1
|
Bickerton KT, Ewen JG, Canessa S, Cole NC, Frost F, Mootoocurpen R, McCrea R. Avoiding bias in estimates of population size for translocation management. Ecol Appl 2023; 33:e2918. [PMID: 37688800 PMCID: PMC10909443 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Mark-recapture surveys are commonly used to monitor translocated populations globally. Data gathered are then used to estimate demographic parameters, such as abundance and survival, using Jolly-Seber (JS) models. However, in translocated populations initial population size is known and failure to account for this may bias parameter estimates, which are important for informing conservation decisions during population establishment. Here, we provide methods to account for known initial population size in JS models by incorporating a separate component likelihood for translocated individuals, using a maximum-likelihood estimation, with models that can be fitted using either R or MATLAB. We use simulated data and a case study of a threatened lizard species with low capture probability to demonstrate that unconstrained JS models may overestimate the size of translocated populations, especially in the early stages of post-release monitoring. Our approach corrects this bias; we use our simulations to demonstrate that overestimates of population size between 78% and 130% can occur in the unconstrained JS models when the detection probability is below 0.3 compared to 1%-8.9% for our constrained model. Our case study did not show an overestimate; however accounting for the initial population size greatly reduced error in all parameter estimates and prevented boundary estimates. Adopting the corrected JS model for translocations will help managers to obtain more robust estimates of the population sizes of translocated animals, better informing future management including reinforcement decisions, and ultimately improving translocation success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine T. Bickerton
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial ScienceUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Stefano Canessa
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and EvolutionUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Nik C. Cole
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès ManorJerseyUK
- Mauritian Wildlife FoundationVacoasMauritius
| | - Fay Frost
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial ScienceUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | | | - Rachel McCrea
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morland F, Ewen JG, Simons MJP, Brekke P, Hemmings N. Early-life telomere length predicts life-history strategy and reproductive senescence in a threatened wild songbird. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4031-4043. [PMID: 37173827 PMCID: PMC10947174 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are well known for their associations with lifespan and ageing across diverse taxa. Early-life telomere length can be influenced by developmental conditions and has been shown positively affect lifetime reproductive success in a limited number of studies. Whether these effects are caused by a change in lifespan, reproductive rate or perhaps most importantly reproductive senescence is unclear. Using long-term data on female breeding success from a threatened songbird (the hihi, Notiomystis cincta), we show that the early-life telomere length of individuals predicts the presence and rate of future senescence of key reproductive traits: clutch size and hatching success. In contrast, senescence of fledging success is not associated with early-life telomere length, which may be due to the added influence of biparental care at this stage. Early-life telomere length does not predict lifespan or lifetime reproductive success in this species. Females may therefore change their reproductive allocation strategy depending on their early developmental conditions, which we hypothesise are reflected in their early-life telomere length. Our results offer new insights on the role that telomeres play in reproductive senescence and individual fitness and suggest telomere length can be used as a predictor for future life history in threatened species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fay Morland
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
- Department of AnatomyUniversity of OtagoDunedinNew Zealand
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bailey S, Guhlin J, Senanayake DS, Scherer P, Brekke P, Ewen JG, Santure AW, Whibley A. Assembly of female and male hihi genomes (stitchbird; Notiomystis cincta) enables characterization of the W chromosome and resources for conservation genomics. Mol Ecol Resour 2023. [PMID: 37332137 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
A high-quality reference genome can be a valuable resource for threatened species by providing a foundation to assess their evolutionary potential to adapt to future pressures such as environmental change. We assembled the genome of a female hihi (Notiomysits cincta), a threatened passerine bird endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. The assembled genome is 1.06 Gb, and is of high quality and highly contiguous, with a contig N50 of 7.0 Mb, estimated QV of 44 and a BUSCO completeness of 96.8%. A male assembly of comparable quality was generated in parallel. A population linkage map was used to scaffold the autosomal contigs into chromosomes. Female and male sequence coverage and comparative genomics analyses were used to identify Z-, and W-linked contigs. In total, 94.6% of the assembly length was assigned to putative nuclear chromosome scaffolds. Native DNA methylation was highly correlated between sexes, with the W chromosome contigs more highly methylated than autosomal chromosomes and Z contigs. 43 differentially methylated regions were identified, and these may represent interesting candidates for the establishment or maintenance of sex differences. By generating a high-quality reference assembly of the heterogametic sex, we have created a resource that enables characterization of genome-wide diversity and facilitates the investigation of female-specific evolutionary processes. The reference genomes will form the basis for fine-scale assessment of the impacts of low genetic diversity and inbreeding on the adaptive potential of the species and will therefore enable tailored and informed conservation management of this threatened taonga (treasured) species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bailey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joseph Guhlin
- Biochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Dinindu S Senanayake
- New Zealand eScience Infrastructure (NeSI), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Phoebe Scherer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Annabel Whibley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Smith D, Abeli T, Bruns EB, Dalrymple SE, Foster J, Gilbert TC, Hogg CJ, Lloyd NA, Meyer A, Moehrenschlager A, Murrell O, Rodriguez JP, Smith PP, Terry A, Ewen JG. Extinct in the wild: The precarious state of Earth's most threatened group of species. Science 2023; 379:eadd2889. [PMID: 36821678 DOI: 10.1126/science.add2889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Extinct in the Wild (EW) species are placed at the highest risk of extinction under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, but the extent and variation in this risk have never been evaluated. Harnessing global databases of ex situ animal and plant holdings, we report on the perilous state of EW species. Most EW animal species-already compromised by their small number of founders-are maintained at population sizes far below the thresholds necessary to ensure demographic security. Most EW plant species depend on live propagation by a small number of botanic gardens, with a minority secured at seed bank institutions. Both extinctions and recoveries are possible fates for EW species. We urgently call for international effort to enable the latter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donal Smith
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Abeli
- Department of Science, University of Roma Tre, Roma, Italy
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
| | - Emily Beckman Bruns
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
- Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sarah E Dalrymple
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jeremy Foster
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
- Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Tania C Gilbert
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Marwell Wildlife, Hampshire, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Natasha A Lloyd
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Canada
| | - Abby Meyer
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
| | - Axel Moehrenschlager
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
- Wilder Institute / Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Olivia Murrell
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International-US, San Marino, CA, USA
- Chicago Botanic Gardens, Chicago, IL, USA
- Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Jon Paul Rodriguez
- IUCN Species Survival Commission, Caracas, Venezuela
- Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, and Provita, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Paul P Smith
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Surrey, UK
| | | | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group, Calgary, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Duntsch L, Whibley A, de Villemereuil P, Brekke P, Bailey S, Ewen JG, Santure AW. Genomic signatures of inbreeding depression for a threatened Aotearoa New Zealand passerine. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:1893-1907. [PMID: 36655901 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
For small and isolated populations, the increased chance of mating between related individuals can result in a substantial reduction in individual and population fitness. Despite the increasing availability of genomic data to measure inbreeding accurately across the genome, inbreeding depression studies for threatened species are still scarce due to the difficulty of measuring fitness in the wild. Here, we investigate inbreeding and inbreeding depression for the extensively monitored Tiritiri Mātangi island population of a threatened Aotearoa New Zealand passerine, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta). First, using a custom 45 k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, we explore genomic inbreeding patterns by inferring homozygous segments across the genome. Although all individuals have similar levels of ancient inbreeding, highly inbred individuals are affected by recent inbreeding, which can probably be explained by bottleneck effects such as habitat loss after European arrival and their translocation to the island in the 1990s. Second, we investigate genomic inbreeding effects on fitness, measured as lifetime reproductive success, and its three components, juvenile survival, adult annual survival and annual reproductive success, in 363 hihi. We find that global inbreeding significantly affects juvenile survival but none of the remaining fitness traits. Finally, we employ a genome-wide association approach to test the locus-specific effects of inbreeding on fitness, and identify 13 SNPs significantly associated with lifetime reproductive success. Our findings suggest that inbreeding depression does impact hihi, but at different genomic scales for different traits, and that purging has therefore failed to remove all variants with deleterious effects from this population of conservation concern.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Duntsch
