Population-level scaling of avian migration speed with body size and migration distance for powered fliers

AbstractHow do migration and acculturation (i.e. psychological or behavioral change resulting from migration) affect within- and between-group cultural variation? Here I answer this question by drawing analogies between genetic and cultural evolution. Population genetic models show that migration rapidly breaks down between-group genetic structure. In cultural evolution, however, migrants or their descendants can acculturate to local behaviors via social learning processes such as conformity, potentially preventing migration from eliminating between-group cultural variation. An analysis of the empirical literature on migration suggests that acculturation is common, with second and subsequent migrant generations shifting, sometimes substantially, towards the cultural values of the adopted society. Yet there is little understanding of the individual-level dynamics that underlie these population-level shifts. To explore this formally, I present models quantifying the effect of migration and acculturation on between-group cultural variation, for both neutral and costly cooperative traits. In the models, between-group cultural variation, measured using F statistics, is eliminated by migration and maintained by conformist acculturation. The extent of acculturation is determined by the strength of conformist bias and the number of demonstrators from whom individuals learn. Acculturation is countered by assortation, the tendency for individuals to preferentially interact with culturally-similar others. Unlike neutral traits, cooperative traits can additionally be maintained by payoff-biased social learning, but only in the presence of strong sanctioning institutions. Overall, the models show that surprisingly little conformist acculturation is required to maintain realistic amounts of between-group cultural diversity. While these models provide insight into the potential dynamics of acculturation and migration in cultural evolution, they also highlight the need for more empirical research into the individual-level learning biases that underlie migrant acculturation.

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Intra-population variability of the non-breeding distribution of southern giant petrels Macronectes giganteus is mediated by individual body size

Antarctic Science ◽

10.1017/s0954102018000238 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 271-277

Author(s):

Lucas Krüger ◽

Vitor H. Paiva ◽

Julia V.G. Finger ◽

Elisa Petersen ◽

José C. Xavier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Population Level ◽

Total Body Length ◽

South Shetland Islands ◽

Latitudinal Distribution ◽

The North ◽

Wing Load ◽

Breeding Distribution ◽

Individual Body

AbstractLiterature reports that body size can be associated with latitudinal distribution, for instance larger animals inhabit higher latitudes and colder habitats. This rule can be applied for species and populations within a species. The potential influence of body size on non-breeding distribution and habitat use at the intra-population level was investigated for southern giant petrels Macronectes giganteus (Gmelin) from Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands. The non-breeding distribution of 23 individuals was tracked, and total body length, culmen length, wing length, wing load and body mass were measured. Positions of core areas were used to estimate the latitudinal distribution of each individual. Smaller individuals were found to be associated more with lower latitudes, where warmer conditions and more coastal and productive waters prevail, whereas large males were associated more with higher latitudes, with colder conditions near sea ice caps, presumably feeding on carrion or preying on penguins. This association reflects a latitudinal gradient, with smaller individuals positioning themselves towards the north, and larger individuals towards the south. In this case, body size, individual distribution and habitat use were found to be associated, highlighting the importance of studying potential effects of individual body size on the ecology of seabirds.

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Potential impacts of climatic change on the breeding and non-breeding ranges and migration distance of EuropeanSylviawarblers

Journal of Biogeography ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02086.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 1194-1208 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Nathalie Doswald ◽

Stephen G. Willis ◽

Yvonne C. Collingham ◽

Deborah J. Pain ◽

Rhys E. Green ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climatic Change ◽

Migration Distance ◽

And Migration

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Notes on the Survival, Winter Distribution, and Migration Speed of Eastern Mourning Doves

Bird-Banding ◽

10.2307/4509340 ◽

1935 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 61

Author(s):

Seth H. Low

Keyword(s):

Migration Speed ◽

Winter Distribution ◽

Mourning Doves ◽

And Migration

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Effects of subsidies from spawning chum and pink salmon on juvenile coho salmon body size and migration timing

Ecosphere ◽

10.1890/es14-00162.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (10) ◽

pp. art209-art209 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Michelle C. Nelson ◽

John D. Reynolds

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Coho Salmon ◽

Pink Salmon ◽

Migration Timing ◽

And Migration

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Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) body size, condition and population structure in Tasmanian river catchments: variability and potential mucormycosis impacts

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr10162 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 271 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Nick Gust ◽

Josh Griffiths

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Body Size ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Population Level ◽

