Carbon isotope composition of tree leaves from Guanacaste, Costa Rica: comparison across tropical forests and tree life history

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. JOSHUA LEFFLER ◽  
BRIAN J. ENQUIST
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Tropical Climate ◽  
Tropical Plants ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physiological Diversity ◽  
Tight Association ◽  
Made In

Despite the progress made in understanding the ecophysiology of tropical plants during the past two decades (Lüttge 1997, Mulkey et al. 1996), questions regarding relationships between the environment and physiological diversity remain. It is now recognized that tropical climate can be quite variable (see Coen 1983) which could lead to significant functional diversity (increased variation in life history traits) among species due to the tight association between gas exchange physiology and the environment (see Enquist & Leffler 2001, Guehl et al. 1998, Huc et al. 1994, Martinelli et al. 1998, Sobrado 1993). It remains unclear, however, how the subtleties of variation in tropical climate and tree life history traits are related to the functional diversity of tropical communities (Borchert 1994, 1998).

scholarly journals The Atlantic spiny lumpsucker Eumicrotremus spinosus: life history traits and the seemingly unlikely interaction with the pelagic amphipod Themisto libellula

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jørgen Berge ◽  
Jasmine Nahrgang
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Stomach Content ◽  
Diel Vertical Migration ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Gonadosomatic Index ◽  
Hepatosomatic Index ◽  
Entire Sample ◽  
Themisto Libellula ◽  
Made In

AbstractDuring a cruise to Svalbard in September 2012 a unique collection of the little known but widely distributed Atlantic spiny lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus spinosus) was made in the Hinlopen Strait. A total of 140 individuals (36-101mm total length) were collected using a bottom trawl. All individuals were sexed and 26 of these were also analysed for gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and stomach content. The sex ratio of the entire sample showed a strong bias towards females (75% of all examined specimens). The GSI ranged from 1.4 to 5.8% except for one female with a GSI of 20%. All females carried gonads in which eggs were clearly visible, independent of size, indicative of an early sexual maturation and an iteroparous life cycle of females. All examined specimens had almost an exclusively pelagic diet, with Themisto libellula constituting 100% of the stomach content in 80% of the examined fishes. The results are discussed in relation to diel vertical migration of Arctic zooplankton and deep migrating layers.

scholarly journals Microbiota Influences Fitness and Timing of Reproduction in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda K. Matthews ◽  
Jaanna Malcolm ◽  
John M. Chaston
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Life History ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Clear Definition ◽  
Animal Life ◽  
Timing Of Reproduction ◽  
The Past ◽  
Definition Of

The ability of associated microorganisms (“microbiota”) to influence animal life history traits has been recognized and investigated, especially in the past 2 decades. For many microbial communities, there is not always a clear definition of whether the microbiota or its members are beneficial, pathogenic, or relatively neutral to their hosts’ fitness.

Coral biodiversity and evolution: recent molecular contributions

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 1723-1734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Frank ◽  
Ofer Mokady
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Reticulate Evolution ◽  
The Past ◽  
Tropical Reefs ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
The Subject

Tropical reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems. Corals, as the most prominent members and framework builders of these communities, deserve special attention, especially in light of the recent decline of coral reefs worldwide. The diversity of corals at various levels has been the subject of many studies, and has traditionally been investigated using morphological characters. This approach has proved insufficient, owing to several ecological and life-history traits of corals. The use of molecular/biochemical approaches has been propelling this discipline forward at an ever-increasing rate for the past decade or so. Reticulate evolution in corals, which has challenged traditional views on the ecology, evolution, and biodiversity of these organisms, is only one example of the results of molecular studies supporting the development of new concepts. We review recent literature reporting studies of the biodiversity, ecology, and evolution of corals in which molecular methods have been employed. We anticipate that in the coming years, an increasing number of studies in molecular biology will generate new and exciting ideas regarding the biology of corals.

Eutrophication and drought disturbance shape functional diversity and life-history traits of aquatic plants in shallow lakes

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florent Arthaud ◽  
Dominique Vallod ◽  
Joël Robin ◽  
Gudrun Bornette
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Shallow Lakes ◽  
Life History Traits

Evolution of earlyHomo: An integrated biological perspective

Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 345 (6192) ◽  
pp. 1236828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan C. Antón ◽  
Richard Potts ◽  
Leslie C. Aiello
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Evolutionary Time ◽  
The Past ◽  
Biological Perspective ◽  
Dietary Flexibility ◽  
Hind Limbs

Integration of evidence over the past decade has revised understandings about the major adaptations underlying the origin and early evolution of the genusHomo. Many features associated withHomo sapiens, including our large linear bodies, elongated hind limbs, large energy-expensive brains, reduced sexual dimorphism, increased carnivory, and unique life history traits, were once thought to have evolved near the origin of the genus in response to heightened aridity and open habitats in Africa. However, recent analyses of fossil, archaeological, and environmental data indicate that such traits did not arise as a single package. Instead, some arose substantially earlier and some later than previously thought. From ~2.5 to 1.5 million years ago, three lineages of earlyHomoevolved in a context of habitat instability and fragmentation on seasonal, intergenerational, and evolutionary time scales. These contexts gave a selective advantage to traits, such as dietary flexibility and larger body size, that facilitated survival in shifting environments.

scholarly journals Life-history traits of the giant squid Architeuthis dux revealed from stable isotope signatures recorded in beaks

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1425-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel Guerra ◽  
Alejandro B. Rodríguez-Navarro ◽  
Ángel F. González ◽  
Chris S. Romanek ◽  
Pedro Álvarez-Lloret ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Nitrogen Isotope ◽  
Carbon Isotope Composition ◽  
Δ13c Values ◽  
Giant Squid ◽  
Stable Isotope Signatures

Abstract Guerra, Á., Rodríguez-Navarro, A. B., González, Á. F., Romanek, C. S., Álvarez-Lloret, P., and Pierce, G. J. 2010. Life-history traits of the giant squid Architeuthis dux revealed from stable isotope signatures recorded in beaks. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1425–1431. Carbon and nitrogen isotope profiles constructed from the upper beaks of four giant squid Architeuthis dux from the Bay of Biscay and Namibian waters provided a time-integrated record of their diet. Values of δ15N ranged from 5.5 to 13.4‰ and of δ13C from −14.4 to −17.8‰. Nitrogen isotope profiles differed significantly in shape among the four animals analysed, but δ15N increased along each profile, with lowest values around the rostral tip. The difference between the lowest and the highest δ15N values was ∼5.8‰, slightly less than a two-level difference between the trophic position of small and large A. dux. The increase in δ13C values was not as pronounced as for the δ15N profiles, but the changes suggest an ontogenetic shift in diet early in life from smaller prey of relatively low trophic status to larger prey of higher status. Fluctuations in δ13C values observed near the rostral tip may be associated with a greater intrinsic variability in the carbon isotope composition of relatively small prey, and/or transient migratory behaviour early in life. The relative stability of the δ13C profiles over the remainder of their lifespan is consistent with the hypothesis that adult giant squid inhabit relatively small, well-defined, and productive areas, where food resources have a constant carbon isotope composition.

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