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Braun J, Lortie CJ. Environmental filtering mediates desert ant community assembly at two spatial scales. Oecologia 2024; 205:231-244. [PMID: 38761196 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05559-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that maintain species coexistence and determine patterns of community assembly are fundamental goals of ecology. Quantifying the relationship between species traits and stress gradients is a necessary step to disentangle assembly processes and to be able to predict the outcome of environmental change. We examined the hypothesis that desert ant communities are assembled by niche-based processes i.e., environmental filtering and limiting similarity. First, we used population-level morphological trait measurements to study the functional structure of ant communities along a dryland environmental stress gradient. Second, we developed species distribution models for each species to quantify large-scale climatic niche overlap between species. Body, femur, antennal scape, and head lengths were correlated with environmental gradients. Regionally, the ant community was significantly and functionally overdispersed in terms of morphological traits which suggests the importance of competition to ant community structure. Ant community assembly was also strongly influenced by environmental factors as the degree of functional trait divergence, but not phylogenetic divergence, decreased with increasing environmental stress. Thus, environmental stress likely mediates limiting similarity in these desert ecosystems. Species with lower climatic niche overlap were more dissimilar in morphological traits. This suggests that environmental filtering on ant functional traits is important at the scale of species distributions in addition to regional scales. This study shows that environmental and biotic filtering (i.e., niche-based assembly mechanisms) are jointly and non-independently structuring the ant community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Braun
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - C J Lortie
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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2
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Sosiak C, Janovitz T, Perrichot V, Timonera JP, Barden P. Trait-Based Paleontological Niche Prediction Recovers Extinct Ecological Breadth of the Earliest Specialized Ant Predators. Am Nat 2023; 202:E147-E162. [PMID: 38033183 DOI: 10.1086/726739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
AbstractPaleoecological estimation is fundamental to the reconstruction of evolutionary and environmental histories. The ant fossil record preserves a range of species in three-dimensional fidelity and chronicles faunal turnover across the Cretaceous and Cenozoic; taxonomically rich and ecologically diverse, ants are an exemplar system to test new methods of paleoecological estimation in evaluating hypotheses. We apply a broad extant ecomorphological dataset to evaluate random forest machine learning classification in predicting the total ecological breadth of extinct and enigmatic hell ants. In contrast to previous hypotheses of extinction-prone arboreality, we find that hell ants were primarily leaf litter or ground-nesting and foraging predators, and by comparing ecospace occupations of hell ants and their extant analogs, we recover a signature of ecomorphological turnover across temporally and phylogenetically distinct lineages on opposing sides of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. This paleoecological predictive framework is applicable across lineages and may provide new avenues for testing hypotheses over deep time.
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Drager KI, Rivera MD, Gibson JC, Ruzi SA, Hanisch PE, Achury R, Suarez AV. Testing the predictive value of functional traits in diverse ant communities. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10000. [PMID: 37091559 PMCID: PMC10115899 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Associating morphological features with ecological traits is essential for understanding the connection between organisms and their roles in the environment. If applied successfully, functional trait approaches link form and function in an organism. However, functional trait data not associated with natural history information provide an incomplete picture of an organism's role in the ecosystem. Using data on the relative trophic position of 592 ant (Formicidae) samples comprising 393 species from 11 subfamilies and 19 widely distributed communities, we tested the extent to which commonly used functional proxies (i.e., morphometric traits) predict diet/trophic position as estimated from stable isotopes (δ15N). We chose ants as a group due to their ubiquity and abundance, as well as the wealth of available data on species traits and trophic levels. We measured 12 traits that have previously been identified as functionally significant, and corrected trait values for size and evolutionary history by using phylogenetically corrected trait residuals. Estimated trophic positions varied from 0.9 to 4.8 or roughly 4 trophic levels. Morphological data spanned nearly the entire size range seen in ants from the smallest (e.g., Strumigenys mitis total length 1.1 mm) to the largest species (e.g., Dinoponera australis total length 28.3 mm). We found overall body size, relative eye position, and scape length to be informative for predicting diet/trophic position in these communities, albeit with relatively weak predictive values. Specifically, trophic position was negatively correlated with body size and positively correlated with sensory traits (higher eye position and scape length). Our results suggest that functional trait-based approaches can be informative but should be used with caution unless clear links between form and function have been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim I. Drager
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and BehaviorUniversity of Illinois505 S. Goodwin Ave. 515 Morrill HallUrbanaIllinois61801USA
| | - Michael D. Rivera
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation BiologyUniversity of Illinois505 S. Goodwin Ave. 515 Morrill HallUrbanaIllinois61801USA
| | - Joshua C. Gibson
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of Illinois505 S. Goodwin Ave. 320 Morrill HallUrbanaIllinois61801USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and TechnologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign405 N. Mathews AveUrbanaIllinois61801USA
| | - Selina A. Ruzi
- Department of Applied EcologyNorth Carolina State University115 David Clark Labs, 100 Eugene Brooks AvenueRaleighNorth Carolina27695USA
| | - Priscila E. Hanisch
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical BiologyBiocenterUniversity of WürzburgAm Hubland 97074WürzburgGermany
- Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” MACN‐CONICETBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Rafael Achury
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of Illinois505 S. Goodwin Ave. 320 Morrill HallUrbanaIllinois61801USA
- Terrestrial Ecology Research GroupTechnical University of MunichHans‐Carl‐von‐Carlowitz‐Platz 2Freising85354Germany
| | - Andrew V. Suarez
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and BehaviorUniversity of Illinois505 S. Goodwin Ave. 515 Morrill HallUrbanaIllinois61801USA
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation BiologyUniversity of Illinois505 S. Goodwin Ave. 515 Morrill HallUrbanaIllinois61801USA
- Department of EntomologyUniversity of Illinois505 S. Goodwin Ave. 320 Morrill HallUrbanaIllinois61801USA
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4
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Zhang X, Lu ZX, Zhang NN, Chen YQ. Data of ant community compositions and functional traits responding to land-use change at the local scale. Biodivers Data J 2022; 10:e85119. [PMID: 36761575 PMCID: PMC9848497 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.10.e85119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Off-reserve conservation is a major contributor to China biodiversity conservation efforts, biodiversity conservation being achieved within afforestation and low-intensity agriculture in fragmented landscapes. Functional trait is more strongly related to ecological processes than taxonomic diversity and reflects ecosystem functioning and species responses to environmental changes. In this study, we selected five habitats that differ in degree of disturbance to explore the effects of land use on ant community compositions, traits distributions and functional diversity change. We assessed how habitat disturbance affects the ant community compositions and traits distributions and asked if ant functional diversity respond to disturbance at the local scale? Location: Lüchun County, Yunnan Province, southwest China. Methods: Pitfall traps were used to survey ant communities. Additionally, we measured four ant morphological traits (eyes diameter, distance between eyes, femur length of the hind-leg and Weber's length) to assess the functional traits distributions and functional diversity. Shade plot of ant relative abundance was used to explore species distribution amongst different habitats. Kernel density plot was used to explore ant traits distribution patterns amongst different habitats. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling ordination, based on ant Weber's length, was used to explore the ant traits compositions amongst different habitats. The fourth corner model was used to evaluate the association between ant traits and environmental variables. The FRic, RaoQ and FEve indices were selected as three complementary measures of the multivariate functional traits space and functional redundancy of different habitats. Results: We collected 14258 ants, representing 89 species, 40 genera and seven subfamilies. Aphaenogasterschurri and Tetramoriumciliatum were the common species of secondary forest; P.sagei, P.pieli, Cardiocondylawroughtonii, Recurvidrisnuwa, Tapinnomamelanocephalum, Monomoriumpharaonis and M.orientale were the common species in plantations; and Iridomyrmexanceps and Cardiocondylanuda were the common species in managed farms. Ants had medium eye diameters, narrow distances between eyes, medium leg lengths and smaller body sizes in greatly-disturbed habitats; and ants had an increasing eye diameter and narrowing of the space between eyes, while the leg length and Weber's length became shorter in moderately-disturbed habitats. Ant trait composition, based on Weber's length, showed significantly differences amongst five habitats. The fourth corner analysis indicated that ant species traits were significantly correlated with environmental variables. The functional diversity of secondary forest, lac plantation and lac plantation-corn agroforest were higher than those in dryland farm and rice paddy. Functional diversities were significantly negatively correlated with bare ground cover and significantly positively correlated with leaf-litter cover, leaf-litter thickness and plant cover. Main conclusion: Our results indicated that ant traits distribution patterns were affected by land-use changes, followed by anthropogenic disturbance pressures at the local scale. Ant traits compositions in greatly-disturbed habitats also differed from the habitats with less disturbance. It is unfavourable for the survival of the large body-size ants in more open habitats with more anthropogenic disturbance. Compared with secondary forest, dryland farm and rice paddies were less resistant and more vulnerable and lac plantations had approximately functional diversity of ant communities, suggesting that lac plantations might be resistant as secondary forest to species loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhang
- Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, ChinaInstitute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of ForestryKunmingChina
| | - Zhi-xing Lu
- Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, ChinaInstitute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of ForestryKunmingChina
| | - Nian-nian Zhang
- Guizhou Academy of Forestry, Guiyang, ChinaGuizhou Academy of ForestryGuiyangChina
| | - You-qing Chen
- Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming, ChinaInstitute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of ForestryKunmingChina
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5
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Mugnai M, Frasconi Wendt C, Balzani P, Ferretti G, Dal Cin M, Masoni A, Frizzi F, Santini G, Viciani D, Foggi B, Lazzaro L. Small-scale drivers on plant and ant diversity in a grassland habitat through a multifaceted approach. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12517. [PMID: 35036118 PMCID: PMC8711281 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Semi-natural grasslands are characterized by high biodiversity and require multifaceted approaches to monitor their biodiversity. Moreover, grasslands comprise a multitude of microhabitats, making the scale of investigation of fundamental importance. Despite their wide distribution, grasslands are highly threatened and are considered of high conservation priority by Directive no. 92/43/EEC. Here, we investigate the effects of small-scale ecological differences between two ecosites present within the EU habitat of Community Interest of semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrates (6210 according to Dir. 92/43/EEC) occurring on a Mediterranean mountain. We measured taxonomic and functional diversity of plant and ant communities, evaluating the differences among the two ecosites, how these differences are influenced by the environment and whether vegetation affects composition of the ant community. Our results show that taxonomic and functional diversity of plant and ant communities are influenced by the environment. While vegetation has no effect on ant communities, we found plant and ant community composition differed across the two ecosites, filtering ant and plant species according to their functional traits, even at a small spatial scale. Our findings imply that small-scale monitoring is needed to effectively conserve priority habitats, especially for those that comprise multiple microhabitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Mugnai
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Paride Balzani
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.,Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia, Vodňany, Czech Republic
| | - Giulio Ferretti
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Matteo Dal Cin
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Alberto Masoni
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Filippo Frizzi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giacomo Santini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Daniele Viciani
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Bruno Foggi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lazzaro
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
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6
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Oliveira FMP, Silva LL, Leal IR, Arnan X. Morphology of four common and phylogenetically distant ant species varies along disturbance and aridity gradients in the Caatinga dry forest. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda M. P. Oliveira
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biologia Vegetal Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife PE Brazil
| | - Lucas Lima Silva
- Graduação em Ciências Biológicas com ênfase em Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife PE Brazil
| | - Inara R. Leal
- Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife PE Brazil
| | - Xavier Arnan
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biologia Vegetal Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Recife PE Brazil
- Universidade de Pernambuco – Campus Garanhuns Garanhuns PE Brazil
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7
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Mouillot D, Loiseau N, Grenié M, Algar AC, Allegra M, Cadotte MW, Casajus N, Denelle P, Guéguen M, Maire A, Maitner B, McGill BJ, McLean M, Mouquet N, Munoz F, Thuiller W, Villéger S, Violle C, Auber A. The dimensionality and structure of species trait spaces. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:1988-2009. [PMID: 34015168 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Trait-based ecology aims to understand the processes that generate the overarching diversity of organismal traits and their influence on ecosystem functioning. Achieving this goal requires simplifying this complexity in synthetic axes defining a trait space and to cluster species based on their traits while identifying those with unique combinations of traits. However, so far, we know little about the dimensionality, the robustness to trait omission and the structure of these trait spaces. Here, we propose a unified framework and a synthesis across 30 trait datasets representing a broad variety of taxa, ecosystems and spatial scales to show that a common trade-off between trait space quality and operationality appears between three and six dimensions. The robustness to trait omission is generally low but highly variable among datasets. We also highlight invariant scaling relationships, whatever organismal complexity, between the number of clusters, the number of species in the dominant cluster and the number of unique species with total species richness. When species richness increases, the number of unique species saturates, whereas species tend to disproportionately pack in the richest cluster. Based on these results, we propose some rules of thumb to build species trait spaces and estimate subsequent functional diversity indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mouillot
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, Montpellier, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, IUF, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Loiseau
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Matthias Grenié
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive-UMR 5175 CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, University of Paul Valéry, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Adam C Algar