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Annabel Whibley
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pierre de Villemereuil
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL, MNHN, CNRS, SU, UA, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Bailey
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Anna W Santure
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (CBB), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
McMurdo Hamilton T, Ewen JG, Beauchamp AJ, Makan T, Rowcliffe M, Canessa S. Data‐driven counterfactual evaluation of management outcomes to improve emergency conservation decisions. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thalassa McMurdo Hamilton
- Biodiversify Ltd Newark UK
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London London UK
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
| | - Antony J. Beauchamp
- TSO Biodiversity Threats, Northland Conservancy, Department of Conservation Northland District Office Whangarei New Zealand
| | - Troy Makan
- Department of Conservation Terrestrial Science Unit, Biodiversity Group Rotorua New Zealand
| | - Marcus Rowcliffe
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London London UK
| | - Stefano Canessa
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute for Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Bern Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rutschmann A, Santure AW, Brekke P, Ewen JG, Shanahan D, de Villemereuil P. Variation in shape and consistency of selection between populations of the threatened Hihi (Notiomystis cincta). J Evol Biol 2022; 35:1378-1386. [PMID: 36117411 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The shape and intensity of natural selection can vary between years, potentially resulting in a chronic reduction of fitness as individuals need to track a continually changing optimum of fitness (i.e., a "lag load"). In endangered species, often characterized by small population size, the lack of genetic diversity is expected to limit the response to this constant need to adjust to fluctuating selection, increasing the fitness burden and thus the risk of extinction. Here, we use long-term monitoring data to assess whether the type of selection for a key fitness trait (i.e., lay date) differs between two reintroduced populations of a threatened passerine bird, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta). We apply recent statistical developments to test for the presence or absence of fluctuation in selection in both the Tiritiri Mātangi Island and the Kārori sanctuary populations. Our results support the presence of stabilizing selection in Tiritiri Mātangi with a potential moving optimum for lay date. In Kārori our results favour a regime of directional selection. Although the shape of selection may differ, for both populations an earlier lay date generally increases fitness in both environments. Further, the moving optimum models of lay date on Tiritiri Mātangi, suggesting that selection varies between years, imply a substantial lag load in addition to the fitness burden caused by the population laying too late. Our results highlight the importance of characterizing the form and temporal variation of selection for each population to predict the effects of environmental change and to inform management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Rutschmann
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | | | - Pierre de Villemereuil
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL, MNHN, CNRS, SU, UA, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Andrews CE, Anderson SH, van der Walt K, Thorogood R, Ewen JG. Evaluating the success of functional restoration after reintroduction of a lost avian pollinator. Conserv Biol 2022; 36:e13892. [PMID: 35171538 PMCID: PMC9545379 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Conservation translocation is a common method for species recovery, for which one increasingly frequent objective is restoring lost ecological functions to promote ecosystem recovery. However, few conservation translocation programs explicitly state or monitor function as an objective, limiting the ability to test assumptions, learn from past efforts, and improve management. We evaluated whether translocations of hihi (Notiomystis cincta), a threatened New Zealand passerine, achieved their implicit objective of restoring lost pollination function. Through a pollinator-exclusion experiment, we quantified, with log response ratios (lnR), the effects of birds on fruit set and seed quality in hangehange (Geniostoma ligustrifolium), a native flowering shrub. We isolated the contributions of hihi by making comparisons across sites with and without hihi. Birds improved fruit set more at sites without hihi (lnR = 1.27) than sites with hihi (lnR = 0.50), suggesting other avian pollinators compensated for and even exceeded hihi contributions to fruit set. Although birds improved seed germination only at hihi sites (lnR = 0.22-0.41), plants at sites without hihi had germination rates similar to hihi sites because they produced 26% more filled seeds, regardless of pollination condition. Therefore, although our results showed hihi improved seed quality, they also highlighted the complexity of ecological functions. When an important species is lost, ecosystems may be able to achieve similar function through different means. Our results underscore the importance of stating and monitoring the ecological benefits of conservation translocations when functional restoration is a motivation to ensure these programs are achieving their objectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Andrews
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Karin van der Walt
- Ōtari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton's Bush ReserveWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Rose Thorogood
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE)University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Research Program in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bonnet T, Morrissey MB, de Villemereuil P, Alberts SC, Arcese P, Bailey LD, Boutin S, Brekke P, Brent LJN, Camenisch G, Charmantier A, Clutton-Brock TH, Cockburn A, Coltman DW, Courtiol A, Davidian E, Evans SR, Ewen JG, Festa-Bianchet M, de Franceschi C, Gustafsson L, Höner OP, Houslay TM, Keller LF, Manser M, McAdam AG, McLean E, Nietlisbach P, Osmond HL, Pemberton JM, Postma E, Reid JM, Rutschmann A, Santure AW, Sheldon BC, Slate J, Teplitsky C, Visser ME, Wachter B, Kruuk LEB. Genetic variance in fitness indicates rapid contemporary adaptive evolution in wild animals. Science 2022; 376:1012-1016. [PMID: 35617403 DOI: 10.1126/science.abk0853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The rate of adaptive evolution, the contribution of selection to genetic changes that increase mean fitness, is determined by the additive genetic variance in individual relative fitness. To date, there are few robust estimates of this parameter for natural populations, and it is therefore unclear whether adaptive evolution can play a meaningful role in short-term population dynamics. We developed and applied quantitative genetic methods to long-term datasets from 19 wild bird and mammal populations and found that, while estimates vary between populations, additive genetic variance in relative fitness is often substantial and, on average, twice that of previous estimates. We show that these rates of contemporary adaptive evolution can affect population dynamics and hence that natural selection has the potential to partly mitigate effects of current environmental change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothée Bonnet
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Pierre de Villemereuil
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL, MNHN, CNRS, SU, UA, Paris, France.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Susan C Alberts
- Departments of Biology and Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter Arcese
- Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liam D Bailey
- Departments of Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, UK
| | - Lauren J N Brent
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Glauco Camenisch
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne Charmantier
- Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Tim H Clutton-Brock
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew Cockburn
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - David W Coltman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alexandre Courtiol
- Departments of Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eve Davidian
- Departments of Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon R Evans
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, UK
| | | | - Christophe de Franceschi
- Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Lars Gustafsson
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Oliver P Höner
- Departments of Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas M Houslay
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Lukas F Keller
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zoological Museum, University of Zurich,, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marta Manser
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andrew G McAdam
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Emily McLean
- Biology Department, Oxford College, Emory University, Oxford, GA, USA
| | - Pirmin Nietlisbach
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA
| | - Helen L Osmond
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Erik Postma
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Jane M Reid
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Alexis Rutschmann
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ben C Sheldon
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jon Slate
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Céline Teplitsky
- Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Marcel E Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Bettina Wachter
- Departments of Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Loeske E B Kruuk
