scholarly journals Occurrence of mesocarnivores in montane sky islands: How spatial and temporal overlap informs rabies management in a regional hotspot

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259260
Author(s):  
Amanda M. Veals ◽  
John L. Koprowski ◽  
David L. Bergman ◽  
Kurt C. VerCauteren ◽  
David B. Wester
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Oral Vaccine ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Lynx Rufus ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Species Occurrence

Interspecific interactions among mesocarnivores can influence community dynamics and resource partitioning. Insights into these interactions can enhance understanding of local ecological processes that have impacts on pathogen transmission, such as the rabies lyssavirus. Host species ecology can provide an important baseline for disease management strategies especially in biologically diverse ecosystems and heterogeneous landscapes. We used a mesocarnivore guild native to the southwestern United States, a regional rabies hotspot, that are prone to rabies outbreaks as our study system. Gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) share large portions of their geographic ranges and can compete for resources, occupy similar niches, and influence population dynamics of each other. We deployed 80 cameras across two mountain ranges in Arizona, stratified by vegetation type. We used two-stage modeling to gain insight into species occurrence and co-occurrence patterns. There was strong evidence for the effects of elevation, season, and temperature impacting detection probability of all four species, with understory height and canopy cover also influencing gray foxes and skunks. For all four mesocarnivores, a second stage multi-species co-occurrence model better explained patterns of detection than the single-species occurrence model. These four species are influencing the space use of each other and are likely competing for resources seasonally. We did not observe spatial partitioning between these competitors, likely due to an abundance of cover and food resources in the biologically diverse system we studied. From our results we can draw inferences on community dynamics to inform rabies management in a regional hotspot. Understanding environmental factors in disease hotspots can provide useful information to develop more reliable early-warning systems for viral outbreaks. We recommend that disease management focus on delivering oral vaccine baits onto the landscape when natural food resources are less abundant, specifically during the two drier seasons in Arizona (pre-monsoon spring and autumn) to maximize intake by all mesocarnivores.

scholarly journals Links between mouse and vole social networks and their gut microbiomes support predictions from metacommunity theory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joël W. Jameson ◽  
Steven W. Kembel ◽  
Denis Réale
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Social Proximity ◽  
Strongly Connected ◽  
Bacterial Transmission

ABSTRACTMetacommunity theory predicts that strongly connected individuals will harbour similar gut microbiomes (GMs) and affiliating with more individuals should increase GM diversity. Additionally, cross-species bacterial transmission may play a role in how interspecific interactions affect host community dynamics. We tracked sympatric mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and voles (Myodes gapperi) and constructed social networks for each species and both species together. We tested whether: 1) similarity in GM composition between individuals correlates with their social proximity within and across species; 2) GM diversity correlates with a host’s number of conspecific or heterospecific neighbours. We could not differentiate associations between GM composition and mouse social proximity or habitat. In voles, social proximity explained part of the GM composition. GM composition associated with interspecific social proximity, and mouse GM diversity correlated with number of vole neighbours. Contributions of host-host bacterial transmission to the GM partly follow metacommunity theory but depend on host species.

scholarly journals Management Strategies for Conservation of Tanoak in California Forests Threatened by Sudden Oak Death: A Disease-Community Feedback Modelling Approach

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1103
Author(s):  
João A. N. Filipe ◽  
Richard C. Cobb ◽  
Maëlle Salmon ◽  
Christopher A. Gilligan
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Phytophthora Ramorum ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Modelling Approach

