scholarly journals Testing the phylogenetic gambit: how much functional diversity can we reliably conserve if we prioritize phylogenetic diversity?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florent Mazel ◽  
Matthew W. Pennell ◽  
Marc Cadotte ◽  
Sandra Diaz ◽  
Giulio Valentino Dalla Riva ◽  
...  

AbstractIn the face of the biodiversity crisis, it is argued that we should prioritize species in order to capture high functional diversity (FD). Because species traits often reflect shared evolutionary history, many researchers have advocated for a “phylogenetic gambit”: maximizing phylogenetic diversity (PD) should indirectly capture FD. For the first time, we empirically test this gambit using data from >15,000 vertebrate species and ecologically-relevant traits. Maximizing PD results in an average gain of 18% of FD relative to random choice. However, this average gain hides the fact that in over 1/3 of the comparisons, maximum PD sets contain less FD than randomly chosen sets of species. These results suggest that, while maximizing PD protection can help to protect FD, it represents a risky strategy.Statement of authorshipFM, MP, MC, SD, GVDR, RG, AOM, CT and WP conceived the design of the study. FM and GVDR conducted the analysis. FM, RG, MP and WP interpreted the results and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors edited the final version.Data accessibility statementMost of the data is publicly available (see methods). The Fish data is available upon request.Code accessibility statementR functions developed in this paper are available at https://github.com/FloMazel/FD_PD_Max

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florent Mazel ◽  
Arne Mooers ◽  
Giulio Valentino Dalla Riva ◽  
Matthew W. Pennell

AbstractFor decades, academic biologists have advocated for making conservation decisions in light of evolutionary history. Specifically, they suggest that policymakers should prioritize conserving phylogenetically diverse assemblages. The most prominent argument is that conserving phylogenetic diversity (PD) will also conserve diversity in traits and features (functional diversity; FD), which may be valuable for a number of reasons. The claim that PD-maximized (‘maxPD’) sets of taxa will also have high FD is often taken at face value and in cases where researchers have actually tested it, they have done so by measuring the phylogenetic signal in ecologically important functional traits. The rationale is that if traits closely mirror phylogeny, then saving the maxPD set of taxa will tend to maximize FD and if traits do not have phylogenetic structure, then saving the maxPD set of taxa will be no better at capturing FD than criteria that ignore PD. Here, we suggest that measuring the phylogenetic signal in traits is uninformative for evaluating the effectiveness of using PD in conservation. We evolve traits under several different models and, for the first time, directly compare the FD of a set of taxa that maximize PD to the FD of a random set of the same size. Under many common models of trait evolution and tree shapes, conserving the maxPD set of taxa will conserve more FD than conserving a random set of the same size. However, this result cannot be generalized to other classes of models. We find that under biologically plausible scenarios, using PD to select species can actually lead to less FD compared to a random set. Critically, this can occur even when there is phylogenetic signal in the traits. Predicting exactly when we expect using PD to be a good strategy for conserving FD is challenging, as it depends on complex interactions between tree shape and the assumptions of the evolutionary model. Nonetheless, if our goal is to maintain trait diversity, the fact that conserving taxa based on PD will not reliably conserve at least as much FD as choosing randomly raises serious concerns about the general utility of PD in conservation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeid Alirezazadeh ◽  
Paulo A. V. Borges ◽  
Pedro Cardoso ◽  
Rosalina Gabriel ◽  
François Rigal ◽  
...  