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fischer JH, Wittmer HU, Kenup CF, Parker KA, Cole R, Debski I, Taylor GA, Ewen JG, Armstrong DP. Predicting harvest impact and establishment success when translocating highly mobile and endangered species. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- JH Fischer
- School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand
- Aquatic Unit Department of Conservation Wellington
| | - HU Wittmer
- School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand
| | - CF Kenup
- Wildlife Ecology Group Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | | | - R Cole
- Murihiku District Office Department of Conservation Invercargill
| | - I Debski
- Aquatic Unit Department of Conservation Wellington
| | - GA Taylor
- Aquatic Unit Department of Conservation Wellington
| | - JG Ewen
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
| | - DP Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology Group Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Duntsch L, Brekke P, Ewen JG, Santure AW. Who are you? A framework to identify and report genetic sample mix-ups. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:1855-1867. [PMID: 34907643 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sample mix-ups occur when samples have accidentally been duplicated, mislabelled or swapped. When samples are subsequently genotyped or sequenced, this can lead to individual IDs being incorrectly linked to genetic data, resulting in incorrect or biased research results, or reduced power to detect true biological patterns. We surveyed the community and found that almost 80% of responding researchers have encountered sample mix-ups. However, many recent studies in the field of molecular ecology do not appear to systematically report individual assignment checks as part of their publications. Although checks may be done, lack of consistent reporting means that it is difficult to assess whether sample mix-ups have occurred or been detected. Here, we present an easy-to-follow sample verification framework that can utilise existing metadata, including species, population structure, sex and pedigree information. We demonstrate its application to a dataset representing individuals of a threatened Aotearoa New Zealand bird species, the hihi, genotyped on a 50K SNP array. We detected numerous incorrect genotype-ID associations when comparing observed and genetic sex or comparing to relationships in a verified microsatellite pedigree. The framework proposed here helped to confirm 488 individuals (39%), correct another 20 bird-genotype links, and detect hundreds of incorrect sample IDs, emphasizing the value of routinely checking genetic and genomic datasets for their accuracy. We therefore promote the implementation and reporting of this simple yet effective sample verification framework as a standardized quality control step for studies in the field of molecular ecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Duntsch
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, UK
| | - Anna W Santure
- Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Armstrong DP, Parlato EH, Egli B, Dimond WJ, Berggren Å, McCready M, Parker KA, Ewen JG. Capturing the dynamics of small populations: A retrospective assessment using long-term data for an island reintroduction. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2915-2927. [PMID: 34545572 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The art of population modelling is to incorporate factors essential for capturing a population's dynamics while otherwise keeping the model as simple as possible. However, it is unclear how optimal model complexity should be assessed, and whether this optimal complexity has been affected by recent advances in modelling methodology. This issue is particularly relevant to small populations because they are subject to complex dynamics but inferences about those dynamics are often constrained by small sample sizes. We fitted Bayesian hierarchical models to long-term data on vital rates (survival and reproduction) for the toutouwai Petroica longipes population reintroduced to Tiritiri Matangi, a 220-ha New Zealand island, and quantified the performance of those models in terms of their likelihood of replicating the observed population dynamics. These dynamics consisted of overall growth from 33 (±0.3) to 160 (±6) birds from 1992-2018, including recoveries following five harvest events for further reintroductions to other sites. We initially included all factors found to affect vital rates, which included inbreeding, post-release effects (PRE), density-dependence, sex, age and random annual variation, then progressively removed these factors. We also compared performance of models where data analysis and simulations were done simultaneously to those produced with the traditional two-step approach, where vital rates are estimated first then fed into a separate simulation model. Parametric uncertainty and demographic stochasticity were incorporated in all projections. The essential factors for replicating the population's dynamics were density-dependence in juvenile survival and PRE, i.e. initial depression of survival and reproduction in translocated birds. Inclusion of other factors reduced the precision of projections, and therefore the likelihood of matching observed dynamics. However, this reduction was modest when the modelling was done in an integrated framework. In contrast, projections were much less precise when done with a two-step modelling approach, and the cost of additional parameters was much higher under the two-step approach. These results suggest that minimization of complexity may be less important than accounting for covariances in parameter estimates, which is facilitated by integrating data analysis and population projections using Bayesian methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doug P Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Barbara Egli
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wendy J Dimond
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Åsa Berggren
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Canessa S, Trask AE, Ewen JG. Mind the gap (between assessing risks and prioritizing management). NB 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.68.60816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
14
|
McMurdo Hamilton T, Canessa S, Clark K, Gleeson P, Mackenzie F, Makan T, Moses-Te Kani G, Oliver S, Parker KA, Ewen JG. Applying a values-based decision process to facilitate comanagement of threatened species in Aotearoa New Zealand. Conserv Biol 2021; 35:1162-1173. [PMID: 33034391 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Ko koe ki tēnā, ko ahau ki tēnai kīwai o te kete (you at that, and I at this handle of the basket). This Māori (New Zealanders of indigenous descent) saying conveys the principle of cooperation-we achieve more through working together, rather than separately. Despite decades of calls to rectify cultural imbalance in conservation, threatened species management still relies overwhelmingly on ideas from Western science and on top-down implementation. Values-based approaches to decision making can be used to integrate indigenous peoples' values into species conservation in a more meaningful way. We used such a values-based method, structured decision making, to develop comanagement of pekapeka (Mystacina tuberculata) (short-tailed bat) and tara iti (Sternula nereis davisae) (Fairy Tern) between Māori and Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent). We implemented this framework in a series of workshops in which facilitated discussions were used to gather expert knowledge to predict outcomes and make management recommendations. For both species, stakeholders clearly stated their values as fundamental objectives from the start, which allowed alternative strategies to be devised that naturally addressed their diverse values, including mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge and perspectives). On this shared basis, all partners willingly engaged in the process, and decisions were largely agreed to by all. Most expectations of conflicts between values of Western science and Māori culture were unfounded. Where required, positive compromises were made by jointly developing alternative strategies. The values-based process successfully taha wairua taha tangata (brought both worlds together to achieve the objective) through codeveloped recovery strategies. This approach challenges the traditional model of scientists first preparing management plans focused on biological objectives, then consulting indigenous groups for approval. We recommend values-based approaches, such as structured decision making, as powerful methods for development of comanagement conservation plans between different peoples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thalassa McMurdo Hamilton
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, U.K
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Stefano Canessa
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, U.K
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - Katie Clark
- Te Uri O Hau, Hunt Street, Whangārei, 0110, New Zealand
| | - Pani Gleeson
- Ngāti Whatua o Kaipara / Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, Pouwhakahaere Te Tari Taiao, Commercial Road, Helensville, 0800, New Zealand
| | - Fiona Mackenzie
- Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Pou Kaitiaki, Leigh Road, Rodney, 0985, New Zealand
| | - Troy Makan
- Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai, Sala Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
| | - Gena Moses-Te Kani
- Ngāti Kuia, Hōkai Nuku (Ngāti Manuhiri & Ngāti Whātua), Pou Tātaki, Rutherford Street, Nelson, 7040, New Zealand
| | - Shona Oliver
- Ngāti Whatua o Kaipara / Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara, Pouwhakahaere Te Tari Taiao, Commercial Road, Helensville, 0800, New Zealand
| | | | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lee KD, Millar CD, Brekke P, Whibley A, Ewen JG, Hingston M, Zhu A, Santure AW. The design and application of a 50 K SNP chip for a threatened Aotearoa New Zealand passerine, the hihi. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 22:415-429. [PMID: 34323011 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing has transformed the fields of ecological and evolutionary genetics by allowing for cost-effective identification of genome-wide variation. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, or "SNP chips", enable very large numbers of individuals to be consistently genotyped at a selected set of these identified markers, and also offer the advantage of being able to analyse samples of variable DNA quality. We used reduced representation restriction-aided digest sequencing (RAD-seq) of 31 birds of the threatened hihi (Notiomystis cincta; stitchbird) and low-coverage whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 10 of these birds to develop an Affymetrix 50 K SNP chip. We overcame the limitations of having no hihi reference genome and a low quantity of sequence data by separate and pooled de novo assembly of each of the 10 WGS birds. Reads from all individuals were mapped back to these de novo assemblies to identify SNPs. A subset of RAD-seq and WGS SNPs were selected for inclusion on the chip, prioritising SNPs with the highest quality scores whose flanking sequence uniquely aligned to the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) genome. Of the 58,466 SNPs manufactured on the chip, 72% passed filtering metrics and were polymorphic. By genotyping 1,536 hihi on the array, we found that SNPs detected in multiple assemblies were more likely to successfully genotype, representing a cost-effective approach to identify SNPs for genotyping. Here, we demonstrate the utility of the SNP chip by describing the high rates of linkage disequilibrium in the hihi genome, reflecting the history of population bottlenecks in the species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate D Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Craig D Millar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK
| | - Annabel Whibley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK
| | - Melanie Hingston
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Amy Zhu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Duntsch L, Whibley A, Brekke P, Ewen JG, Santure AW. Genomic data of different resolutions reveal consistent inbreeding estimates but contrasting homozygosity landscapes for the threatened Aotearoa New Zealand hihi. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6006-6020. [PMID: 34242449 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Inbreeding can lead to a loss of heterozygosity in a population and when combined with genetic drift may reduce the adaptive potential of a species. However, there is uncertainty about whether resequencing data can provide accurate and consistent inbreeding estimates. Here, we performed an in-depth inbreeding analysis for hihi (Notiomystis cincta), an endemic and nationally vulnerable passerine bird of Aotearoa New Zealand. We first focused on subsampling variants from a reference genome male, and found that low-density data sets tend to miss runs of homozygosity (ROH) in some places and overestimate ROH length in others, resulting in contrasting homozygosity landscapes. Low-coverage resequencing and 50 K SNP array densities can yield comparable inbreeding results to high-coverage resequencing approaches, but the results for all data sets are highly dependent on the software settings employed. Second, we extended our analysis to 10 hihi where low-coverage whole genome resequencing, RAD-seq and SNP array genotypes are available. We inferred ROH and individual inbreeding to evaluate the relative effects of sequencing depth versus SNP density on estimating inbreeding coefficients and found that high rates of missingness downwardly bias both the number and length of ROH. In summary, when using genomic data to evaluate inbreeding, studies must consider that ROH estimates are heavily dependent on analysis parameters, data set density and individual sequencing depth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Duntsch
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Annabel Whibley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Armstrong DP, Parlato EH, Egli B, Dimond WJ, Kwikkel R, Berggren Å, McCready M, Parker KA, Ewen JG. Using long-term data for a reintroduced population to empirically estimate future consequences of inbreeding. Conserv Biol 2021; 35:859-869. [PMID: 32997349 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Inbreeding depression is an important long-term threat to reintroduced populations. However, the strength of inbreeding depression is difficult to estimate in wild populations because pedigree data are inevitably incomplete and because good data are needed on survival and reproduction. Predicting future population consequences is especially difficult because this also requires projecting future inbreeding levels and their impacts on long-term population dynamics, which are subject to many uncertainties. We illustrate how such projections can be derived through Bayesian state-space modeling methods based on a 26-year data set for North Island Robins (Petroica longipes) reintroduced to Tiritiri Matangi Island in 1992. We used pedigree data to model increases in the average inbreeding level (F) over time based on kinship of possible breeding pairs and to estimate empirically Ne /N (effective/census population size). We used multiple imputation to model the unknown components of inbreeding coefficients, which allowed us to estimate effects of inbreeding on survival for all 1458 birds in the data set while modeling density dependence and environmental stochasticity. This modeling indicated that inbreeding reduced juvenile survival (1.83 lethal equivalents [SE 0.81]) and may have reduced subsequent adult survival (0.44 lethal equivalents [0.81]) but had no apparent effect on numbers of fledglings produced. Average inbreeding level increased to 0.10 (SE 0.001) as the population grew from 33 (0.3) to 160 (6) individuals over the 25 years, giving a Ne/N ratio of 0.56 (0.01). Based on a model that also incorporated habitat regeneration, the population was projected to reach a maximum of 331-1144 birds (median 726) in 2130, then to begin a slow decline. Without inbreeding, the population would be expected stabilize at 887-1465 birds (median 1131). Such analysis, therefore, makes it possible to empirically derive the information needed for rational decisions about inbreeding management while accounting for multiple sources of uncertainty.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doug P Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth H Parlato
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Barbara Egli
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wendy J Dimond
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Current address: ANU Medical School, ANU College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Parkville, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Renske Kwikkel
- Van Hall Instituut, Agora 1, 8934 CJ, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
| | - Åsa Berggren
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7070, Uppsala, 750 07, Sweden
| | | | - Kevin A Parker
- Parker Conservation, PO Box 130, Warkworth, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Early independence from parents is a critical period where social information acquired vertically may become outdated, or conflict with new information. However, across natural populations, it is unclear if newly independent young persist in using information from parents, or if group-level effects of conformity override previous behaviours. Here, we test if wild juvenile hihi (Notiomystis cincta, a New Zealand passerine) retain a foraging behaviour from parents, or if they change in response to the behaviour of peers. We provided feeding stations to parents during chick-rearing to seed alternative access routes, and then tracked their offspring's behaviour. Once independent, juveniles formed mixed-treatment social groups, where they did not retain preferences from their time with parents. Instead, juvenile groups converged over time to use one access route- per group, and juveniles that moved between groups switched to copy the locally favoured option. Juvenile hihi did not copy specific individuals, even if they were more familiar with the preceding bird. Our study shows that early social experiences with parents affect initial foraging decisions, but social environments encountered later on can update transmission of arbitrary behaviours. This suggests that conformity may be widespread in animal groups, with potential cultural, ecological and evolutionary consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria R Franks
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.,Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Mhairi McCready
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.,Hihi Conservation Charitable Trust, Rotorua, New Zealand
| | - Rose Thorogood
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.,Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland.,Research program in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Andrews
- Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Downing Street CambridgeCB2 3EJUK
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent’s Park LondonNW1 4RYUK
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent’s Park LondonNW1 4RYUK
| | - Rose Thorogood
- Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Downing Street CambridgeCB2 3EJUK
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE) University of Helsinki Helsinki00014Finland
- Research Program in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Helsinki Helsinki00014Finland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Duntsch L, Tomotani BM, de Villemereuil P, Brekke P, Lee KD, Ewen JG, Santure AW. Polygenic basis for adaptive morphological variation in a threatened Aotearoa | New Zealand bird, the hihi ( Notiomystis cincta). Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200948. [PMID: 32842928 PMCID: PMC7482260 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To predict if a threatened species can adapt to changing selective pressures, it is crucial to understand the genetic basis of adaptive traits, especially in species historically affected by severe bottlenecks. We estimated the heritability of three hihi (Notiomystis cincta) morphological traits known to be under selection (nestling tarsus length, body mass and head-bill length) using 523 individuals and 39 699 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a 50 K Affymetrix SNP chip. We then examined the genetic architecture of the traits via chromosome partitioning analyses and genome-wide association scans (GWAS). Heritabilities estimated using pedigree relatedness or genomic relatedness were low. For tarsus length, the proportion of genetic variance explained by each chromosome was positively correlated with its size, and more than one chromosome explained significant variation for body mass and head-bill length. Finally, GWAS analyses suggested many loci of small effect contributing to trait variation for all three traits, although one locus (an SNP within an intron of the transcription factor HEY2) was tentatively associated with tarsus length. Our findings suggest a polygenic nature for the morphological traits, with many small effect size loci contributing to the majority of the variation, similar to results from many other wild populations. However, the small effective population size, polygenic architecture and already low heritabilities suggest that both the total response and rate of response to selection are likely to be limited in hihi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Duntsch
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Pierre de Villemereuil
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), École Pratique des Hautes Études PSL, MNHN, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, UK
