scholarly journals An empiricist's guide to theoretical predictions on the evolution of dispersal

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 20130028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Duputié ◽  
François Massol
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Evolution Of Dispersal ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Dispersal Syndromes ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Dispersal Polymorphism ◽  
Synthetic View ◽  
Extinction Events

Dispersal, the tendency for organisms to reproduce away from their parents, influences many evolutionary and ecological processes, from speciation and extinction events, to the coexistence of genotypes within species or biological invasions. Understanding how dispersal evolves is crucial to predict how global changes might affect species persistence and geographical distribution. The factors driving the evolution of dispersal have been well characterized from a theoretical standpoint, and predictions have been made about their respective influence on, for example, dispersal polymorphism or the emergence of dispersal syndromes. However, the experimental tests of some theories remain scarce partly because a synthetic view of theoretical advances is still lacking. Here, we review the different ingredients of models of dispersal evolution, from selective pressures and types of predictions, through mathematical and ecological assumptions, to the methods used to obtain predictions. We provide perspectives as to which predictions are easiest to test, how theories could be better exploited to provide testable predictions, what theoretical developments are needed to tackle this topic, and we place the question of the evolution of dispersal within the larger interdisciplinary framework of eco-evolutionary dynamics.

Marine Metazoan Modern Mass Extinction: Improving Predictions by Integrating Fossil, Modern, and Physiological Data

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 369-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Calosi ◽  
Hollie M. Putnam ◽  
Richard J. Twitchett ◽  
Fanny Vermandele
Keyword(s):  
Global Change ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Extinction Events ◽  
Modern Mass

Evolution, extinction, and dispersion are fundamental processes affecting marine biodiversity. Until recently, studies of extant marine systems focused mainly on evolution and dispersion, with extinction receiving less attention. Past extinction events have, however, helped shape the evolutionary history of marine ecosystems, with ecological and evolutionary legacies still evident in modern seas. Current anthropogenic global changes increase extinction risk and pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, which are critical for human use and sustenance. The evaluation of these threats and the likely responses of marine ecosystems requires a better understanding of evolutionary processes that affect marine ecosystems under global change. Here, we discuss how knowledge of ( a) changes in biodiversity of ancient marine ecosystems to past extinctions events, ( b) the patterns of sensitivity and biodiversity loss in modern marine taxa, and ( c) the physiological mechanisms underpinning species’ sensitivity to global change can be exploited and integrated to advance our critical thinking in this area.

Proposed experimental tests of a theory of fine microstructure and the two-well problem

1992 ◽  
Vol 338 (1650) ◽  
pp. 389-450 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Energy ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Martensitic Transformations ◽  
Free Energy Function ◽  
Minimizing Sequences ◽  
Nonlinear Elastic Material ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Fine Microstructure ◽  
Nonlinear Elastic

Predictions are made based on an analysis of a new nonlinear theory of martensitic transformations introduced by the authors. The crystal is modelled as a nonlinear elastic material, with a free-energy function that is invariant with respect to both rigid-body rotations and the appropriate crystallographic symmetries. The predictions concern primarily the two-well problem , that of determining all possible energy-minimizing deformations that can be obtained with two coherent and macroscopically unstressed variants of martensite. The set of possible macroscopic deformations obtained is completely determined by the lattice parameters of the material. For certain boundary conditions the total free energy does not attain a minimum , and the finer and finer oscillations of minimizing sequences are interpreted as corresponding to microstructure. The predictions are am enable to experimental tests. The proposed tests involve the comparison of the theoretical predictions with the mechanical response of properly oriented plates subject to simple shear.

