Biogeographical effects on body mass of native Australian and introduced mice, Pseudomys hermannsburgensis and Mus domesticus: an inquiry into Bergmann's Rule

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Tomlinson ◽  
Philip C. Withers
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Bergmann’S Rule ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Mus Domesticus ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Bergmann's Rule

We investigated interactions of body mass with geographical location, and five climatic measures for two Australian rodents, the native Australian sandy inland mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis) and the introduced house mouse (Mus domesticus). Correlation and regression analyses identified interactions of body mass with latitude, longitude, average highest maximum and lowest minimum temperatures, average annual rainfall, rainfall variability, and aridity. There was a significant correlation of body mass with latitude and longitude for Mus domesticus and P. hermannsburgensis. House mice were heavier in the south and east, and sandy inland mice were heavier in the north and east. M. domesticus conforms to Bergmann’s Rule, while P. hermannsburgensis does not. Maximum temperature, aridity and rainfall variability significantly influenced body mass of M. domesticus, which was heavier at cooler maxima, in less arid areas, and in areas of greater rainfall variability. Only aridity significantly influenced body mass of P. hermannsburgensis, which was heavier in more arid areas. Temperature did not interact significantly with body mass. After accounting for climatic variables, there was still a significant relationship between the residuals of body mass with locality for both species, with a negative influence of latitude and a positive influence of longitude in both; the latitudinal interaction for both species was converse to Bergmann’s Rule. We suggest that latitude, ambient temperature and other selection pressures (such as aridity or productivity) can act in opposing directions, and speculate that the influence of other factors, such as food availability or sociality, may be more important than latitude or ambient temperature.

Geographic variation in body size of five Australian marsupials supports Bergmann’s thermoregulation hypothesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 1010-1020
Author(s):  
Alyson M Stobo-Wilson ◽  
Teigan Cremona ◽  
Brett P Murphy ◽  
Susan M Carthew
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Heat Dissipation ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Bergmann’S Rule ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Bergmann's Rule ◽  
Skull Length ◽  
Heat Conservation

Abstract Despite a large body of research, little agreement has been reached on the ultimate driver(s) of geographic variation in body size (mass and/or length). Here we use skull length measurements (as a surrogate for body mass) from five Australian marsupial species to test the primary hypotheses of geographic variation in body size (relating to ambient temperature, productivity, and seasonality). We used a revised articulation of Bergmann’s rule, wherein evidence for thermoregulation (heat dissipation or heat conservation) is considered supportive of Bergmann’s rule. We modeled the skull lengths of four Petaurid glider species and the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) as a function of indices of ambient temperature, productivity, and seasonality. The skull length of Petaurus ariel, P. notatus, and the squirrel glider (P. norfolcensis), increased with increasing winter minimum temperature, while that of T. vulpecula decreased with increasing summer maximum temperature. The skull length of P. ariel decreased with indices of productivity, falsifying the productivity hypothesis. Only P. ariel met the hypothesis of seasonality, as skull length increased with increasing seasonality. Thermoregulation was the most consistently supported driver of geographic variation in body size, as we found evidence of either heat conservation or heat dissipation in four of the five species examined. We found the geographic range of the individual species and the climate space in which the species occurred was integral to understanding the species’ responses to climate variables. Future studies should use specimens that are representative of a species’ entire geographic range, encompass a variety of climatic regions, and use consistent methodologies and terminology when testing drivers of geographic variation in body size.

Latitudinal body-mass trends in Oligo-Miocene mammals

Paleobiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-658
Author(s):  
John D. Orcutt ◽  
Samantha S. B. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Latitudinal Gradients ◽  
Bergmann’S Rule ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Bergmann's Rule ◽  
Deep Time ◽  
Causal Factors ◽  
Primary Driver

