A. Townsend Peterson

Bio: A. Townsend Peterson is an academic researcher from University of Kansas. The author has contributed to research in topics: Environmental niche modelling & Ecological niche. The author has an hindex of 91, co-authored 521 publications receiving 51524 citations. Previous affiliations of A. Townsend Peterson include California Academy of Sciences & University of Chicago.

Data Leakage and Loss in Biodiversity Informatics

Abstract: The field of biodiversity informatics is in a massive, "grow-out" phase of creating and enabling large-scale biodiversity data resources. Because perhaps 90% of existing biodiversity data nonetheless remains unavailable for science and policy applications, the question arises as to how these existing and available data records can be mobilized most efficiently and effectively. This situation led to our analysis of several large-scale biodiversity datasets regarding birds and plants, detecting information gaps and documenting data "leakage" or attrition, in terms of data on taxon, time, and place, in each data record. We documented significant data leakage in each data dimension in each dataset. That is, significant numbers of data records are lacking crucial information in terms of taxon, time, and/or place; information on place was consistently the least complete, such that geographic referencing presently represents the most significant factor in degradation of usability of information from biodiversity information resources. Although the full process of digital capture, quality control, and enrichment is important to developing a complete digital record of existing biodiversity information, payoffs in terms of immediate data usability will be greatest with attention paid to the georeferencing challenge.

Molecular phylogeny and systematics of Neotropical toucanets in the genus Aulacorhynchus (Aves, Ramphastidae)

Abstract: IGU¨ ENZASubmitted: 13 August 2010Accepted: 7 February 2011doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2011.00475.xBonaccorso, E., Guayasamin, J. M., Peterson, A. T. & Navarro-Sigu¨enza, A. G. (2011).Molecular phylogeny and systematics of Neotropical toucanets in the genus Aulacorhynchus(Aves, Ramphastidae). — Zoologica Scripta, 40, 336–349.We studied the phylogenetic relationships in the genus Aulacorhynchus, an assemblage ofNeotropical toucanets distributed from Mexico south to Bolivia. Based on mitochondrialand nuclear DNA characters, we obtained a robust hypothesis of relationships for all rec-ognized species, including good representation of distinct geographic populations. Ourresults support the monophyly of the genus Aulacorhynchus, but contradict previous taxo-nomic arrangements. The genus is made up of three major clades: the Aulacorhynchus prasi-nus complex, Aulacorhynchus huallagae + Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis, and Aulacorhynchushaematopygus + Aulacorhynchus sulcatus + Aulacorhynchus derbianus. Andean populations ofA. derbianus are more closely related to A. sulcatus than to Pantepuian populations ofA. derbianus, rendering A. derbianus paraphyletic. Based on the molecular phylogeny, andinformation on geographic distributions and morphological and behavioural characters, wereview the specific status of these taxa and propose a new taxonomic arrangement withinAulacorhynchus.Corresponding author: Elisa Bonaccorso, Universidad Tecnolo´gica Indoame´rica, Machala y Saba-nilla, Cotocollao, Quito, Ecuador. E-mail: elisabonaccorso@gmail.comElisa Bonaccorso, Universidad Tecnolo´gica Indoame´rica, Machala y Sabanilla, Cotocollao, QuitoEC170103, Ecuador; Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard,Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA. E-mail: elisabonaccorso@gmail.comJuan M. Guayasamin, Universidad Tecnolo´gica Indoame´rica, Machala y Sabanilla, Cotocollao,Quito EC170103, Ecuador. E-mail: jmguayasamin@gmail.comA. Townsend Peterson, Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard,Lawrence, KS 66045-7561, USA. E-mail: town@ku.eduAdolfo G. Navarro-Sigu¨enza, Museo de Zoologi´a ‘‘Alfonso L. Herrera,’’ Facultad de Ciencias,Universidad Nacional Auto´noma de Me´xico, Apartado Postal 70-399, Me´xico D.F. 04510, Me´xico.E-mail: adolfon@ciencias.unam.mx

MERS-CoV geography and ecology in the Middle East: analyses of reported camel exposures and a preliminary risk map

