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Showing papers in "Biological Journal of The Linnean Society in 2017"



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper would like to thank the IEF, UFOP and UFU for logistic support and PROPP/UFOP for financial support for CAPES, CNPq and FAPEMIG supported SPR.
Abstract: We thank the IEF, UFOP and UFU for logistic support and PROPP/UFOP for financial support. CAPES supported RF, CNPq supported WD, CNPq/CAPES supported KD-C, CNPq and FAPEMIG supported SPR.

67 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The paper was presented at the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CNI) - Salta with a focus on Argentina, where the author’s native country, Jujuy, is located.
Abstract: Fil: Alvarez, Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas; Argentina

55 citations





Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is found that human-caused extinctions have amounted to only about 1.5 species per year for the last 500 years and that these losses have probably been equalled or surpassed by species born (speciation) during that time.
Abstract: Recently, two articles were published in leading scientific journals, each calling attention to an emerging mass extinction. The two are complementary in that they reached the same conclusion by using data from contrasting environments. But, the important question in each case is, can the beginning of a mass extinction be confidently predicted from the evidence presented? The two articles are the latest of several publications that have stated the Earth is in the beginning of a great extinction episode that will eventually result in the loss of at about 75% of all living species. The most recent extinction of this magnitude occurred at the close of the Cretaceous about 65 million years ago. The new mass extinction prognosis began about 22 years ago and was based on estimates of species extinction, due to human activities, that had reached thousands of species per year. Although such unsupported estimates soon gave way to more realistic approximations based on documented records, the spectre of a mass extinction has remained. However, I have found evidence that human-caused extinctions have amounted to only about 1.5 species per year for the last 500 years and that these losses have probably been equalled or surpassed by species born (speciation) during that time. Without evidence of substantial net species loss, mass extinction becomes a speculation without substance. The world’s greatest conservation problem is not species extinction but population decline to the point where many species exist only as remnants of their former abundance.

34 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is concluded that urban environments can enhance growth and reproduction in some vertebrate ectotherms.
Abstract: Growth and body size are influenced by the environment and each have consequences for reproduction and, thus, fitness. Anthropogenically altered habitats (i.e. cities) create novel conditions that may enhance or reduce fitness via environmentally induced changes in growth or body size. By comparing urban and natural habitats, we can quantify the effects of human-modified landscapes on fauna and increase our general understanding of responses to novel environments. We collected lizards, Anolis cristatellus (Duméril & Bibron, 1837), from adjacent urban and forested areas, bred them in the lab under common conditions, measured body size, latency of oviposition, fecundity and egg size for each female and measured growth of hatchlings over 3 months. Female lizards from the city were larger, had a greater body condition index at the beginning of the breeding season and started laying eggs sooner than those from the forest, which increased their fecundity. Females from the forest, but not the city, improved their body condition during the study, so we infer that urban environments maximize body condition of anoles. Moreover, hatchlings from urban mothers had higher growth rates than those from the forest suggesting that body size differences may be due to intrinsic factors. Thus, we conclude that urban environments can enhance growth and reproduction in some vertebrate ectotherms.

34 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that adaptation and acclimation are both likely determinants of functional phenotype in E. loxophleba, and argued that aridity is a critical driver of adaptation in this widespread species.
Abstract: As climates change, restoration programmes need to maximize the capacity of regenerating ecosystems to adapt to new environments, particularly when planting long-lived trees. By using a combined phenotypic and genomic approach, we assessed evidence of adaptation capacity in Eucalyptus loxophleba ssp. lissophloia, a mallee eucalypt important for restoration and oil production in Western Australia. Assessment of leaf traits in nine wild populations across a rainfall gradient showed that two traits were correlated with long-term moisture availability. Populations in more arid environments had lower specific leaf area and lower stomatal conductance, consistent with a stable plastic or adaptive response. Other leaf size and shape traits were correlated with short-term climate variables, suggesting a dynamic plastic response. Genome-wide scans with 4851 DArTseq markers and outlier analysis detected 50 markers showing signals of disruptive selection, consistent with local adaptation. Sixteen markers showed allele frequencies correlated with aridity; three were also associated with differences in stomatal conductance. Multivariate analysis and marker-environment associations signalled secondary directions of adaptation associated with maximum temperatures and soil phosphorus. We suggest that adaptation and acclimation are both likely determinants of functional phenotype in E. loxophleba, and argue that aridity is a critical driver of adaptation in this widespread species.