AbstractPaleecological data allow not only the study of trends along deep-time chronological transects but can also be used to reconstruct ecological gradients through time, which can help identify causal factors that may be strongly correlated in modern ecosystems. We have applied such an analysis to Bergmann’s rule, which posits a causal relationship between temperature and body size in mammals. Bergmann’s rule predicts that latitudinal gradients should exist during any interval of time, with larger taxa toward the poles and smaller taxa toward the equator. It also predicts that the strength of these gradients should vary with time, becoming weaker during warmer periods and stronger during colder conditions. We tested these predictions by reconstructing body-mass trends within canid and equid genera at different intervals of the Oligo-Miocene along the West Coast of North America. To allow for comparisons with modern taxa, body mass was reconstructed along the same transect for modernCanisandOdocoileus. Of the 17 fossil genera analyzed, only two showed the expected positive relationship with latitude, nor was there consistent evidence for a relationship between paleotemperature and body mass. Likewise, the strength of body-size gradients does not change predictably with climate through time. The evidence for clear gradients is ambiguous even in the modern genera analyzed. These results suggest that, counter to Bergmann’s rule, temperature alone is not a primary driver of body size and underscore the importance of regional-scale paleoecological analyses in identifying such drivers.

scholarly journals Spatio-temporal variability of climatic parameters across different altitudes of North- Western Himalaya

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-306
Author(s):  
PANKAJ PANWAR ◽  
SHARMISTHA PAL ◽  
NANCY LORIA ◽  
MED RAM VERMA ◽  
N.M. ALAM ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Rainfall Occurrence ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Different Altitudes

Climate change impact varies across different altitudinal ranges and demands local specific management strategies for water resource and farming system management. The present study analyses spacio-temporal climate parameters across different altitudes of Himachal Pradesh a hilly state of India. Analysis shows that annually, minimum temperature has significantly decreased by -0.09°C at altitude I (350 - 400 m) while maximum temperature has significantly increased by 0.05°C at altitudes I and II (1400-1500 m) and decreased significantly by -0.08°C at altitude III (2000- 2100 m). Higher regions Altitude – IV (2900-3000 m) received lowest rainfall (746.1 mm) with 30.2 % variation. Seasonal rainfall variability was higher in post monsoon (102 - 174%) and least in monsoon (21 - 57%). Annual rainfall at altitude I is strongly irregular (PCI 20.1 to 22.3), followed by altitude – IV (PCI 15-25); altitude – II irregular (PCI 15-20) and altitude – III moderate to irregular (PCI 12 -19) rainfall. Seasonal Index values for four altitudes fall between 0.91-0.96 revealed that rainfall is irregular and markedly seasonal with longer drier season. Higher wavelet powers in altitude - I and II after 2005 suggests frequency of extreme rainfall occurrence had increased.

scholarly journals Rainfall Variability across the Agro-Climatic Zones of a Tropical Highland: The Case of the Jema Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopia

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taye ◽  
Simane ◽  
Zaitchik ◽  
Selassie ◽  
Setegn
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Arithmetic Functions ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Minimum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum Temperature ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Climate Indicators

The objective of the study was to analyze the variability of various climate indicators across the agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of the Jema watershed. The variability was analyzed considering mean annual rainfall (MARF, mm), mean daily minimum temperature (MDMinT, °C), and mean daily maximum temperature (MDMaxT, °C). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to test whether group mean differences exist in the values of the indicated climatic indicators among the ACZs of the watershed. The coefficient of variation was computed to analyze the degree of climate variability among the ACZs. Rainfall and temperature data sets from 1983 to 2017 were obtained from nearby meteorological stations. The effect of climate variability in the farming system was assessed with reference to local farmers’ experience. Ultimately, the values of the stated indicators of exposure to climate variability were indexed (standardized) in order to run arithmetic functions. The MARF decreases towards sub-alpine ACZs. Based on the result of the ANOVA, the two-tailed p-value (≤ 0.04) was less than 0.05; that is, there was a significant variation in MARF, MDMaxT (°C), and MDMinT (°C) among the ACZs. The coefficient of variation showed the presence of variations of 0.18–0.88 for MARF, 0.18 to 0.85 for MDMaxT, and 0.02–0.95 for MDMinT across the ACZs. In all of the indicators of exposure to climate variability, the lowest and highest indexed values of coefficient of variation were observed in the moist–cool and sub-alpine ACZs, respectively. Overall, the aggregate indexed values of exposure to various climate indicators ranged from 0.13–0.89 across the ACZs. The level of exposure to climate variability increased when moving from moist–cool to sub-alpine ACZs. The overall crop diversity declined across the ACZs of the watershed. Nevertheless, mainly because of the rise in temperature, the climate became suitable for cultivating maize and tef even at higher elevations. In order to adapt to the inter-annual variability of the rainy season, the process of adapting early-maturing crops and the use of improved seeds needs to be enhanced in the watershed, especially in the higher-elevation zones. It is also essential to revise traditional crop calendars and crop zones across the ACSz.

