The signature of competition in ecomorphological traits across the avian radiation

Competition for shared resources represents a fundamental driver of biological diversity. However, the tempo and mode of phenotypic evolution in deep-time has been predominantly investigated using trait evolutionary models which assume that lineages evolve independently from each other. Consequently, the role of species interactions in driving macroevolutionary dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we quantify the prevalence for signatures of competition between related species in the evolution of ecomorphological traits across the bird radiation. We find that mechanistic trait models accounting for the effect of species interactions on phenotypic divergence provide the best fit for the data on at least one trait axis in 27 out of 59 clades ranging between 21 and 195 species. Where it occurs, the signature of competition generally coincides with positive species diversity-dependence, driven by the accumulation of lineages with similar ecologies, and we find scarce evidence for trait-dependent or negative diversity-dependent phenotypic evolution. Overall, our results suggest that the footprint of interspecific competition is often eroded in long-term patterns of phenotypic diversification, and that other selection pressures may predominantly shape ecomorphological diversity among extant species at macroevolutionary scales.

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Adding fossil occupancy trajectories to the assessment of modern extinction risk

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2015.0813 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 20150813 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Wolfgang Kiessling ◽

Ádám T. Kocsis

Keyword(s):

Fossil Record ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Marine Species ◽

Species Traits ◽

Latent Extinction ◽

Extant Species ◽

Temporal Trajectory

Besides helping to identify species traits that are commonly linked to extinction risk, the fossil record may also be directly relevant for assessing the extinction risk of extant species. Standing geographical distribution or occupancy is a strong predictor of both recent and past extinction risk, but the role of changes in occupancy is less widely assessed. Here we demonstrate, based on the Cenozoic fossil record of marine species, that both occupancy and its temporal trajectory are significant determinants of risk. Based on extinct species we develop a model on the additive and interacting effects of occupancy and its temporal changes on extinction risk. We use this model to predict extinction risk of extant species. The predictions suggest a moderate risk for marine species on average. However, some species seem to be on a long-term decline and potentially at a latent extinction risk, which is not considered in current risk assessments.

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Coevolution is linked with phenotypic diversification but not speciation in avian brood parasites

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2015.2056 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 282 (1821) ◽

pp. 20152056 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Iliana Medina ◽

Naomi E. Langmore

Keyword(s):

Egg Size ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Phenotypic Diversity ◽

Arms Race ◽

Phenotypic Evolution ◽

Brood Parasites ◽

Parasitic Species ◽

Extinction Rates ◽

Rates Of Evolution ◽

Phenotypic Diversification

Coevolution is often invoked as an engine of biological diversity. Avian brood parasites and their hosts provide one of the best-known examples of coevolution. Brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of other species, selecting for host defences and reciprocal counteradaptations in parasites. In theory, this arms race should promote increased rates of speciation and phenotypic evolution. Here, we use recently developed methods to test whether the three largest avian brood parasitic lineages show changes in rates of phenotypic diversity and speciation relative to non-parasitic lineages. Our results challenge the accepted paradigm, and show that there is little consistent evidence that lineages of brood parasites have higher speciation or extinction rates than non-parasitic species. However, we provide the first evidence that the evolution of brood parasitic behaviour may affect rates of evolution in morphological traits associated with parasitism. Specifically, egg size and the colour and pattern of plumage have evolved up to nine times faster in parasitic than in non-parasitic cuckoos. Moreover, cuckoo clades of parasitic species that are sympatric (and share similar host genera) exhibit higher rates of phenotypic evolution. This supports the idea that competition for hosts may be linked to the high phenotypic diversity found in parasitic cuckoos.

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The role of connectivity in Australian conservation

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc040266 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 266 ◽

Cited By ~ 85

Author(s):

M. E. Soulé ◽

B. G. Mackey ◽

H. F. Recher ◽

J. E. Williams ◽

J. C. Z. Woinarski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Ecological Resilience ◽

Landscape Permeability ◽

Conservation Assessment ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Trophic Relations ◽

Scientific Framework

The existing system of nature reserves in Australia is inadequate for the long-term conservation and restoration of native biological diversity because it fails to accommodate, among other elements, large scale and long-term ecological processes and change, including physical and biotic transport in the landscape. This paper is an overview of the connectivity elements that inform a scientific framework for significantly improving the prospects for the long-term conservation of Australia's biodiversity. The framework forms the basis for the WildCountry programme. This programme has identified connectivity at landscape, regional and continental scales as a critical component of an effective conservation system. Seven categories of ecological phenomena are reviewed that require landscape permeability and that must be considered when planning for the maintenance of biological diversity and ecological resilience in Australia: (1) trophic relations at regional scales; (2) animal migration, dispersal, and other large scale movements of individuals and propagules; (3) fire and other forms of disturbance at regional scales; (4) climate variability in space and time and human forced rapid climate change; (5) hydroecological relations and flows at all scales; (6) coastal zone fluxes of organisms, matter, and energy; and, (7) spatially-dependent evolutionary processes at all scales. Finally, we mention eight cross-cutting themes that further illuminate the interactions and implications of the seven connectivity-related phenomena for conservation assessment, planning, research, and management, and we suggest how the results might be applied by analysts, planners, scientists, and community conservationists.