| | - Kate D. Lee
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, UK
| | - Anna W. Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sutherland WJ, Alvarez-Castañeda ST, Amano T, Ambrosini R, Atkinson P, Baxter JM, Bond AL, Boon PJ, Buchanan KL, Barlow J, Bogliani G, Bragg OM, Burgman M, Cadotte MW, Calver M, Cooke SJ, Corlett RT, Devictor V, Ewen JG, Fisher M, Freeman G, Game E, Godley BJ, Gortázar C, Hartley IR, Hawksworth DL, Hobson KA, Lu ML, Martín-López B, Ma K, Machado A, Maes D, Mangiacotti M, McCafferty DJ, Melfi V, Molur S, Moore AJ, Murphy SD, Norris D, van Oudenhoven APE, Powers J, Rees EC, Schwartz MW, Storch I, Wordley C. Ensuring tests of conservation interventions build on existing literature. Conserv Biol 2020; 34:781-783. [PMID: 32779884 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- William J Sutherland
- Conservation Evidence, Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
| | | | - Tatsuya Amano
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Avocetta - Journal of Ornithology, and Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, Milan, I-20133, Italy
| | - Philip Atkinson
- Bird Conservation International, British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, U.K
| | - John M Baxter
- Aquatic Conservation, School of Biology, Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, Scotland
| | - Alexander L Bond
- Avian Conservation and Ecology, Natural History Museum at Tring, The Walter Rothschild Building, Akeman St, Tring, HP23 6AP, U.K
| | - Philip J Boon
- Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, The Freshwater Biological Association, The Ferry Landing, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LP, U.K
| | - Katherine L Buchanan
- Emu - Austral Ornithology, Kate Buchanan School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Jos Barlow
- Journal of Applied Ecology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, U.K
| | - Giuseppe Bogliani
- Rivista italiana di Ornitologia-Research in Ornithology, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. University of Pavia, Via Adolfo Ferrata 9, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Olivia M Bragg
- Mires and Peat, Geography, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, U.K
| | - Mark Burgman
- Conservation Biology, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, London Weeks Building, 16-18 Princes Gardens, London, SW7 1NE, U.K
| | - Marc W Cadotte
- Ecological Solutions and Evidence, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Michael Calver
- Pacific Conservation Biology, Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Conservation Physiology, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Richard T Corlett
- Global Ecology and Conservation, Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Mengla, Yunnan, Kunming, 666303, China
| | - Vincent Devictor
- Biological Conservation, ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - John G Ewen
- Animal Conservation, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, U.K
| | - Martin Fisher
- Oryx, Fauna & Flora International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
| | - Guy Freeman
- Conservation Land Management, NHBS Ltd, 1-6 The Stables, Ford Road, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5LE, U.K
| | - Edward Game
- Conservation Letters, The Nature Conservancy, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Endangered Species Research, Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, U.K
| | - Christian Gortázar
- European Journal of Wildlife Research, Ronda de Toledo 12, Ciudad Real, 13005, Spain
| | - Ian R Hartley
- Bird Study, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, U.K
| | - David L Hawksworth
- Biodiversity and Conservation, Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, TW9 3DS, U.K
| | - Keith A Hobson
- Avian Conservation and Ecology, Dept. Biology and Environment and Climate Change Canada, University of Western Ontario, Room 2025 BGS Building,1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Ming-Lun Lu
- Taiwan Journal of Biodiversity, Division of Management, Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute, Nantou
| | - Berta Martín-López
- Ecosystems and People, Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, 21335, Germany
| | - Keping Ma
- Biodiversity Science, 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Haidian District, Beijing, 100093
| | - Antonio Machado
- Journal for Nature Conservation, Chopin 1, 38208 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Dirk Maes
- Journal of Insect Conservation, Species Diversity Group, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marco Mangiacotti
- Acta Herpetologica, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Dominic J McCafferty
- IBIS, International Journal of Avian Science, British Ornithologists' Union, P.O. Box 417, Peterborough, PE7 3FX, U.K
| | - Victoria Melfi
- Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, Hartpury University, Gloucester, GL19 3BE, U.K
| | - Sanjay Molur
- Journal of Threatened Taxa, 12 Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Kalapatti-Saravanampatti Road, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641035, India
| | - Allen J Moore
- Ecology and Evolution, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The University of Georgia, 109 Conner Hall, Georgia, U.S.A
| | - Stephen D Murphy
- Restoration Ecology, School of Environment, Resources & Sustainability, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Darren Norris
- Tropical Conservation Science, School of Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Amapá, Macapá, AP, 68903-419, Brazil
| | - Alexander P E van Oudenhoven
- Ecosystems and People, Institute of Environmental Sciences CML, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 2, Leiden, 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Powers
- Biotropica, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108, U.S.A
| | - Eileen C Rees
- Wildfowl, WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Fish Lane, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 0TA, U.K
| | - Mark W Schwartz
- Conservation Science and Practice, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, U.S.A
| | - Ilse Storch
- Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, D-79085, Germany
| | - Claire Wordley
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Franks VR, Ewen JG, McCready M, Rowcliffe JM, Smith D, Thorogood R. Analysing age structure, residency and relatedness uncovers social network structure in aggregations of young birds. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
23
|
Evans KL, Ewen JG, Guillera-Arroita G, Johnson JA, Penteriani V, Ryan SJ, Sollmann R, Gordon IJ. Conservation in the maelstrom of Covid-19 - a call to action to solve the challenges, exploit opportunities and prepare for the next pandemic. Anim Conserv 2020; 23:235-238. [PMID: 32837242 PMCID: PMC7267322 DOI: 10.1111/acv.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K L Evans
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
| | - J G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park UK
| | | | - J A Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences University of North Texas Denton TX USA
| | - V Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC-UO-PA) Mieres Spain
| | - S J Ryan
- Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation (QDEC) Lab Department of Geography University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,Emerging Pathogens Institute University of Florida Gainesville FL USA.,School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban South Africa
| | - R Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology University of California Davis Davis CA USA
| | - I J Gordon
- James Hutton Institute Aberdeen UK.,Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia.,Central Queensland University Townsville QLD Australia.,Land & Water CSIRO Townsville QLD Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Sainsbury AW, Chantrey J, Ewen JG, Gurnell J, Hudson P, Karesh WB, Kock RA, Lurz PWW, Meredith A, Tompkins DM. Implications of squirrelpox virus for successful red squirrel translocations within mainland
UK. Conservat Sci and Prac 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Julian Chantrey
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London Regent's Park, London UK
- IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group UK
| | | | - Peter Hudson
- Nelson Mandela African Institute—Arusha, A co‐hire of The Huck Institutes & The Institutes of Energy & The Environment Penn State University Pennsylvania USA
| | - William B. Karesh
- IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group Chair, EcoHealth Alliance New York New York USA
| | | | - Peter W. W. Lurz
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Roslin, Midlothian UK
| | - Anna Meredith
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Roslin, Midlothian UK
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Canessa S, Taylor G, Clarke RH, Ingwersen D, Vandersteen J, Ewen JG. Risk aversion and uncertainty create a conundrum for planning recovery of a critically endangered species. Conservat Sci and Prac 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Canessa
- Wildlife Health Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineGhent University Merelbeke Belgium
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of London London UK
| | - Gemma Taylor
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of London London UK
- Department of Genetics, Evolution & EnvironmentCentre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London London UK
| | - Rohan H. Clarke
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Dean Ingwersen
- BirdLife Australia, Conservation Department Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - James Vandersteen
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of London London UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Panfylova J, Ewen JG, Armstrong DP. Making structured decisions for reintroduced populations in the face of uncertainty. Conservat Sci and Prac 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Panfylova
- Wildlife Ecology GroupMassey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of London London UK