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Michele Allegra
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix Marseille Université, UMR 7289, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Marc W Cadotte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Pierre Denelle
- Biodiversity, Macroecology & Biogeography, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maya Guéguen
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Anthony Maire
- EDF R&D, LNHE (Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement), Chatou, France
| | - Brian Maitner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, USA
| | - Brian J McGill
- School of Biology and Ecology and Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Matthew McLean
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Nicolas Mouquet
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, Montpellier, France.,FRB-CESAB, Institut Bouisson Bertrand, Montpellier, France
| | - François Munoz
- LiPhy (Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique), Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Wilfried Thuiller
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Sébastien Villéger
- MARBEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Cyrille Violle
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive-UMR 5175 CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, University of Paul Valéry, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Arnaud Auber
- IFREMER, Unité Halieutique Manche Mer du Nord, Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
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8
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Ospina-Garcés SM, Ibarra-Juarez LA, Escobar F, Lira-Noriega A. Growth temperature effect on mandibles' ontogeny and sexual dimorphism in the ambrosia beetle Xyleborus affinis (Curculionidae: Scolytinae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2021; 61:101029. [PMID: 33607463 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2021.101029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ambrosia beetles from the genus Xyleborus are important vectors of fungal pathogens in forest and agricultural systems, yet the influence of temperature on their morphological development has been poorly studied. Because host colonization and ambrosial fungi cultivation is mostly restricted to females, it is possible to speculate on strong sexual dimorphism expression in secondary sexual characters and ecological segregation between sexes. Here, we determined the effect of different growing temperatures (17, 23, 26 and 29 °C) on mandible ontogeny of larvae and adult individuals of X. affinis, and sexual dimorphism in adults, in shape and size variation using geometric morphometrics. Mandible shape change showed significant differences in magnitude and direction through larval ontogeny among temperature treatments. Sexual shape and size dimorphism were found in adult mandibles, and the degree of sexual dimorphism was dependent on growth temperature, with a significant effect of the interaction between temperature and sex on mandible shape and size variation. Higher morphological differences were observed at the base of mandibles among temperature treatments in adults and a gradual narrowing trend with temperature increments. These findings could have consequences on feeding performance and fungus cultivation inside colonies, potentially influencing their ability to establish populations in new geographical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Ospina-Garcés
- Instituto de Ecología, A. C., Red de Ecoetología, Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa, 91070, México; Museo de Zoología "Alfonso L. Herrera", Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México
| | - Luis A Ibarra-Juarez
- CONACYT Research Fellow, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa, 91070, México
| | - Federico Escobar
- Instituto de Ecología, A. C., Red de Ecoetología, Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa, 91070, México
| | - Andrés Lira-Noriega
- CONACYT Research Fellow, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa, 91070, México.
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9
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Muluvhahothe MM, Joseph GS, Seymour CL, Munyai TC, Foord SH. Repeated surveying over 6 years reveals that fine-scale habitat variables are key to tropical mountain ant assemblage composition and functional diversity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:56. [PMID: 33420160 PMCID: PMC7794360 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80077-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
High-altitude-adapted ectotherms can escape competition from dominant species by tolerating low temperatures at cooler elevations, but climate change is eroding such advantages. Studies evaluating broad-scale impacts of global change for high-altitude organisms often overlook the mitigating role of biotic factors. Yet, at fine spatial-scales, vegetation-associated microclimates provide refuges from climatic extremes. Using one of the largest standardised data sets collected to date, we tested how ant species composition and functional diversity (i.e., the range and value of species traits found within assemblages) respond to large-scale abiotic factors (altitude, aspect), and fine-scale factors (vegetation, soil structure) along an elevational gradient in tropical Africa. Altitude emerged as the principal factor explaining species composition. Analysis of nestedness and turnover components of beta diversity indicated that ant assemblages are specific to each elevation, so species are not filtered out but replaced with new species as elevation increases. Similarity of assemblages over time (assessed using beta decay) did not change significantly at low and mid elevations but declined at the highest elevations. Assemblages also differed between northern and southern mountain aspects, although at highest elevations, composition was restricted to a set of species found on both aspects. Functional diversity was not explained by large scale variables like elevation, but by factors associated with elevation that operate at fine scales (i.e., temperature and habitat structure). Our findings highlight the significance of fine-scale variables in predicting organisms' responses to changing temperature, offering management possibilities that might dilute climate change impacts, and caution when predicting assemblage responses using climate models, alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulalo M Muluvhahothe
- SARChI-Chair On Biodiversity Value and Change, Department of Zoology and Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Mathematical and Natural Science, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
| | - Grant S Joseph
- SARChI-Chair On Biodiversity Value and Change, Department of Zoology and Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Mathematical and Natural Science, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
| | - Colleen L Seymour
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735, South Africa
| | - Thinandavha C Munyai
- School of Life Science, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Stefan H Foord
- SARChI-Chair On Biodiversity Value and Change, Department of Zoology and Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Mathematical and Natural Science, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
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10
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Tixier MS, Perez Martinez S, Douin M. Markers of life history traits: variation in morphology, molecular and amino acid sequences within Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki Wainstein (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In this study we investigated morphological and molecular variation within the predatory mite Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki, and their relationships to ecological features. In total, 42 morphological characters were measured on 87 specimens from seven populations in the south of France and Sicily living on plants of four families. DNA sequences (two mitochondrial markers) and the amino acid sequences of the CytB protein were assessed. A relationship between morphological variation and plant families was observed. The 12S rRNA gene showed differentiation that appeared to be related to feeding habit, in agreement with the findings for two other Phytoseiidae species. CytB mitochondrial DNA showed variation related to geographical location. Four amino acid mutations separated the Sicilian and the French populations. CytB amino acid sequences were analysed for three other Phytoseiidae species, and again diagnostic mutations associated with geographical location were observed, as already shown for Phytoseiulus macropilis. The population differentiation observed for each marker (morphological, DNA fragments) appeared to be related to ecological/biological features, revealing new perspectives for forecasting functional characteristics based on morphotypes and genotypes. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these observations and to explain such functional relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Stéphane Tixier
