.1644/13-mamm-a-164.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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28
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Dawe K, Bayne E, Boutin S. Influence of climate and human land use on the distribution of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the western boreal forest. CAN J ZOOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the factors that drive species distributions is emerging as an important tool in wildlife management, under unprecedented changes in species ranges. While invasion ecologists have long studied the impact of human land use on species’ distributions, and models developed more recently to explain changes in species range boundaries have been largely parameterized by climate variables, few authors have considered climate and land-use factors together to explain species distribution. The purpose of this study was to test two main competing hypotheses involving human land use and climate effects on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) distribution, which has expanded into the boreal ecosystem in recent decades. Using a species distribution modeling approach with data from boreal Alberta, we found that climate, as measured by an index of winter severity, was the most important individual factor determining current white-tailed deer distribution in boreal Alberta. Human land use (as measured by total land-use footprint) acted to substantially increase white-tailed deer presence but only in areas with more severe winter conditions. We use our findings to recommend where limiting or reclaiming the industrial footprint may be most beneficial to limiting white-tailed deer distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.L. Dawe
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW405, Biological Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - E.M. Bayne
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW405, Biological Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - S. Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW405, Biological Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
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29
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Huntsman BM, Petty JT. Density-dependent regulation of brook trout population dynamics along a core-periphery distribution gradient in a central Appalachian watershed. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91673. [PMID: 24618602 PMCID: PMC3950256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial population models predict strong density-dependence and relatively stable population dynamics near the core of a species' distribution with increasing variance and importance of density-independent processes operating towards the population periphery. Using a 10-year data set and an information-theoretic approach, we tested a series of candidate models considering density-dependent and density-independent controls on brook trout population dynamics across a core-periphery distribution gradient within a central Appalachian watershed. We sampled seven sub-populations with study sites ranging in drainage area from 1.3-60 km(2) and long-term average densities ranging from 0.335-0.006 trout/m. Modeled response variables included per capita population growth rate of young-of-the-year, adult, and total brook trout. We also quantified a stock-recruitment relationship for the headwater population and coefficients of variability in mean trout density for all sub-populations over time. Density-dependent regulation was prevalent throughout the study area regardless of stream size. However, density-independent temperature models carried substantial weight and likely reflect the effect of year-to-year variability in water temperature on trout dispersal between cold tributaries and warm main stems. Estimated adult carrying capacities decreased exponentially with increasing stream size from 0.24 trout/m in headwaters to 0.005 trout/m in the main stem. Finally, temporal variance in brook trout population size was lowest in the high-density headwater population, tended to peak in mid-sized streams and declined slightly in the largest streams with the lowest densities. Our results provide support for the hypothesis that local density-dependent processes have a strong control on brook trout dynamics across the entire distribution gradient. However, the mechanisms of regulation likely shift from competition for limited food and space in headwater streams to competition for thermal refugia in larger main stems. It also is likely that source-sink dynamics and dispersal from small headwater habitats may partially influence brook trout population dynamics in the main stem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brock M. Huntsman
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - J. Todd Petty
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States of America
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30
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Beatty WS, Beasley JC, Rhodes OE. Habitat selection by a generalist mesopredator near its historical range boundary. CAN J ZOOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana Kerr, 1792) has expanded its geographic range northward since European settlement, which has been attributed to its ability to exploit anthropogenic resources. To examine the utility of anthropogenic resources to this species, we monitored 61 opossums from 2009 to 2010 with very high frequency (VHF) telemetry in a fragmented agricultural ecosystem in northern Indiana, USA, at the periphery of the opossum’s historical distribution. We examined the influence of anthropogenic (agricultural areas, developed land, roads), disturbed (corridor, forest edge, grassland, water), and native (forest, shrub land) habitats on habitat selection at the second- and third-order scales across three seasons. At the second-order scale, areas proximate to agricultural fields and developed land were selected in the breeding and postbreeding seasons, respectively. Areas proximate to roads were selected at both spatial scales during all seasons except winter at the third-order scale. Areas near forest with high forest-edge density were selected throughout the year at both spatial scales, but confidence intervals for forest during the postbreeding season marginally overlapped zero (third-order scale). Although anthropogenic habitats provide novel resources for opossums, forest and forest edge remain essential components to populations near their historical distributional limit in agricultural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S. Beatty
