Behavioral and life history responses to extreme climatic conditions: Studies on a migratory songbird

Abstract Behavioral responses to environmental change are the mechanisms that allow for rapid phenotypic change preventing temporary or permanent damage and hence preventing reductions in fitness. Extreme climatic events are by definition rare, although they are predicted to increase in amplitude and frequency in the coming years. However, our current knowledge about behavioral responses to such extreme events is scarce. Here I analyze two examples of the effects of extreme weather events on behavior and life history: (1) A comparison of behavior and life history during extremely warm and extremely cold years relative to normal years; and (2) a comparison of behavior before and after the extremely early snowfall in fall 1974 when numerous birds died in the Alps during September-October. Behavioral and life history responses of barn swallows Hirundo rustica to extremely cold and extremely warm years were positively correlated, with particularly large effect sizes in cold years. Extreme mortality in barn swallows during fall migration 1974 in the Alps eliminated more than 40% of the breeding population across large areas in Central and Northern Europe, and this affected first arrival date, changes in timing and extent of reproduction and changes in degree of breeding sociality supposedly as a consequence of correlated responses to selection. Finally, I provide directions for research that will allow us to better understand behavior and life history changes in response to extreme climate change.

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Fitness of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds: Current Knowledge and Implications for Management

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants8110469 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 469 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Vila-Aiub

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Herbicide Resistance ◽

Management Practices ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Resistance Management ◽

Fitness Cost ◽

Plant Fitness ◽

Resistance Mutations ◽

Fitness Costs ◽

Wide Range

Herbicide resistance is the ultimate evidence of the extraordinary capacity of weeds to evolve under stressful conditions. Despite the extraordinary plant fitness advantage endowed by herbicide resistance mutations in agroecosystems under herbicide selection, resistance mutations are predicted to exhibit an adaptation cost (i.e., fitness cost), relative to the susceptible wild-type, in herbicide untreated conditions. Fitness costs associated with herbicide resistance mutations are not universal and their expression depends on the particular mutation, genetic background, dominance of the fitness cost, and environmental conditions. The detrimental effects of herbicide resistance mutations on plant fitness may arise as a direct impact on fitness-related traits and/or coevolution with changes in other life history traits that ultimately may lead to fitness costs under particular ecological conditions. This brings the idea that a “lower adaptive value” of herbicide resistance mutations represents an opportunity for the design of resistance management practices that could minimize the evolution of herbicide resistance. It is evident that the challenge for weed management practices aiming to control, minimize, or even reverse the frequency of resistance mutations in the agricultural landscape is to “create” those agroecological conditions that could expose, exploit, and exacerbate those life history and/or fitness traits affecting the evolution of herbicide resistance mutations. Ideally, resistance management should implement a wide range of cultural practices leading to environmentally mediated fitness costs associated with herbicide resistance mutations.

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Codling-moth Investigations of the State Entomologist's Office

Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin ◽

10.21900/j.inhs.v14.316 ◽

1922 ◽

Vol 14 (1-10) ◽

pp. 219-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

P. A. Glenn

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Codling Moth ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

The State ◽

Accurate Data ◽

Rate Of Development ◽

History Of ◽

Seasonal History

To secure accurate data in regard to the life history and the seasonal history of the codling-moth in Illinois, and the relation of climatic conditions to the rate of development and the time of appearance of the various stages of the insect, an investigation was begun in the spring of 1915 under the direction of Doctor S. A. Forbes, then State Entomologist.

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The potential current distribution of the coypu (Myocastor coypus) in Europe and climate change induced shifts in the near future

NeoBiota ◽

10.3897/neobiota.58.33118 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 129-160

Author(s):

Anna Schertler ◽

Wolfgang Rabitsch ◽

Dietmar Moser ◽

Johannes Wessely ◽

Franz Essl

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Current Distribution ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

The Black Sea ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Grid Cells ◽

Myocastor Coypus ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Management Recommendations