- CBGP, Institut Agro, INRA, CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Montpellier, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
| | - Sandra Perez Martinez
- CBGP, Institut Agro, INRA, CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Montpellier, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
| | - Martial Douin
- CBGP, Institut Agro, INRA, CIRAD, IRD, Univ. Montpellier, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France
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11
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Nunes CA, Castro FS, Brant HSC, Powell S, Solar R, Fernandes GW, Neves FS. High Temporal Beta Diversity in an Ant Metacommunity, With Increasing Temporal Functional Replacement Along the Elevational Gradient. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.571439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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12
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Sosiak CE, Barden P. Multidimensional trait morphology predicts ecology across ant lineages. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine E. Sosiak
- Federated Department of Biological Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ USA
| | - Phillip Barden
- Federated Department of Biological Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
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13
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Fichaux M, Vleminckx J, Courtois EA, Delabie J, Galli J, Tao S, Labrière N, Chave J, Baraloto C, Orivel J. Environmental determinants of leaf litter ant community composition along an elevational gradient. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Fichaux
- CNRS UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG) AgroParisTech CIRAD INRA Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou cedex France
| | - Jason Vleminckx
- CNRS UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG) AgroParisTech CIRAD INRA Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou cedex France
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Miami FL USA
| | - Elodie A. Courtois
- Laboratoire Ecologie, Evolution, Interactions des Systèmes Amazoniens (LEEISA) CNRS IFREMER Université de Guyane Cayenne France
- Department of Biology Centre of Excellence PLECO (Plant and Vegetation Ecology) University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Jacques Delabie
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia CEPEC CEPLAC Itabuna Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Ilheus Brazil
| | - Jordan Galli
- CNRS UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG) AgroParisTech CIRAD INRA Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou cedex France
- Naturalia Environnement Site Agroparc Avignon Cedex 9 France
| | - Shengli Tao
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique UMR 5174 CNRS IRD Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse France
| | - Nicolas Labrière
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique UMR 5174 CNRS IRD Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse France
| | - Jérôme Chave
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique UMR 5174 CNRS IRD Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse France
| | - Christopher Baraloto
- CNRS UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG) AgroParisTech CIRAD INRA Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou cedex France
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Miami FL USA
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG) AgroParisTech CIRAD INRA Université de Guyane Université des Antilles Kourou cedex France
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14
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Pokhrel MR, Cairns SC, Andrew NR. Dung beetle species introductions: when an ecosystem service provider transforms into an invasive species. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9872. [PMID: 33062417 PMCID: PMC7531351 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dung beetle introduction programmes were designed to accelerate exotic livestock dung degradation and to control dung breeding pestiferous flies and livestock parasites. The introduction programmes provided exotic dung beetle species with an opportunity to cross natural barriers and spread beyond their native range. There are no reports that explain what probable adaptation mechanisms enable particular dung beetle species to be the most successful invader. Here we identify the morphological, biological, physiological, ecological and behavioural attributes of the four most widespread and successful dung beetle species in introduced areas on a global scale in relation to the assumption that these species are different from other exotic and native dung beetles. We have recognised Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius), Onthophagus taurus (Schreber), Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche) and Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus) as the most successful invaders based on their spread, predominance, distribution range and the reports of invasion. Each of these four species has different natural history traits that increase their fitness making them successful invaders. D. gazella has high fecundity and spreading ability, can instantly locate and colonise fresh and nutritious dung, and has a broad thermal window. O. taurus has morphological plasticity, high fecundity, high brood survival rate due to bi-parenting, and is adapted to extreme thermal and moisture conditions. E. intermedius has remnant-dung feeding abilities, a wide thermal window, functioning best at upper-temperature levels, and successful breeding and survival abilities at extremely low soil moisture conditions. A. fimetarius is small-sized, has high breeding and dispersal abilities, and is adapted to lower thermal and upper moisture extremes and variable soil conditions. Discussed here are perspectives on adaptive attributes of dung beetle species that are important to consider during their selection for redistributions. We have elaborated on the fitness and success characteristics of the four species individually. Further, we recommend a prior-introduction baseline monitoring of native dung beetle assemblages so as to evaluate the future impact of exotic dung beetle introductions on the recipient ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min R Pokhrel
- Insect Ecology Lab, Natural History Museum, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Bharatpur, Nepal
| | - Stuart C Cairns
- Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Nigel R Andrew
- Insect Ecology Lab, Natural History Museum, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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15
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Carmona-Galindo VD, Marín Recinos MF, Gámez Hidalgo SA, Recinos Paredes G, Posada Vaquerano EE, Romero Magaña AL, Castillo Ayala AK. Morphological variability and ecological characterization of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma dimidiata (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in El Salvador. Acta Trop 2020; 205:105392. [PMID: 32061627 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
There are 8 million people with Chagas disease worldwide and in El Salvador approximately 39% of the population is at risk of contracting the disease. One of the principal challenges in mitigating Chagas is evaluating the role of the vector ecology of triatomine species in the transmission of the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite in anthropogenically modified habitats, where new patterns of transmission frequently arise. Field studies of triatomine vector ecology in El Salvador have largely focused on describing parameters that contribute to infestation patterns, which may themselves be rooted in the morphological variability that exists in triatomine populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphology of the vector species Triatoma dimidiata with respect to the characteristics of the ecological landscape the vector inhabits throughout El Salvador. We used image analyses to evaluate T. dimidiata morphological variability and then used Geographic Information Systems to intersect the morphological point-data with map layers containing different environmental characteristics. Our study found that the variation in the size, shape, and coloration of T. dimidiata varied in relation to elevation, Holdridge life zone, soil type and land use. We further characterize the local morphological adaptations of T. dimidiata with respect to the local ecological, biological, and geographical conditions in El Salvador. We suggest that future studies consider a molecular exploration of local T. dimidiata species complex in El Salvador, especially since morphological studies of triatomine species complex have found that variability correlate with the genetic variability of the population.
