1
|
Nolasco-Soto J, González-Astorga J, Espinosa de los Monteros A, Favila ME. Evolutionary history and diversity in the ball roller beetle Canthon cyanellus. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1066439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the evolutionary history of species, it is necessary to know the mechanisms for reproductive isolation, divergence-time between populations, and the relative action of the evolutionary forces (e.g., mutation, genetic drift, gene flow) within and between populations of the same, or closely related species. Although Canthon is one of the more diverse genera of neotropical beetles, insufficient research has been done to comprehend the divergent patterns that explain its speciation process. The absence of diagnostic morphological characters and the wide geographic variation of qualitative traits in Scarabaeinae obscures species delimitation, genealogical limits between populations, and its taxonomy. Canthon cyanellus is one of the best-known species in ecological and evolutionary aspects. It is a widely distributed species in the tropical forests of America. Also, the current deforestation has facilitated its incursion into open areas. Individuals from different populations have similar morphological characters but show wide variation in body color throughout their distribution, which makes it difficult to delimit the subspecies that comprise it. Recently, studies have been carried out to elucidate the pre-and postzygotic isolation mechanisms between populations and the historical biogeographical processes favoring cladogenesis events during the Pleistocene. Morphological variation of the male genitalia does not correspond to the phylogeographic structure. However, the morphological differences in one of the pieces of the endophallic sclerites have allowed a preliminary delimitation of some genetically differentiated clades. Finally, we consider that the joint analysis of traditional morphological taxonomy and phylogeography is important to understand the speciation process in the C. cyanellus complex.
Collapse
|
2
|
deCastro‐Arrazola I, Andrew NR, Berg MP, Curtsdotter A, Lumaret J, Menéndez R, Moretti M, Nervo B, Nichols ES, Sánchez‐Piñero F, Santos AMC, Sheldon KS, Slade EM, Hortal J. A trait-based framework for dung beetle functional ecology. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:44-65. [PMID: 36443916 PMCID: PMC10099951 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Traits are key for understanding the environmental responses and ecological roles of organisms. Trait approaches to functional ecology are well established for plants, whereas consistent frameworks for animal groups are less developed. Here we suggest a framework for the study of the functional ecology of animals from a trait-based response-effect approach, using dung beetles as model system. Dung beetles are a key group of decomposers that are important for many ecosystem processes. The lack of a trait-based framework tailored to this group has limited the use of traits in dung beetle functional ecology. We review which dung beetle traits respond to the environment and affect ecosystem processes, covering the wide range of spatial, temporal and biological scales at which they are involved. Dung beetles show trait-based responses to variation in temperature, water, soil properties, trophic resources, light, vegetation structure, competition, predation and parasitism. Dung beetles' influence on ecosystem processes includes trait-mediated effects on nutrient cycling, bioturbation, plant growth, seed dispersal, other dung-based organisms and parasite transmission, as well as some cases of pollination and predation. We identify 66 dung beetle traits that are either response or effect traits, or both, pertaining to six main categories: morphology, feeding, reproduction, physiology, activity and movement. Several traits pertain to more than one category, in particular dung relocation behaviour during nesting or feeding. We also identify 136 trait-response and 77 trait-effect relationships in dung beetles. No response to environmental stressors nor effect over ecological processes were related with traits of a single category. This highlights the interrelationship between the traits shaping body-plans, the multi-functionality of traits, and their role linking responses to the environment and effects on the ecosystem. Despite current developments in dung beetle functional ecology, many knowledge gaps remain, and there are biases towards certain traits, functions, taxonomic groups and regions. Our framework provides the foundations for the thorough development of trait-based dung beetle ecology. It also serves as an example framework for other taxa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indradatta deCastro‐Arrazola
- Germans Cabot Franciscans 48BunyolaSpain
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de GranadaGranadaSpain
| | - Nigel R. Andrew
- Insect Ecology Lab, Natural History MuseumUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Matty P. Berg
- Department of Ecological ScienceVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life SciencesUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Alva Curtsdotter
- Insect Ecology Lab, Natural History MuseumUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Rosa Menéndez
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | - Marco Moretti
- Biodiversity and Conservation BiologySwiss Federal Research Institute WSLBirmensdorfSwitzerland
| | - Beatrice Nervo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems BiologyUniversity of TorinoTorinoItaly
| | | | | | - Ana M. C. Santos
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG‐UAM), Departamento de EcologíaUniversidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC‐UAM)Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Kimberly S. Sheldon
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUnited States
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Joaquín Hortal
- Department of Biogeography and Global ChangeMuseo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN‐CSIC)MadridSpain
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências BiológicasUniversidade Federal de GoiásGoiâniaBrazil
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Barrett M, O’Donnell S. Individual reflectance of solar radiation confers a thermoregulatory benefit to dimorphic males bees (Centris pallida) using distinct microclimates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0271250. [PMID: 36917573 PMCID: PMC10013911 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Incoming solar radiation (wavelengths 290-2500 nm) significantly affects an organism's thermal balance via radiative heat gain. Species adapted to different environments can differ in solar reflectance profiles. We hypothesized that conspecific individuals using thermally distinct microhabitats to engage in fitness-relevant behaviors would show intraspecific differences in reflectance: we predicted individuals that use hot microclimates (where radiative heat gain represents a greater thermoregulatory challenge) would be more reflective across the entire solar spectrum than those using cooler microclimates. Differences in near-infrared (NIR) reflectance (700-2500 nm) are strongly indicative of thermoregulatory adaptation as, unlike differences in visible reflectance (400-700 nm), they are not perceived by ecological or social partners. We tested these predictions in male Centris pallida (Hymenoptera: Apidae) bees from the Sonoran Desert. Male C. pallida use alternative reproductive tactics that are associated with distinct microclimates: Large-morph males, with paler visible coloration, behave in an extremely hot microclimate close to the ground, while small-morph males, with a dark brown dorsal coloration, frequently use cooler microclimates above the ground near vegetation. We found that large-morph males had higher reflectance of solar radiation (UV through NIR) resulting in lower solar absorption coefficients. This thermoregulatory adaptation was specific to the dorsal surface, and produced by differences in hair, not cuticle, characteristics. Our results showed that intraspecific variation in behavior, particular in relation to microclimate use, can generate unique thermal adaptations that changes the reflectance of shortwave radiation among individuals within the same population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Barrett
