scholarly journals Ecological niche and microhabitat use of Australian geckos

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 209-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jendrian Riedel ◽  
Eric Nordberg ◽  
Lin Schwarzkopf
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Field Guides ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Data Deficient

Modern biological research often uses global datasets to answer broad-scale questions using various modelling techniques. But detailed information on species–habitat interactions are often only available for a few species. Australian geckos, a species-rich group of small nocturnal predators, are particularly data-deficient. For most species, information is available only as scattered, anecdotal, or descriptive entries in the taxonomic literature or in field guides. We surveyed gecko communities from 10 sites, and 15 locations across central and northern Queensland, Australia, to quantify ecological niche and habitat use of these communities. Our surveys included deserts, woodlands, and rainforests, examining 34 gecko species. We assigned species to habitat niche categories: arboreal (9 species), saxicoline (4), or terrestrial (13), if at least 75% of our observations fell in one microhabitat; otherwise we classified geckos as generalists (8). For arboreal species, we described perch height and perch diameter and assigned them to ecomorph categories, originally developed for Anolis lizards. There was lower species richness in rainforests than in habitats with lower relative humidity; the highest species richness occurred in woodlands. Most arboreal and generalist species fit the trunk-ground ecomorph, except those in the genus Strophurus, whose members preferred shrubs, twigs of small trees, or, in two cases, spinifex grass hummocks, thus occupying a perch space similar to that of grass-bush anoles. Habitat use by Pseudothecadactylus australis, Saltuarius cornutus, and Gehyra dubia fit the trunk-crown ecomorph. We provide quantified basic ecological data and habitat use for a large group of previously poorly documented species.

scholarly journals Patterns of arboreal and terrestrial space use by non-volant small mammals in an Araucaria forest of southern Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 807-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAURY S.L. ABREU ◽  
LARISSA R. DE OLIVEIRA
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Vertical Stratification ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Araucaria Forest ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Dense Vegetation

Despite the advances in the techniques for researching arboreal small mammals, detailed ecological data, such as habitat use patterns, are practically nonexistent for many species. Using 150 live-traps installed on the ground, understory (1.0-5.0m) and canopy (>5.0m) we investigated patterns of arboreal and terrestrial space use by small mammals in an Araucaria Forest in southern Brazil (29°29′08″S; 50°12′26″W). We also measured 19 microhabitat variables that could potentially influence the abundance of such mammals on each trap station. The results indicated that Akodon montensis and A. serrensis were mainly terrestrial. Delomys dorsalis was also terrestrial, but it also used understory (17.24% of captures). Juliomys sp. and Gracilinanus microtarsus were the most arboreal small mammals recorded. A. montensis was associated with dense vegetation, while A. serrensis selected positively opened areas. Juliomys sp. and G. microtarsus were associated to microhabitat variables related to the access and movement within the canopy. Moreover, bromeliads on arboreal layer were an important factor for these two arboreal species. This is the first study to report microhabitat associations by Juliomys sp. and A. serrensis, and we demonstrated that vertical stratification and microhabitat use were both synergic mechanisms to determine habitat use by small mammals on the Araucaria Forest of southern Brazil.

Habitat use by stream-breeding frogs in south-east Sulawesi, with some preliminary observations on community organization

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme R. Gillespie ◽  
David Lockie ◽  
Michael P. Scroggie ◽  
Djoko T. Iskandar
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Community Organization ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Habitat Partitioning ◽  
Tropical Stream ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Oviposition Sites ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Spatial Habitat

The habitat associations of stream-breeding frogs were examined along a series of stream transects on Buton Island in south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia. Of the eight frog species located along streams, four were observed breeding in stream habitats. We examined spatial habitat partitioning among these species. Three of the four species were found to be associated with a non-random selection of the available perch sites. Strong partitioning between species in habitat associations was found; partitioning of the available habitat space was primarily associated with differences in proximity to stream features, and in the height of perch sites. General observations indicated that oviposition sites of most species were associated with the microhabitats in which the adult frogs were found. All four stream-breeding species appear to have synchronous breeding phenologies and the spatial relationships of these species within the habitat space appear to reflect partitioning of calling sites and oviposition sites. The stream-breeding frog community in this region of Sulawesi has much lower species richness and less specialized habitat use compared with other tropical stream-breeding frog communities in the region.