| | - Doug P. Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology GroupMassey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Richardson KM, Parlato EH, Walker LK, Parker KA, Ewen JG, Armstrong DP. Links between personality, early natal nutrition and survival of a threatened bird. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20190373. [PMID: 31352895 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing recognition that variation in animal personality traits can influence survival and reproduction rates, and consequently may be important for wildlife population dynamics. Despite this, the integration of personality research into conservation has remained uncommon. Alongside the establishment of personality as an important source of individual variation has come an increasing interest in factors affecting the development of personality. Recent work indicates the early environment, including natal nutrition, may play a stronger role in the development of personality than previously thought. In this study, we investigated the importance of three personality metrics (activity, boldness and acclimation time) for estimating survival of a threatened species, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta), and evaluated the influence of early natal nutrition on those metrics. Our results showed that boldness (as measured from a one-off cage test) had a positive effect on the probability of juvenile hihi surviving to adulthood. There was also a tendency for juveniles that received carotenoid supplementation in the nest to be bolder than those that did not, suggesting that the early environment had some influence on the expression of boldness in juvenile hihi. Linking the development of personality traits with ultimate effects on vital rates may benefit conservation management, as it could enable developmentally targeted management interventions. To our knowledge, this study is the first to identify potential linkages between early natal nutrition, personality and fitness in a wild-living population. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking behaviour to dynamics of populations and communities: application of novel approaches in behavioural ecology to conservation'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate M Richardson
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Elizabeth H Parlato
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Leila K Walker
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK.,Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Kevin A Parker
- Parker Conservation, PO Box 130, Warkworth, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK
| | - Doug P Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
de Villemereuil P, Rutschmann A, Lee KD, Ewen JG, Brekke P, Santure AW. Little Adaptive Potential in a Threatened Passerine Bird. Curr Biol 2019; 29:889-894.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.01.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
29
|
de Villemereuil P, Rutschmann A, Ewen JG, Santure AW, Brekke P. Can threatened species adapt in a restored habitat? No expected evolutionary response in lay date for the New Zealand hihi. Evol Appl 2019; 12:482-497. [PMID: 30828369 PMCID: PMC6383709 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bird species have been observed shifting their laying date to earlier in the year in response to climate change. However, the vast majority of these studies were performed on non-threatened species, less impacted by reduced genetic diversity (which is expected to limit evolutionary response) as a consequence of genetic bottlenecks, drift and population isolation. Here, we study the relationship between lay date and fitness, as well as its genetic basis, to understand the evolutionary constraints on phenology faced by threatened species using a recently reintroduced population of the endangered New Zealand passerine, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta). A large discrepancy between the optimal laying date and the mode of laying date creates a strong selection differential of -11.24. The impact of this discrepancy on fitness is principally mediated through survival of offspring from hatchling to fledgling. This discrepancy does not seem to arise from a difference in female quality or a trade-off with lifetime breeding success. We find that start of breeding season depends on female age and average temperature prior to the breeding season. Laying date is not found to be significantly heritable. Overall, our research suggests that this discrepancy is a burden on hihi fitness, which will not be resolved through evolution or phenotypic plasticity. More generally, these results show that threatened species introduced to restored habitats might lack adaptive potential and plasticity to adjust their phenology to their new environment. This constraint is also likely to limit their ability to face future challenges, including climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexis Rutschmann
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Anna W. Santure
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Metcalf OC, Ewen JG, McCready M, Williams EM, Rowcliffe JM. A novel method for using ecoacoustics to monitor post‐translocation behaviour in an endangered passerine. Methods Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver C. Metcalf
- Department of Science and EngineeringManchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College London Berkshire UK
| | | | - Mhairi McCready
- ZSL Institute of Zoology London UK
- Rotokare Scenic Reserve Eltham New Zealand
| | - Emma M. Williams
- Matuku Ecology Christchurch New Zealand
- Wildlife Ecology GroupMassey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Tollington S, Ewen JG, Newton J, McGill RAR, Smith D, Henshaw A, Fogell DJ, Tatayah V, Greenwood A, Jones CG, Groombridge JJ. Individual consumption of supplemental food as a predictor of reproductive performance and viral infection intensity. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Tollington
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and EcologySchool of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of Kent Canterbury UK
- North of England Zoological Society Chester UK
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of London London UK
| | - Jason Newton
- NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry FacilitySUERC East Kilbride UK
| | | | - Donal Smith
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of London London UK
- School of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of Salford Salford UK
| | | | - Deborah J. Fogell
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and EcologySchool of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of Kent Canterbury UK
- Institute of ZoologyZoological Society of London London UK
| | | | | | - Carl G. Jones
- School of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of Salford Salford UK
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Jersey UK
| | - Jim J. Groombridge
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and EcologySchool of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of Kent Canterbury UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Carter I, Sainsbury AW, Walsh K, Matthew H, Curson J, Ewen JG. Health and Disease in Translocated Wild Animals. Ecohealth 2017; 14:5-6. [PMID: 27995344 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-016-1200-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Bobadilla Suarez M, Ewen JG, Groombridge JJ, Beckmann K, Shotton J, Masters N, Hopkins T, Sainsbury AW. Using Qualitative Disease Risk Analysis for Herpetofauna Conservation Translocations Transgressing Ecological and Geographical Barriers. Ecohealth 2017; 14:47-60. [PMID: 26695615 PMCID: PMC5357266 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-015-1086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Through the exploration of disease risk analysis methods employed for four different UK herpetofauna translocations, we illustrate how disease hazards can be identified, and how the risk of disease can be analysed. Where ecological or geographical barriers between source and destination sites exist, parasite populations are likely to differ in identity or strain between the two sites, elevating the risk from disease and increasing the number and category of hazards requiring analysis. Simplification of the translocation pathway through the avoidance of these barriers reduces the risk from disease. The disease risk analysis tool is intended to aid conservation practitioners in decision making relating to disease hazards prior to implementation of a translocation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Bobadilla Suarez
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ, UK.
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Jim J Groombridge
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Canterbury, CT2 7NZ, UK
| | - K Beckmann
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - J Shotton
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - N Masters
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - T Hopkins
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Anthony W Sainsbury
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Dalziel AE, Sainsbury AW, McInnes K, Jakob-Hoff R, Ewen JG. A Comparison of Disease Risk Analysis Tools for Conservation Translocations. Ecohealth 2017; 14:30-41. [PMID: 27638471 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-016-1161-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Conservation translocations are increasingly used to manage threatened species and restore ecosystems. Translocations increase the risk of disease outbreaks in the translocated and recipient populations. Qualitative disease risk analyses have been used as a means of assessing the magnitude of any effect of disease and the probability of the disease occurring associated with a translocation. Currently multiple alternative qualitative disease risk analysis packages are available to practitioners. Here we compare the ease of use, expertise required, transparency, and results from, three different qualitative disease risk analyses using a translocation of the endangered New Zealand passerine, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta), as a model. We show that the three methods use fundamentally different approaches to define hazards. Different methods are used to produce estimations of the risk from disease, and the estimations are different for the same hazards. Transparency of the process varies between methods from no referencing, or explanations of evidence to justify decisions, through to full documentation of resources, decisions and assumptions made. Evidence to support decisions on estimation of risk from disease is important, to enable knowledge acquired in the future, for example, from translocation outcome, to be used to improve the risk estimation for future translocations. Information documenting each disease risk analysis differs along with variation in emphasis of the questions asked within each package. The expertise required to commence a disease risk analysis varies and an action flow chart tailored for the non-wildlife health specialist are included in one method but completion of the disease risk analysis requires wildlife health specialists with epidemiological and pathological knowledge in all three methods. We show that disease risk analysis package choice may play a greater role in the overall risk estimation of the effect of disease on animal populations involved in a translocation than might previously have been realised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Eleanor Dalziel
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
- Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK.