scholarly journals Study the rainfall variability and impact of El Nino episode on rainfall and crop productivity at Parbhani

MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-290
Author(s):  
DAKHORE K K ◽  
KADAM Y E ◽  
KUMAR P VIJAYA
Keyword(s):  
El Niño ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Seasonal Rainfall ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Black Gram ◽  
The Mean

The weekly rainfall data for 36 years (1981-2016) recorded at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada  Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani were analyzed for mean seasonal, weekly rainfall and also weekly rainfall probabilities. The mean seasonal rainfall was 796 mm, received in 38 rainy days. The seasonal rainfall indicated that there is 53% chance of receiving less than 700 mm with variable intensities and 36% chance of getting more than normal rainfall and 11% chance of seasonal rainfall, in between 700 mm to 800 mm. The mean weekly rainfall during crop season was 45.8 mm with a CV of 116%. Highest mean weekly rainfall was recorded 71.8 mm with SD (95.3) and CV (132.7%) in 30th MW. Sowing of Kharif crops should be undertaken during 24th MW to 27th MW. Significant and positive correlation between yield and rainfall was observed for Soybean, Pigeonpea, Black gram, Green gram and rice. The predictability of productivity of crops using seasonal rainfall is 10-20% variation in productivity for all the crops at the Centre. The El Nino episode was negatively influencing Southwest monsoon and annual rainfall as well as rainfall during the months of July and September. El Nino episodes exhibit more negative influence on productivity of all the crops except rice crop. Among the different categories of El Nino, weak events exerted more negative impact on productivity of short duration crops (i.e., sorghum, soybean and Black gram)  as compared to moderate and strong El Nino events.

scholarly journals The Elevation does not strongly influence interspecific variation in body size of small Tropical endotherms

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar E. Murillo-García ◽  
Maria E. De la vega ◽  
Katherine Pérez-Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Bergmann’S Rule ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Bergmann's Rule ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Altitudinal Gradients

Introduction: Body size is an essential trait for endotherms to face the physiological requirements of cold, so there is a tendency to large body size at high altitudes and latitudes, known as Bergmann's rule. However, the validity of this ecomorphological rule to small-bodied endotherms across altitudinal gradients is poorly known. Objective: To understand the effects of environmental variation on body size, we assessed whether interspecific variation in body size of small tropical endotherms follows Bergmann's rule along tropical altitudinal gradients. Methods: We compiled data on elevational ranges and body masses for 133 species of hummingbirds of Colombia. We then assessed the association between body mass and mid-point of the altitudinal distribution using phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) analyses under different evolutionary models. Results: We found a decelerating rate of evolution for body size since the Early Burst model of evolution provided a better fit to body mass data. For elevational range, we found a slow and constant rate since Pagel's lambda model provided a better fit to the mid-point of the altitudinal distribution data. Besides, phylogenetic regression analysis indicated that body mass and the altitudinal range of hummingbirds are associated through the phylogeny, with a positive but slight association (R2= 0.036). Conclusions: We found that body mass and altitude of hummingbirds are positively related, which is in agreement with expectations under Bergmann's rule. However, this association was weaker than expected for small and non-passerine birds like hummingbirds. Thus, our results suggest that environmental changes across altitudinal gradients do not strongly influence body mass in small tropical endotherms as hummingbirds.