Abstract: Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has spread rapidly across much of the Middle East, but no quantitative mapping of transmission risk has been developed to date. Moreover, details of the transmission cycle of the virus remain unclear, particularly regarding the role of camels as a reservoir host for human infections. We present a first analysis of the environmental circumstances under which MERS-CoV cases have occurred in the Middle East, covering all case occurrences through May 2015, using ecological niche modeling approaches to map transmission risk. We compare the environmental breadth of conditions under which cases have reported camel contacts with that of the broader population of all cases, to assess whether camel-associated cases occur under a more restricted set of environmental circumstances. We documented geographic and environmental distributions of MERS-CoV cases across the Middle East, and offer preliminary mapping of transmission risk. We confirm the idea that climatic dimensions of camel-associated cases are more constrained and less variable than the broader suite of case occurrences; hence, camel exposure may be a key limiting element in MERS-CoV transmission. This study offers a first detailed geographic and environmental analysis of MERS-CoV distributions across the Middle East. Results indicated that camel-exposed cases occur under a narrower suite of environmental conditions than non-camel-exposed cases, suggesting perhaps a key role for camels in the transmission of the disease, and perhaps a narrower area of risk for ‘primary,’ camel-derived cases of MERS.

Ecological niches and their evolution among Neotropical manakins (Aves: Pipridae)

Abstract: Study of the evolution of ecological characteristics using phylogenetic information is only beginning, but several new tools and approaches open fascinating possibilities. The Pipridae is a diverse and well-known family of frugivorous birds that are easily sampled and that are broadly distributed across many Neotropical environments, and as such are appropriate for studies of ecological niche evolution. Using known occurrences and climate and topography data sets, we modeled ecological niches for each species in the family, and carried out analyses aimed at describing ecological niches of manakins and understanding historical patterns of ecological change in the family. Most species’ ecological niches were characterized by warm and relatively humid conditions, reflecting the great diversification of the family in lowland and montane forests of western South America. Ecological niche evolution was in general conservative, with most sister species pairs being closely similar ecologically, indicating that isolation rather than adaptation to new ecological conditions has dominated the diversification in this family. Exceptions to this pattern represent interesting foci for future research, whereas studies of ecological niches focusing on past distributions of manakins will allow further biogeographic inferences.

Research, part of a Special Feature on Risk mapping for avian influenza: a social-ecological problem Risk Mapping of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Distribution and Spread

Abstract: The rapid emergence and spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza begs effective and accurate mapping of current knowledge and future risk of infection. Methods for such mapping, however, are rudimentary, and few good examples exist for use as templates for risk-mapping efforts. We review the transmission cycle of avian influenza viruses, and identify points on which risk-mapping can focus. We provide examples from the literature and from our work that illustrate mapping risk based on (1) avian influenza case occurrences, (2) poultry distributions and movements, and (3) migratory bird movements.

The Theory of Island Biogeography

Abstract: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

Bayesian Phylogenetics with BEAUti and the BEAST 1.7

Abstract: Computational evolutionary biology, statistical phylogenetics and coalescent-based population genetics are becoming increasingly central to the analysis and understanding of molecular sequence data. We present the Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis by Sampling Trees (BEAST) software package version 1.7, which implements a family of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms for Bayesian phylogenetic inference, divergence time dating, coalescent analysis, phylogeography and related molecular evolutionary analyses. This package includes an enhanced graphical user interface program called Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Utility (BEAUti) that enables access to advanced models for molecular sequence and phenotypic trait evolution that were previously available to developers only. The package also provides new tools for visualizing and summarizing multispecies coalescent and phylogeographic analyses. BEAUti and BEAST 1.7 are open source under the GNU lesser general public license and available at http://beast-mcmc.googlecode.com and http://beast.bio.ed.ac.uk

Ecological and Evolutionary Responses to Recent Climate Change

Abstract: Ecological changes in the phenology and distribution of plants and animals are occurring in all well-studied marine, freshwater, and terrestrial groups These observed changes are heavily biased in the directions predicted from global warming and have been linked to local or regional climate change through correlations between climate and biological variation, field and laboratory experiments, and physiological research Range-restricted species, particularly polar and mountaintop species, show severe range contractions and have been the first groups in which entire species have gone extinct due to recent climate change Tropical coral reefs and amphibians have been most negatively affected Predator-prey and plant-insect interactions have been disrupted when interacting species have responded differently to warming Evolutionary adaptations to warmer conditions have occurred in the interiors of species’ ranges, and resource use and dispersal have evolved rapidly at expanding range margins Observed genetic shifts modulate local effects of climate change, but there is little evidence that they will mitigate negative effects at the species level