Habitat use and coexistence of three territorial herbivorous damselfish on different-size patch reefs

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 2265-2272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihisa Hattori ◽  
Takuro Shibuno
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Patch Reef ◽  
Back Reef ◽  
Intraspecific Interactions ◽  
Reef Area ◽  
Patch Reefs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Random Placement

In local reef fish communities, species richness increases with increasing reef area. At Ishigaki Island, Japan, species richness is much lower on large reefs in the shallow back reef than that expected from random placement model simulations (RPMS). As three aggressive territorial herbivorous damselfish, Stegastes nigricans, Stegastes lividus and Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon, coexist only on such large reefs, we focused on these species and examined patterns of their distribution and abundance on 84 patch reefs of various sizes (area and height). We also examined their aggressive intra- and interspecific behavioural interactions and habitat use on the two large reefs (the largest complex patch reef and the large flat patch reef) among the 84 patch reefs. While the abundance of both S. lividus and H. plagiometopon was highly correlated with patch reef area, that of S. nigricans was closely correlated with patch reef height. For S. nigricans and S. lividus, interspecific interactions occurred significantly more frequently than intraspecific interactions on the large flat patch reef. However, there was no significant difference in frequencies of the two interaction types on the largest complex patch reef, where they three-dimensionally segregated conspecific territories. This study suggested that reef height as well as reef area influence the distribution and abundance of these territorial herbivorous damselfish in the shallow back reef. As large patch reefs cannot be tall allometrically in shallow back reefs, relatively flat patch reefs may not have the high species richness expected from RPMS based on reef area.

scholarly journals Reptile fauna of the Katse Dam catchment area and a biogeographical assessment of species composition in the Lesotho Highlands

Koedoe ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Ie F.N. Mouton ◽  
J.H. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
The Other ◽  
Direct Impact ◽  
Species Dispersal ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Central Highland ◽  
Reproductive Cycles

A survey of the reptile fauna of the Katse Dam catchment area in the Lesotho Highlands was conducted to assess the possible impact of the dam, once it is full, on reptile populations in the area. With only seven lizard and five snake species recorded to date, species richness in the catchment area is much lower than expected. It is inferred that species richness in the western and central districts of the Lesotho Highlands in general, is low, emphasising the role of the Drakensberg-Maluti mountain complex as a barrier to species dispersal. The reptile fauna of the western/central highland areas is primarily composed of widespread generalist species. The eastern highland areas, on the other hand, have a substantial endemic component. indicating the greater potential of these areas as a conservatory of geographical isolates. The direct impact of the Katse Dam on the local reptile fauna is expected to be minimal. Snake numbers are low in the catchment area and this may be the result of human impact. Reproductive cycles of the lizard species in the catchment area do not differ from the cycles of the same species at lower altitudes elsewhere.

Corrigendum to: Fish in the matrix: effects of landscape on community-structure patterns of the ichthyofauna of streams in Cerrado

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1219
Author(s):  
Thiago Bernardi Vieira ◽  
Leandro Schlemmer Brasil ◽  
Naiara Raiol Torres ◽  
Tatiana Lima de Melo ◽  
Elto Aparecido Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Matrix Effects ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Structure Patterns

This study aims to identify species richness and composition patterns of the ichthyofauna in different landscape matrices (forest, pasture and eucalypt crops) and to evaluate the variation of species composition in different matrices, identifying possible indicator species. We selected 21 streams; 7 were surrounded by native vegetation, 9 surrounded by pasture and 5 by eucalypt crops. We tested whether there was difference in the composition and species richness. In addition, we used the indicator value (IndVal) to verify if there were species faithful and specific to some land use and land cover. Streams located in forest presented the highest estimated species richness, followed by streams in pasturelands and eucalypt matrices. There was no difference between the composition of fishes in different matrices, but we observed a relationship between Phenacorhamdia somnians (Mees, 1974) and pasture matrix. The results indicated that the change in land use may benefit some generalist species such as Phenacorhamdia somnians.

Fish in the matrix: effects of landscape on community-structure patterns of the ichthyofauna of streams in Cerrado

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Bernardi Vieira ◽  
Leandro Schlemmer Brasil ◽  
Naiara Raiol Torres ◽  
Tatiana Lima de Melo ◽  
Elto Aparecido Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Matrix Effects ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Structure Patterns

This study aims to identify species richness and composition patterns of the ichthyofauna in different landscape matrices (forest, pasture and eucalypt crops) and to evaluate the variation of species composition in different matrices, identifying possible indicator species. We selected 21 streams; 7 were surrounded by native vegetation, 9 surrounded by pasture and 5 by eucalypt crops. We tested whether there was difference in the composition and species richness. In addition, we used the indicator value (IndVal) to verify if there were species faithful and specific to some land use and land cover. Streams located in forest presented the highest estimated species richness, followed by streams in pasturelands and eucalypt matrices. There was no difference between the composition of fishes in different matrices, but we observed a relationship between Phenacorhamdia somnians (Mees, 1974) and pasture matrix. The results indicated that the change in land use may benefit some generalist species such as Phenacorhamdia somnians.