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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31
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Davies N, Gramotnev G, Seabrook L, Bradley A, Baxter G, Rhodes J, Lunney D, McAlpine C. Movement patterns of an arboreal marsupial at the edge of its range: a case study of the koala. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2013; 1:8. [PMID: 25709822 PMCID: PMC4337771 DOI: 10.1186/2051-3933-1-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conservation strategies derived from research carried out in one part of the range of a widely distributed species and then uniformly applied over multiple regions risk being ineffective due to regional variations in species-habitat relationships. This is particularly true at the edge of the range where information on animal movements and resource selection is often limited. Here, we investigate home range size, movement patterns and resource selection of koalas Phascolarctos cinereus in the semi-arid and arid landscapes of southwest Queensland, Australia. We placed collars with GPS units on 21 koalas in three biogeographic regions. Home range sizes, resource selection and movement patterns were examined across the three regions. RESULTS Habitat selectivity was highest at the more arid, western edge of the koala's range with their occupancy restricted to riparian/drainage line habitats, while the more easterly koalas displayed more variability in habitat use. There was no significant difference between home range sizes of koalas at the western edge of the range compared to the more easterly koalas. Instead, variability in home range size was attributed to spatial variations in habitat quality or the availability of a key resource, with a strong influence of rainfall and the presence of freestanding water on the home range size of koalas. Within a 580 m spatial range, movement patterns of male and female paths showed a tortuous trend, consistent with foraging behavior. Beyond this spatial range, male paths showed a trend to more linear patterns, representing a transition of movement behavior from foraging to breeding and dispersal. CONCLUSIONS The difference in home range movement patterns and resource use among the different koala populations shows that behavior changes with proximity to the arid edge of the koala's range. Changes in home range size and resource use near the range edge highlight the importance of further range-edge studies for informing effective koala conservation and management actions, especially when developing species-specific adaptation responses to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Davies
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Galina Gramotnev
- The University of Queensland, Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Leonie Seabrook
- The University of Queensland, Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia ; The University of Queensland, Environmental Decisions Group, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Adrian Bradley
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Greg Baxter
- The University of Queensland, Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Jonathan Rhodes
- The University of Queensland, Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia ; The University of Queensland, Environmental Decisions Group, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Daniel Lunney
- Office of Environment and Heritage NSW, PO Box 1967, Hurstville, New South Wales 2220 Australia ; School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Clive McAlpine
- The University of Queensland, Landscape Ecology and Conservation Group, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia ; The University of Queensland, Environmental Decisions Group, St Lucia, Queensland 4072 Australia
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32
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Guo Q. Incorporating latitudinal and central-marginal trends in assessing genetic variation across species ranges. Mol Ecol 2012; 21:5396-403. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qinfeng Guo
- USDA FS; Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center; 200 WT Weaver Blvd.; Asheville; NC; 28804; USA
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33
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Wright JD, Burt MS, Jackson VL. Influences of an Urban Environment on Home Range and Body Mass of Virginia Opossums (Didelphis virginiana). Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2012. [DOI: 10.1656/045.019.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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34
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Matthews A, Green K. Seasonal and altitudinal influences on the home range and movements of common wombats in the
A
ustralian
S
nowy
M
ountains. J Zool (1987) 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00881.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Matthews
- Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University Albury NSW Australia
| | - K Green
- Snowy Mountains Region National Parks and Wildlife Service Jindabyne NSW Australia
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35
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Donker SA, Krebs CJ. Evidence for source - sink dynamics in a regional population of arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii plesius). WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2012. [DOI: 10.1071/wr11167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Variable demographic rates can manifest themselves between habitat types in the form of source–sink dynamics where populations in sink habitats would not exist without the addition of migrants from source habitats.
Aims
Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii pleisus (Osgood, 1900)) occupy a large geographic area in northern Canada and live in a variety of habitat types, including boreal forest, low-elevation meadows and alpine meadows, providing an opportunity to investigate the possible existence of source–sink dynamics.
Methods
We hypothesised that arctic ground squirrels in the south-western Yukon exhibit demographic characteristics indicative of source–sink dynamics. Boreal forest habitat could be a sink in spite of previous high squirrel densities, whereas meadows could be a source. We investigated this by mark–recapture live-trapping and radio-telemetry.