We use a new modelling approach to predict the cumulative impact of Phytophthora ramorum on the dynamic distribution of tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) and other tree species in coastal-Californian forest-communities. We explore the effectiveness of disease-management strategies for the conservation of tanoak at stand level. Forest resources are increasingly threatened by emerging pathogens such as P. ramorum, a generalist that kills hosts and has altered ecosystems in the USA and Europe. In coastal California, P. ramorum has the greatest impact on tanoak through leaf sporulation and lethal bole infections, but also sporulates on the common overstory-tree bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) without significant health impact. Such epidemiological differences impede host-species coexistence and challenge pathogen management. For most disease-impacted natural systems, however, empirical evidence is still insufficient to identify effective and affordable pathogen-control measures for retaining at-risk host populations. Yet, landscape-scale tree mortality requires swift actions to mitigate ecological impacts and loss of biodiversity. We apply a mathematical model of the feedback between disease and forest-community dynamics to assess the impacts of P. ramorum invasion on tanoak under stand-scale disease-management strategies by landowners aiming to retain tanoak and slow disease progression: (1) removal of inoculum through reduction of bay laurel abundance; (2) prevention of tanoak infection through chemical protection (acting epidemiologically like a vaccine); and (3) a combination strategy. The model results indicate that: (1) both bay laurel removal and tanoak protection are required to help maintain tanoak populations; (2) treatment effectiveness depends on forest composition and on threshold criteria; (3) sustainable tanoak conservation would require long-term follow-up of preventive treatments; (4) arresting basal sprouting upon tree removal may help to reduce inoculum. These findings suggest potential treatments for specific forest conditions that could be tested and implemented to reduce P. ramorum inoculum and disease and to conserve tanoak at stand level.

scholarly journals Below-ground plant–fungus network topology is not congruent with above-ground plant–animal network topology

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
pp. e1500291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirokazu Toju ◽  
Paulo R. Guimarães ◽  
Jens M. Olesen ◽  
John N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Network Topology ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Form Complex ◽  
Below Ground

In nature, plants and their pollinating and/or seed-dispersing animals form complex interaction networks. The commonly observed pattern of links between specialists and generalists in these networks has been predicted to promote species coexistence. Plants also build highly species-rich mutualistic networks below ground with root-associated fungi, and the structure of these plant–fungus networks may also affect terrestrial community processes. By compiling high-throughput DNA sequencing data sets of the symbiosis of plants and their root-associated fungi from three localities along a latitudinal gradient, we uncovered the entire network architecture of these interactions under contrasting environmental conditions. Each network included more than 30 plant species and hundreds of mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi belonging to diverse phylogenetic groups. The results were consistent with the notion that processes shaping host-plant specialization of fungal species generate a unique linkage pattern that strongly contrasts with the pattern of above-ground plant–partner networks. Specifically, plant–fungus networks lacked a “nested” architecture, which has been considered to promote species coexistence in plant–partner networks. Rather, the below-ground networks had a conspicuous “antinested” topology. Our findings lead to the working hypothesis that terrestrial plant community dynamics are likely determined by the balance between above-ground and below-ground webs of interspecific interactions.

Competitive interactions and distributional dynamics in two Malagasy frogs

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Lehtinen
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Distributional Dynamics ◽  
Population And Community Dynamics ◽  
Forest Plants

Ecological theory predicts that interspecific interactions can affect population and community dynamics. Two experiments were conducted on Mantidactylus bicalcaratus and M. punctatus, two sympatric frog species from Madagascar that live and breed in rain-forest plants (Pandanus spp.), to test for interspecific competition. The first experiment examined larval growth rates and survivorship with and without conspecifics. While survivorship did not differ among treatments, mean growth rates for M. bicalcaratus were significantly reduced in the presence of M. punctatus larvae. The second experiment manipulated the presence and density of adults in Pandanus plants. Emigration from and immigration to experimental plants tended to be higher and lower, respectively, for M. bicalcaratus in the presence of M. punctatus, but these differences were not significant. These results demonstrate asymmetric competition (at least as larvae) and indicate that M. punctatus is the superior competitor. Field data showed that M. bicalcaratus was found significantly more frequently in the absence of M. punctatus. Also, M. bicalcaratus populations were significantly more likely to go locally extinct in the presence of M. punctatus. These data suggest that asymmetric competitive interactions are important influences on the dynamics of these populations.

scholarly journals Lethal effects of habitat degradation on fishes through changing competitive advantage

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1744) ◽  
pp. 3899-3904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark I. McCormick
Keyword(s):  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Dead Coral ◽  
Thermal Bleaching ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Pomacentrus Amboinensis ◽  
Habitat Generalist

