The effect of woodland proximity and wetland characteristics on larval anuran assemblages in an agricultural landscapeThis is contribution No. 82 of the MacArthur Agro-Ecology Research Center.

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.J. Babbitt ◽  
M.J. Baber ◽  
L.A. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Land Conversion ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
South Central ◽  
Specific Retention ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Hyla Femoralis

Changes to landscapes for agricultural activities often result in reduction and fragmentation of forested habitat. Land conversion for cattle ranching in south-central Florida has resulted in increases in pasture land interspersed with remnant patches of hardwood hammock. To examine the importance of these hammocks to anurans, we sampled 78 seasonally inundated wetlands to examine the relative importance of proximity of hardwood hammock patches (>20 ha) and wetland characteristics and used generalized linear models to determine which factors had a significant effect on larval anuran species richness or abundance. Species richness was significantly influenced by pH, conductivity, and water depth. Proximity to hammock did not influence species richness; however, assemblage composition differed between wetlands near hammocks and wetlands surrounded by pasture. Barking treefrogs ( Hyla gratiosa LeConte, 1856), pine woods treefrogs ( Hyla femoralis Bosc in Daudin, 1800), and oak toads ( Bufo quercicus Holbrook, 1840) bred only in wetlands within 20, 50, and 200 m of hammocks, respectively. Factors influencing tadpole abundances were species-specific. Retention of seasonally inundated wetlands proximal to large hammocks on ranchlands can provide important habitat for supporting a diverse assemblage of anurans.

scholarly journals Meta-analysis of cyathostomin species-specific prevalence and relative abundance in domestic horses from 1975–2020: emphasis on geographical region and specimen collection method

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Bellaw ◽  
Martin K. Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
North America ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Geographical Region ◽  
Mixed Linear Models ◽  
Collection Method ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Background Cyathostomins infect virtually all horses, and concomitant infections with 10 or more species per horse is standard. Species-specific knowledge is limited, despite potential species bias in development of disease and anthelmintic resistance. This is the first meta-analysis to examine effects of geographical region and cyathostomin collection method on reported composition of cyathostomin communities. Methods Thirty-seven articles published in English in 1975 or later, in which adults of individual species were systematically enumerated, were included. Seven regions; North America, South America, eastern Europe, western Europe, northern Europe, southern Africa, and Oceania, and three cyathostomin collection methods; (i) standard necropsy recovery from the large intestine, (ii) critical test collection from post-treatment feces and necropsy, and (iii) diagnostic deworming recovery solely from post-treatment feces, were considered. Generalized mixed linear models analyzed the effects of region and collection method on species-specific prevalence and relative abundance. Species richness was analyzed by mixed linear models. Results Definitively, the most prevalent and relatively abundant species were Cylicocyclus nassatus (prevalence = 93%, relative abundance = 20%), Cylicostephanus (Cys.) longibursatus (93%, 20%), and Cyathostomum catinatum (90%, 16%). A bias toward horses with high infection intensities and cyathostomin collection from feces resulted in North American critical tests and eastern European diagnostic deworming overestimating the species-specific prevalence and underestimating the relative abundance of rare/uncommon species compared to respective intra-regional standard necropsies. North American critical tests underestimated species richness due partially to identification key errors. Inter-regional standard necropsy comparisons yielded some species-specific regional differences, including a significantly higher Cys. longibursatus prevalence and relative abundance in North America (92%, 33%) than in eastern Europe (51%, 7%) (P > 0.0001). Localization of critical tests to North America and diagnostic deworming to Eastern Europe precluded expansive ‘region by collection method’ interaction analyses. Conclusion We provide substantial data to inform study design, e.g. effect and study size, for cyathostomin research and highlight necessity for method standardization and raw data accessibility for optimal post-factum comparisons.

scholarly journals Sheep nemabiome diversity and its response to anthelmintic treatment in Swedish sheep herds

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Halvarsson ◽  
Johan Höglund
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Anthelmintic Treatment ◽  
Host Age ◽  
Larval Culture ◽  
Nematode Parasites ◽  
South Central ◽  
Nematode Diversity