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16
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Jeliazkov A, Mijatovic D, Chantepie S, Andrew N, Arlettaz R, Barbaro L, Barsoum N, Bartonova A, Belskaya E, Bonada N, Brind'Amour A, Carvalho R, Castro H, Chmura D, Choler P, Chong-Seng K, Cleary D, Cormont A, Cornwell W, de Campos R, de Voogd N, Doledec S, Drew J, Dziock F, Eallonardo A, Edgar MJ, Farneda F, Hernandez DF, Frenette-Dussault C, Fried G, Gallardo B, Gibb H, Gonçalves-Souza T, Higuti J, Humbert JY, Krasnov BR, Saux EL, Lindo Z, Lopez-Baucells A, Lowe E, Marteinsdottir B, Martens K, Meffert P, Mellado-Díaz A, Menz MHM, Meyer CFJ, Miranda JR, Mouillot D, Ossola A, Pakeman R, Pavoine S, Pekin B, Pino J, Pocheville A, Pomati F, Poschlod P, Prentice HC, Purschke O, Raevel V, Reitalu T, Renema W, Ribera I, Robinson N, Robroek B, Rocha R, Shieh SH, Spake R, Staniaszek-Kik M, Stanko M, Tejerina-Garro FL, Braak CT, Urban MC, Klink RV, Villéger S, Wegman R, Westgate MJ, Wolff J, Żarnowiec J, Zolotarev M, Chase JM. A global database for metacommunity ecology, integrating species, traits, environment and space. Sci Data 2020; 7:6. [PMID: 31913312 PMCID: PMC6949231 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0344-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of functional information in the form of species traits plays an important role in explaining biodiversity patterns and responses to environmental changes. Although relationships between species composition, their traits, and the environment have been extensively studied on a case-by-case basis, results are variable, and it remains unclear how generalizable these relationships are across ecosystems, taxa and spatial scales. To address this gap, we collated 80 datasets from trait-based studies into a global database for metaCommunity Ecology: Species, Traits, Environment and Space; "CESTES". Each dataset includes four matrices: species community abundances or presences/absences across multiple sites, species trait information, environmental variables and spatial coordinates of the sampling sites. The CESTES database is a live database: it will be maintained and expanded in the future as new datasets become available. By its harmonized structure, and the diversity of ecosystem types, taxonomic groups, and spatial scales it covers, the CESTES database provides an important opportunity for synthetic trait-based research in community ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alienor Jeliazkov
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Department of Computer Science, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099, Halle, Salle, Germany.
| | - Darko Mijatovic
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stéphane Chantepie
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nigel Andrew
- Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
| | - Raphaël Arlettaz
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luc Barbaro
- Dynafor, INRA-INPT, Univ. Toulouse, Auzeville, France
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Nadia Barsoum
- Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH, UK
| | - Alena Bartonova
- Biology Centre CAS, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branisovska 31, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Science, Branisovska 1760, 370 05, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Belskaya
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Eighth March Street 202, Yekaterinburg, 620144, Russia
| | - Núria Bonada
- Grup de Recerca "Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management" (FEHM), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anik Brind'Amour
- Unité Écologie et Modèles pour l'Halieutique, IFREMER, Rue de l'île d'Yeu, B.P. 21105, 44311, Nantes, Cedex 03, France
| | - Rodrigo Carvalho
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Campus Palmeiras de Goiás, Palmeiras de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
- Universidade Estadual de Goiás (UEG), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais do Cerrado (RENAC), Campus de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas - Henrique Santillo, BR 153, No. 3105 Fazenda Barreiro do Meio, 75132400, Anápolis, GO, Brazil
| | - Helena Castro
- CFE- Centre for Functional Ecology - Science for People & the Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Damian Chmura
- Institute of Environmental Protection and Engineering, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biała, Poland
| | - Philippe Choler
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Karen Chong-Seng
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
| | - Daniel Cleary
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Tropical Island Sustainable Development Research Center, National Penghu University of Science and Technology, 300 Liu-Ho Rd., Magong City, Penghu, 880, Taiwan
| | - Anouk Cormont
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3-3 A, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - William Cornwell
- Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Ramiro de Campos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Av. Colombo, 5790, CEP, 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| | - Nicole de Voogd
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Marine Biodiversity, Vondellaan 55, 2332 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Biology Department, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvain Doledec
- UMR 5023 LEHNA, Université Lyon 1, Université Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Joshua Drew
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. 1 Forestry Dr. Syracuse, New York, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Frank Dziock
- University of Applied Sciences HTW Dresden, Pillnitzer Platz 2, D-01326, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anthony Eallonardo
- OBG, Part of Ramboll, 400 Andrews St., Suite 710, Rochester, NY, 14604, USA
| | - Melanie J Edgar
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Fábio Farneda
- Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, National Institute for Amazonian Research and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 69011-970, Manaus, Brazil
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, University of Lisbon, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Domingo Flores Hernandez
- Instituto EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Héroe de Nacozari No. 480, Campus VI de Investigación-UAC, San Francisco de Campeche, 24020, Campeche, México
| | | | - Guillaume Fried
- Anses, Laboratoire de la Santé des Végétaux, Unité Entomologie et Plantes Invasives, Montferrier-sur-Lez, France
| | - Belinda Gallardo
- Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC). Avda. Montanana, 1005, zaragoza, Spain
| | - Heloise Gibb
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution and Centre for Future Landscapes, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Thiago Gonçalves-Souza
- Department of Biology, Ecological Synthesis and Biodiversity Conservation Lab, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Janet Higuti
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Av. Colombo, 5790, CEP, 87020-900, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| | - Jean-Yves Humbert
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, 8499000, Israel
| | - Eric Le Saux
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Zoe Lindo
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adria Lopez-Baucells
- Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, National Institute for Amazonian Research and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 69011-970, Manaus, Brazil
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, University of Lisbon, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
- Granollers Museum of Natural Sciences, 08402, Granollers, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Lowe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | | | - Koen Martens
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
- University of Ghent, Department of Biology, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Andres Mellado-Díaz
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Gerencia de Planificación y Gestión Hídrica. TRAGSATEC. C/Valentín Beato, 6, 28037, Madrid, Spain
| | - Myles H M Menz
- Department of Migration and Immuno-ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, 78315, Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Christoph F J Meyer
- Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, National Institute for Amazonian Research and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 69011-970, Manaus, Brazil
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, University of Lisbon, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, M5 4WT, Salford, UK
| | - Julia Ramos Miranda
- Instituto EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Héroe de Nacozari No. 480, Campus VI de Investigación-UAC, San Francisco de Campeche, 24020, Campeche, México
| | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Alessandro Ossola
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Robin Pakeman
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Sandrine Pavoine
- Centre d'Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation (CESCO), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Burak Pekin