Ecology, biogeography and conservation biology, among other disciplines, often rely on species identity, distribution and abundance to perceive and explain patterns in space and time. Yet, species are not independent units in the way they interact with their environment. Species often perform similar roles in networks and their ecosystems, and at least partial redundancy or difference of roles might explain co-existence, competitive exclusion or other patterns reflected at the community level. Therefore, considering species traits, that is, the organisms’ functional properties that interact with the environment, might be of utmost importance in the study of species relative abundances. Several descriptive measures of diversity, such as the species-area relationship (SAR) and the species abundance distribution (SAD), have been used extensively to characterize the communities and as a possible window to gain insight into underlying processes shaping and maintaining biodiversity. However, if the role of species in a community is better assessed by their functional attributes, then one should also study the SAR and the SAD by using trait-based approaches, and not only taxonomic species. Here we merged species according to their similarity in a number of traits, creating functional units, and used these new units to study the equivalent patterns of the SAR and of the SAD (functional units abundance distributions - FUADs), with emphasis on their spatial scaling characteristics. This idea was tested using data on arthropods collected in Terceira island, in the Azorean archipelago. Our results showed that diversity scales differently depending on whether we use species or functional units. If what determines species communities’ dynamics is their functional diversity, then our results suggest that we may need to revaluate the commonly assumed patterns of species diversity and, concomitantly, the role of the underlying processes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Tuya ◽  
A. Herrero-Barrencua ◽  
N. E. Bosch ◽  
A. D. Abreu ◽  
R. Haroun

The ecology of reef fish varies with depth, although patterns in diversity remain largely undescribed, in particular the complementarity of their taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic facets. In the present study we investigated patterns of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of fish on 21 reefs, at depths ranging from 3 to 31m, at Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea). Taxonomic and functional diversity decreased monotonically with depth; the pattern was less accentuated for phylogenetic diversity. Functional diversity was saturated at high levels of taxonomic diversity, reflecting redundancy in species traits, particularly at the shallower reefs. Functional diversity increased linearly with phylogenetic diversity; thus, increasing niche availability seems to translate into a larger diversity of phylogenies. Dissimilarities in the structure and composition of fish assemblages among reefs were correlated with differences in depth, including a progressive turnover in species. Depth affected the functional traits of nearshore reef fish. Trophic breadth decreased with depth; carnivores and planktivores increased with depth, whereas herbivores decreased with depth. Small-sized fusiform fish dominated on the shallowest reefs. In summary, the present study demonstrated decays in biodiversity, from different perspectives, of reef fish with depth, which are connected with shifts in fish traits.


Author(s):  
Nooreddine Iskandar ◽  
Tatiana Rahbany ◽  
Ali Shokor

Abstract Background: Due to the common instability caused by political and security issues, Lebanese hospitals have experienced acts of terrorism multiple times. The most recent Beirut Explosion even forced several hospitals to cease operations for the first time in decades—but studies show the preparedness levels for such attacks in similar countries are low. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the experience of Lebanese hospitals with terrorist attacks. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders to assess their experience with terrorist bombings. Data was analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: The researchers found that Lebanese hospitals vary greatly in their structures and procedures. Those differences are a function of 3 contextual factors: location, culture, and accreditation status. Hospitals found near ‘dangerous zones’ were more likely to be aware and to have better response to such events. A severe lack of communication, unity of command, and collaboration between stakeholders has made the process fragmented. Conclusion: The researchers recommend a larger role for the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in this process, and the creation of a platform where Lebanese organizations can share their experiences to improve preparedness and resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system in the face of terrorism.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1197-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Wannberg ◽  
A. Westman ◽  
A. Pellinen-Wannberg

Abstract. The polarization characteristics of 930-MHz meteor head echoes have been studied for the first time, using data obtained in a series of radar measurements carried out with the tristatic EISCAT UHF high power, large aperture (HPLA) radar system in October 2009. An analysis of 44 tri-static head echo events shows that the polarization of the echo signal recorded by the Kiruna receiver often fluctuates strongly on time scales of tens of microseconds, illustrating that the scattering process is essentially stochastic. On longer timescales (> milliseconds), more than 90 % of the recorded events show an average polarization signature that is independent of meteor direction of arrival and echo strength and equal to that of an incoherent-scatter return from underdense plasma filling the tristatic observation volume. This shows that the head echo plasma targets scatter isotropically, which in turn implies that they are much smaller than the 33-cm wavelength and close to spherically symmetric, in very good agreement with results from a previous EISCAT UHF study of the head echo RCS/meteor angle-of-incidence relationship. Significant polarization is present in only three events with unique target trajectories. These all show a larger effective target cross section transverse to the trajectory than parallel to it. We propose that the observed polarization may be a signature of a transverse charge separation plasma resonance in the region immediately behind the meteor head, similar to the resonance effects previously discussed in connection with meteor trail echoes by Herlofson, Billam and Browne, Jones and Jones and others.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 662-686
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Staikos ◽  
Wenjun Xue