Abstract Background A novel way to study the species composition and diversity of nematode parasites in livestock is to perform deep sequencing on composite samples containing a mixture of different species. Herein we describe for the first time the nematode community structures (nemabiomes) inhabiting Swedish sheep and how these are/were affected by host age and recent anthelmintic treatments. Methods A total of 158 fecal samples were collected (n = 35 in 2007 and n = 123 in 2013–2016) and cultured from groups of sheep on 61 commercial farms in the south-central part of the country where most animals are grazed. Among the samples, 2 × 44 (56%) were paired collections from the same groups pre- and post-treatment with anthelmintics such as macrocyclic lactones, benzimidazoles or levamisole. Samples were analyzed for their nemabiome using the PacBio platform followed by bioinformatic sequence analysis with SCATA. Species richness and diversity were calculated and analyzed in R. Results Nematode ITS2 sequences were found in all larval culture samples except two, even though the fecal egg counts were below the McMaster threshold in 20 samples. Sequencing yielded, on average, 1008 sequences per sample. In total, 16 operational taxonomical units (OTU), all with ≥ 98 % identity to sequences in the NCBI database, were recognized. The OTUs found represented nematode species of which ten are commonly associated with sheep. Multiple species were identified in all pre-anthelmintic treatment larval culture samples. No effects on nematode diversity were found in relation to host age. On the other hand, recent anthelmintic treatment lowered species richness, especially after use of ivermectin and albendazole. Interestingly, despite zero egg counts after use of levamisole, these samples still contained nematode DNA and especially H. contortus. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that nemabiome analysis combined with diversity index analysis provides an objective methodology in the study of the efficacy of anthelmintic treatment as both high and low abundant species were detected.

scholarly journals Disentangling the Ecological Determinants of Species and Functional Trait Diversity in Herb-Layer Plant Communities in European Temperate Forests

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Janez Kermavnar ◽  
Lado Kutnar ◽  
Aleksander Marinšek
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Herb Layer ◽  
Bud Bank ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Stand Characteristics

Forest herb-layer vegetation responds sensitively to environmental conditions. This paper compares drivers of both taxonomic, i.e., species richness, cover and evenness, and functional herb-layer diversity, i.e., the diversity of clonal, bud bank and leaf-height-seed plant traits. We investigated the dependence of herb-layer diversity on ecological determinants related to soil properties, climatic parameters, forest stand characteristics, and topographic and abiotic and biotic factors associated with forest floor structure. The study was conducted in different forest types in Slovenia, using vegetation and environmental data from 50 monitoring plots (400 m2 each) belonging to the ICP Forests Level I and II network. The main objective was to first identify significant ecological predictors and then quantify their relative importance. Species richness was strongly determined by forest stand characteristics, such as richness of the shrub layer, tree layer shade-casting ability as a proxy for light availability and tree species composition. It showed a clear positive relation to soil pH. Variation in herb-layer cover was also best explained by forest stand characteristics and, to a lesser extent, by structural factors such as moss cover. Species evenness was associated with tree species composition, shrub layer cover and soil pH. Various ecological determinants were decisive for the diversity of below-ground traits, i.e., clonal and bud bank traits. For these two trait groups we observed a substantial climatic signal that was completely absent for taxonomy-based measures of diversity. In contrast, above-ground leaf-height-seed (LHS) traits were driven exclusively by soil reaction and nitrogen availability. In synthesis, local stand characteristics and soil properties acted as the main controlling factors for both species and trait diversity in herb-layer communities across Slovenia, confirming many previous studies. Our findings suggest that the taxonomic and functional facets of herb-layer vegetation are mainly influenced by a similar set of ecological determinants. However, their relative importance varies among individual taxonomy- and functional trait-based diversity measures. Integrating multi-faceted approaches can provide complementary information on patterns of herb-layer diversity in European forest plant communities.

scholarly journals Interference competition pressure predicts the number of avian predators that shifted their timing of activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1880) ◽  
pp. 20180744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Pei ◽  
Mihai Valcu ◽  
Bart Kempenaers
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Exploitation Competition ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Avian Predator ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Time Partitioning ◽  
Competition Pressure