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sean O’Donnell
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ospina-Rozo L, Subbiah J, Seago A, Stuart-Fox D. Pretty Cool Beetles: Can Manipulation of Visible and Near-Infrared Sunlight Prevent Overheating? Integr Org Biol 2022; 4:obac036. [PMID: 36110288 PMCID: PMC9470487 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Passive thermoregulation is an important strategy to prevent overheating in thermally challenging environments. Can the diversity of optical properties found in Christmas beetles (Rutelinae) be an advantage to keep cool? We measured changes in temperature of the elytra of 26 species of Christmas beetles, exclusively due to direct radiation from a solar simulator in visible (VIS: 400–700 nm) and near infrared (NIR: 700–1700 nm) wavebands. Then, we evaluated if the optical properties of elytra could predict their steady state temperature and heating rates, while controlling for size. We found that higher absorptivity increases the heating rate and final steady state of the beetle elytra in a biologically significant range (3 to 5°C). There was substantial variation in the absorptivity of Christmas beetle elytra; and this variation was achieved by different combinations of reflectivity and transmissivity in both VIS and NIR. Size was an important factor predicting the change in temperature of the elytra after 5 min (steady state) but not maximum heating rate. Lastly, we show that the presence of the elytra covering the body of the beetle can reduce heating of the body itself. We propose that beetle elytra can act as a semi-insulating layer to enable passive thermoregulation through high reflectivity of elytra, resulting in low absorptivity of solar radiation. Alternatively, if beetle elytra absorb a high proportion of solar radiation, they may reduce heat transfer from the elytra to the body through behavioral or physiological mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ospina-Rozo
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne , Building 147, Parkville Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jegadesan Subbiah
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute - University of Melbourne , 30 Flemington Road, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ainsley Seago
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History , 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA
| | - Devi Stuart-Fox
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne , Building 147, Parkville Victoria 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vourtsis C, Stewart W, Floreano D. Robotic Elytra: Insect-Inspired Protective Wings for Resilient and Multi-Modal Drones. IEEE Robot Autom Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1109/lra.2021.3123378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
6
|
Cuesta E, Lobo JM. Can the spectrophotometric response of the elytra explain environmental preferences? A study in seven Onthophagus species (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae). JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2021; 225:112348. [PMID: 34742032 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Beetles are the most successful and diversified animal taxa characterized by the possession of an external pair of sclerotized wings (elytra). Managing electromagnetic radiations could be one of the functions of the exoskeleton. We studied the spectrophotometric response to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared radiations of the elytra of seven closely related and sympatric Onthophagus species to examine if the environmental preferences of these species could be associated with the spectrophotometric behaviour of their elytra. Our results indicated that sibling species can drastically differ in their environmental preferences but not in their spectrophotometric responses. However, our results corroborated that there are interspecific differences in the spectrophotometric characteristics of the elytra, which are mainly explained by morphological features. Among the examined morphological variables, darkness seems to be especially relevant as it facilitates the absorbance and obstructs the transmittance of visible and near-infrared radiations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Cuesta
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (C.S.I.C.), Madrid, Spain; Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge M Lobo
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (C.S.I.C.), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang LY, Franklin AM, Black JR, Stuart-Fox D. Heating rates are more strongly influenced by near-infrared than visible reflectance in beetles. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272113. [PMID: 34494652 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Adaptations to control heat transfer through the integument are a key component of temperature regulation in animals. However, there remain significant gaps in our understanding of how different optical and morphological properties of the integument affect heating rates. To address these gaps, we examined the effect of reflectivity in both ultraviolet-visible and near-infrared wavelengths, surface rugosity (roughness), effective area (area subjected to illumination) and cuticle thickness on radiative heat gain in jewel beetles (Buprestidae). We measured heating rate using a solar simulator to mimic natural sunlight, a thermal chamber to control the effects of conduction and convection, and optical filters to isolate different wavelengths. We found that effective area and reflectivity predicted heating rate. The thermal effect of reflectivity was driven by variation in near-infrared rather than ultraviolet-visible reflectivity. By contrast, cuticle thickness and surface rugosity had no detectable effect. Our results provide empirical evidence that near-infrared reflectivity has an important effect on radiative heat gain. Modulating reflectance of near-infrared wavelengths of light may be a more widespread adaptation to control heat gain than previously appreciated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Yi Wang
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Amanda M Franklin
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jay R Black
- School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Devi Stuart-Fox
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|