Coral bleaching has caused catastrophic changes to coral reef ecosystems around the world with profound ecological, social and economic repercussions. While its occurrence is predicted to increase in the future, we have little understanding of mechanisms that underlie changes in the fish community associated with coral degradation. The present study uses a field-based experiment to examine how the intensity of interference competition between juveniles of two species of damselfish changes as healthy corals degrade through thermal bleaching. The mortality of a damselfish that is a live coral specialist ( Pomacentrus moluccensis ) increased on bleached and dead coral in the presence of the habitat generalist ( Pomacentrus amboinensis ). Increased mortality of the specialist was indirectly owing to enhanced aggression by the generalist forcing the specialist higher up and further away from shelter on bleached and dead coral. Evidence from this study stresses the importance of changing interspecific interactions to community dynamics as habitats change.

scholarly journals INTERAKSI TROFIK KOMUNITAS IKAN DI DANAU MATANO, SULAWESI SELATAN PASCA BERKEMBANGNYA IKAN ASING INVASIF

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Dimas Angga Hedianto ◽  
Agus Arifin Sentosa
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Native Fish ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Lake Matano ◽  
Alien Fish ◽  
Alien Fish Species

Interaksi trofik pasca masuknya ikan introduksi ataupun ikan asing invasif merupakan dasar untuk mengkaji tekanan ekologis terhadap ikan asli. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis interaksi trofik komunitas ikan pasca berkembangnya jenis-jenis ikan asing invasif di Danau Matano, Sulawesi Selatan. Ikan contoh diperoleh dari hasil tangkapan jaring insang percobaan, jala lempar, dan seser pada Mei, Oktober, dan November 2015 serta Februari, Juli, dan September 2016. Analisis ekologi trofik yang dilakukan meliputi indeks bagian terbesar, tingkat trofik, luas relung dan tumpang tindih relung makanan, serta pola strategi makan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan komunitas ikan yang tertangkap di Danau Matano terdiri atas 9 famili, 11 genera, dan 17 spesies. Ikan louhan mendominasi komunitas ikan di Danau Matano sebesar 53,62%. Makanan alami yang banyak dimanfaatkan oleh sejumlah ikan dalam komunitas adalah insekta (Diptera), Gastropoda (Tylomelania sp.), dan larva insekta (Chironomidae). Kelompok trofik komunitas ikan di Danau Matano terdiri atas detritivora, herbivora, insektivora, zoobentivora, dan piscivora. Masuknya ikan introduksi memunculkan kelompok trofik baru (detritivora dan herbivora). Ikan introduksi cenderung memiliki luas relung makanan yang lebih bervariasi. Kompetisi terhadap makanan alami kategori moderat banyak terjadi antara ikan asli dengan louhan. Strategi pola makan ikan asli di Danau Matano cenderung bersifat spesialis, sedangkan ikan introduksi memiliki strategi pola makan yang lebih bervariasi dan oportunistik. Ikan louhan sebagai ikan introduksi dominan yang bersifat invasif mampu memanfaatkan seluruh sumber daya makanan alami yang tersedia dan menempati tingkat trofik tertinggi di Danau Matano. Tekanan ekologi terhadap ikan asli oleh ikan asing invasif di Danau Matano terjadi karena adanya kompetisi terhadap makanan alami.Trophic interactions post-develpment of non-native fish or invasive alien fish species are the basis knowledge for assessing and preventing the ecological pressure on native fish. This research aims to analyze the trophic interactions of fish community post-development of invasive alien fish species in Lake Matano, South Sulawesi. Fish samples were obtained from the catch of experimental gill nets, cast nets, and push nets in May, October, and November 2015 along with February, July, and September 2016. Trophic ecological analysis carried out included index of preponderance, trophic level, niche breadth and niche overlap of natural food, and feeding strategy. The fish community caught in Lake Matano consists of 9 families, 11 genera, and 17 species. Flowerhorn cichlid dominates the fish community in Lake Matano by 53.62%. Natural foods that are widely used by a number of fish in the community are Insecta (Diptera), Gastropods (Tylomelania sp.), and larvae of Insecta (Chironomidae). The guild trophic of fish community in Lake Matano consists of detritivores, herbivores, insectivores, zoobentivores, and piscivores. The introduction of non-native species bring up to new guilds (detritivores and herbivores). Non-native fishes tends to have a variety niche breadth. Moderate competition for natural food resources between native fish and flowerhorn cichlid is quite high. Feeding strategy of native species in Lake Matano tend to be specialist, while non-natives species have more variety and opportunistic. Flowerhorn cichlid as dominant invasive alien fish species is able to utilize all natural food resources and occupies the highest trophic level in Lake Matano. Ecological pressure on native fish by invasive alien fish species in Lake Matano occurs due to competition in obtaining natural food resources.

