Environmental and scale-dependent evolutionary trends in the body size of crustaceans

The ecological and physiological significance of body size is well recognized. However, key macroevolutionary questions regarding the dependency of body size trends on the taxonomic scale of analysis and the role of environment in controlling long-term evolution of body size are largely unknown. Here, we evaluate these issues for decapod crustaceans, a group that diversified in the Mesozoic. A compilation of body size data for 792 brachyuran crab and lobster species reveals that their maximum, mean and median body size increased, but no increase in minimum size was observed. This increase is not expressed within lineages, but is rather a product of the appearance and/or diversification of new clades of larger, primarily burrowing to shelter-seeking decapods. This argues against directional selective pressures within lineages. Rather, the trend is a macroevolutionary consequence of species sorting: preferential origination of new decapod clades with intrinsically larger body sizes. Furthermore, body size evolution appears to have been habitat-controlled. In the Cretaceous, reef-associated crabs became markedly smaller than those in other habitats, a pattern that persists today. The long-term increase in body size of crabs and lobsters, coupled with their increased diversity and abundance, suggests that their ecological impact may have increased over evolutionary time.

Download Full-text

HYPERMNESIA EUPHORIA OR ANY OTHER DESIRABLE FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE CONSUMER, A PSYCHOTROPIC EFFECT - FIRST AND LEADING ELEMENT IN THE OCCURRENCE AND PRESERVATION OF THE BODY’S DEPENDENCE ON PSYCHOACTIVE FACTORS

HERALD of North-Western State Medical University named after I I Mechnikov ◽

10.17816/mechnikov20179340-46 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 40-46

Author(s):

D G Baitubayev ◽

M D Baitubayeva

Keyword(s):

Substance Dependence ◽

Point Of View ◽

The Body ◽

Long Term Memory ◽

Vegetative Nervous System ◽

Term Memory ◽

Psychotropic Effect

The work shows the role of the vegetative nervous system (VNS) in the functioning of long-term memory, identity mechanisms of long-term memory in the human evolutionary adaptation and substance dependence. It is shown that, depending on the substance of the body are states like pro- gressive adaptation, that the bodycondition, depending on the chemical and psychogenic psychoactive- factors state of the same circle. It proposed the creation of a branch of medicine that combines study of the dependence of the organism, both on the chemical and psychoactive psychogenic factors. Given the classification of psychoactive factors.Onomastics formulated definitions of terminology changes and additions to be used in a new branch of medicine. Proposed allocation of the International Classifica- tion of diseases separate chapter for the classification of states like progressive adaptation of the body depending on psychoactive factors.

Download Full-text

Evolution of body size in anteaters and sloths (Xenarthra, Pilosa): phylogeny, metabolism, diet and substrate preferences

Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh ◽

10.1017/s1755691016000177 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 106 (4) ◽

pp. 289-301 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

N. Toledo ◽

M.S. Bargo ◽

S.F. Vizcaíno ◽

G. De Iuliis ◽

F. Pujos

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Fossil Record ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Decomposition Analysis ◽

Size Variation ◽

The Body ◽

Phylogenetic Pattern ◽

Substrate Preferences ◽

Size Evolution ◽

Main Factor

ABSTRACTPilosa include anteaters (Vermilingua) and sloths (Folivora). Modern tree sloths are represented by two genera, Bradypus and Choloepus (both around 4–6 kg), whereas the fossil record is very diverse, with approximately 90 genera ranging in age from the Oligocene to the early Holocene. Fossil sloths include four main clades, Megalonychidae, Megatheriidae, Nothrotheriidae, and Mylodontidae, ranging in size from tens of kilograms to several tons. Modern Vermilingua are represented by three genera, Cyclopes, Tamandua and Myrmecophaga, with a size range from 0.25 kg to about 30 kg, and their fossil record is scarce and fragmentary. The dependence of the body size on phylogenetic pattern of Pilosa is analysed here, according to current cladistic hypotheses. Orthonormal decomposition analysis and Abouheif C-mean were performed. Statistics were significantly different from the null-hypothesis, supporting the hypothesis that body size variation correlates with the phylogenetic pattern. Most of the correlation is concentrated within Vermilingua, and less within Mylodontidae, Megatheriidae, Nothrotheriidae and Megalonychidae. Influence of basal metabolic rate (BMR), dietary habits and substrate preference is discussed. In anteaters, specialised insectivory is proposed as the primary constraint on body size evolution. In the case of sloths, mylodontids, megatheriids and nothrotheriids show increasing body size through time; whereas megalonychids retain a wider diversity of sizes. Interplay between BMR and dietary habits appears to be the main factor in shaping evolution of sloth body size.