Purpose With this paper, the authors aim to investigate the drivers behind three of the most important aspects of the Chinese real estate market, housing prices, housing rent and new construction. At the same time, the authors perform a comprehensive empirical test of the popular 4-quadrant model by Wheaton and DiPasquale. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors utilize panel cointegration estimation methods and data from 35 Chinese metropolitan areas. Findings The results indicate that the 4-quadrant model is well suited to explain the determinants of housing prices. However, the same is not true regarding housing rent and new construction suggesting a more complex theoretical framework may be required for a well-rounded explanation of real estate markets. Originality/value It is the first time that panel data are used to estimate rent and new construction for China. Also, it is the first time a comprehensive test of the Wheaton and DiPasquale 4-quadrant model is performed using data from China.


Author(s):  
И.А. Куклин ◽  
Н.П. Малишевская ◽  
М.М. Кохан ◽  
Г.Д. Сафонова ◽  
О.Г. Римар ◽  
...  

В статье представлен краткий обзор литературы о клинических проявлениях, современных методах диагностики и лечения чрезвычайно редкого заболевания – множественной эруптивной кератоакантомы типа Гржебовски. Заболевание характеризуется возникновением сотен или тысяч генерализованных зудящих узелков на коже лица, туловища, конечностей, половых органов, слизистой полости рта и гортани в течение короткого времени. Заболевание развивается в возрасте старше 40 лет, имеет рецидивирующее течение, возможна спонтанная инволюция отдельных элементов с формированием участков депигментации или атрофических рубцов. Авторы приводят случай собственного клинического наблюдения множественной эруптивной кератоакантомы типа Гржебовски у пациента 50 лет, который обратился на консультацию к дерматовенерологу в клинику Уральского НИИ дерматовенерологии и иммунопатологии. Длительность болезни на момент обращения составляла 2,5 года, ее возникновению предшествовало неоднократное посещение больным стран с избыточной инсоляцией, что может рассматриваться в качестве этиологического фактора развития заболевания. Диагноз впервые был заподозрен на консилиуме дерматовенерологов на основании клинической картины заболевания и в дальнейшем верифицирован данными патоморфологического исследования биоптата пораженной кожи. Показана эффективность применения ароматических ретиноидов в лечении множественной эруптивной кератоакантомы типа Гржебовски и приведены побочные эффекты, которые развились у больного при самостоятельном увеличении дозы ацитретина до 70 мг/сутки. В статье констатируется чрезвычайно редкая встречаемость данного заболевания, о чем свидетельствует приведенный клинический случай, диагностируемый впервые более чем за 90-летнюю историю существования института. Подчеркивается важность консолидации клинического опыта нескольких ведущих дерматовенерологов для диагностики множественной эруптивной кератоакантомы типа Гржебовски. The article presents a brief review of the literature about clinical manifestations, modern methods of diagnosticsand treatment of an extremely rare disease – generalized eruptive keratoacanthomas of Grzybowski. The disease is characterized by the appearance of hundreds or thousands of generalized itchy nodules on the skin of the face, trunk, limbs, genitals, oral mucosa and larynx within a short time. The disease develops at the age of over 40, has a recurrent course, spontaneous involution of individual elements with the formation of areas of depigmentation or atrophic scars is possible. The authors describe a case of their own clinical care of generalized eruptive keratoacanthomas of Grzybowski in a 50-year-old patient who consulted a dermatovenerologist at the clinic of the Ural Research Institute of Dermatovenerology and Immunopathology.The duration of the disease at the time of visit to a doctor was 2,5 years, its occurrence was preceded by repeated visits to countries with excessive insolation, which can be considered as an etiological factor in the development of the disease. The diagnosis was first suspected at a boarddermatovenerologists based on the clinical picture of the disease and subsequently verified by the data of a pathomorphological examination of the biopsy of the affected skin.The effectiveness of the use of aromatic retinoids in the treatment of generalized eruptive keratoacanthomas of Grzybowski is shown and the side effects that developed in the patient with an independent increase in the dose of acitretin to 70 mg/day are given. The article states the extremely rare occurrence of this disease, as evidenced by the above clinical case, diagnosed for the first time in more than 90 years of the institute's existence. The importance of consolidating the clinical experience of several leading dermatovenerologists for the diagnostics of generalized eruptive keratoacanthomas of Grzybowski is emphasized.


