scholarly journals Hot Rocks and Not-So-Hot Rocks on the Seashore: Patterns and Body-Size Dependent Consequences of Microclimatic Variation in Intertidal Zone Boulder Habitat

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A R Gunderson ◽  
M Abegaz ◽  
A Y Ceja ◽  
E K Lam ◽  
B F Souther ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Thermal Variation ◽  
Thermal Refugia ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Temperature Records ◽  
Petrolisthes Cinctipes ◽  
Demographic Patterns

Synopsis Microclimatic variation has emerged as an important driver of many ecological and evolutionary processes. Nonetheless, fine-scale temperature data are still rare in most habitats, limiting our ability to understand the consequences of microclimatic variation under current and future conditions. We measured fine-scale thermal variation in a common, species-rich, but rarely studied habitat with respect to temperature: the airspaces under rocks on intertidal zone boulder shores. The effects of thermal variation were investigated using physiological, behavioral, and demographic responses of the porcelain crab Petrolisthes cinctipes. Habitat temperatures were measured at fine spatial and temporal resolution over 18 months, producing 424,426 temperature records. Microclimatic variation increased with increasing intertidal elevation, particularly with respect to heat extremes. However, mean temperatures were similar across the entire intertidal zone. Overheating risk for P. cinctipes increases with intertidal elevation but is size dependent, as large animals are more heat sensitive than small animals. Still, microclimatic variation high in the intertidal zone provided thermal refugia even under the warmest conditions. Size-dependent thermal responses predicted that large crabs should be rare high in the intertidal zone, which was supported by demographic data. Furthermore, simulations parameterized by our microclimate and organismal data recapitulated demographic patterns. Therefore, interactions between microclimatic variation and size-dependent thermal responses may have significant ecological repercussions that warrant greater attention.

scholarly journals A long post-reproductive lifespan is a shared trait among genetically distinct killer whale populations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Nielsen ◽  
Samuel Ellis ◽  
Jared Towers ◽  
Thomas Doniol-Valcroze ◽  
Daniel Franks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Substantial Variation ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Reproductive Conflict ◽  
Demographic Patterns ◽  
General Prediction

The extended female post-reproductive lifespan found in humans and some toothed whales remains an evolutionary puzzle. Theory predicts demographic patterns resulting in increased female relatedness with age (kinship dynamics) can select for a prolonged post-reproductive lifespan due to the combined costs of inter-generational reproductive conflict and benefits of late-life helping. Here we test this prediction using >40 years of longitudinal demographic data from the sympatric yet genetically distinct killer whale ecotypes: resident and Bigg’s killer whales. The female relatedness with age is predicted to increase in both ecotypes, but with a less steep increase in Bigg’s due to their different social structure. Here, we show that there is a significant post-reproductive lifespan in both ecotypes with >30% of adult female years being lived as post-reproductive, supporting the general prediction that an increase in local relatedness with age predisposes the evolution of a post-reproductive lifespan. Differences in the magnitude of kinship dynamics however, did not influence the timing or duration of the post-reproductive lifespan with females in both ecotypes terminating reproduction before their mid-40s followed by an expected post-reproductive period of ~20 years. Our results highlight the important role of kinship dynamics in the evolution of a long post-reproductive lifespan in long-lived mammals, while further implying that the timing of menopause may be a robust trait that is persistent despite substantial variation in demographic patterns among population.

scholarly journals Multiple paternity in the intertidal zone porcelain crab Petrolisthes cinctipes Randall, 1840 (Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae) is a life-history strategy that increases fitness during heat stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 684-691
Author(s):  
Thomas Yockachonis ◽  
C Seabird McKeon ◽  
Amanda M Windsor ◽  
Jonathon H Stillman
Keyword(s):  
Heat Shock ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Life History Strategy ◽  
Relative Fitness ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Hatching Percentage ◽  
Petrolisthes Cinctipes ◽  
Porcelain Crab

Abstract Multiple paternity is widespread across animal and plant taxa and can increase genetic diversity and enhance fitness, especially in unpredictable environments. A prior study of the intertidal zone porcelain crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes (Randall, 1840), found that most females carried polyandrous broods. We tested the hypothesis that multiple paternity in P. cinctipes enhances fitness through increased average brood tolerance to temperature stress. Embryonic survival of split broods (N = 27) was measured under ambient conditions and following a single one-hour heat shock at 30 °C. Two microsatellite loci were used to genotype embryos and mothers in order to distinguish multiple from single paternity in each brood. Mean overall hatching percentage did not differ between singly and multiply sired broods; however, when exposed to a heat-shock, single-sired broods experienced 11% lower hatching success. Though relative fitness was higher in single-sired broods under non-stressful conditions, extrapolation of our results to conditions where temperatures are at least 30 °C (present-day extremes for the California coast) for > 2 days of the embryonic brood period, multiply sired broods have a relative fitness that is approximately 24 times higher after 15 generations. Maternal quality (size) and the timing of the heat shock relative to developmental timing also influence the brood response to heat shock. Our results suggest that multiple paternity reduces embryo survival variance between ambient and heat-shock conditions and that polyandrous behavior could be an advantage for P. cinctipes in the thermally variable high-intertidal zone. We conclude that multiple paternity is an important strategy for increasing fitness by genetic diversification in organisms that experience severe and unpredictable levels of environmental stress.