scholarly journals A Holling Functional Response Model for Mapping QTLs Governing Interspecific Interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Yu Zhang ◽  
Huiying Gong ◽  
Qing Fang ◽  
Xuli Zhu ◽  
Libo Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Microbial Interactions ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Response Model ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Dynamic Complexity ◽  
Genome Level

Genes play an important role in community ecology and evolution, but how to identify the genes that affect community dynamics at the whole genome level is very challenging. Here, we develop a Holling type II functional response model for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that govern interspecific interactions. The model, integrated with generalized Lotka-Volterra differential dynamic equations, shows a better capacity to reveal the dynamic complexity of inter-species interactions than classic competition models. By applying the new model to a published mapping data from a competition experiment of two microbial species, we identify a set of previously uncharacterized QTLs that are specifically responsible for microbial cooperation and competition. The model can not only characterize how these QTLs affect microbial interactions, but also address how change in ecological interactions activates the genetic effects of the QTLs. This model provides a quantitative means of predicting the genetic architecture that shapes the dynamic behavior of ecological communities.

scholarly journals Linking gut microbiome with the feeding behavior of the Arunachal macaque (Macaca munzala)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Avijit Ghosh ◽  
Mukesh Thakur ◽  
Lalit Kumar Sharma ◽  
Kailash Chandra
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Crop Raiding ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Arunachal Macaque

AbstractExploring the gut microbiome is an emerging tool for monitoring wildlife health and physiological conditions which often sustained under the variety of stresses and challenges. We analyzed gut microbiome of Arunachal macaque (Macaca munzala) of two disjunct populations from Arunachal Pradesh, India, to validate whether the geography or the feeding habits plays a principal role in shaping the gut microbiome in natural populations. We observed geography has a mere effect but feeding habits (i.e. feeding upon the leftover food and crop-raiding) significantly influenced the gut microbiome composition. The phylum Proteobacteria found to be enriched in leftover feeding group while phylum Bacteroidetes was differentially abundant in crop-raiding group. We observed predominant phyla Firmicutes followed by Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes with the dominant classes represented by the Clostridia. Interestingly, one individual with known diarrheal/metabolic disorder exhibited complete dominance of the order Bacillales and showed 100% sequence similarity with genus Solibacillus. We raise concern that shift in diet of macaques may compel them to expose for various human diseases as two macaques feeding upon the leftover food exhibited dysbiotic gut microbiome. The present study provides the pragmatic evidences of how the alteration of food resources can harm the physiological condition of the macaques in wild and raises alarm to the forest officials/managers in strategise planting of natural food resources and monitor anthropogenic activities in the distribution of Arunachal macaques.

scholarly journals The way of old bread recycling in the bread making

2020 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 01082
Author(s):  
Olesia Savkina ◽  
Lina Kuznetsova ◽  
Marina Lokachuk ◽  
Olga Parakhina ◽  
Elena Pavlovskaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Bread Making ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Sourdough Bread ◽  
The Impact

The recycling of non-standard bread (with cracked crust, unsatisfactory mass or non-standard shape) saves natural food resources and provides economic benefits for bakers. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of recycled old bread on the quality of sourdough and bread. An increase in the bread dosage in the rye dense sourdough more than 25% instead of flour negatively affected sourdough quality. The deterioration of the sourdough quality was not associated with a nutrient deficiency. When 25% of recycling old bread was in the sourdough, the quality of the bread was comparable to the control, but the crumbliness was 1.5 times less compared to the control, which indicates a slowing down of the staling process in bread made with recycled bread in sourdough. Bread fermentation in sourdough allowed getting bread with a good smell and taste. Old recycled bread did not significantly affect the microbial contamination of new bread, especially in terms of moulds and yeasts.

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