- Istanbul Technical University, Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, Istanbul, 34469, Turkey
| | - Joan Pino
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallés 08193, Spain/UAB, Cerdanyola del Vallés, 08193, Spain
| | - Arnaud Pocheville
- CNRS & Université Paul Sabatier, Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174, Bât. 4R1, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062, Toulouse, cedex 9, France
| | - Francesco Pomati
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Water Science and Technology, Uberlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dubendorf, Switzerland
| | - Peter Poschlod
- Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Regensburg, D-93040, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Honor C Prentice
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oliver Purschke
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
- Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Valerie Raevel
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, F-34293, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
| | - Triin Reitalu
- Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Willem Renema
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Marine Biodiversity, Vondellaan 55, 2332 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ignacio Ribera
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Maritim Barceloneta 37, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalie Robinson
- National Ecological Observatory Network, 1685 38th Street Suite 100, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
- University of Colorado Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCB 334, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Bjorn Robroek
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Ricardo Rocha
- Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, National Institute for Amazonian Research and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, 69011-970, Manaus, Brazil
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, University of Lisbon, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sen-Her Shieh
- Department of Ecological Humanities, Providence University, 200, Sec. 7, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu Dist., Taichung, 43301, Taiwan
| | - Rebecca Spake
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Monika Staniaszek-Kik
- Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Michal Stanko
- Institute of Parasitology and Institute of Zoology, Slovak Acad. Sci., Loffl erova 10, SK-04001, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Francisco Leonardo Tejerina-Garro
- Centro de Biologia Aquática, Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Campus II. Av. Engler s/n, Jd. Mariliza, Goiânia, Goiás, CEP 74885460, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociedade Tecnologia e Meio Ambiente, UniEVANGÉLICA. Avenida Universitária km 3,5, Cidade Universitária, Anápolis, Goiás, CEP 75083-515, Brazil
| | - Cajo Ter Braak
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark C Urban
- University of Connecticut, 75 N. Eagleville Road, Unit 3043, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Roel van Klink
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Ruut Wegman
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3-3 A, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martin J Westgate
- Fenner School of Environment & Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Jonas Wolff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jan Żarnowiec
- Institute of Environmental Protection and Engineering, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa 2, 43-309, Bielsko-Biała, Poland
| | - Maxim Zolotarev
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Eighth March Street 202, Yekaterinburg, 620144, Russia
| | - Jonathan M Chase
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Deutscher Platz 5E, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099, Halle, Salle, Germany
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Guilherme DR, Souza JLP, Franklin E, Pequeno PACL, Chagas ACD, Baccaro FB. Can environmental complexity predict functional trait composition of ground-dwelling ant assemblages? A test across the Amazon Basin. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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18
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Effects of park size, peri-urban forest spillover, and environmental filtering on diversity, structure, and morphology of ant assemblages in urban park. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00851-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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19
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Fichaux M, Béchade B, Donald J, Weyna A, Delabie JHC, Murienne J, Baraloto C, Orivel J. Habitats shape taxonomic and functional composition of Neotropical ant assemblages. Oecologia 2019; 189:501-513. [PMID: 30701386 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04341-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Determining assembly rules of co-occurring species persists as a fundamental goal in community ecology. At local scales, the relative importance of environmental filtering vs. competitive exclusion remains a subject of debate. In this study, we assessed the relative importance of habitat filtering and competition in structuring understory ant communities in tropical forests of French Guiana. Leaf-litter ants were collected using pitfall and Winkler traps across swamp, slope and plateau forests near Saül, French Guiana. We used a combination of univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate trait response of ants to habitat characteristics. Null model analyses were used to investigate the effects of habitat filtering and competitive interactions on community assembly at the scale of assemblages and sampling points, respectively. Swamp forests presented a much lower taxonomic and functional richness compared to slope and plateau forests. Furthermore, marked differences in taxonomic and functional composition were observed between swamp forests and slope or plateau forests. We found weak evidence for competitive exclusion based on null models. Nevertheless, the contrasting trait composition observed between habitats revealed differences in the ecological attributes of the species in the different forest habitats. Our analyses suggest that competitive interactions may not play an important role in structuring leaf-litter ant assemblages locally. Rather, habitats are responsible for driving both taxonomic and functional composition of ant communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Fichaux
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379, Kourou Cedex, France.
| | - Benoît Béchade
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379, Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Julian Donald
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379, Kourou Cedex, France.,Laboratoire EDB (UMR 5174: CNRS, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, IRD), Université Paul Sabatier, bâtiment 4R1, 118, route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Arthur Weyna
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379, Kourou Cedex, France
| | - Jacques Hubert Charles Delabie
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia, CEPEC, CEPLAC, Caixa Postal 7, Itabuna, BA, 45600-970, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado Km 16, Ilheus, BA, 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Jérôme Murienne
- Laboratoire EDB (UMR 5174: CNRS, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, IRD), Université Paul Sabatier, bâtiment 4R1, 118, route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Christopher Baraloto
- International Center for Tropical Botany, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jérôme Orivel
- CNRS, UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (EcoFoG), AgroParisTech, CIRAD, INRA, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles, Campus Agronomique, BP 316, 97379, Kourou Cedex, France
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20
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Andrew NR, Miller C, Hall G, Hemmings Z, Oliver I. Aridity and land use negatively influence a dominant species' upper critical thermal limits. PeerJ 2019; 6:e6252. [PMID: 30656070 PMCID: PMC6334740 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the physiological tolerances of ectotherms, such as thermal limits, is important in predicting biotic responses to climate change. However, it is even more important to examine these impacts alongside those from other landscape changes: such as the reduction of native vegetation cover, landscape fragmentation and changes in land use intensity (LUI). Here, we integrate the observed thermal limits of the dominant and ubiquitous meat ant Iridomyrmex purpureus across climate (aridity), land cover and land use gradients spanning 270 km in length and 840 m in altitude across northern New South Wales, Australia. Meat ants were chosen for study as they are ecosystem engineers and changes in their populations may result in a cascade of changes in the populations of other species. When we assessed critical thermal maximum temperatures (CTmax) of meat ants in relation to the environmental gradients we found little influence of climate (aridity) but that CTmax decreased as LUI increased. We found no overall correlation between CTmax and CTmin. We did however find that tolerance to warming was lower for ants sampled from more arid locations. Our findings suggest that as LUI and aridification increase, the physiological resilience of I. purpureus will decline. A reduction in physiological resilience may lead to a reduction in the ecosystem service provision that these populations provide throughout their distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel R. Andrew