Abelam yam beliefs and sociorhythmicity: a study in chronoanthropology

1979 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Scaglion ◽  
Richard G. Condon
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Significant Seasonal Variation ◽  
Demographic Patterns

SummaryThe Western Abelam of Papua New Guinea display an annual cycle of social conflicts and births which is a function of a system of ritual beliefs involved in the growing of ceremonial yams. This sociorhythmic ritual complex involves adherence to various taboos which encourage a 6-month period in which social conflict is avoided and sexual activity is markedly curtailed. Conflict case studies and demographic data collected from one village over a 15-month period indicate significant seasonal variation in various areas of Abelam social life and suggest that sociorhythmic phenomena can affect both social behaviour and demographic patterns of human groups. Alternative environmental and nutritional hypotheses are also investigated.

scholarly journals Vineyards, but not cities, are associated with lower presence of a generalist bird, the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), in Western France

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertille Mohring ◽  
François Brischoux ◽  
Frédéric Angelier
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Landscape Characteristics ◽  
Turdus Merula ◽  
The Common ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Common Blackbird

Abstract Background Land-use change is one of the main drivers of the global erosion of biodiversity. In that context, it is crucial to understand how landscape characteristics drive the presence of rare endangered species. Nevertheless, it is also important to study common species in multiple habitats, because they represent a large proportion of biodiversity and are essential to maintain ecological functions. Interestingly, some habitats, as farmlands with permanent crops (e.g. vineyards), have been overlooked in the literature. Methods In this study, we investigated the distribution of a widespread and common bird species, the Common Blackbird (Turdus merula), within and between the three main habitats of our study area (rural Western France). We specifically focused on (1) woodlands, (2) farmlands with a high vineyard coverage, and (3) moderately urbanized areas. Specifically, we aimed to assess the beneficial and detrimental effects of these habitats and their fine-scale composition on the presence of a common bird species, relying on a survey by point counts (nearly 100 locations). We studied the effects of habitats and gradients of fine-scale habitat composition on blackbird presence using logistic regression analyses. Results Blackbirds were present in all studied habitats. However, their presence varied between habitats, being lower in vineyards than in woodlands and cities. In woodlands and cities, fine-scale analyses did not reveal any component driving the species’ presence. However, we found that shrub and tree vegetation cover had a significant positive effect on blackbird presence in vineyards. Conclusions Our results are in agreement with the definition of a generalist species. Interestingly, species distribution varied between habitats. The high presence of blackbirds in urban areas suggests that medium-sized cities, despite their artificialization, do not constrain the settlement of this former forest specialist and that green spaces may allow blackbirds to thrive in medium-sized cities. On the contrary, we found an impoverished presence of blackbirds in vineyards and a positive effect of vegetation on their presence in these landscapes. This suggests that permanent crops, and more generally farmlands, may impose important constraints to common species. Future studies should examine how to enhance biodiversity through agricultural management policies, especially in vineyards.

Redescription and notes on the ecology of Pagurapseudes dentatus (Brown, 1956) (Peracarida: Tanaidacea), a shell-inhabiting tanaid from South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-724
Author(s):  
Rouane Brokensha ◽  
Jannes Landschoff ◽  
Anton du Plessis ◽  
Charles L Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Gastropod Species ◽  
Juvenile Stages

Abstract The tanaid Pagurapseudes dentatus was described from a male collected from the intertidal zone at False Bay, South Africa. The description was poorly illustrated, incomplete, did not describe the female or juvenile stages, and gave no information on its habitat. The species was rediscovered and found to be locally abundant at locations in South Africa, where it inhabits vacant gastropod shells. We redescribe P. dentatus by fully illustrating and describing its morphological characters, including the copulatory female and manca II stages. Pagurapseudes dentatus differs from similar species by a long seta on the basis of the characteristically elongated pereopod-1, as well as its singular distal pectinate setae on the propodus and adjacent to the dactylus of pereopod 6. Nano-CT scanning was used to illustrate and document the unusual mode of occupation of empty gastropod shells by the species. It was found (N = 139) occupying shells of 19 gastropod species from 10 different genera, occurring most abundantly in shells of Tricolia Risso, 1826, Burnupena Iredale, 1918, Assiminea Fleming, 1828, and Gibbula Risso, 1826. It forms dense populations under intertidal boulders, where it co-occurs with, and may compete for empty shells, with at least two common species of hermit crabs.