32 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Author(s): Tatarenkov, Andrey; Lima, Sergio MQ; Earley, Ryan L; Berbel-Filho, Waldir M; Vermeulen, Frans BM; Taylor, D Scott; Marson, Kristine; Turner, Bruce J; Avise, John C.
Abstract: Author(s): Tatarenkov, A; Lima, SMQ; Earley, RL; Berbel-Filho, WM; Vermeulen, FBM; Taylor, DS; Marson, K; Turner, BJ; Avise, JC | Abstract: We use extensive geographical sampling and surveys of nuclear microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA loci to investigate the phylogeographic structure of the only recognized self-fertilizing vertebrates, the mangrove killifishes, currently thought to comprise two cryptic species, Kryptolebias marmoratus and Kryptolebias hermaphroditus. All genetic markers revealed three concordant main clades. The Northern clade includes populations from Florida, northern Cuba, Bahamas, Belize and Honduras and corresponds to K. marmoratus. The Southern clade encompasses populations from Brazil and corresponds to K. hermaphroditus. This species was considered endemic to southeastern Brazil, but molecular data corroborate its occurrence in northeastern Brazil. The Central clade, not previously resolved with genetic data, includes populations from Panama and Antilles. Despite the geographic proximity of the Northern and Central clades, the latter is genetically closer to the Southern clade. The discovery of the Central clade raises some taxonomic issues - it can either be considered a distinct species or united with the Southern clade into a single species with two subspecies. Another possible taxonomic solution is a single selfing species, K. marmoratus, with three subspecies. We show that the Central and Southern clades are highly selfing (97-100%), whereas selfing rates of the Northern clade populations vary geographically (39-99%). Genetic patterns indicate that populations in SE Brazil are recent, contrary to expectations based on the known distributions of related species.

29 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This poster aims to demonstrate the efforts towards in-situ applicability of EMMARM, which aims to provide real-time information about the phytochemical properties of honey bees and other honey bees.
Abstract: 1Department of Natural Sciences, National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP, UK 2NO-4170 Sjernarøy, Norway 3Department of Entomology, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium 4Department of Applied Ecology, Institute for Ecosystem Research, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 75, D – 24 118 Kiel, Germany 5Research Group Species Diversity (SPECDIV), Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium 6Orchid House, Burridge, Axminster, Devon EX13 7DF, UK

