scholarly journals Acoustic signature reveals blue whales tune life history transitions to oceanographic conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Oestreich ◽  
Briana Abrahms ◽  
Megan McKenna ◽  
Jeremy Goldbogen ◽  
Larry Crowder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Acoustic Signature ◽  
Breeding Migration ◽  
Blue Whales

1.Matching the timing of life history transitions with ecosystem phenology is critical for the survival of many species, especially those undertaking long-distance migrations. As a result, whether and how migratory populations adjust timing of life history transitions in response to environmental variability are important questions in ecology and conservation. Yet the flexibility and drivers of life history transitions remain largely untested for migratory marine populations, which contend with the unique spatiotemporal dynamics and sensory conditions found in marine ecosystems. 2.Here, using an acoustic signature of blue whales’ regional population-level transition from foraging to breeding migration, we document significant interannual flexibility in the timing of this life history transition (spanning roughly four months) over a continuous six-year study period. 3.We further show that timing of this transition follows the oceanographic phenology of blue whales’ foraging habitat, with a later transition from foraging to breeding migration occurring in years with an earlier onset, later peak, and greater accumulation of biological productivity. 4.These results indicate that blue whales use flexible cues, likely including individual sensing of foraging conditions and long-distance vocal signals from conspecifics, to match timing of this population-level life history transition with interannual oceanographic variability in their vast and dynamic foraging habitat. The use of flexible cues in timing a major life history transition may be key to the persistence of this endangered population facing the pressures of rapid environmental change. 5.Further, these findings extend theoretical understanding of the flexibility and drivers of population-level migration beyond insights derived primarily from group-living and terrestrial migrants, illuminating the drivers and flexibility of a life history transition in a relatively solitary marine migrant.

scholarly journals Advancement in long-distance bird migration through individual plasticity in departure

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse R. Conklin ◽  
Simeon Lisovski ◽  
Phil F. Battley
Keyword(s):  
Bird Migration ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Environmental Constraints ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Breeding Resources ◽  
Plastic Responses

AbstractGlobally, bird migration is occurring earlier in the year, consistent with climate-related changes in breeding resources. Although often attributed to phenotypic plasticity, there is no clear demonstration of long-term population advancement in avian migration through individual plasticity. Using direct observations of bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica) departing New Zealand on a 16,000-km journey to Alaska, we show that migration advanced by six days during 2008–2020, and that within-individual advancement was sufficient to explain this population-level change. However, in individuals tracked for the entire migration (50 total tracks of 36 individuals), earlier departure did not lead to earlier arrival or breeding in Alaska, due to prolonged stopovers in Asia. Moreover, changes in breeding-site phenology varied across Alaska, but were not reflected in within-population differences in advancement of migratory departure. We demonstrate that plastic responses can drive population-level changes in timing of long-distance migration, but also that behavioral and environmental constraints en route may yet limit adaptive responses to global change.

scholarly journals Phenotypic plasticity of labile traits in the wild

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon E. Brommer
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Statistical Approach ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Quantitative Genetic ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Quantitative Genetic Parameters

Abstract Individual-based studies allow quantification of phenotypic plasticity in behavioural, life-history and other labile traits. The study of phenotypic plasticity in the wild can shed new light on the ultimate objectives (1) whether plasticity itself can evolve or is constrained by its genetic architecture, and (2) whether plasticity is associated to other traits, including fitness (selection). I describe the main statistical approach for how repeated records of individuals and a description of the environment (E) allow quantification of variation in plasticity across individuals (IxE) and genotypes (GxE) in wild populations. Based on a literature review of life-history and behavioural studies on plasticity in the wild, I discuss the present state of the two objectives listed above. Few studies have quantified GxE of labile traits in wild populations, and it is likely that power to detect statistically significant GxE is lacking. Apart from the issue of whether it is heritable, plasticity tends to correlate with average trait expression (not fully supported by the few genetic estimates available) and may thus be evolutionary constrained in this way. Individual-specific estimates of plasticity tend to be related to other traits of the individual (including fitness), but these analyses may be anti-conservative because they predominantly concern stats-on-stats. Despite the increased interest in plasticity in wild populations, the putative lack of power to detect GxE in such populations hinders achieving general insights. I discuss possible steps to invigorate the field by moving away from simply testing for presence of GxE to analyses that ‘scale up’ to population level processes and by the development of new behavioural theory to identify quantitative genetic parameters which can be estimated.

scholarly journals Dentinal anomalies in teeth of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters: are they linked to sexual maturation and environmental events?