Daphnia as a Model for Eco-evolutionary Dynamics

2018 ◽  
pp. 403-424
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Walsh ◽  
Michelle Packer ◽  
Shannon Beston ◽  
Collin Funkhouser ◽  
Michael Gillis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Life History Evolution ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
History Evolution ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
The Many

Much research has shown that variation in ecological processes can drive rapid evolutionary changes over periods of years to decades. Such contemporary adaptation sets the stage for evolution to have reciprocal impacts on the properties of populations, communities, and ecosystems, with ongoing interactions between ecological and evolutionary forces. The importance and generality of these eco-evolutionary dynamics are largely unknown. In this chapter, we promote the use of water fleas (Daphnia sp.) as a model organism in the exploration of eco-evolutionary interactions in nature. The many characteristics of Daphnia that make them suitable for laboratory study in conjunction with their well-known ecological importance in lakes, position Daphnia to contribute new and important insights into eco-evolutionary dynamics. We first review the influence of key environmental stressors in Daphnia evolution. We then highlight recent work documenting the pathway from life history evolution to ecology using Daphnia as a model. This review demonstrates that much is known about the influence of ecology on Daphnia life history evolution, while research exploring the genomic basis of adaptation as well as the influence of Daphnia life history traits on ecological processes is beginning to accumulate.

scholarly journals Seed dispersal syndromes in the Madagascan flora: the unusual importance of primates

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Albert-Daviaud ◽  
Sarah Perillo ◽  
Wolfgang Stuppy
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Dispersal Syndromes ◽  
Plant Animal Interactions ◽  
Lemur Species

AbstractMadagascar is one of the most threatened biodiversity hotspots, and protection of its biodiversity is becoming increasingly urgent as deforestation of the island continues. For the long-term success of conservation efforts it is essential that key ecological processes, such as seed dispersal, are protected and restored. Therefore, the identification of ecological gaps is a vital task. For Madagascar, only little is known about plant–animal interactions, and traditional methods of ecological research are too time-consuming to provide crucial information about breakdowns in these interactions. To identify likely dispersal gaps we therefore used a theoretical approach to analyse plant–disperser interactions in Madagascar. We used data science tools to impute missing data on relevant plant traits to subsequently predict the most likely dispersal agents for each of Madagascar's endemic plant species. We found that 38% of the endemic species (N = 8,784) are endozoochorous, and among these 26–41% display a primate syndrome and 17–19% a bird syndrome (depending on the definition of syndromes). This lower percentage of endozoochorous species and higher percentage of species with a primate syndrome in Madagascar compared to other tropical areas reflects the unusual disperser guild on the island. Only five bird species but 20 lemur species are frugivorous, and 16 of those lemur species are currently threatened with extinction. The disappearance of frugivorous lemurs would significantly change the vegetation dynamics of Madagascar's ecosystems, and a high proportion of Madagascar's endemic plants would enter an extinction vortex.

Vibratory Feeding

1967 ◽  
Vol 182 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Redford ◽  
G. Boothroyd
Keyword(s):  
Phase Difference ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Harmonic Motion ◽  
Fundamental Limitations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
The Coefficient Of Friction ◽  
Bowl Feeder ◽  
Vibratory Bowl Feeder ◽  
Vibratory Feeding

A brief review of previous work on the mechanics of vibratory conveying is presented followed by a new theoretical analysis of vibratory feeding on a track which vibrates with simple harmonic motion and where a phase difference may exist between the parallel and normal components of the track motion. For a wide range of practical conditions, the theoretical predictions are found to agree closely with the results of experimental tests. These show that certain fundamental limitations exist in the performance of conventional feeder drives where the two components of track motion are in-phase. From further theoretical and experimental work, it is shown that under conditions where the appropriate phase difference exists between the two components of track motion, many practical advantages over conventional vibratory feeding are obtained. With a new design of vibratory bowl feeder drive based on the results of the work, significantly higher conveying velocities may be obtained under stable feeding conditions and, further, these high conveying velocities are virtually independent of the coefficient of friction between the component and the track. The results of the present work apply equally to the design of spiral elevators and in-line vibratory feeders.