The coypu (Myocastor coypus) is a semi-aquatic rodent native to South America which has become invasive in Europe and other parts of the world. Although recently listed as species of European Union concern in the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation, an analysis of the current European occurrence and of its potential current and future distribution was missing yet. We collected 24,232 coypu records (corresponding to 25,534 grid cells at 5 × 5 km) between 1980 and 2018 from a range of sources and 28 European countries and analysed them spatiotemporally, categorising them into persistence levels. Using logistic regression, we constructed consensus predictions across all persistence levels to depict the potential current distribution of the coypu in Europe and its change under four different climate scenarios for 2041–2060. From all presence grid cells, 45.5% showed at least early signs of establishment (records temporally covering a minimum of one generation length, i.e. 5 years), whereas 9.8% were considered as containing established populations (i.e. three generation lengths of continuous coverage). The mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10), mean diurnal temperature range (bio2) and the minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6) were the most important of the analysed predictors. In total, 42.9% of the study area are classified as suitable under current climatic conditions, of which 72.6% are to current knowledge yet unoccupied; therefore, we show that the coypu has, by far, not yet reached all potentially suitable regions in Europe. Those cover most of temperate Europe (Atlantic, Continental and Pannonian biogeographic region), as well as the coastal regions of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. A comparison of the suitable and occupied areas showed that none of the affected countries has reached saturation by now. Under climate change scenarios, suitable areas will slightly shift towards Northern regions, while a general decrease in suitability is predicted for Southern and Central Europe (overall decrease of suitable areas 2–8% depending on the scenario). Nevertheless, most regions that are currently suitable for coypus are likely to be so in the future. We highlight the need to further investigate upper temperature limits in order to properly interpret future climatic suitability for the coypu in Southern Europe. Based on our results, we identify regions that are most at risk for future invasions and provide management recommendations. We hope that this study will help to improve the allocation of efforts for future coypu research and contribute to harmonised management, which is essential to reduce negative impacts of the coypu and to prevent further spread in Europe.

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Effects of life history stage and climatic conditions on fecal egg counts in plains zebras (Equus quagga) in the Serengeti National Park

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-020-06836-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 119 (10) ◽

pp. 3401-3413

Author(s):

Peter A. Seeber ◽

Tetiana A. Kuzmina ◽

Alex D. Greenwood ◽

Marion L. East

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

National Park ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Life History Stage ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasite ◽

Serengeti Ecosystem ◽

Life History Stages ◽

Lactating Females ◽

Host Life

Abstract In wildlife, endoparasite burden can be affected by host life history stage, environmental conditions, host abundance, and parasite co-infections. We tested the effects of these factors on gastrointestinal parasite infection in plains zebras (Equus quagga) in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania, using fecal egg counts of two nematode families (Strongylidae and Ascarididae) and the presence/absence of cestode (Anoplocephalidae) eggs. We predicted higher egg counts of Strongylidae and Ascarididae, and increased likelihood of Anoplocephalidae infection in individuals (1) during energetically costly life history stages when resource allocation to immune processes may decrease and in young zebras after weaning because of increased uptake of infective stages with forage, (2) when climatic conditions facilitate survival of infective stages, (3) when large zebra aggregations increase forage contamination with infective stages, and (4) in individuals co-infected with more than one parasite group as this may indicate reduced immune competence. Strongylidae egg counts were higher, and the occurrence of Anoplocephalidae eggs was more likely in bachelors than in band stallions, whereas Ascarididae egg counts were higher in band stallions. Strongylidae and Ascarididae egg counts were not increased in lactating females. Strongylidae egg counts were higher in subadults than in foals. Regardless of sex and age, Ascarididae infections were more likely under wet conditions. Co-infections did not affect Strongylidae egg counts. Ascarididae egg counts in adult females were higher when individuals were co-infected with Anoplocephalidae. We present evidence that parasite burdens in plains zebras are affected by life history stage, environmental conditions, and co-infection.

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Extreme Weather Events in Agriculture: A Systematic Review

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11092547 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 2547 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Alessia Cogato ◽

Franco Meggio ◽

Massimiliano De Antoni Migliorati ◽

Francesco Marinello

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Sector ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Extreme Weather ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Extreme Weather Events ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Research Gaps ◽

Weather Events ◽

Major Interest

Despite the increase of publications focusing on the consequences of extreme weather events (EWE) for the agricultural sector, a specific review of EWE related to agriculture is missing. This work aimed at assessing the interrelation between EWE and agriculture through a systematic quantitative review of current scientific literature. The review analysed 19 major cropping systems (cereals, legumes, viticulture, horticulture and pastures) across five continents. Documents were extracted from the Scopus database and examined with a text mining tool to appraise the trend of publications across the years, the specific EWE-related issues examined and the research gaps addressed. The results highlighted that food security and economic losses due to the EWE represent a major interest of the scientific community. Implementation of remote sensing and imagery techniques for monitoring and detecting the effects of EWE is still underdeveloped. Large research gaps still lie in the areas concerning the effects of EWE on major cash crops (grapevine and tomato) and the agronomic dynamics of EWE in developing countries. Current knowledge on the physiological dynamics regulating the responses of main crops to EWE appears to be well established, while more research is urgently needed in the fields of mitigation measures and governance systems.