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work tested for morphological convergence in body elongation and limb reduction and the evolutionary pathways that gave rise to them in two major clades of Lerista, a species-rich genus of semi-fossorial lizards endemic to Australia, and showed strong evidence that the two clades evolved deterministically.
Abstract: Convergent evolution can occur through similar or different evolutionary pathways, which are the sequences of trait changes that led to convergent phenotypic endpoints. These evolutionary pathways may differ, owing to historically contingent events during the evolution of each lineage, or can arise deterministically due to similar histories of selection or evolutionary constraints. Thus, the relative contribution of determinism and contingency to the evolutionary history of convergent clades affects the evolutionary pathway that each has taken. We tested for morphological convergence in body elongation and limb reduction and the evolutionary pathways that gave rise to them in two major clades of Lerista, a species-rich genus of semi-fossorial lizards endemic to Australia. Our analyses showed strong evidence that the two clades evolved deterministically: both clades shared multiple convergent trait optima and similar patterns of integration of the hind limbs. However, the analyses also showed evidence of historical contingency because not all trait optima were realized by both clades, front limbs were not similarly integrated, and the body parts related by linear or threshold relationships differed between clades. Our findings suggest convergence occurs through deterministic pathways that are nevertheless contingent on historical events, and may have functional and ecological implications for convergent organisms.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work uses 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify shape differences in the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia and fibula of ten species of mustelids belonging to the Lutrinae and Mustelinae subfamilies to test the idea that morphological convergence between minks and otters, and between European and American minks.
Abstract: The shape of long bones is linked to a species' ecology and is thought to reflect the constraints imposed by locomo-tion. The evolution of the shape of the long bones in semi-aquatic mustelids has likely been shaped by the divergent mechanical properties of both water and land. Adaptation to a semi-aquatic lifestyle occurred independently in otters (Lutrinae) and minks (Mustelinae). Here we test the idea that these similar locomotor constraints led to morphological convergence between minks and otters, and between European and American minks. We use 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify shape differences in the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia and fibula of ten species of mustelids belonging to the Lutrinae and Mustelinae subfamilies. Our results show convergence in all bones between the European and American minks, but this convergence is significant only for the humerus. We suggest that this strong convergence in humeral shape between the two minks results from functional demands on the forelimb as it produces most of the thrust when swimming in minks. The American minks show a slight but nonsignificant convergence with the Lutrinae for the shape of the ulna, femur and tibia. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) shows an ulnar and radial shape that diverges from that observed in the other Lutrinae, possibly due to the strong manipulative abilities and unique locomotor mode of this species. In contrast to our initial hypothesis, bone shape in minks does not converge significantly with that of otters. Otters show a large variety of shapes suggesting that a semi-aquatic lifestyle can comprise a wide array of locomotor behaviours.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that, in the absence of exposure/familiarity, the spontaneous ability to range the emotional content of vocalizations in closely related ape species remains biased by basic frequency differences, suggesting that the absolute interspecific value of emotional signals should not be overestimated.
Abstract: Understanding the extent to which humans perceive the emotional state of animals has both theoretical and practical implications. While recent studies indicate that natural selection has led to some convergence of emotion coding among vertebrate species (including humans), highlighting the interspecific value of emotional signals, it has also been argued that interspecific communication of emotions can fail due to species-specific signalling traits impairing information decoding and/or absence of familiarity with heterospecific communication systems. In this article, we show that human listeners pay attention to the mean pitch of vocalizations when asked to rate the distress level expressed by human baby cries, and that they use a similar pitch scale to rate the emotional level of baby non-human ape (bonobo and chimpanzee) distress calls. As a consequence, the very high-pitched bonobo infant calls were systematically rated as expressing overall high distress levels despite being recorded in contexts eliciting various stress intensity. Conversely, chimpanzee infant calls – which are characterized by a relatively lower pitch – were systematically rated as expressing relatively lower distress levels. These results indicate that, in the absence of exposure/familiarity, our spontaneous ability to range the emotional content of vocalizations in closely related ape species remains biased by basic frequency differences, suggesting that the absolute interspecific value of emotional signals should not be overestimated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This observation and overall study of the distribution of the microsatellite genotypes suggests that both D. armeniaca and D. dahli descend from very few, possibly single original hybridization event, most likely D. portschinskii, hence the hypothesis of different paternal species for these two forms is rejected.
Abstract: The parthenogenetic lizards Darevskia armeniaca and Darevskia dahli are widespread throughout the Lesser Caucasus, although they occupy different habitats. While these forms differ in size, colour and scalation, both D. armeniaca and D. dahli have a hybrid origin and a common maternal progenitor species. Current evidence about the patrilineal origin is inconclusive, and the exact number of ancestral lineages remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes and alleles at five microsatellite loci in both the parthenogenetic forms and their presumed ancestors, in order to infer the number of ancestral hybridization events. Mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed that both forms descend matrilineally from D. mixta from a limited geographic area in Central Georgia. Simultaneously, the majority of both D. armeniaca and D. dahli shared the same genotypes at two microsatellite loci, but differed at the other three. This observation and overall study of the distribution of the microsatellite genotypes suggests that (1) both D. armeniaca and D. dahli descend from very few, possibly single original hybridization event, most likely D. mixta and D. portschinskii, hence the hypothesis of different paternal species for these two forms is rejected; (2) expansion of the original parthenogenetic hybrid form into the range of D. valentini, followed by backcrosses of D. valentini males with the parthenogens, triggered development of a new parthenogenetic form, D. armeniaca; (3) backcrosses and mutation are more likely reasons of genetic diversity both between and within the parthenogenetic forms than their multiclonal origin.






Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that female calling occurs across all clades, with only two species showing male aggregation, and species with DCF evolved short-winged ‘brachypterous’ queens that lack wing muscles, a marked deviation from the breeding behaviour typical of most species in subfamily Formicinae.
Abstract: Sexual activity is only a brief moment in the life of ant colonies, but it determines several characteristics of life history. Mating behaviour, distance of female dispersal and mode of colony foundation are interlinked. In species exhibiting ‘male aggregation’ (males and queens fly and mate away from natal nests), newly mated queens have no option but to found a colony alone (independent colony founding, ICF). In contrast, in ‘female calling’ species, queens mate close to the natal nests, then either fly or walk away for dispersal. In several species, they can also disperse on foot accompanied by nestmate workers (dependent colony founding, DCF). Here, we review field observations and genetic data to untangle dispersal strategies across the genus Cataglyphis. We complement these existing informations with queen thorax morphology and dissection of wing muscles. Our comparative study includes 18 species belonging to six species-groups. We found that female calling occurs across all clades, with only two species showing male aggregation. Although most species have normal flying queens specialized for ICF, species in three out of the six species-groups show DCF. Remarkably, species with DCF evolved short-winged ‘brachypterous’ queens that lack wing muscles. Relative size of their thorax sclerites can be used to predict lack of flight ability. Altogether, these results show a marked deviation from the breeding behaviour typical of most species in subfamily Formicinae. We discuss how reduction of female dispersal may be linked to harsh desert conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The first quantitative inferences of resting metabolic rates on fossil synapsids are performed using quantitative histology (size, shape and density of osteocyte lacunae) combined with phylogenetic eigenvector maps and optimization of these inferences allowed us to better constrain the temporal and phylogenetic frames of the acquisition of mammalian endothermy.
Abstract: The independent acquisition of endothermy in synapsids and diapsids are major events in vertebrate evolution since they were the driving force of a suite of correlated changes in anatomical, physiological, behavioural and ecological traits. While avian endothermy is assumed to have occurred at the archosauriform node, the acquisition of mammalian endothermy is poorly constrained both temporally and phylogenetically. Among the many unequivocal anatomical correlates of endothermy in synapsids, the presence of insulative pelage or respiratory turbinates only allows discrete inferences of presence/absence of endothermy. The analysis of bone histology allows richer palaeobiological inferences. We described the osteohistology and growth patterns of Moghreberia nmachouensis and two related taxa (Lystrosaurus and Oudenodon) for comparative purposes. Our observations suggest increasing growth rates from Moghreberia [the presence of incipient fibrolamellar bone (FLB) in humerus and femur], to Lystrosaurus (the presence of well-developed FLB in the femur but the presence of incipient FLB in the humerus), to Oudenodon (the presence of well-developed FLB in humerus and femur). However, qualitative histology does not allow reliable inferences about the occurrence of endothermy. We performed the first quantitative inferences of resting metabolic rates on fossil synapsids (M. nmachouensis as a model and Lystrosaurus and Oudenodon for comparative purposes) using quantitative histology (size, shape and density of osteocyte lacunae) combined with phylogenetic eigenvector maps. Our inferences are consistent with our qualitative histological observations: the mass-independent resting metabolic rate inferred for M. nmachouensis (2.58 mLO2 h−1 g−0.67) is lower than the value inferred for Lystrosaurus (3.80 mLO2 h−1 g−0.67), which is lower than that inferred for Oudenodon (4.58 mLO2 h−1 g−0.67). Optimization of these inferences onto a phylogenetic tree of tetrapods using the parsimony method allowed us to better constrain the temporal (more than 260 Myr ago) and phylogenetic (Neotherapsida) frames of the acquisition of mammalian endothermy.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that reproductive allocation might decrease at the range edge due to energy allocation trade-offs, and this pattern could be explained by interspecific competition or enhanced invest- ment in dispersal capacity.
Abstract: Predicting the magnitude and nature of changes in a species’ range is becoming ever more important as an increas- ing number of species are faced with habitat changes or are introduced to areas outside of the species’ native range. An organism’s investment in life-history traits is expected to change during range shifts or range expansion because populations encounter new ecological conditions. While simulation studies predict that dispersal and reproductive allocation should increase at the range edge, we suggest that reproductive allocation might decrease at the range edge due to energy allocation trade-offs. We studied the reproductive investment of an invasive amphibian, Xenopus laevis, and measured reproductive allocation in three clusters of populations distributed from the centre to the edge of the colonized range of X. laevis in France. Resource allocation was estimated with the scaled mass index of gonads of both sexes during the local period of reproduction of the species. The level of resources allocated to reproduction was lower at the periphery of the colonized range compared to the centre and may be the result of changes in trade- offs between life-history traits. Such a pattern could be explained by interspecific competition or enhanced invest- ment in dispersal capacity.



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper aims to demonstrate the efforts towards in-situ applicability of EMMARM, as to provide real-time information about the response of the immune system to drought and other natural disasters.
Abstract: 1Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 221 Morrill Science Center, Amherst, MA 01003, USA 2Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA 3Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA 4Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3101 Science Circle ISB, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA 5Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA 6Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that the complete reorganization during metamorphosis may have profound effect on the behaviour of the beetles and challenge the established common thought that personality should persist along an individual lifespan.
Abstract: Although personality (consistent inter-individual differences in behavioural traits across time and/or contexts) and behavioural syndromes (suites of correlated personality traits) have been widely studied in the last decades, the origin and development of these traits during ontogeny are still underexplored. In this context, species undergoing metamorphosis are of special interest. To date, however, the persistence of personality traits has been only little investigated in organisms undergoing complete metamorphosis such as in holometabolous insects, although this kind of studies may provide important insights from a functional point of view. Here, we tested whether the personality and the behavioural syndrome are maintained through metamorphosis in Tenebrio molitor, a holometabolous insect species. We found that personality and behavioural syndrome were present in both larval and adult stages. However, larval personality and behavioural syndrome did not predict adult behaviour. We suggest that the complete reorganization during metamorphosis may have profound effect on the behaviour of the beetles. These results challenge the established common thought that personality should persist along an individual lifespan.