Download Full-text

The body-size dependence of mutual interference

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2014.0261 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 20140261 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

John P. DeLong

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Body Size ◽

Size Dependence ◽

Empirical Support ◽

Mutual Interference ◽

The Body ◽

Wide Range ◽

Stabilizing Effect ◽

Body Sizes ◽

Size Scales

The parameters that drive population dynamics typically show a relationship with body size. By contrast, there is no theoretical or empirical support for a body-size dependence of mutual interference, which links foraging rates to consumer density. Here, I develop a model to predict that interference may be positively or negatively related to body size depending on how resource body size scales with consumer body size. Over a wide range of body sizes, however, the model predicts that interference will be body-size independent. This prediction was supported by a new dataset on interference and consumer body size. The stabilizing effect of intermediate interference therefore appears to be roughly constant across size, while the effect of body size on population dynamics is mediated through other parameters.

Download Full-text

Mammal body size evolution in North America and Europe over 20 Myr: similar trends generated by different processes

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2016.2361 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 284 (1849) ◽

pp. 20162361 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Shan Huang ◽

Jussi T. Eronen ◽

Christine M. Janis ◽

Juha J. Saarinen ◽

Daniele Silvestro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

North America ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Species Selection ◽

Minimum Size ◽

Extinction Rate ◽

Large Herbivores ◽

Size Evolution ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Body Size Evolution

Because body size interacts with many fundamental biological properties of a species, body size evolution can be an essential component of the generation and maintenance of biodiversity. Here we investigate how body size evolution can be linked to the clade-specific diversification dynamics in different geographical regions. We analyse an extensive body size dataset of Neogene large herbivores (covering approx. 50% of the 970 species in the orders Artiodactyla and Perissodactyla) in Europe and North America in a Bayesian framework. We reconstruct the temporal patterns of body size in each order on each continent independently, and find significant increases of minimum size in three of the continental assemblages (except European perissodactyls), suggesting an active selection for larger bodies. Assessment of trait-correlated birth-death models indicates that the common trend of body size increase is generated by different processes in different clades and regions. Larger-bodied artiodactyl species on both continents tend to have higher origination rates, and both clades in North America show strong links between large bodies and low extinction rate. Collectively, our results suggest a strong role of species selection and perhaps of higher-taxon sorting in driving body size evolution, and highlight the value of investigating evolutionary processes in a biogeographic context.

Download Full-text

Girth body dimensions in men and women with seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity

Reports of Morphology ◽

10.31393/morphology-journal-2021-27(4)-03 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 22-27

Author(s):

Ahmad Raed Khasawneh ◽

I.V. Serheta ◽

N.V. Belik ◽

A.O. Dovhan ◽

I.I. Zhuchenko

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Seborrheic Dermatitis ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Statistical Processing ◽

Modern Medicine ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Men And Women ◽

Healthy Men ◽

Body Sizes

Today in modern medicine the study of human health is reoriented to the individual principle, which is based on the identification and study of constitutionally determined patterns of manifestation of certain diseases. The purpose of the study is to establish and analyze the features of the girth body sizes in men and women with generalized fatty form of seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity. The comprehensive body size of 40 men and 40 young women (25-44 years) with generalized fatty seborrheic dermatitis (mild and severe) was determined. The control group consisted of the girth sizes of practically healthy men (n=82) and women (n=154) of the same age group, which were selected from the database of the research center National Pirogov Memorial Medical University. Statistical processing of body circumference was performed in the licensed package “Statistica 6.0” using non-parametric evaluation methods. As a result of studies in patients with seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity of men, compared with practically healthy men, found only greater values of the girth of the shoulder in a relaxed state and thighs, neck (only mild), shin in the upper part and waist (in both cases only with a severe degree), as well as smaller values of the girth of the shoulder in a tense state; and in patients of varying severity of women – greater values of the girth of the shoulder in a relaxed state, thighs, lower legs, neck, waist and all girths of the chest and both thighs (only severe), as well as smaller values of the girth of the hand (only with mild). In both men and women with seborrheic dermatitis, differences in girth body sizes are more pronounced in people with severe disease. Between men or women with seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity, there are no significant or trends in differences in girth body sizes. In the analysis of the manifestations of sexual dimorphism of the circumferential body size between men and women with seborrheic dermatitis found greater values in men with mild and severe disease of the upper extremities, hands, shin, feet and neck (in most cases more pronounced in representatives with mild severity), as well as only in men with mild severity – greater values of all chest girths. For a more correct understanding of changes in girth body sizes in Ukrainian men or women with seborrheic dermatitis of varying severity, it is necessary to analyze other constitutional parameters of the body.

Download Full-text

Migratory lineages rapidly evolve larger body sizes than non-migratory relatives in ray-finned fishes

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2019.2615 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 287 (1918) ◽

pp. 20192615 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michael D. Burns ◽

Devin D. Bloom

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Life History Theory ◽

Environmental Heterogeneity ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Adaptive Landscape ◽

Migratory Species ◽

Size Evolution ◽

Body Sizes ◽

Body Size Evolution ◽

First Time

Migratory animals respond to environmental heterogeneity by predictably moving long distances in their lifetime. Migration has evolved repeatedly in animals, and many adaptations are found across the tree of life that increase migration efficiency. Life-history theory predicts that migratory species should evolve a larger body size than non-migratory species, and some empirical studies have shown this pattern. A recent study analysed the evolution of body size between diadromous and non-diadromous shads, herrings, anchovies and allies, finding that species evolved larger body sizes when adapting to a diadromous lifestyle. It remains unknown whether different fish clades adapt to migration similarly. We used an adaptive landscape framework to explore body size evolution for over 4500 migratory and non-migratory species of ray-finned fishes. By fitting models of macroevolution, we show that migratory species are evolving towards a body size that is larger than non-migratory species. Furthermore, we find that migratory lineages evolve towards their optimal body size more rapidly than non-migratory lineages, indicating body size is a key adaption for migratory fishes. Our results show, for the first time, that the largest vertebrate radiation on the planet exhibited strong evolutionary determinism when adapting to a migratory lifestyle.