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Cara Miller
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Graham Hall
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Zac Hemmings
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian Oliver
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- Office of Environment and Heritage, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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21
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Disentangling the effects of farmland use, habitat edges, and vegetation structure on ground beetle morphological traits. Oecologia 2018; 188:645-657. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4180-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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22
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Martello F, de Bello F, Morini MSDC, Silva RR, Souza-Campana DRD, Ribeiro MC, Carmona CP. Homogenization and impoverishment of taxonomic and functional diversity of ants in Eucalyptus plantations. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3266. [PMID: 29459699 PMCID: PMC5818526 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its negative impacts on the environment and biodiversity, tree plantations can contribute to biodiversity conservation in fragmented landscapes, as they harbor many native species. In this study, we investigated the impact of Eucalyptus plantations on the taxonomic and functional diversity of ant communities, comparing ant communities sampled in managed and unmanaged (abandoned for 28 years) Eucalyptus plantations, and native Atlantic rain forests. Eucalyptus plantations, both managed and unmanaged, reduced the functional diversity and increased the similarity between ant communities leading to functional homogenization. While communities in managed plantations had the lowest values of both taxonomic and functional ant diversities, ant communities from unmanaged plantations had similar values of species richness, functional redundancy and Rao's Q compared to ant communities from forest patches (although functional richness was lower). In addition, communities in unmanaged Eucalyptus plantations were taxonomically and functionally more similar to communities located in managed plantations, indicating that Eucalyptus plantations have a severe long-term impact on ant communities. These results indicate that natural regeneration may mitigate the impact of Eucalyptus management, particularly regarding the functional structure of the community (α diversity), although it does not attenuate the effects of long term homogenization in community composition (β diversity).
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Martello
- Departament of Environmental Science, Federal University of São Carlos, UFSCar, Rod., Washigton Luís Km 235, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
- Spatial Ecology and Conservation lab (LEEC), São Paulo State University, UNESP, Ecology Department, Avenida 24 A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Francesco de Bello
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Santina de Castro Morini
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia do Alto Tietê (LAMAT), Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, UMC, Avenida Dr. Cândido Xavier de Almeida Souza, 200, Centro Cívico, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogério R Silva
- Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Coordenação de Ciências da Terra e Ecologia, Av. Perimetral 1901, CEP 66077-830, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Débora Rodriges de Souza-Campana
- Laboratório de Mirmecologia do Alto Tietê (LAMAT), Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, UMC, Avenida Dr. Cândido Xavier de Almeida Souza, 200, Centro Cívico, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Milton Cezar Ribeiro
- Spatial Ecology and Conservation lab (LEEC), São Paulo State University, UNESP, Ecology Department, Avenida 24 A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Carmona
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Lai 40, Tartu, 51005, Estonia
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23
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Abstract
Climate change triggers poleward shifts in species distribution leading to changes in biogeography. In the marine environment, fish respond quickly to warming, causing community-wide reorganizations, which result in profound changes in ecosystem functioning. Functional biogeography provides a framework to address how ecosystem functioning may be affected by climate change over large spatial scales. However, there are few studies on functional biogeography in the marine environment, and none in the Arctic, where climate-driven changes are most rapid and extensive. We investigated the impact of climate warming on the functional biogeography of the Barents Sea, which is characterized by a sharp zoogeographic divide separating boreal from Arctic species. Our unique dataset covered 52 fish species, 15 functional traits, and 3,660 stations sampled during the recent warming period. We found that the functional traits characterizing Arctic fish communities, mainly composed of small-sized bottom-dwelling benthivores, are being rapidly replaced by traits of incoming boreal species, particularly the larger, longer lived, and more piscivorous species. The changes in functional traits detected in the Arctic can be predicted based on the characteristics of species expected to undergo quick poleward shifts in response to warming. These are the large, generalist, motile species, such as cod and haddock. We show how functional biogeography can provide important insights into the relationship between species composition, diversity, ecosystem functioning, and environmental drivers. This represents invaluable knowledge in a period when communities and ecosystems experience rapid climate-driven changes across biogeographical regions.
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24
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Perović DJ, Gámez-Virués S, Landis DA, Wäckers F, Gurr GM, Wratten SD, You MS, Desneux N. Managing biological control services through multi-trophic trait interactions: review and guidelines for implementation at local and landscape scales. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017; 93:306-321. [PMID: 28598568 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Ecological studies are increasingly moving towards trait-based approaches, as the evidence mounts that functions, as opposed to taxonomy, drive ecosystem service delivery. Among ecosystem services, biological control has been somewhat overlooked in functional ecological studies. This is surprising given that, over recent decades, much of biological control research has been focused on identifying the multiple characteristics (traits) of species that influence trophic interactions. These traits are especially well developed for interactions between arthropods and flowers - important for biological control, as floral resources can provide natural enemies with nutritional supplements, which can dramatically increase biological control efficiency. Traits that underpin the biological control potential of a community and that drive the response of arthropods to environmental filters, from local to landscape-level conditions, are also emerging from recent empirical studies. We present an overview of the traits that have been identified to (i) drive trophic interactions, especially between plants and biological control agents through determining access to floral resources and enhancing longevity and fecundity of natural enemies, (ii) affect the biological control services provided by arthropods, and (iii) limit the response of arthropods to environmental filters, ranging from local management practices to landscape-level simplification. We use this review as a platform to outline opportunities and guidelines for future trait-based studies focused on the enhancement of biological control services.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Perović
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian & Taiwan Crops and Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 15 Shangxiadian Road, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Sagrario Gámez-Virués
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian & Taiwan Crops and Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 15 Shangxiadian Road, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Douglas A Landis
- Department of Entomology, 204 Center for Integrated Plant Systems Lab, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, U.S.A
| | - Felix Wäckers
- BioBest Sustainable Crop Management, Ilse Velden 18, 2260, Westerlo, Belgium.,Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, U.K