Disease Status ◽

Volume Index ◽

Adult Males ◽

Ornithorhynchus Anatinus ◽

Size Condition ◽

River Catchments

Context Despite widespread interest in platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) conservation, it is unclear how their fundamental morphometric and demographic characteristics differ over a range of scales. This hampers impact assessments and understanding of platypus ecology. Although the ulcerative fungal disease mucormycosis has infected platypuses in Tasmania for three decades, its population level impacts and conservation significance remain unknown. Aims This study examined morphometric and demographic patterns in Tasmanian platypuses to provide a basis for investigating impacts of mucormycosis or other anthropogenic disturbances. It also sought to identify important spatial scales of natural variability and the magnitude of seasonal variation in platypus body size, condition and population structure. The hypothesis of higher mucormycosis prevalence and mortality in adult males was also investigated. Methods Extensive live-trapping surveys were conducted from January 2008 to July 2009 in 75 streams and 18 river catchments across Tasmania including King Island. The sex, age, body size, tail volume index, health and moult condition of 195 individuals were assessed, and population age and sex structures characterised. Sampling focussed on assessing variability within and between river catchments and compared populations in river catchments with contrasting disease status. Key results Differences in platypus morphometrics within and between catchments and seasonal moulting patterns were detected. Adult males had higher fat stores than adult females, especially during winter. This study also provided the first evidence of population level consequences of disease in platypuses. The demographic group most commonly affected by mucormycosis was confirmed to be adult males. Differences in male age structure among catchments of varying disease status were consistent with the hypothesis of higher adult male mortality rates and turnover in currently affected catchments. Conclusions More than 25 years after mucormycosis was first detected in Tasmanian platypuses, the disease continues to play a low-level, ongoing role in affected populations. Implications The present study provides the first systematic multi-scale spatial investigation of platypus mucormycosis, which contributes to unravelling the epidemiology of the disease and detecting its impacts. By identifying the magnitude and important scales of morphometric and demographic differences in Tasmanian platypuses the study also assists researchers choose comparable demographic groups and spatial scales for meaningful comparisons in future impact studies.

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Altered Cell-Substrate Behavior on Microporous Membranes is a Result of Disruption and Grip

10.1101/563361 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Zahra Allahyari ◽

Shayan Gholizadeh ◽

Henry H. Chung ◽

Luis F. Delgadillo ◽

Thomas R. Gaborski

Keyword(s):

Cell Communication ◽

Pore Wall ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Common Mechanism ◽

Porous Membranes ◽

Migration Speed ◽

Microporous Membranes ◽

Substrate Interactions ◽

Cell Substrate ◽

And Migration

ABSTRACTPorous membranes are ubiquitous in cell co-culture and tissue-on-a-chip studies. These materials are predominantly chosen for their semi-permeable and size exclusion properties to restrict or permit transmigration and cell-cell communication. However, previous studies have shown pore size, spacing and orientation affect cell behavior including extracellular matrix production and migration. The mechanism behind this behavior is not fully understood. In this study, we fabricated micropatterned non-fouling polyethylene glycol (PEG) islands to mimic pores in order to decouple the effect of surface discontinuity from grip provided by pore wall edges. Similar to porous membranes, we found that the PEG islands hindered fibronectin fibrillogenesis with cells on patterned substrates producing shorter fibrils. Additionally, cell migration speed over micropatterned PEG islands was greater than unpatterned controls, suggesting that disruption of cell-substrate interactions by PEG islands promoted a more dynamic and migratory behavior, similarly to cells migrating on microporous membranes. Preferred cellular directionality during migration was nearly identical between substrates with identically patterned PEG islands and micropores, further confirming disruption of cell-substrate interactions as a common mechanism behind the cellular responses on these substrates. Interestingly, cell spreading and the magnitude of migration speed was significantly greater on porous membranes compared to PEG islands with identical feature size and spacing, suggesting pore edges enhanced cellular grip. These results provide a more complete picture on how porous membranes affect cells which are grown on them in an increasing number of cellular barrier and co-culture studies.

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Population, sex and body size: determinants of behavioural variations and behavioural correlations among wild zebrafishDanio rerio

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.170978 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 170978 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Tamal Roy ◽

Anuradha Bhat

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Population Level ◽

General Activity ◽

State Dependent ◽

High Predation ◽

Behavioural Correlations ◽

Individual Body ◽

Pressure State

This study (1) investigated variation among populations and the effects of sex and body size on boldness, activity and shoal-association tendency among wild zebrafish, and (2) tested for existence of correlations between behaviours, controlling for sex and body size. Individuals across four natural populations were tested for general activity in a novel situation, number of predator inspections undertaken and tendency to associate with a conspecific shoal in the presence of predators. Results showed a significant effect of population on boldness with a population from high-predation habitat being bolder than populations from low-predation habitats. Males showed significantly higher tendencies than females to associate with a conspecific shoal in the presence of predators. Further, a negative relationship was found between activity and boldness only within two low-predation populations. Individual body size had a strong effect on the activity–boldness relationship within the low-predation population from flowing water habitat. Smaller fish were bolder and less active while larger fish were more cautious and active. Overall, the results indicated that while population-level behavioural responses might be shaped by predation pressure, state-dependent factors could determine behavioural correlations among individuals within populations.

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