Nematology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Mei Na Liu ◽  
Yu Mei Xu ◽  
Zeng Qi Zhao ◽  
Jian Ming Wang

Summary This paper describes a new species of Bastiania, presents a new record and redescribes a known species of Tripyla. These nematodes are all in the order Triplonchida and were collected from Shanxi Province, North China. Bastiania sinensis sp. n. is characterised by having the female with a relatively slender body 1049-1295 μm long, dorsally arcuate after heat relaxation, with outer labial setae and cephalic setae in a single circle, an oval amphid, 7-8 laterodorsal cervical setae scattered in the pharyngeal region, orthometamenes and pseudocoelomocytes present, tail conoid with a mucron 1-2 μm long, two pairs of caudal setae present, a = 58.1-75.5, b = 4.0-4.6, c = 12.7-19.7, c′ = 4.1-7.8 and V = 61.1-67.7. Males were not found. Tripyla aquatica is recorded for the first time from China, and is redescribed. Tripyla setifera has been reported from China but without a detailed description – now provided. In addition, phylogenetic relationships among the species were analysed using data from the near full length small subunit (SSU) and D2-D3 segments of large subunit (LSU) of rRNA genes. Bastiania sinensis sp. n. is monophyletic with the Bastiania sequences available in GenBank, but is on an independent branch supporting its status as a separate species; T. aquatica and T. setifera are monophyletically clustered with known Tripyla species and grouped together with sequences from their respective species.


Author(s):  
Ismail Ismail ◽  
Abdulloh Hamid

This research is an attempt to know the courtesy reading the Quran in the book of At-Tibyan fi Adabi Hamalatil Quran by Imam Nawawi. The question that is to be answered through this study is (1) how the courtesy to read Al-Quran in the book At-Tibyan, (2) How does the relevance of courtesy to read the Qur'an in the book of At-Tibyan in contemporary times? The research methods use library research. This study is conducted using data collection techniques by conducting observations on certain sources, seeking, studying books, articles, journals, theses or others related to this study. Data collection is divided into two sources, namely primary and secondary data. Then the data are analyzed using descriptive and contextual methods. The results show that courtesy reading the Quran in the book of At-Tibyan fi Adabi Hamalatil Quran includes: Solemn, sincere, ethical, clean and holy State, facing the Qibla, start with Ta'awudz. While the relevance of courtesy reading the Quran in the book of At-Tibyan fi Adabi Hamalatil Quran with the context of contemporary can be a solution in improving the manners of interacting with the Quran, especially in the face of today's characteristics or contemporary.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Gauvin ◽  
Chris Chhim ◽  
Mike Medeiros

AbstractThe 2011 Canadian federal election results changed the face of federal politics in Quebec. In a sudden and spectacular reversal of electoral fortunes, BQ support crumbled while that of the NDP surged. While most commentators focused exclusively on the 2011 election itself to explain what had happened, we offer an interpretation that takes a longitudinal approach. Using data from the Canadian Election Study and political party manifestos from 2006 to 2011, we propose a three-dimensional proximity model of voter/party congruence to explore the evolution of the ideological stances of Quebec voters and parties. Empirical results suggest these ideological distances between the NDP and Quebec voters decreased over time, whereas the BQ has distanced itself from voters. Furthermore, ideological distances between party and voters are a significant predictor of vote.


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