scholarly journals Avian Response to Wildfire Severity in a Northern Boreal Region

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1330
Author(s):  
Michelle Knaggs ◽  
Samuel Haché ◽  
Scott E. Nielsen ◽  
Rhiannon F. Pankratz ◽  
Erin Bayne
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Fire Severity ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Burn Severity ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
High Severity

Research Highlights: The effects of fire on birds in the most northern parts of the boreal forest are understudied. We found distinct differences in bird communities with increasing fire severity in two vegetation types with naturally different burn severity. The highest severity burns tended to have communities dominated by generalist species, regardless of the original vegetation type. Background and Objectives: Wildfire is the primary natural disturbance in the boreal ecosystems of northwestern Canada. Increased wildfire frequency, extent, and severity are expected with climate change in this region. In particular, the proportion of burns that are high severity and the area of peatlands burned are increasing, and how this influences birds is poorly understood. Materials and Methods: We quantified the effects of burn severity (low, moderate, and high severity) in uplands and peatlands on occupancy, density, richness, community composition, and functional diversity using point counts (n = 1158) from the first two years post-fire for two large fires in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Results: Burn severity had a significant effect on the occupancy and density of 86% of our focal species (n = 20). Responses to burn severity depended on vegetation type for four of the 18 species using occupancy and seven of the 18 using density, but were typically in a similar direction. Species richness and functional diversity were lower in areas of high severity burns than unburned areas and low severity burns in peatlands. Richness was not related to severity in uplands, but functional diversity was. Peatlands had higher species richness than uplands in all burn severities, but as burn severity increased the upland and peatland communities became more similar. Conclusions: Our results suggest that high severity burns in both vegetation types support five generalist species and two fire specialists that may benefit from alterations in vegetation structure as a result of climate induced changes to fire regimes. However, eight species avoided burns, particularly birds preferring peatlands, and are likely to be more susceptible to fire-driven changes to their habitat caused by climate change. Understanding the long-term risks to these species from climate change requires additional efforts that link fire to bird populations.

scholarly journals Ecological Niche Models of Four Hard Tick Genera (Ixodidae) in Mexico

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Clarke-Crespo ◽  
Claudia N. Moreno-Arzate ◽  
Carlos A. López-González
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Hard Tick ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Niche Models

Ticks are vectors of a large number of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance, and in recent years, they have participated in the rise of multiple infectious outbreaks around the world. Studies have proposed that temperature and precipitation are the main variables that limit the geographical distribution of ticks. The analysis of environmental constraints with ecological niche modeling (ENM) techniques can improve our ability to identify suitable areas for emergence events. Algorithms used in this study showed different distributional patterns for each tick genera; the environmental suitability for Amblyomma includes warm and humid localities below 1000 m above the sea level, while Ixodes is mainly associated with ecosystems with high vegetation cover. Dermacentor and Rhipicephalus genus presented wider distribution patterns; the first includes species that are well adapted to resist desiccation, whereas the latter includes generalist species that are mostly associated with domestic hosts in Mexico. Ecological niche models have proven to be useful in estimating the geographic distribution of many taxa of ticks. Despite our limited knowledge of tick’s diversity, ENM can improve our understanding of the dynamics of vector-borne diseases and can assist public health decision-making processes.

Techniques for tracking amphibians: The effects of tag attachment, and harmonic direction finding versus radio telemetry

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Alford ◽  
Jodi Rowley
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Direction Finding ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Movement Parameters

AbstractTo gain information on the microhabitat use, home range and movement of a species, it is often necessary to remotely track individuals in the field. Radio telemetry is commonly used to track amphibians, but can only be used on relatively large individuals. Harmonic direction finding can be used to track smaller animals, but its effectiveness has not been fully evaluated. Tag attachment can alter the behaviour of amphibians, suggesting that data obtained using either technique may be unreliable. We investigated the effects of external tag attachment on behaviour in the laboratory by observing 12 frogs for five nights before and five nights after tag attachment, allowing one night to recover from handling. Tag attachment did not affect distance moved or number of times moved, indicating that the effects of tag attachment are unlikely to persist after the first night following attachment. We then compared harmonic direction finding and radio-telemetry using data collected in the field. We fitted rainforest stream frogs of three species with tags of either type, located them diurnally and nocturnally for approximately two weeks, and compared movement parameters between techniques. In the field, we obtained fewer fixes on frogs using harmonic direction finding, but measures of movement and habitat use did not differ significantly between techniques. Because radio telemetry makes it possible to locate animals more consistently, it should be preferred for animals large enough to carry radio tags. If harmonic direction finding is necessary, it can produce reliable data, particularly for relatively sedentary species.

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