Key Results
In the boreal forest in the Kluane region, we found reduced recruitment, reduced population growth rates (λ), and reduced survivorship for radio-collared individuals that moved from low-elevation meadows into the boreal forest. There was no evidence from radio-collared juveniles of dispersal from high-density ground squirrel populations in alpine meadows down into boreal forest.
Conclusions
Boreal forest is a sink habitat for arctic ground squirrels. Source–sink dynamics observed between low-elevation meadow and boreal forest habitats appear to result from increased predation pressure in the boreal forest. The result has been a near extirpation of boreal forest arctic ground squirrels in the Kluane region since 1998.
Implications
Because the source areas of low-elevation meadows occupy only 7–9% of the lowland habitat, recolonisation of boreal forest sites has been very slow. Whereas alpine populations remain high in 2011, boreal forest populations remain near zero. Alpine populations do not appear to be a source for the boreal forest.
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Lehrer E, Schooley R, Whittington J. Survival and antipredator behavior of woodchucks (Marmota monax) along an urban–agricultural gradient. CAN J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1139/z11-107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Understanding effects of urbanization on biodiversity requires integrated assessments of demographic and behavioral responses by species, including urban-adapter species. Past research on mammalian responses to urbanization has emphasized predators, but prey species could respond to additional factors including variation in predation risk. We examined spatial heterogeneity in real and perceived risk across an urbanization gradient by comparing survival rates, causes of mortality, and antipredator behavior of adult woodchucks ( Marmota monax (L., 1758)) within an agricultural landscape in Illinois from 2007 to 2009. Survival rates were higher, and effects of urbanization were stronger, during the inactive season. Rural woodchucks primarily died from predation or costs associated with hibernation, whereas urban woodchucks mainly died from vehicle collisions or unknown reasons. Mean levels of antipredator behavior were unrelated to urbanization, but among-individual variation in vigilance levels increased in urban areas, which may reflect increased spatial variation in disturbance levels within urban environments. Distances from burrows while foraging and flight initiation distances also were unrelated to urbanization, suggesting that urban woodchucks were not strongly habituated to humans. Our research provides insights into demographic and behavioral responses to urbanization, and constraints to responses, by an urban-adapter species.
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Affiliation(s)
- E.W. Lehrer
- University of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - R.L. Schooley
- University of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - J.K. Whittington
- University of Illinois, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, 1008 West Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
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Combining citizen science, bioclimatic envelope models and observed habitat preferences to determine the distribution of an inconspicuous, recently detected introduced bee (Halictus smaragdulus Vachal Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Australia. Biol Invasions 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-011-0092-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Yackulic CB, Sanderson EW, Uriarte M. Anthropogenic and environmental drivers of modern range loss in large mammals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:4024-9. [PMID: 21368120 PMCID: PMC3054034 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1015097108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The extinction of a species is inevitably preceded by the extirpation of a series of local populations. Ecological theory predicts that vulnerability to extirpation varies between populations and is ultimately linked to environmental heterogeneity. If populations of a species are present in multiple regions separated by abrupt changes in environmental conditions (e.g., biomes), spatial variation in vulnerability to extirpation may be closely linked to the distribution of these regions. In the absence of abrupt shifts in environmental conditions, populations at the edge of a species' range should have low growth rates and be more vulnerable to extirpation, whereas populations located in the core of the species' range should be exposed to more favorable environmental conditions, have higher growth rates, and be less vulnerable. Here, we ask whether the distribution of biomes or range position better reflects spatial variation in vulnerability for 43 mammal species distributed through four continents. We control for the distribution of human threats and quantify the importance of protected areas in population persistence. We conclude that the distribution of biomes is a better predictor of vulnerability than position in the geographic range. We also find that core populations are less vulnerable than edge populations (after controlling for threats levels and protected areas). Protected areas are important for the persistence of most species we studied. By providing a measure of vulnerability linked directly to the distribution of threats, our results offer insights for scaling up from species vulnerability to extinction risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles B Yackulic
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Urban areas may serve as habitat and corridors for dry-adapted, heat tolerant species; an example from ants. Urban Ecosyst 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-010-0150-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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