| | - Anthony W Sainsbury
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Kate McInnes
- Department of Conservation, Conservation House - Whare Kaupapa Atawhai, PO Box 10420, Wellington, 6143, New Zealand
| | - Richard Jakob-Hoff
- New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine, Auckland Zoo, Private Bag, Grey Lynn, Auckland, 1245, New Zealand
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Blackburn TM, Ewen JG. Parasites as Drivers and Passengers of Human-Mediated Biological Invasions. Ecohealth 2017; 14:61-73. [PMID: 26822780 PMCID: PMC5357264 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-015-1092-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of parasites in biological invasions by alien species. Parasites have frequently been invoked as drivers of invasions, but have received less attention as invasion passengers. The evidence to date that parasites drive invasions by hosts is weak: while there is abundant evidence that parasites have effects in the context of alien invasions, there is little evidence to suggest that parasites have differential effects on alien species that succeed versus fail in the invasion process. Particular case studies are suggestive but not yet informative about general effects. What evidence there is for parasites as aliens suggests that the same kind of factors determine their success as for non-parasites. Thus, availability is likely to be an important determinant of the probability of translocation. Establishment and spread are likely to depend on propagule pressure and on the environment being suitable (all necessary hosts and vectors are present); the likelihood of both of these dependencies being favourable will be affected by traits relating to parasite life history and demography. The added complication for the success of parasites as aliens is that often this will depend on the success of their hosts. We discuss how these conclusions help us to understand the likely effects of parasites on the success of establishing host populations (alien or native).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim M Blackburn
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London (UCL), Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
- School of Earth & Environmental Sciences and the Environment Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
- Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 1145, Saudi Arabia.
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
MacLeod KJ, Brekke P, Tong W, Ewen JG, Thorogood R. Do mothers bias offspring sex ratios in carotenoid-rich environments? Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
37
|
Canessa S, Ewen JG, West M, McCarthy MA, Walshe TV. Stochastic Dominance to Account for Uncertainty and Risk in Conservation Decisions. Conserv Lett 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Canessa
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regents Park London United Kingdom
- School of BioSciences; University of Melbourne; Victoria Australia
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regents Park London United Kingdom
| | - Matt West
- School of BioSciences; University of Melbourne; Victoria Australia
| | | | - Terry V. Walshe
- Australian Institute of Marine Science; Townsville Qld Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Brekke P, Ewen JG, Clucas G, Santure AW. Determinants of male floating behaviour and floater reproduction in a threatened population of the hihi (Notiomystis cincta). Evol Appl 2015; 8:796-806. [PMID: 26366197 PMCID: PMC4561569 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Floating males are usually thought of as nonbreeders. However, some floating individuals are able to reproduce through extra-pair copulations. Floater reproductive success can impact breeders' sex ratio, reproductive variance, multiple paternity and inbreeding, particularly in small populations. Changes in reproductive variance alter the rate of genetic drift and loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, genetic management of threatened species requires an understanding of floater reproduction and determinants of floating behaviour to effectively conserve species. Here, we used a pedigreed, free-living population of the endangered New Zealand hihi (Notiomystis cincta) to assess variance in male reproductive success and test the genetic (inbreeding and heritability) and conditional (age and size) factors that influence floater behaviour and reproduction. Floater reproduction is common in this species. However, floater individuals have lower reproductive success and variance in reproductive success than territorial males (total and extra-pair fledglings), so their relative impact on the population's reproductive performance is low. Whether an individual becomes a floater, and if so then how successful they are, is determined mainly by individual age (young and old) and to lesser extents male size (small) and inbreeding level (inbred). Floating males have a small, but important role in population reproduction and persistence of threatened populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Brekke
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of LondonRegents Park, London, UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of LondonRegents Park, London, UK
| | - Gemma Clucas
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of SouthamptonWaterfront Campus European Way, Southampton, UK
| | - Anna W Santure
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western BankSheffield, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of AucklandAuckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
van Andel M, Jackson BH, Midwinter AC, Alley MR, Ewen JG, McInnes K, Jakob Hoff R, Reynolds AD, French N. Investigation of mortalities associated with Salmonella spp. infection in wildlife on Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. N Z Vet J 2015; 63:235-9. [PMID: 25482376 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2014.990065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
CASE HISTORY Salmonellosis was suspected as the cause of death in eight wild animals on Tiritiri Matangi Island, in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, between November and September 2011, including three hihi (Notiomystis cincta), a tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), a masked lapwing (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae), and a saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus). An outbreak investigation to identify the source and distribution of infection was undertaken over the summer of 2011-2012. CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FINDINGS Surveillance of five species of forest bird (n=165) in December 2011 returned a single positive result for Salmonella spp. Environmental sampling of 35 key water sources and hihi supplementary feeding stations conducted in December 2011 and March 2012 returned isolates of S. enterica subspecies houtenae and S. enterica serovar Saintpaul from a stream, a dam and a supplementary feeding station. The same serotypes were identified in tissue samples collected from post mortem specimens of the affected birds, and their similarity was confirmed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. DIAGNOSIS Mortality in wildlife associated with infection with S. enterica subspecies houtenae and S. enterica serovar Saintpaul. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This is the first detection of these Salmonella spp. from wild birds in New Zealand. Our study highlights how active surveillance in response to observed disease emergence (here mortalities) can provide important insight for risk assessment and management within populations of endangered species and inform risk assessment in translocation planning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M van Andel
- a Ministry for Primary Industries , Wellington , New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Ewen JG, Walker L, Canessa S, Groombridge JJ. Improving supplementary feeding in species conservation. Conserv Biol 2015; 29:341-349. [PMID: 25354808 PMCID: PMC4405093 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Supplementary feeding is often a knee-jerk reaction to population declines, and its application is not critically evaluated, leading to polarized views among managers on its usefulness. Here, we advocate a more strategic approach to supplementary feeding so that the choice to use it is clearly justified over, or in combination with, other management actions and the predicted consequences are then critically assessed following implementation. We propose combining methods from a set of specialist disciplines that will allow critical evaluation of the need, benefit, and risks of food supplementation. Through the use of nutritional ecology, population ecology, and structured decision making, conservation managers can make better choices about what and how to feed by estimating consequences on population recovery across a range of possible actions. This structured approach also informs targeted monitoring and more clearly allows supplementary feeding to be integrated in recovery plans and reduces the risk of inefficient decisions. In New Zealand, managers of the endangered Hihi (Notiomystis cincta) often rely on supplementary feeding to support reintroduced populations. On Kapiti island the reintroduced Hihi population has responded well to food supplementation, but the logistics of providing an increasing demand recently outstretched management capacity. To decide whether and how the feeding regime should be revised, managers used a structured decision making approach informed by population responses to alternative feeding regimes. The decision was made to reduce the spatial distribution of feeders and invest saved time in increasing volume of food delivered into a smaller core area. The approach used allowed a transparent and defendable management decision in regard to supplementary feeding, reflecting the multiple objectives of managers and their priorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, NW1 4RY, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Stanton DWG, Hart J, Galbusera P, Helsen P, Shephard J, Kümpel NF, Wang J, Ewen JG, Bruford MW. Distinct and diverse: range-wide phylogeography reveals ancient lineages and high genetic variation in the endangered okapi (Okapia johnstoni). PLoS One 2014; 9:e101081. [PMID: 25007188 PMCID: PMC4090074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The okapi is an endangered, evolutionarily distinctive even-toed ungulate classified within the giraffidae family that is endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The okapi is currently under major anthropogenic threat, yet to date nothing is known about its genetic structure and evolutionary history, information important for conservation management given the species' current plight. The distribution of the okapi, being confined to the Congo Basin and yet spanning the Congo River, also makes it an important species for testing general biogeographic hypotheses for Congo Basin fauna, a currently understudied area of research. Here we describe the evolutionary history and genetic structure of okapi, in the context of other African ungulates including the giraffe, and use this information to shed light on the biogeographic history of Congo Basin fauna in general. Using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis of mainly non-invasively collected samples, we show that the okapi is both highly genetically distinct and highly genetically diverse, an unusual combination of genetic traits for an endangered species, and feature a complex evolutionary history. Genetic data are consistent with repeated climatic cycles leading to multiple Plio-Pleistocene refugia in isolated forests in the Congo catchment but also imply historic gene flow across the Congo River.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - John Hart
