Scaling of species diversity and body mass in mammals: Cope’s rule and the evolutionary cost of large size

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Cope’S Rule

scholarly journals Does a Simple Cope's Rule Mechanism Overlook Predators?

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Penteriani ◽  
Robert Kenward
Keyword(s):  
Large Body ◽  
General Increase ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Animal Groups ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Large Size ◽  
High Fitness ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Cope’S Rule

The Cope’s rule predicts a tendency for species to evolve towards an increase in size. Recently, it has been suggested that such a tendency is due to the fact that large body sizes provide a general increase in individual fitness. Here we highlight evidence that predator species do not always fit the large-size = high-fitness mechanism for Cope’s rule. Given the specific requirements of predators and the complexity of prey-predator relationships, any analysis that does not take into account all animal groups may overlook a significant portion of evolutive trends. Generalisations may not be possible regardless of taxa.

scholarly journals The scaling of expansive energy under the Red Queen predicts Cope’s Rule

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indrė Žliobaitė ◽  
Mikael Fortelius
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Small Species ◽  
Evolutionary Advantage ◽  
Zero Sum ◽  
The Red Queen ◽  
Cope’S Rule

AbstractThe Red Queen’s hypothesis portrays evolution as a never-ending competition for expansive energy, where one species’ gain is another species’ loss. The Red Queen is neutral with respect to body size, implying that neither small nor large species have a universal competitive advantage. The maximum population growth in ecology; however, clearly depends on body size – the smaller the species, the shorter the generation length, and the faster it can expand. Here we ask whether, and if so how, the Red Queen’s hypothesis can accommodate a spectrum of body sizes. We theoretically analyse scaling of expansive energy with body mass and demonstrate that in the Red Queen’s zero-sum game for resources, neither small nor large species have a universal evolutionary advantage. We argue that smaller species have an evolutionary advantage only when resources in the environment are not fully occupied, such as after mass extinctions or following key innovations allowing expansion into freed up or previously unoccupied resource space. Under such circumstances, we claim, generation length is the main limiting factor for population growth. When competition for resources is weak, smaller species can indeed expand faster, but to sustain this growth they also need more resources. In the Red Queen’s realm, where resources are fully occupied and the only way for expansion is to outcompete other species, acquisition of expansive energy becomes the limiting factor and small species lose their physiological advantage. A gradual transition from unlimited resources to a zero-sum game offers a direct mechanistic explanation for observed body mass trends in the fossil record, known as Cope’s Rule. When the system is far from the limit of resources and competition is not maximally intense, small species take up ecological space faster. When the system approaches the limits of its carrying capacity and competition tightens, small species lose their evolutionary advantage and we observe a wider range of successful body masses, and, as a result, an increase in the average body mass within lineages.

scholarly journals Analysis of Telajakan characteristic and the existence of ritual plants in Canggu Village and Penglipuran Village

2021 ◽  
Vol 879 (1) ◽  
pp. 012016
Author(s):  
I M P D Natawiguna ◽  
H S Arifin ◽  
R L Kaswanto
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Species Diversity Index ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Ritual Plants ◽  
Open Ground ◽  
Result Show ◽  
Distribution Point

Abstract The life of Balinese people can never be separated from ritual activities or religious ceremonies. The existence of telajakan is essential to preserve. Aside from being a traditional Balinese identity, it also provides space for ritual plants and biodiversity. So that effort is needed to manage the existence of telajakan. This research is expected to analyze the characteristics of telajakan and the existence of ritual plants found in telajakan. Field observation was undertaken to inventory distribution point of remains telajakan in Canggu village. The sampling method uses purposive sampling by tracing along the main road and marking the visible point of telajakan. Changes function of telajakan was found in the Canggu area, and in Penglipuran villages, there is still preserved. Following this study, 49 samples of remains telajakan were collected from Canggu village and 69 samples from Penglipuran village. The characteristics of telajakan can be observed with the structure and size. The result shows, the structure of telajakan can be any combination of an open ditch, covered ditch, pedestrians track, open ground, grass, and fence wall. Size of telajakan can be grouped into small size (width <50 cm), medium size (width 50-99 cm), large size (width 100-149 cm), and extra-large size (width > 150 cm). Based on survey research and observation, various plants are found in each sample. Seventy-seven species of plants were found in 49 samples of telajakan in Canggu village. Plumeria accuminata, Codiaeum Sp., and Bougainvillea spectabilis is the most common species. Meanwhile, in Penglipuran village, 117 species of plants were found in 69 samples of telajakan. Furthermore, the most common species found were Plumeria accuminata, Alternanthera ficoidea, Cordyline terminalis, and Cananga odorata. Result show both Canggu village and Penglipuran villages have high species diversity index (H′>3). Canggu village species diversity index amount 3.88 and Penglipuran village amount 4.12. The utilization of telajakan as space for ritual plants can preserve Balinese tradition and cultures’ local identity.

Size Matters: Body Size is Correlated with Longevity in Speckled Cockroaches (Nauphoeta cineria).

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Badwan ◽  
James Harper
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Large Size ◽  
The Status ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Individual Body

Background: A relationship between body size and longevity has long been appreciated within eukaryotes, especially vertebrates. Introduction: In general, large size is associated with increased longevity among species of mammals and birds but is associated with decreased longevity within individual species such as dogs and mice. In this study, we examined the relationship between measures of individual body size and longevity in a captive population of speckled cockroaches (Nauphoeta cineria). Method: Newly molted adults of both sexes were removed from a mass colony housed in multiple terraria and housed individually with food and water provided ad libitum for the duration of their lifespan. Thrice weekly, the status (i.e. live/dead) of individual cockroaches was noted for the duration of the study. Individuals found dead were weighed and measured to obtain body mass and morphometric measures and the age at the time of death was recorded. The relationship between body size and lifespan was assessed. Result: Contrary to what is commonly seen within vertebrates, large cockroaches were longer-lived than their smaller counterparts. Specifically, body mass, body length and pronotum width were all significantly correlated with the age at death in a mixed population of males and females (n = 94). In addition, we found that the longevity of a historically larger population in terms of both body mass and body length were significantly longer-lived than the population used in this study. Conclusion: These data indicate there is a significant interaction between body size and aging in this species and that increased size results in a survival advantage. There is evidence in the literature indicating that a positive relationship between size and longevity may be common in insects.