Being active at different times facilitates the coexistence of functionally similar species. Hence, time partitioning might be induced by competition. However, the relative importance of direct interference and indirect exploitation competition on time partitioning remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative importance of these two forms of competition on the occurrence of time-shifting among avian predator species. As a measure of interference competition pressure, we used the species richness of day-active avian predator species or of night-active avian predator species (i.e. species of Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes) in a particular geographical area (assemblage). As an estimate of exploitation competition pressure, we used the total species richness of avian predators in each assemblage. Estimates of the intensity of interference competition robustly predicted the number of Accipitriformes species that became crepuscular and the number of Strigiformes species that became day-active or strictly crepuscular. Interference competition pressure may depend on body size and on the total duration of the typical active period (day or night length). Our results support—to some extent—that smaller species are more likely to become time-shifters. Day length did not have an effect on the number of time-shifter species in the Accipitriformes. Among the large Strigiformes, more time-shifter species occur in areas where nights are shorter (i.e. where less of the typical time resource is available). However, in the small Strigiformes, we found the opposite, counterintuitive effect: more time-shifters where nights are longer. Exploitation competition may have had an additional positive effect on the number of time-shifters, but only in Accipitriformes, and the effect was not as robust. Our results thus support the interference competition hypothesis, suggesting that animals may have shifted their time of activity, despite phylogenetic constraints on the ability to do so, to reduce the costs of direct interactions. Our findings also highlight the influence of body size as a surrogate of competitive ability during encounters on time partitioning, at least among avian predators.

scholarly journals Shift in the Spatio-Temporal Natural Fruiting of Boletes in West African Woodlands: the Key Role of the Soil Moisture

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akotchayé Sylvestre Badou ◽  
Roel D. Houdanon ◽  
Kassim I. Tchan ◽  
D.M.T. Apollon Hègbè ◽  
Nourou Soulemane Yorou
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Data Logger ◽  
Fresh Biomass ◽  
Natural Production ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract Background: The ectomycorrhizal fungi display strong fluctuations during the mycological season. However, how abiotic parameters affect the fruiting sequences of ectomycorrhizal fungi and also the direction and extent of this effect are not yet tapped adequately. The present study seeks to assess the microclimate effect on the natural production of boletes. Nine permanent plots of 2500 m2 (50m x 50m) split into 25 subplots of 100 m2 (10m x 10m) were installed in three different vegetation dominated respectively by Isoberlinia doka, Isoberlinia tomentosa and Uapaca togoensis. Microclimatic parameters were recorded each 30 minutes throughout by mean of a Micro Station Data Logger - H21-002 the mycological seasons. Each plot was surveyed twice a week (from May to October) over three years (2015, 2016 and 2017) to record the presence/absence of fruit bodies and fresh biomass of boletes. To evaluate the effect of time and microclimate variables on natural production, we used mixed effects and generalized linear models using R version 3.5.3. Results: In total, during the three years (2015, 2016 and 2017), we recorded 14 species of boletes. Species richness does not change over time (P > 0.05). In addition, fresh biomass varies within years and vegetation (P < 0.05). The combination of year and month of collection has a significant effect on the number of fruit bodies (P < 0.05). Only the soil moisture has a significant positive influence on the species richness of boletes (P > 0.05). Conclusions: When the soil moisture decreases by four units, the number of fruit bodies of ectomycorrhizal fungi is significantly reduced by one unit. Therefore, above 0.25 m3 / m3 and below 0.05 m3 / m3 there is a decrease in the number of fruit bodies.

scholarly journals Anurans of the Parque Estadual do Mirador, a remnant of Cerrado in the state of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Etielle Barroso de Andrade ◽  
Luiz Norberto Weber ◽  
José Roberto de Souza Almeida Leite
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Central Region ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
The State ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
The South ◽  
Cerrado Biome ◽  
South Central