- Lukuru Foundation, Projet Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba (TL2), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Peter Galbusera
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philippe Helsen
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jill Shephard
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Noëlle F. Kümpel
- Conservation Programmes, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jinliang Wang
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Walker LK, Ewen JG, Brekke P, Kilner RM. Sexually selected dichromatism in the hihi Notiomystis cincta: multiple colours for multiple receivers. J Evol Biol 2014; 27:1522-35. [PMID: 24836349 PMCID: PMC4515105 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Why do some bird species show dramatic sexual dichromatism in their plumage? Sexual selection is the most common answer to this question. However, other competing explanations mean it is unwise to assume that all sexual dichromatism has evolved by this mechanism. Even if sexual selection is involved, further work is necessary to determine whether dichromatism results from competition amongst rival males, or by female choice for attractive traits, or both. Here, we test whether sexually dichromatic hihi (Notiomystis cincta) plumage is currently under sexual selection, with detailed behavioural and genetic analyses of a free-living island population. Bateman gradients measured for males and females reveal the potential for sexual selection, whilst selection gradients, relating reproductive success to specific colourful traits, show that there is stabilizing selection on white ear tuft length in males. By correlating colourful male plumage with different components of reproductive success, we show that properties of yellow plumage are most likely a product of male–male competition, whilst properties of the black and white plumage are an outcome of both male–male competition and female choice. Male plumage therefore potentially signals to multiple receivers (rival males and potential mates), and this may explain the multicoloured appearance of one of the most strikingly dichromatic species in New Zealand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L K Walker
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, London, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Walker LK, Thorogood R, Karadas F, Raubenheimer D, Kilner RM, Ewen JG. Foraging for carotenoids: do colorful male hihi target carotenoid-rich foods in the wild? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 25:1048-1057. [PMID: 25214753 PMCID: PMC4160110 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 03/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Birds that color their feathers with dietary carotenoid pigments are expected to seek out these pigments when they are molting. We show that molting male hihi, who express carotenoid-based plumage, seek out naturally occurring foods that are rich in carotenoid pigments. Female hihi, who do not express carotenoid-based plumage, do not seek out carotenoid-rich foods. This lends strength to the idea that carotenoid-based plumage reveals an individual’s foraging ability. Dietary access to carotenoids is expected to determine the strength of carotenoid-based signal expression and potentially to maintain signal honesty. Species that display carotenoid-based yellow, orange, or red plumage are therefore expected to forage selectively for carotenoid-rich foods when they are depositing these pigments during molt, but whether they actually do so is unknown. We set out to address this in the hihi (Notiomystis cincta), a New Zealand passerine where males, but not females, display yellow carotenoid-based plumage. We measured circulating carotenoid concentrations in male and female hihi during breeding and molt, determined the nutritional content of common foods in the hihi diet, and conducted feeding observations of male and female hihi during molt. We found that although male and female hihi do not differ significantly in plasma carotenoid concentration, male hihi have a greater proportion of carotenoid-rich foods in their diet than do females. This is a consequence of a greater fruit and lower invertebrate intake than females and an avoidance of low-carotenoid content fruit. By combining behavioral observations with quantification of circulating carotenoids, we present evidence that colorful birds forage to maximize carotenoid intake, a conclusion we would not have drawn had we examined plasma carotenoids alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila K Walker
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge , Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ , UK , ; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London , Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY , UK
| | - Rose Thorogood
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge , Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ , UK
| | - Filiz Karadas
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Yüzüncü Yil , Van 35080 , Turkey , and
| | - David Raubenheimer
- Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Science and School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney , Sydney , NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Rebecca M Kilner
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge , Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ , UK
| | - John G Ewen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London , Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY , UK
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Affiliation(s)
- Aliénor L. M. Chauvenet
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regent's Park London NW1 4RY UK
- Division of Biology; Imperial College London; Silwood Park Campus Ascot Berkshire SL5 7PY UK
| | - John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regent's Park London NW1 4RY UK
| | - Doug Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology Group; Institute of Natural Resources; Massey University; Private Bag 11222 Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - Nathalie Pettorelli
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regent's Park London NW1 4RY UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Brekke P, Cassey P, Ariani C, Ewen JG. Evolution of extreme-mating behaviour: patterns of extrapair paternity in a species with forced extrapair copulation. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-013-1522-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
46
|
Affiliation(s)
- John G. Ewen
- Zoological Society of London; Regents Park NW1 4RY London UK
| | - Lynn Adams
- Department of Conservation; Conservation House; Wellington 6011 New Zealand
| | - Rory Renwick
- Department of Conservation; Warkworth Great Barrier Island Area Office; Warkworth 0910 New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Walker LK, Stevens M, Karadaş F, Kilner RM, Ewen JG. A window on the past: male ornamental plumage reveals the quality of their early-life environment. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20122852. [PMID: 23407833 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that the expression of many ornamental traits is dependent on the current condition of the bearer. However, conditions experienced in early life are also known to be important for an individual's subsequent fitness and therefore, directly or indirectly, for the fitness of their mate. Specifically, a recent hypothesis suggests that sexually selected traits might be sensitive to conditions experienced during early-life development and thereby function as honest indicators of developmental history. Whether this applies to colourful male plumage, however, is largely unknown. We tested this idea with a field experiment by manipulating neonatal nutrition in a sexually dichromatic passerine, the hihi (Notymystis cincta). We found that carotenoid supplementation increased nestling plasma carotenoid concentration, which was in turn correlated with increased yellow saturation in male breeding plumage after moulting. We also found that the post-moult luminance (lightness) of the white ear-tufts tended to be reduced in males that had received an all-round nutritional supplement as nestlings. Black breeding plumage was not affected by neonatal nutritional treatment. Although the mechanisms that generate colourful plumage are evidently diverse, our results show that at least some parts of this display are accurate indicators of environmental conditions during development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila K Walker
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ewen JG, Bensch S, Blackburn TM, Bonneaud C, Brown R, Cassey P, Clarke RH, Pérez-Tris J. Establishment of exotic parasites: the origins and characteristics of an avian malaria community in an isolated island avifauna. Ecol Lett 2012; 15:1112-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2012.01833.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Revised: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regent's Park London NW1 4RY UK
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Department of Biology; Lund University; Sölvegatan 37 SE-22362 Lund Sweden
| | - Tim M. Blackburn
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regent's Park London NW1 4RY UK
- Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program; King Saud University; P.O. Box 2455 Riyadh 1145 Saudi Arabia
| | - Camille Bonneaud
- Station d'Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis; USR 2936; 09200 Moulis France
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation; College of Life and Environmental Sciences; University of Exeter; Penryn Cornwall TR10 9EZ UK
| | - Ruth Brown
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; Regent's Park London NW1 4RY UK
| | - Phillip Cassey
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences; University of Adelaide; Adelaide SA 5005 Australia
| | - Rohan H. Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology; Complutense University; Madrid 28040 Spain
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Brekke P, Wang J, Bennett PM, Cassey P, Dawson DA, Horsburgh GJ, Ewen JG. Postcopulatory mechanisms of inbreeding avoidance in the island endemic hihi (Notiomystis cincta). Behav Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arr183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
50
|
Cassey P, Hauber ME, Maurer G, Ewen JG. Sources of variation in reflectance spectrophotometric data: a quantitative analysis using avian eggshell colours. Methods Ecol Evol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2041-210x.2011.00152.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|