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Life history of gnathiid isopods-current knowledge and future directions

Plankton and Benthos Research ◽

10.3800/pbr.2.1 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

KATSUHIKO TANAKA

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Future Directions ◽

History Of

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The Heritability of Behavior: A Meta-analysis

Journal of Heredity ◽

10.1093/jhered/esz023 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 110 (4) ◽

pp. 403-410 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Ned A Dochtermann ◽

Tori Schwab ◽

Monica Anderson Berdal ◽

Jeremy Dalos ◽

Raphaël Royauté

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Life History ◽

Life History Traits ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

Relative Effect ◽

Biologically Relevant ◽

Sources Of Variation ◽

High Heritability ◽

Relevant Factors

AbstractThe contribution of genetic variation to phenotypes is a central factor in whether and how populations respond to selection. The most common approach to estimating these influences is via the calculation of heritabilities, which summarize the contribution of genetic variation to phenotypic variation. Heritabilities also indicate the relative effect of genetic variation on phenotypes versus that of environmental sources of variation. For labile traits like behavioral responses, life history traits, and physiological responses, estimation of heritabilities is important as these traits are strongly influenced by the environment. Thus, knowing whether or not genetic variation is present within populations is necessary to understand whether or not these populations can evolve in response to selection. Here we report the results of a meta-analysis summarizing what we currently know about the heritability of behavior. Using phylogenetically controlled methods we assessed the average heritability of behavior (0.235)—which is similar to that reported in previous analyses of physiological and life history traits—and examined differences among taxa, behavioral classifications, and other biologically relevant factors. We found that there was considerable variation among behaviors as to how heritable they were, with migratory behaviors being the most heritable. Interestingly, we found no effect of phylogeny on estimates of heritability. These results suggest, first, that behavior may not be particularly unique in the degree to which it is influenced by factors other than genetics and, second, that those factors influencing whether a behavioral trait will have low or high heritability require further consideration.

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The Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta-Caretta, in Queensland - Population Breeding Structure

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9880197 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 197 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

E Gyuris ◽

CJ Limpus

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Life History ◽

Loggerhead Turtle ◽

Caretta Caretta ◽

Breeding Population ◽

Barrier Reef ◽

Breeding Structure ◽

Marine Park ◽

Breeding Populations ◽

Population Breeding

Population models proposed as a result of independent tagging programs of nesting Caretta caretta in Queensland are in disagreement about the size of discrete breeding units. An electrophoretic survey was conducted to assess the relevance of genetic variation as revealed by electrophoresis to the investigation of Caretta caretta population breeding structure. Low level electrophoretic variability (H*L(obs) = 0.016) was found. The geographical distribution of alleles, when compared with tag-recapture data and other aspects of life history, indicated that discrete breeding populations of C. caretta in Queensland are larger than previously thought. C. caretta nesting on the mainland beaches and on the cays of the Capricornia Section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park form a panmictic population. The data indicate that those nesting on the Swain Reefs cays do not interbreed with the mainland-Capricornia breeding population.

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Life history and reproductive ecology of White's skink, Egernia whitii

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo05030 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 53 (6) ◽

pp. 353 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

DG Chapple

Keyword(s):

Life History ◽

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Ecology ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Colour Pattern ◽

Offspring Size ◽

Adult Sex Ratio ◽

Pattern Polymorphism ◽

Comparison Of The Results ◽

Colour Morphs

The life history and reproductive ecology of White’s skink, Egernia whitii, was examined in a population in the Australian Capital Territory using both field and genetic studies. Colour pattern polymorphism was evident within the population, with both patterned and plain-back morphs present. Lizards typically took 3 years to reach sexual maturity, with the size at maturity being ~75 mm snout–vent length (SVL) in both sexes. There was an even overall adult sex ratio, although a slight female-bias was evident in plain-back individuals. Sexual dimorphism was evident, with males having longer and wider heads, and females having larger body size. Females generally bred annually, with mating occurring in September–October and parturition in late January–February, although the litter was produced over several days (2–10 days, mean 4 days). Litter size ranged from one to four (mean of 2.5). There was a significant relationship between maternal SVL and both litter size and relative clutch mass, but these trends were not consistent between colour morphs. An inverse relationship between litter size and offspring size (SVL and mass) was found. Comparison of the results with previous investigations of E. whitii indicates substantial geographic variation in life-history traits that is presumably associated with latitudinal variation in climatic conditions.

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