Evolutionary ecology of mast-seeding in temperate and tropical oaks (Quercus spp.)

Author(s):  
V. L. Sork
EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Paez ◽  
Jason A. Smith

Biscogniauxia canker or dieback (formerly called Hypoxylon canker or dieback) is a common contributor to poor health and decay in a wide range of tree species (Balbalian & Henn 2014). This disease is caused by several species of fungi in the genus Biscogniauxia (formerly Hypoxylon). B. atropunctata or B. mediterranea are usually the species found on Quercus spp. and other hosts in Florida, affecting trees growing in many different habitats, such as forests, parks, green spaces and urban areas (McBride & Appel, 2009).  Typically, species of Biscogniauxia are opportunistic pathogens that do not affect healthy and vigorous trees; some species are more virulent than others. However, once they infect trees under stress (water stress, root disease, soil compaction, construction damage etc.) they can quickly colonize the host. Once a tree is infected and fruiting structures of the fungus are evident, the tree is not likely to survive especially if the infection is in the tree's trunk (Anderson et al., 1995).


Author(s):  
Christer Brönmark ◽  
Lars-Anders Hansson

The Biology of Lakes and Ponds focuses on the interactions between the abiotic frame, such as turbulence, temperature, pH and nutrients, and the organisms, including interactions with and among organisms at the individual, population and community level. The book fills this niche between traditional limnology and evolutionary ecology by focusing on physiological, morphological and behavioural adaptations among organisms to abiotic and biotic factors and how interactions between biotic processes and abiotic constraints determine the structure and dynamics of lake and pond systems. In addition, the book describes and analyses the causes and consequences of human activities on freshwater organisms and ecosystems and covers longstanding environmental threats, such as eutrophication and acidification, as well as novel threats, such as biodiversity loss, use of everyday chemicals and global climate change. However, also signs of improvement and the possibilities to restore degraded ecosystems are discussed and provide hope for future generations.


Author(s):  
Graeme D. Ruxton ◽  
William L. Allen ◽  
Thomas N. Sherratt ◽  
Michael P. Speed

In 2004, the first edition of ‘Avoiding Attack: The Evolutionary Ecology of Crypsis, Warning Signals, and Mimicry’ by Ruxton et al. was published. The book aimed to provide a systematic and up-to-date review and synthesis of widespread anti-predator defences. In it, we focussed on sensorially mediated defences and the many factors that underpin these adaptations, aiming to set out the state-of-understanding in the fascinating world of anti-predator adaptations, and highlight which topics within the field seem most ripe for further investigation....


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis E. Eguiarte ◽  
Ofelia A. Jiménez Barrón ◽  
Erika Aguirre‐Planter ◽  
Enrique Scheinvar ◽  
Niza Gámez ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1657) ◽  
pp. 649-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Takács ◽  
Hannah Bottomley ◽  
Iisak Andreller ◽  
Tracy Zaradnik ◽  
Joseph Schwarz ◽  
...  

Foraging animals use diverse cues to locate resources. Common foraging cues have visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile or gustatory characteristics. Here, we show a foraging herbivore using infrared (IR) radiation from living plants as a host-finding cue. We present data revealing that (i) conifer cones are warmer and emit more near-, mid- and long-range IR radiation than needles, (ii) cone-feeding western conifer seed bugs, Leptoglossus occidentalis (Hemiptera: Coreidae), possess IR receptive organs and orient towards experimental IR cues, and (iii) occlusion of the insects' IR receptors impairs IR perception. The conifers' cost of attracting cone-feeding insects may be offset by occasional mast seeding resulting in cone crops too large to be effectively exploited by herbivores.


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