Download Full-text

Effects of alternative and natural prey on body size, locomotion and dispersal of Neoseiulus bicaudus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Systematic and Applied Acarology ◽

10.11158/saa.24.9.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (9) ◽

pp. 1579-1591

Author(s):

Jie Su ◽

Min Liu ◽

Zhen-Shi Fu ◽

An-Di Zhu ◽

Jian Ping Zhang

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Prey Availability ◽

Mass Rearing ◽

Predatory Mite ◽

The Body ◽

Alternative Prey ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Natural Prey ◽

Tetranychus Turkestani

Prey are very important for the mass rearing of natural enemies and can affect the efficiency and quality of natural enemy products. Locomotion is important in dispersal of predatory mites on plants, and such activity is affected by body size and prey availability. The study evaluates the effects of prey (alternative prey: Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank and natural prey: Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov & Nikolskii) on the body size, locomotion and dispersal of the predatory mite Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein. When fed the alternative prey, the body size and locomotion of N. bicaudus were significantly lower than when fed the natural prey. However, the dispersal of N. bicaudus fed the two prey types was similar. The results suggest that long-term feeding on alternative prey could decrease the body size and locomotion of N. bicaudus. Nevertheless, the negative effects of alternative prey did not appear to affect the dispersal of N. bicaudus. The likely reason is that the type of prey does not affect the ability of the predatory mite to locate spider mites. In other words, when it fed alternative prey, N. bicaudus could still successfully disperse and locate spider mite-infested plants in the same way as when fed the natural prey.

Download Full-text

Exploring the Role of Insulin Signaling in Relative Growth: A Case Study on Wing-Body Scaling in Lepidoptera

Integrative and Comparative Biology ◽

10.1093/icb/icz080 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (5) ◽

pp. 1324-1337 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kenneth Z McKenna ◽

Della Tao ◽

H Frederik Nijhout

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Insulin Signaling ◽

The Body ◽

Adult Size ◽

Tor Signaling ◽

Relative Growth ◽

Laboratory Populations ◽

Body Sizes ◽

Specific Variation ◽

Wing Growth

Abstract Adult forms emerge from the relative growth of the body and its parts. Each appendage and organ has a unique pattern of growth that influences the size and shape it attains. This produces adult size relationships referred to as static allometries, which have received a great amount of attention in evolutionary and developmental biology. However, many questions remain unanswered, for example: What sorts of developmental processes coordinate growth? And how do these processes change given variation in body size? It has become increasingly clear that nutrition is one of the strongest influences on size relationships. In insects, nutrition acts via insulin/TOR signaling to facilitate inter- and intra-specific variation in body size and appendage size. Yet, the mechanism by which insulin signaling influences the scaling of growth remains unclear. Here we will discuss the potential roles of insulin signaling in wing-body scaling in Lepidoptera. We analyzed the growth of wings in animals reared on different diet qualities that induce a range of body sizes not normally present in our laboratory populations. By growing wings in tissue culture, we survey how perturbation and stimulation of insulin/TOR signaling influences wing growth. To conclude, we will discuss the implications of our findings for the development and evolution of organismal form.

Download Full-text

Body Size Differences between Foraging and Intranidal Workers of the Monomorphic Ant Lasius niger

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects11070433 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 433

Author(s):

Mateusz Okrutniak ◽

Bartosz Rom ◽

Filip Turza ◽

Irena M. Grześ

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Important Determinant ◽

Size Variation ◽

Division Of Labour ◽

The Body ◽

Food Type ◽

Lasius Niger ◽

Worker Size ◽

Body Sizes

The association between the division of labour and worker body size of ants is typical for species that maintain physical castes. Some studies showed that this phenomenon can be also observed in the absence of distinct morphological subcastes among workers. However, the general and consistent patterns in the size-based division of labour in monomorphic ants are largely unidentified. In this study, we performed a field experiment to investigate the link between worker body size and the division of labour of the ant Lasius niger (Linnaeus, 1758), which displays limited worker size variation. We demonstrated that the body size of workers exploring tuna baits is slightly but significantly smaller than the size of workers located in the upper parts of the nest. Comparing the present results with existing studies, large workers do not seem to be dedicated to work outside the nest. We suggest that monomorphic workers of certain body sizes are flexible in the choice of task they perform, and food type may be the important determinant of this choice.

Download Full-text