Abstract The Cerrado is one of the most threatened biomes in Brazil. It is estimated that much of its original vegetation has been replaced by some type of human use. This is quite worrying, mainly in the northern part where the number of wildlife inventories is insufficient and creates the false impression of low diversity in the region. The Parque Estadual do Mirador-PEM, located in the south-central region of the state of Maranhão, presents vegetation typical of the Cerrado biome and corresponds to one of 46 priority areas for conservation in the state. Herein, we describe the species richness and composition of the anurofauna from the PEM and analyze the influence of different types of vegetation in its formation. Our inventory was conducted from December 2013 to February 2015, using the active search and auditory census methods on breeding sites in different water bodies of the park. We recorded 31 anuran species belonging to five families (species number in parentheses): Leptodactylidae (14), Hylidae (12), Bufonidae (3), Microhylidae (1) and Phyllomedusidae (1). The rarefaction curve and species richness estimators indicated that the sampling effort was enough to record most of the species in the region. The richness of anurans in the PEM was higher than reported by other authors for several areas of Cerrado. Most species have a wide distribution in Brazil or are strongly associated with the Caatinga or Amazon biomes. Only about 19% are endemic to the Cerrado biome. This study is the first to inventory the anurans species of the south-central region of state of Maranhão and provides important data on amphibian communities from the northern part of the Brazilian Cerrado.

scholarly journals Effects of reindeer grazing and recovery after cessation of grazing on the ground-dwelling spider assemblage in Finnish Lapland

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7330
Author(s):  
Teemu Saikkonen ◽  
Varpu Vahtera ◽  
Seppo Koponen ◽  
Otso Suominen
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Total Abundance ◽  
Finnish Lapland ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Impact

The effect of reindeer Rangifer tarandus L. grazing on the ground-dwelling spider assemblage in Northern Finland was studied. Changes in species richness, abundance and evenness of spider assemblages were analyzed in relation to changes in vegetation and environmental factors in long term grazed and ungrazed sites as well as sites that had recently switched from grazed to ungrazed and vice versa. Grazing was found to have a significant impact on height and biomass of lichens and other ground vegetation. However, it seemed not to have an impact on the total abundance of spiders. This is likely caused by opposing family and species level responses of spiders to the grazing regime. Lycosid numbers were highest in grazed and linyphiid numbers in ungrazed areas. Lycosidae species richness was highest in ungrazed areas whereas Linyphiidae richness showed no response to grazing. Four Linyphiidae, one Thomisidae and one Lycosidae species showed strong preference for specific treatments. Sites that had recovered from grazing for nine years and the sites that were grazed for the last nine years but were previously ungrazed resembled the long term grazed sites. The results emphasize the importance of reindeer as a modifier of boreal forest ecosystems but the impact of reindeer grazing on spiders seems to be family and species specific. The sites with reversed grazing treatment demonstrate that recovery from strong grazing pressure at these high latitudes is a slow process whereas reindeer can rapidly change the conditions in previously ungrazed sites similar to long term heavily grazed conditions.

Forty years of dietary studies on barn owl (Tyto alba) reveal long term trends in diversity metrics of small mammal prey

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliano Milana ◽  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Giovanni Amori
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Barn Owl ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Over Time

AbstractThe diet of predators is influenced by local conditions (e.g., characteristics of habitat and microhabitat, seasonality, prey availability) and therefore tends to change across time. In this paper, the diet composition of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in Italy was studied using a meta-analysis of 47 articles (covering 212 independent sites, with multiple surveys for some sites, thus giving a total of 290 datasets) between 1972 and 2012. General Linear Models were used to assess the effects of year and study site on four distinct diversity indices (species richness, dominance, Shannon-Weaver diversity and equitability). The year of data collection was a factor used in all analyses. Year had a greater effect than study site on all diversity indices, but the effect was not significant for the evenness and the species richness. However, dietary dominance increased significantly over the years, the Shannon-Weaver index of diversity decreased significantly over time, and equitability also decreased significantly over time. The relative abundance of various species of rodents did not increase/decrease progressively over the years, although there were inter-annual fluctuations. On the other hand, the relative abundance of insectivores tended to decrease with time, and there was a significantly negative correlation between year and the frequency of consumption of Sorex spp. and a marginally significant negative correlation for Crocidura leucodon.

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