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Natural selection on a carbon cycling trait drives ecosystem engineering by Sphagnum (peat moss)

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2021.0609 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 288 (1957) ◽

pp. 20210609

Author(s):

Bryan T. Piatkowski ◽

Joseph B. Yavitt ◽

Merritt R. Turetsky ◽

A. Jonathan Shaw

Keyword(s):

Natural Selection ◽

Carbon Cycling ◽

Niche Differentiation ◽

Interspecific Variation ◽

Ecosystem Engineering ◽

Peat Moss ◽

Sphagnum Peat Moss ◽

Extant Species

Sphagnum peat mosses have an extraordinary impact on the global carbon cycle as they control long-term carbon sequestration in boreal peatland ecosystems. Sphagnum species engineer peatlands, which harbour roughly a quarter of all terrestrial carbon, through peat accumulation by constructing their own niche that allows them to outcompete other plants. Interspecific variation in peat production, largely resulting from differences in tissue decomposability, is hypothesized to drive niche differentiation along microhabitat gradients thereby alleviating competitive pressure. However, little empirical evidence exists for the role of selection in the creation and maintenance of such gradients. In order to document how niche construction and differentiation evolved in Sphagnum , we quantified decomposability for 54 species under natural conditions and used phylogenetic comparative methods to model the evolution of this carbon cycling trait. We show that decomposability tracks the phylogenetic diversification of peat mosses, that natural selection favours different levels of decomposability corresponding to optimum niche and that divergence in this trait occurred early in the evolution of the genus prior to the divergence of most extant species. Our results demonstrate the evolution of ecosystem engineering via natural selection on an extended phenotype, of a fundamental ecosystem process, and one of the Earth's largest soil carbon pools.

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Modern sudden appearance of african swine fever (ASF) as a possible means for biological diversity against Ukraine during the period of military aggression in the East

One Health and Nutrition Problems of Ukraine ◽

10.33273/2663-9726-2020-52-1-45-53 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 45-53

Author(s):

M. Romanov ◽

O. Kovaliuk ◽

M.V. Velychko ◽

Ya. Honcharuk

Keyword(s):

Biological Diversity ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

African Swine Fever ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Anthropogenic Factor ◽

Special Significance ◽

Biological Character ◽

Sudden Appearance

The purpose of the research carried out by the authors is to establish the causes for the appearance of the African swine fever (ASF) virus on the territory of Ukraine and the mechanisms of its most widespread distribution. In this case, special significance was granted to studying the role of an anthropogenic factor in the context of a confirmation or denial of a possible diversion by the country-aggressor under the existing conditions of aggression against Ukraine. Attention was also paid to a prediction of the long-term spreading of the pathogen along with the development of recommendations for the implementation of preventive measures based on international experience of those struggling against ASF for the purpose of counteracting the threat posed by its biological character and how this would then affect national security and the extent of economic losses to the state. Key Words: biological diversion; African Swine Fever (ASF); source of ASF infections; ASF agents.

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Improved Fisheries Co-Operation: Sino-Vietnamese Fisheries Agreement for the Gulf of Tonkin

The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law ◽

10.1163/157180806777973059 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 217-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Guifang Xue

Keyword(s):

Crucial Role ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Shared Resources ◽

Operation Mechanism ◽

Management Measures ◽

Political Relations ◽

Gulf Of Tonkin

AbstractThis paper discusses fisheries co-operation between China and Vietnam for the Gulf of Tonkin. It first reviews their fisheries relations to illustrate how their overall political relations affected the management of their shared stocks and resulted in a negative impact on the progress that led to the conclusion of the Sino-Vietnamese Fisheries Agreement. It then analyses the management measures pertaining to the Agreed Zones under this Agreement, and emphasises the improvement of its co-operation mechanism for the long-term utilisation of shared resources. The paper highlights the achievements of the Agreement and pinpoints the crucial role of implementation to the success of the fisheries co-operation.

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