scholarly journals New ECOSTRESS and MODIS Land Surface Temperature Data Reveal Fine-Scale Heat Vulnerability in Cities: A Case Study for Los Angeles County, California

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 2136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glynn Hulley ◽  
Sarah Shivers ◽  
Erin Wetherley ◽  
Robert Cudd
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Temperature Data ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Heat Vulnerability ◽  
Surface Temperature Data

Rapid 21st century urbanization combined with anthropogenic climate warming are significantly increasing heat-related health threats in cities worldwide. In Los Angeles (LA), increasing trends in extreme heat are expected to intensify and exacerbate the urban heat island effect, leading to greater health risks for vulnerable populations. Partnerships between city policymakers and scientists are becoming more important as the need to provide data-driven recommendations for sustainability and mitigation efforts becomes critical. Here we present a model to produce heat vulnerability index (HVI) maps driven by surface temperature data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) new Ecosystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) thermal infrared sensor. ECOSTRESS was launched in June 2018 with the capability to image fine-scale urban temperatures at a 70 m resolution throughout different times of the day and night. The HVI model further includes information on socio-demographic data, green vegetation abundance, and historical heatwave temperatures from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard the Aqua spacecraft since 2002. During a period of high heat in July 2018, we identified the five most vulnerable communities at a sub-city block scale in the LA region. The persistence of high HVI throughout the day and night in these areas indicates a clear and urgent need for implementing cooling technologies and green infrastructure to curb future warming.

scholarly journals The Characteristics of Capnocytophaga Infection: 10 Years of Experience

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supavit Chesdachai ◽  
Don Bambino Geno Tai ◽  
Zachary A Yetmar ◽  
Anisha Misra ◽  
Natalie Ough ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hematologic Malignancy ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Community Onset ◽  
Head And Neck Infections ◽  
Microbiological Data

Abstract Background Capnocytophaga is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobe. Human infection is rare but can lead to devastating outcomes. C. canimorsus can cause sepsis following an animal bite, whereas human-oral associated Capnocytophaga infections were reported in immunocompromised patients. Current data on these infections is not robust. Our goal is to provide a contemporary description of a unique characteristic of Capnocytophaga infections. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients with Capnocytophaga infection from January 2010 to August 2020 at three main hospitals of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Florida. We collected baseline demographic data, clinical characteristics, microbiological data, and outcomes of C. canimorsus and human-oral associated Capnocytophaga infection. Results Among 82 patients with Capnocytophaga infection, 46 patients (56.0%) had bacteremia. The most common species identified in this group was C. sputigena (57.9%), followed by C. canimorsus (34.8%). Patients with human-oral associated Capnocytophaga bacteremia were often immunocompromised, presented with neutropenic fever, and had worse six months all-cause mortality compared to C. canimorsus bacteremia (36.4% vs. 6.2%, p=.03). They also had a higher beta-lactamase production rate (36.4% vs. 0.0%, p=.02). Among patients without bacteremia, the main clinical syndrome was polymicrobial head and neck infections (47.2%). Conclusions Human-oral associated Capnocytophaga bacteremia occurs primarily in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematologic malignancy. In contrast, C. canimorsus bacteremia is more likely to present with community-onset infection related to zoonotic exposure. Human-oral associated Capnocytophaga infection without bacteremia is frequently isolated in polymicrobial infection; this phenomenon's significance is yet to be fully understood.

scholarly journals Inverse approach to estimating larval dispersal reveals limited population connectivity along 700 km of wave-swept open coast

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1833) ◽  
pp. 20160370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah O. Hameed ◽  
J. Wilson White ◽  
Seth H. Miller ◽  
Kerry J. Nickols ◽  
Steven G. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Inverse Approach ◽  
Open Coast ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
Larval Production ◽  
Petrolisthes Cinctipes

Demographic connectivity is fundamental to the persistence and resilience of metapopulations, but our understanding of the link between reproduction and recruitment is notoriously poor in open-coast marine populations. We provide the first evidence of high local retention and limited connectivity among populations spanning 700 km along an open coast in an upwelling system. Using extensive field measurements of fecundity, population size and settlement in concert with a Bayesian inverse modelling approach, we estimated that, on average, Petrolisthes cinctipes larvae disperse only 6.9 km (±25.0 km s.d.) from natal populations, despite spending approximately six weeks in an open-coast system that was once assumed to be broadly dispersive. This estimate differed substantially from our prior dispersal estimate (153.9 km) based on currents and larval duration and behaviour, revealing the importance of employing demographic data in larval dispersal estimates. Based on this estimate, we predict that demographic connectivity occurs predominantly among neighbouring populations less than 30 km apart. Comprehensive studies of larval production, settlement and connectivity are needed to advance an understanding of the ecology and evolution of life in the sea as well as to conserve ecosystems. Our novel approach provides a tractable framework for addressing these questions for species occurring in discrete coastal populations.

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