Experimental Investigation of Retrofitted Extended End-Plate Connections

2013 ◽  
Vol 284-287 ◽  
pp. 1330-1333
Author(s):  
Poi Ngian Shek ◽  
M.Md. Tahir ◽  
Cher Siang Tan ◽  
Arizu Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Horizontal Shear ◽  
Initial Stiffness ◽  
Component Method ◽  
End Plate ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Extended End Plate ◽  
Plate Connections ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Plate Connection

A series of retrofitted extended end-plate connections have been tested experimentally and evaluated using the component method specified in Eurocode 3. The component method decomposed the end-plate connection into several components, including the tension zone, compression zone, vertical and horizontal shear zone that occurred at the bolt, end-plate, beam and column. Based on the theoretical model, the moment resistance and the initial stiffness of a connection can be predicted. Four experimental tests on the retrofitted extended end-plate connections have been conducted to verify the proposed design method. From the experiment tests, all moment resistance of the connections showed good agreement with theoretical predictions, which establish a reliable foundation to predict the moment resistance of the retrofitted end-plate connection. All initial stiffnesses calculated from theoretical predictions do not represent the actual behaviour of tested connection. All tested connections can be classified as partial strength based on EC 3: Part 1.8, in condition the welding capacity is at least 50% higher than the capacity calculated from the component method.

scholarly journals The Solar System: Nature and Mechanics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Ljubičić
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Solar System ◽  
Excited States ◽  
Experimental Verification ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Degree Of Confidence ◽  
Complex Forms ◽  
Extinction Events ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Living Being

Origin, mechanics and properties of the Solar System are analyzed in the framework of Complete Relativity. The analysis confirms the postulates and hypotheses of the theory with a high degree of confidence. During the analysis, some new hypotheses have emerged. These are discussed and confirmed with various degrees of confidence. To increase confidence or refute some hypotheses, experimental verification is necessary. Main conclusions are: - Solar System is a scaled Carbon isotope with a nucleus in a condensed (bosonic) state and components in various vertically excited states, - Earth is a living being of extremely introverted intelligence, life is common everywhere, albeit extroverted complex forms are present on planetary surfaces only during planetary neurogenesis, - anthropogenic climate change is only a part (trigger from one perspective) of bigger global changes on Earth and in the Solar System during planetary neurogenesis, - major extinction events are relative extinctions, a regular part of transformation and transfer of life in the process of planetary neurogenesis.

scholarly journals Eco-evolutionary dynamics in a disturbed world: implications for the maintenance of ecological networks

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Loeuille
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Ecological Networks ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Genotype Frequencies ◽  
Evolutionary Context ◽  
Fast Evolution ◽  
Management Issues

Past management of exploited species and of conservation issues has often ignored the evolutionary dynamics of species. During the 70s and 80s, evolution was mostly considered a slow process that may be safely ignored for most management issues. However, in recent years, examples of fast evolution have accumulated, suggesting that time scales of evolutionary dynamics (variations in genotype frequencies) and of ecological dynamics (variations in species densities) are often largely comparable, so that complex feedbacks commonly exist between the ecological and the evolutionary context (“eco-evolutionary dynamics”). While a first approach is of course to consider the evolution of a given species, in ecological communities, species are interlinked by interaction networks. In the present article, I discuss how species (co)evolution in such a network context may alter our understanding and predictions for species coexistence, given the disturbed world we live in. I review some concepts and examples suggesting that evolution may enhance the robustness of ecological networks and then show that, in many situations, the reverse may also happen, as evolutionary dynamics can harm diversity maintenance in various ways. I particularly focus on how evolution modifies indirect effects in ecological networks, then move to coevolution and discuss how the outcome of coevolution for species coexistence depends on the type of interaction (mutualistic or antagonistic) that is considered. I also review examples of phenotypes that are known to be important for ecological networks and shown to vary rapidly given global changes. Given all these components, evolution produces indirect eco-evolutionary effects within networks that will ultimately influence the optimal management of the current biodiversity crisis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document