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 893-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.L. Luque ◽  
G.J. Pierce ◽  
J.A. Learmonth ◽  
M.B. Santos ◽  
E. Ieno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Organic Pollutant ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Phocoena Phocoena ◽  
Major Life ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Pulp Stones

We examined the tooth ultra-structure of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters to determine whether the incidence of mineralization anomalies could be related to certain life history events (e.g. the achievement of sexual maturation) as well as other factors that affect the general health of the individual (e.g. persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in blubber). Five distinct types of mineralization anomalies were recorded: accessory lines, marker lines, dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and pulp stones and the occurrence of these anomalies was scored by sex, age and maturity state. Overall, the incidence of mineralization anomalies was high and tended to increase with age. Marker lines and accessory lines were the most commonly recorded anomalies while pulp stones were least frequent. Duplicate teeth (i.e. from the same individual) always showed the same pattern of anomaly occurrence.Fitted binary generalized linear and additive models indicated that the presence of dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and marker lines in harbour porpoise teeth increased with age, body length and maturity. Males displayed marker lines more frequently than females. Age was the best predictor of the incidence of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance while age and sex were the best predictors of the incidence of marker lines. The time course of appearance of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance suggests that their occurrence could be related to physiological stress linked to sexual maturation. Marker lines were found within growth layer groups which coincided with the beginning of weaning and sexual maturation, suggesting an association with these two major life history events. Accessory lines were found in most teeth and may be a normal characteristic of porpoise teeth or reflect regular events. Pulp stones appeared only in mature animals. We found no evidence that the presence of anomalies in teeth was significantly related to POP concentrations in the blubber.

scholarly journals The movement ecology of seagrasses

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1795) ◽  
pp. 20140878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn McMahon ◽  
Kor-jent van Dijk ◽  
Leonardo Ruiz-Montoya ◽  
Gary A. Kendrick ◽  
Siegfried L. Krauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Clonal Growth ◽  
Movement Ecology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Time Movement

A movement ecology framework is applied to enhance our understanding of the causes, mechanisms and consequences of movement in seagrasses: marine, clonal, flowering plants. Four life-history stages of seagrasses can move: pollen, sexual propagules, vegetative fragments and the spread of individuals through clonal growth. Movement occurs on the water surface, in the water column, on or in the sediment, via animal vectors and through spreading clones. A capacity for long-distance dispersal and demographic connectivity over multiple timeframes is the novel feature of the movement ecology of seagrasses with significant evolutionary and ecological consequences. The space–time movement footprint of different life-history stages varies. For example, the distance moved by reproductive propagules and vegetative expansion via clonal growth is similar, but the timescales range exponentially, from hours to months or centuries to millennia, respectively. Consequently, environmental factors and key traits that interact to influence movement also operate on vastly different spatial and temporal scales. Six key future research areas have been identified.

scholarly journals Body Flexibility Enhances Maneuverability in the World’s Largest Predator

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
P S Segre ◽  
D E Cade ◽  
J Calambokidis ◽  
F E Fish ◽  
A S Friedlaender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Ocean ◽  
The Body ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Active Surfaces ◽  
Aquatic Locomotion ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
Blue Whales ◽  
Control Surfaces ◽  
Complex Trajectories

Abstract Blue whales are often characterized as highly stable, open-ocean swimmers who sacrifice maneuverability for long-distance cruising performance. However, recent studies have revealed that blue whales actually exhibit surprisingly complex underwater behaviors, yet little is known about the performance and control of these maneuvers. Here, we use multi-sensor biologgers equipped with cameras to quantify the locomotor dynamics and the movement of the control surfaces used by foraging blue whales. Our results revealed that simple maneuvers (rolls, turns, and pitch changes) are performed using distinct combinations of control and power provided by the flippers, the flukes, and bending of the body, while complex trajectories are structured by combining sequences of simple maneuvers. Furthermore, blue whales improve their turning performance by using complex banked turns to take advantage of their substantial dorso-ventral flexibility. These results illustrate the important role body flexibility plays in enhancing control and performance of maneuvers, even in the largest of animals. The use of the body to supplement the performance of the hydrodynamically active surfaces may represent a new mechanism in the control of aquatic locomotion.

scholarly journals Intraspecific phenotypic variation in life history traits ofDaphnia galeatapopulations in response to fish kairomones

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Tams ◽  
Jennifer Lüneburg ◽  
Laura Seddar ◽  
Jan-Phillip Detampel ◽  
Mathilde Cordellier
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Fish Kairomones ◽  
Geometric Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Clonal Lines