Latitudinal variation in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) body mass: a test of Bergmann’s rule

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C. Gigliotti ◽  
Nathan D. Berg ◽  
Rudy Boonstra ◽  
Shawn M. Cleveland ◽  
Duane R. Diefenbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Lepus Americanus ◽  
Bergmann’S Rule ◽  
Bergmann's Rule ◽  
The North

The relationship between body size and latitude has been the focus of dozens of studies across many species. However, results of testing Bergmann’s rule — that organisms in colder climates or at higher latitudes possess larger body sizes — have been inconsistent across studies. We investigated whether snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) follow Bergmann’s rule by investigating differences in body mass using data from six published studies and from data of 755 individual hares captured from 10 populations across North America covering 26° of north latitude. We also explored alternative hypotheses related to variation in hare body mass, including winter severity, length of growing season, elevation, and snow depth. We found body mass of hares varied throughout their range, but the drivers of body mass differed based on geographic location. In northern populations, females followed Bergmann’s rule, whereas males did not. In northern populations, male mass was related to mean snow depth. In contrast, in southern populations, body mass of both sexes was related to length of the growing season. These differences likely represent variation in the drivers of selection. Specifically, in the north, a large body size is beneficial to conserve heat because of low winter temperatures, whereas in the south, it is likely due to increased food supply associated with longer growing seasons.

scholarly journals Analysis of spatio-temporal climate variability of a shallow lake catchment in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Latifa O. Nyembo ◽  
Isaac Larbi ◽  
Mwemezi J. Rwiza
Keyword(s):  
Water Productivity ◽  
Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Distance Weighting ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Slope Estimator ◽  
Lake Catchment

Abstract This study analyzed the trends and spatio-temporal variability in rainfall and temperature, and the length of the rainy season (LRS) in the Lake Manyara catchment, Tanzania, covering a period between 1988 and 2018 using stations and satellite climate product. The Mann-Kendall statistical test, Sen's slope estimator, and inverse distance weighting interpolation techniques were used to detect the trends, magnitude of trends and spatial distribution of rainfall and temperature. A modified Stern's method and water balance concept were used for rainfall onset, cessation and LRS analysis, while a standardized precipitation index (SPI) was used to investigate the wetness or dryness of the area. The results showed high variability and decreasing trend (4 mm/y) in annual rainfall, and non-significant increasing trend for minimum and maximum temperature. Rainfall increased from the western to the northern part of the catchment whereas a reversal pattern was noticed for temperature. The SPI shows a signal of normal condition (about 65%) for all stations – with few years showing evidence of wetter and drier conditions. The LRS showed a decreasing trend indicating a potential negative influence on rain-dependent activities. There is a need, therefore, for adaptation measures such as improving water productivity and irrigation at the farm and catchment level.

scholarly journals Conformity to Bergmann’s rule in birds depends on nest design and migration

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Mainwaring ◽  
Sally E. Street
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Bergmann’S Rule ◽  
Bergmann's Rule ◽  
Migratory Behaviour ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Environmental Selection ◽  
Western Palearctic ◽  
Nest Design ◽  
And Migration

AbstractSpecies’ geographic ranges and range limits are thought to be determined by climate, and across climatic gradients the morphology of populations varies non-randomly. Ecogeographic rules seek to characterise such variation, with Bergmann’s rule positing that organisms inhabiting colder environments are typically larger-bodied than those inhabiting warmer environments. While Bergmann’s rule has been supported across a range of taxonomic groups, how organisms’ behaviour may moderate its effect remains unclear. Here we investigate whether conformity to Bergmann’s rule among birds of the Western Palearctic varies in relation to nest design and migratory behaviour, using phylogenetic comparative analyses. We test predictions using data on nest structure and location, migration, body mass, latitudinal distribution, annual mean temperature and phylogenetic relatedness for a sample of >500 species. We find that conformity to Bergmann’s rule depends strongly on migratory behaviour: non-migratory species breeding at colder, more northerly latitudes are larger-bodied, while body mass is unaffected by climate in short- and long-distance migrants. Among non-migratory species, conformity to Bergmann’s rule depends, further, on nest design: species with more open nests, who are thus most exposed to adverse climatic conditions while breeding, conform most strongly to Bergmann’s rule. Our findings suggest that enclosed nesting and migration allow smaller bodied species to breed in colder environments than their body size would otherwise allow. Therefore, we conclude that organisms’ behaviour can strongly affect exposure to environmental selection pressures.

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