| | - Geoff M Gurr
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian & Taiwan Crops and Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 15 Shangxiadian Road, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,School of Agriculture & Wine Science, Graham Centre, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 883, Orange, 2800, Australia
| | - Stephen D Wratten
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Lincoln, 7647, New Zealand
| | - Min-Sheng You
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian & Taiwan Crops and Institute of Applied Ecology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 15 Shangxiadian Road, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Nicolas Desneux
- INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Research), Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, UMR 1355-7254, 06903, Sophia Antipolis, France
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25
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Moretti M, Dias ATC, Bello F, Altermatt F, Chown SL, Azcárate FM, Bell JR, Fournier B, Hedde M, Hortal J, Ibanez S, Öckinger E, Sousa JP, Ellers J, Berg MP. Handbook of protocols for standardized measurement of terrestrial invertebrate functional traits. Funct Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Moretti
- Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL Zürcherstrasse 111 8903 Birmensdorf Switzerland
| | - André T. C. Dias
- Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) Maracanã Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Francesco Bello
- Institute of Botany Czech Academy of Sciences Dukelska 135 379 82 Třeboň Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences University of South Bohemia Na Zlate Stoce 1 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | - Florian Altermatt
- Department of Aquatic Ecology Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology 8600 Dübendorf Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zürich Switzerland
| | - Steven L. Chown
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria3800 Australia
| | - Francisco M. Azcárate
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG) Department of Ecology Universidad Autónoma de Madrid C/Darwin 2 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - James R. Bell
- Rothamsted Research West Common Harpenden HertfordshireAL5 2JQ UK
| | - Bertrand Fournier
- Laboratoire Chrono‐Environnement UMR 6249 CNRS Université de Bourgogne Franche‐Comté 16 route de Gray 25030 Besançon Cedex France
| | - Mickaël Hedde
- INRA AgroParisTech Université Paris‐Saclay UMR 1402 Ecosys Route de Saint‐Cyr RD 10 78026 Versailles Cedex France
| | - Joaquín Hortal
- Departamento de Biogeografía y Cambio Global Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN‐CSIC) C/Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2 28006 Madrid Spain
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (Ce3C) Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (FCUL) Ed. C2, Campo Grande 1749‐06 Lisboa Portugal
| | - Sébastien Ibanez
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine CNRS UMR 5553 Université Savoie Mont Blanc 73376 Le Bourget‐du‐Lac France
| | - Erik Öckinger
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences P.O. Box 7044 750 07 Uppsala Sweden
| | - José Paulo Sousa
- Centre for Functional Ecology Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra 3000‐456 Coimbra Portugal
| | - Jacintha Ellers
- Department of Ecological Science Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1085 1081 HV Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Matty P. Berg
- Department of Ecological Science Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1085 1081 HV Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Conservation Ecology Group Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Postbox 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands
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26
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Using a model based fourth-corner analysis to explain vegetation change following an extraordinary fire disturbance. Oecologia 2016; 182:855-63. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3700-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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27
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Ossola A, Nash MA, Christie FJ, Hahs AK, Livesley SJ. Urban habitat complexity affects species richness but not environmental filtering of morphologically-diverse ants. PeerJ 2015; 3:e1356. [PMID: 26528416 PMCID: PMC4627909 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat complexity is a major determinant of structure and diversity of ant assemblages. Following the size-grain hypothesis, smaller ant species are likely to be advantaged in more complex habitats compared to larger species. Habitat complexity can act as an environmental filter based on species size and morphological traits, therefore affecting the overall structure and diversity of ant assemblages. In natural and semi-natural ecosystems, habitat complexity is principally regulated by ecological successions or disturbance such as fire and grazing. Urban ecosystems provide an opportunity to test relationships between habitat, ant assemblage structure and ant traits using novel combinations of habitat complexity generated and sustained by human management. We sampled ant assemblages in low-complexity and high-complexity parks, and high-complexity woodland remnants, hypothesizing that (i) ant abundance and species richness would be higher in high-complexity urban habitats, (ii) ant assemblages would differ between low- and high-complexity habitats and (iii) ants living in high-complexity habitats would be smaller than those living in low-complexity habitats. Contrary to our hypothesis, ant species richness was higher in low-complexity habitats compared to high-complexity habitats. Overall, ant assemblages were significantly different among the habitat complexity types investigated, although ant size and morphology remained the same. Habitat complexity appears to affect the structure of ant assemblages in urban ecosystems as previously observed in natural and semi-natural ecosystems. However, the habitat complexity filter does not seem to be linked to ant morphological traits related to body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Ossola
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne , Richmond, VIC , Australia
| | - Michael A Nash
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Waite Campus , Urrbrae, SA , Australia ; School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC , Australia ; School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide , Urrbrae, SA , Australia
| | - Fiona J Christie
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne , Richmond, VIC , Australia
| | - Amy K Hahs
- Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, c/o School of BioSciences, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria , Parkville, VIC , Australia
| | - Stephen J Livesley
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne , Richmond, VIC , Australia
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28
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Does morphology predict trophic position and habitat use of ant species and assemblages? Oecologia 2014; 177:519-31. [PMID: 25288056 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A functional traits-based theory of organismal communities is critical for understanding the principles underlying community assembly, and predicting responses to environmental change. This is particularly true for terrestrial arthropods, of which only 20% are described. Using epigaeic ant assemblages, we asked: (1) can we use morphological variation among species to predict trophic position or preferred microhabitat; (2) does the strength of morphological associations suggest recent trait divergence; (3) do environmental variables at site scale predict trait sets for whole assemblages? We pitfall-trapped ants from a revegetation chronosequence and measured their morphology, trophic position [using C:N stoichiometry and stable isotope ratios (δ)] and characteristics of microhabitat and macrohabitat. We found strong associations between high trophic position (low C:N and high δ(15)N) in body tissue and morphological traits: predators were larger, had more laterally positioned eyes, more physical protection and tended to be monomorphic. In addition, morphological traits were associated with certain microhabitat features, e.g. smaller heads were associated with the bare ground microhabitat. Trait-microhabitat relationships were more pronounced when phylogenetic adjustments were used, indicating a strong influence of recent trait divergences. At the assemblage level, our fourth corner analysis revealed associations between the prevalence of traits and macrohabitat, although these associations were not the same as those based on microhabitat associations. This study shows direct links between species-level traits and both diet and habitat preference. Trait-based prediction of ecological roles and community structure is thus achievable when integrating stoichiometry, morphology and phylogeny, but scale is an important consideration in such predictions.
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