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a genotype to produce different phenotypes depending on the environment. It has an influence on the adaptive potential to environmental change and the capability to adapt locally. Adaptation to environmental change happens at the population level, thereby contributing to genotypic and phenotypic variation within a species. Predation is an important ecological factor structuring communities and maintaining species diversity. Prey developed different strategies to reduce their vulnerability to predators by changing their behaviour, their morphology or their life history. Predator-induced life history responses inDaphniahave been investigated for decades, but intra-and inter-population variability was rarely addressed explicitly. We addressed this issue by conducting a common garden experiment with 24 clonal lines of EuropeanDaphnia galeataoriginating from four populations, each represented by six clonal lines. We recorded life history traits in the absence and presence of fish kairomones. Additionally, we looked at the shape of experimental individuals by conducting a geometric morphometric analysis, thus assessing predator-induced morphometric changes. Our data revealed high intraspecific phenotypic variation within and between fourD. galeatapopulations, the potential to locally adapt to a vertebrate predator regime as well as an effect of the fish kairomones on morphology ofD. galeata.

scholarly journals A periodic Markov model to formalize animal migration on a network

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 180438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Kölzsch ◽  
Erik Kleyheeg ◽  
Helmut Kruckenberg ◽  
Michael Kaatz ◽  
Bernd Blasius
Keyword(s):  
Markov Model ◽  
Network Flow ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Complex Model ◽  
Transition Rates ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Animal Migration

Regular, long-distance migrations of thousands of animal species have consequences for the ecosystems that they visit, modifying trophic interactions and transporting many non-pathogenic and pathogenic organisms. The spatial structure and dynamic properties of animal migrations and population flyways largely determine those trophic and transport effects, but are yet poorly studied. As a basis, we propose a periodic Markov model on the spatial migration network of breeding, stopover and wintering sites to formally describe the process of animal migration on the population level. From seasonally changing transition rates we derived stable, seasonal densities of animals at the network nodes. We parametrized the model with high-quality GPS and satellite telemetry tracks of white storks ( Ciconia ciconia ) and greater white-fronted geese ( Anser a. albifrons ). Topological and network flow properties of the two derived networks conform to migration properties like seasonally changing connectivity and shared, directed movement. Thus, the model realistically describes the migration movement of complete populations and can become an important tool to study the effects of climate and habitat change and pathogen spread on migratory animals. Furthermore, the property of periodically changing transition rates makes it a new type of complex model and we need to understand its dynamic properties.

The biology of ageing

2012 ◽  
pp. 1507-1512
Author(s):  
Alan H. Bittles
Keyword(s):  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Physiological Dysregulation

Although old age is readily recognizable, methods to define and measure the underlying biological processes are much less amenable to study. For this reason, life expectancy has been widely used as a surrogate measure of ageing, as well as to monitor economic progress at national and regional levels. It is generally acknowledged that lifespan is a constitutional feature of the human phenotype, and twin studies have indicated that 25–33 per cent of the variance in human longevity is genetic in origin. External factors including lifestyle can also exert a major influence, as illustrated by the current mean life expectancies of 79 and 86 years for males and females in Japan, whereas the comparable figures for Botswana are 35 and 33 years, respectively. The importance of genetic inheritance as a determinant of extended survival has been illustrated by population level studies in Okinawa, an island prefecture of southern Japan with a very high prevalence of long-lived individuals. On the island, the mortality rates of the male and female siblings of centenarians were approximately half those of birth cohort-matched, non-centenarian siblings. These findings parallel an earlier study of the family of Jeanne Calment, who died in France in 1997 aged 122 years. Of her 55 relatives, 24 per cent had lived to >80 years compared to just 2 per cent of a matched control group. However, it remains unclear whether the enhanced lifespan of individuals who exhibit above average longevity is due to a slowing of the overall ageing process or is primarily associated with resistance to major life-threatening pathologies. The concept of an ‘allostatic load’, potentially involving the neuroendocrine, sympathetic nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems, and metabolic pathways, has been advanced to describe the lifetime costs of adapting to physical and psychological stresses. According to this hypothesis, while the actions of biological mediators of stress can be initially beneficial to health, chronic stimulation results in regulatory imbalance and subsequent pathophysiological changes. Empirical studies have indicated increased physiological dysregulation and functional decline at >70 years of age, which would imply that predicted global increases in the numbers of older persons will be accompanied by disproportionately larger groups of individuals with major age-related pathologies.

scholarly journals Long-Term Declines and Decadal Patterns in Population Trends of Songbirds in Western North America, 1979–1999

The Condor ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant Ballard ◽  
Geoffrey R. Geupel ◽  
Nadav Nur ◽  
Thomas Gardali
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
North America ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Historia De Vida ◽  
Los Grupos