Morphometrics of Flightlessness in the Alcidae

The Auk ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 681-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley C. Livezey
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Large Core ◽  
Wing Area ◽  
Alca Torda ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Mass Estimate ◽  
Recent Species ◽  
Extreme Specialization

Abstract Data collected from skin specimens of the 23 Recent species of Alcidae, skeletal material for Recent and fossil alcids, and published data on body mass and wing area were used to describe the morphometric characteristics of flightlessness in the Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis) and the fossil mancalline auks. A regression equation confirmed a body-mass estimate (5 kg) for P. impennis (Bédard 1969). The size and relatively small wings produced wing-loading of roughly 22 g· cm-2, comparable to those of medium-sized penguins. Multivariate analysis of external measurements underscored the uniquely large size, relatively short wings, and moderately deep bill of Pinguinus compared to other Recent alcids. Analysis of skeletal measurements revealed that the genera of flightless Alcidae (Pinguinus, Mancalla, Praemancalla, and Alcodes) were characterized by relatively short distal wing elements and dorsoventral flattening of all major wing elements, in combination with relatively large core and pelvic dimensions. These differences were most pronounced in Mancalla, moderately developed in Praemancalla, and smallest in Pinguinus. Estimated body mass (1-4 kg) for selected fossil mancallines exceeded the largest flighted alcids (Uria) but was less than for Pinguinus. Pinguinus was a comparatively large piscivore sharing many morphological features with the Razorbill (Alca torda) and murres (Uria spp.). Its flightlessness evidently was a consequence of extreme specialization for pursuit diving, convergent with that of the Spheniscidae. Loss of flight imposed significant requirements on breeding sites and foraging habitats of the Great Auk and presumably the mancallines, and rendered Pinguinus exceptionally vulnerable to human exploitation.

scholarly journals A multi-access identification key based on colour patterns in ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)

ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 758 ◽  
pp. 55-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Séverin Jouveau ◽  
Mathilde Delaunay ◽  
Régine Vignes-Lebbe ◽  
Romain Nattier
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Structured Knowledge ◽  
Colour Patterns ◽  
Multi Access

An identification key based on French ladybird colouration is proposed for the tribes Chilocorini, Coccinellini, and Epilachnini. These tribes were chosen based on their relatively limited species diversity, as well as their large size and high colour diversity, making them easy to observe and collect. The identification key runs on Xper3 software, which allows the building of structured knowledge bases and online free-access keys. The online interactive Xper key is available at http://french-ladybird.identificationkey.fr.

Reproduction and postnatal growth of the Cabrera vole, Microtus cabrerae, in captivity

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (11) ◽  
pp. 2080-2085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Fernández-Salvador ◽  
Rosa García-Perea ◽  
Jacint Ventura
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Postnatal Growth ◽  
Microtus Cabrerae ◽  
Large Size ◽  
External Variables ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Cabrera Vole ◽  
Female Body Mass

Three pairs of the endangered Cabrera vole, Microtus cabrerae, which is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, were captured in the wild and reared in captivity. They did not breed under standard laboratory conditions, and bred only under conditions similar to those found in wild colonies. Six litters were obtained and a total of 24 pups were monitored. Five external variables were measured and timing of 11 developmental events was recorded for each pup until it was 80 days old. Litter size was 4.0 ± 0.89 (mean ± SE; range = 3–5) pups per female, falling within the range reported for other Microtus species. Litter size of M. cabrerae was lower in the laboratory than in the field. Female body mass was correlated with litter mass at birth. Newborns were heavy (3.5 g, on average) compared with those of other Microtus species because of the relatively large size of adult M. cabrerae. Timing of the main developmental events followed a similar pattern to that observed for other species of the genus. Juvenile M. cabrerae grew fast in length during lactation, rapidly increasing their body mass during postweaning. Observations on parental behaviour in rearing pups support the previously published hypothesis that the species is monogamous. A global assessment of our results suggests that M. cabrerae should be included among the species that use the K strategy of reproduction.

scholarly journals The allometry between secondary sexual traits and body size is nonlinear among cervids

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 20130869 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Lemaître ◽  
C. Vanpé ◽  
F. Plard ◽  
J. M. Gaillard
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Allometric Relationships ◽  
Secondary Sexual Traits ◽  
Sexually Selected Traits ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Antler Size ◽  
Selected Traits

Allometric relationships between sexually selected traits and body size have been extensively studied in recent decades. While sexually selected traits generally display positive allometry, a few recent reports have suggested that allometric relationships are not always linear. In male cervids, having both long antlers and large size provides benefits in terms of increased mating success. However, such attributes are costly to grow and maintain, and these costs might constrain antler length from increasing at the same rate as body mass in larger species if the quantity of energy that males can extract from their environment is limiting. We tested for possible nonlinearity in the relationship between antler size and body mass (on a log–log scale) among 31 cervids and found clear deviation from linearity in the allometry of antler length. Antler length increased linearly until a male body mass threshold at approximately 110 kg. Beyond this threshold, antler length did not change with increasing mass. We discuss this evidence of nonlinear allometry in the light of life-history theory and stress the importance of testing for nonlinearity when studying allometric relationships.

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