Abstract We analyzed population trends from a constant-effort mist-netting study conducted in central coastal California during the autumns of 1979–1999. Of 31 taxa captured in sufficient numbers, 16 underwent statistically significant declines and none increased. Twice as many species declined from 1989–1999 as compared to 1979–1989. Overall, our results were similar to those of regional Breeding Bird Surveys determined for the same species during the same period. In an attempt to identify possible causes for trends, we grouped species by various life-history categories including nest height, nest type, likelihood of cowbird parasitism, wintering location, winter food preference, and tolerance for human presence on the breeding grounds. All groups underwent significant declines, although high nesters, common cowbird hosts, and Neotropical migrants declined faster than their respective counterparts. While life-history attributes explained differences in trends between groups, there was significant heterogeneity of trends within groups. Capture rates of certain species and groups appeared to be affected by various climate variables, and accelerating declines since 1990 may reflect effects of large-scale climate cycles, particularly on long-distance migrants. We suggest that long-term population trajectories of songbird populations across North America may be better understood in the context of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Interpretation of our results is, in some cases, problematic due to the complex interaction of methodological limitations and environmental variables, especially habitat change on the study site. We recommend the use of multiple methods and multiple sites for monitoring trends in songbird population abundance during fall migration. Disminuciones a Largo Plazo y Patrones Década a Década en Tendencias Poblacionales de Aves Canoras en el Oeste de Norte América, 1979–1999 Resumen. Analizamos las tendencias poblacionales de un estudio de esfuerzo constante con redes de niebla realizado en la costa central de California durante los otoños de 1979 a 1999. De las 31 especies capturadas en números suficientes, 16 sufrieron disminuciones estadísticamente significativas y ninguna aumentó. En comparación con el período de 1979 a 1989, el doble de las especies disminuyeron entre 1989 y 1999. En general, nuestros resultados fueron similares a los determinados para las mismas especies en el mismo período por los censos regionales de aves reproductivas. En un intento por identificar las posibles causas de las tendencias, agrupamos las especies de acuerdo a varias categorías de historias de vida incluyendo altura del nido, tipo de nido, probabilidad de parasitismo por Molothrus, localidad de invernada, preferencias alimenticias en el invierno y tolerancia ante la presencia humana en las áreas reproductivas. Todos los grupos sufrieron disminuciones significativas, aunque las aves con nidos altos, los hospederos comunes de Molothrus y los migrantes neotropicales disminuyeron más rápidamente que sus respectivas contrapartes. Aunque los atributos de historia de vida explicaron las diferencias de las tendencias entre grupos, existió una heterogeneidad significativa al interior de los grupos. Las tasas de captura de ciertas especies y grupos parecieron ser afectadas por varias variables climáticas, y las disminuciones aceleradas desde 1990 podrían reflejar efectos de ciclos climáticos a gran escala, particularmente en migrantes de larga distancia. Sugerimos que las tendencias poblacionales a largo plazo de las aves canoras a través de Norte América podrían ser mejor entendidas en el contexto de la oscilación década a década del Pacífico. En algunos casos, la interpretación de nuestros resultados es problemática debido a la compleja interacción entre las limitaciones metodológicas y las variables ambientales, especialmente los cambios en el hábitat en el sitio de estudio. Recomendamos el uso de múltiples métodos y sitios para monitorear las tendencias en la abundancia de las poblaciones de aves canoras durante la migración de otoño.

Migratory behaviour of captive white-crowned sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, differs during autumn and spring migration

Behaviour ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 143 (10) ◽  
pp. 1219-1240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn Ramenofsky ◽  
Renée Agatsuma
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Migratory Restlessness ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Zonotrichia Leucophrys ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Zonotrichia Leucophrys Gambelii

AbstractGambel's white-crown sparrow (Zonotorichia leucophrys gambelii) is a long-distance, over-land migrant. In captivity birds display many characteristics of the autumn and spring migratory life history stages that include hyperphagia, fattening and high intensity nocturnal activity termed migratory restlessness or Zugunruhe. We recorded the behaviour of captive birds while simultaneously collecting 24 h locomotor activity. These data were used to define the behaviour displayed by captive birds during autumn and spring in order to compare the two migratory stages and to draw inferences for free-living birds. The predominant behaviour during day and nighttime was rest. Feeding occurred only during daylight hours but at a greater frequency in autumn than spring. Birds generally used their feet as the primary source of locomotion during the day termed 'jump'. During the night, two distinct behaviours, 'beak-up flight' and 'beak-up' involving high intensity wing motions were observed and considered components of migratory restlessness. The frequency of the 'beak-up flight' was greatest during spring and associated with the enhanced tempo of vernal migration. In both stages, migratory restlessness was preceded by a quiescent phase, the occurrence of which differed and related to time available for foraging and length of the night. Given these findings, we hypothesize that diel behaviours displayed by autumn and spring migrants in captivity highlight distinctions between the two life history stages.

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