scholarly journals Shifts between cooperation and antagonism driven by individual variation: A systematic synthesis review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Patrick Moran ◽  
Barbara Caspers ◽  
Nayden Chakarov ◽  
Uli Ernst ◽  
Claudia Fricke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variation ◽  
Plant Animal Interactions ◽  
Aggressive Personality

The outcomes of ecological interactions fall along a continuum from cooperative (mutually beneficial) to antagonistic (detrimental to one or both parties). This applies at both interspecific (e.g. plant-animal interactions) and intraspecific levels (e.g. male-female interactions). Phenotypic variation among individuals is increasingly being recognised as an important factor in ecological processes, and trait variation in either interacting party may determine the outcome of the interaction, such as whether a symbiont provides net costs or benefits to their host, or whether two conspecifics decide to cooperatively forage or to compete over food. This systematic review investigates the role of intraspecific trait variation (‘ITV’) in determining the cooperative-antagonistic outcome of ecological interactions. Based on a literature collection of 95 empirical and theoretical publications meeting our inclusion criteria, we give an overview of the various mechanisms that can lead to shifts between antagonism and cooperation within or between species. We describe two broad classes of interrelated mechanisms that may drive shifts in outcomes. First, trait frequency effects occur when processes influencing a population’s composition of traits linked to cooperation or antagonism (e.g. aggressive personality types, cheater/exploiter phenotypes etc.) lead to net shifts in interaction outcome. Second, systemic variance effects occur when changes in the amount of ITV in the population (as opposed to the mean phenotype) is the factor driving shifts. Both heritable genetic differences among individuals and phenotypic plasticity are important sources of phenotypic variation. The specific mix of heritable vs. plastic ITV may determine whether a change from cooperative to antagonistic, or vice versa, is likely to be short-term (i.e. context-dependent) or lead to more persistent shifts (e.g. mutualism breakdown). To guide future research on this topic we describe knowledge gaps and divergences between empirical and theoretical literature, further highlighting the value of applying research synthesis methods in ecology and evolution.

scholarly journals Predator coevolution and prey trait variability determine species coexistence

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1902) ◽  
pp. 20190245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Scheuerl ◽  
Johannes Cairns ◽  
Lutz Becks ◽  
Teppo Hiltunen
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Ecological Mechanisms

Predation is one of the key ecological mechanisms allowing species coexistence and influencing biological diversity. However, ecological processes are subject to contemporary evolutionary change, and the degree to which predation affects diversity ultimately depends on the interplay between evolution and ecology. Furthermore, ecological interactions that influence species coexistence can be altered by reciprocal coevolution especially in the case of antagonistic interactions such as predation or parasitism. Here we used an experimental evolution approach to test for the role of initial trait variation in the prey population and coevolutionary history of the predator in the ecological dynamics of a two-species bacterial community predated by a ciliate. We found that initial trait variation both at the bacterial and ciliate level enhanced species coexistence, and that subsequent trait evolutionary trajectories depended on the initial genetic diversity present in the population. Our findings provide further support to the notion that the ecology-centric view of diversity maintenance must be reinvestigated in light of recent findings in the field of eco-evolutionary dynamics.

Ecological Interactions and Macroevolution: A New Field with Old Roots

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Hembry ◽  
Marjorie G. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Evolutionary Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Lineage Diversification

Linking interspecific interactions (e.g., mutualism, competition, predation, parasitism) to macroevolution (evolutionary change on deep timescales) is a key goal in biology. The role of species interactions in shaping macroevolutionary trajectories has been studied for centuries and remains a cutting-edge topic of current research. However, despite its deep historical roots, classic and current approaches to this topic are highly diverse. Here, we combine historical and contemporary perspectives on the study of ecological interactions in macroevolution, synthesizing ideas across eras to build a zoomed-out picture of the big questions at the nexus of ecology and macroevolution. We discuss the trajectory of this important and challenging field, dividing research into work done before the 1970s, research between 1970 and 2005, and work done since 2005. We argue that in response to long-standing questions in paleobiology, evidence accumulated to date has demonstrated that biotic interactions (including mutualism) can influence lineage diversification and trait evolution over macroevolutionary timescales, and we outline major open questions for future research in the field.

scholarly journals Leaf traits and performance vary with plant age and water availability in Artemisia californica

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Funk ◽  
Julie E Larson ◽  
Gregory Vose
Keyword(s):  
Water Availability ◽  
Leaf Nitrogen ◽  
Coastal Sage Scrub ◽  
Plant Age ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Artemisia Californica ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variation ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Background and Aims Leaf functional traits are strongly tied to growth strategies and ecological processes across species, but few efforts have linked intraspecific trait variation to performance across ontogenetic and environmental gradients. Plants are believed to shift towards more resource-conservative traits in stressful environments and as they age. However, uncertainty as to how intraspecific trait variation aligns with plant age and performance in the context of environmental variation may limit our ability to use traits to infer ecological processes at larger scales. Methods We measured leaf physiological and morphological traits, canopy volume and flowering effort for Artemisia californica (California sagebrush), a dominant shrub species in the coastal sage scrub community, under conditions of 50, 100 and 150 % ambient precipitation for 3 years. Key Results Plant age was a stronger driver of variation in traits and performance than water availability. Older plants demonstrated trait values consistent with a more conservative resource-use strategy, and trait values were less sensitive to drought. Several trait correlations were consistent across years and treatments; for example, plants with high photosynthetic rates tended to have high stomatal conductance, leaf nitrogen concentration and light-use efficiency. However, the trade-off between leaf construction and leaf nitrogen evident in older plants was absent for first-year plants. While few traits correlated with plant growth and flowering effort, we observed a positive correlation between leaf mass per area and performance in some groups of older plants. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest that trait sensitivity to the environment is most visible during earlier stages of development, after which intraspecific trait variation and relationships may stabilize. While plant age plays a major role in intraspecific trait variation and sensitivity (and thus trait-based inferences), the direct influence of environment on growth and fecundity is just as critical to predicting plant performance in a changing environment.

The role of intraspecific trait variation in the occupation of sharp forest-savanna ecotones

Flora ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 253 ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateus C. Silva ◽  
Grazielle S. Teodoro ◽  
Evelyn F.A. Bragion ◽  
Eduardo van den Berg
Keyword(s):  
Trait Variation ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variation

Ecology of meadow steppe in northeast China

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wang ◽  
L. Ba
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Meadow Steppe ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Plant Adaptation ◽  
North East ◽  
Vegetation Production ◽  
Plant Animal Interactions

Native grassland in China is mostly meadow, typical or desert steppe and comprises 400 million hectares, ~40% of the land area. We review past research on the meadow steppe of north-east China. Our foci are plant adaptation to climate, edaphic-related and defoliation stresses, vegetation production, grassland management, herbivore foraging behaviour, safe stocking rates, plant-animal interactions, ecosystem functioning, conservation of biodiversity and the influence of climate change on grassland function. Recent studies have provided some insights into ecological processes and functioning of meadow steppe, and have enabled better identification of research opportunities. Key areas identified for future research include plant adaptation, grassland function and value, monitoring of range health, ecological consequences of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem function.

scholarly journals Evidence that Intraspecific Trait Variation among Nasal Bacteria Shapes the Distribution of Staphylococcus aureus

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 3811-3815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Libberton ◽  
Rosanna E. Coates ◽  
Michael A. Brockhurst ◽  
Malcolm J. Horsburgh
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Intraspecific Variation ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variation

ABSTRACTNasal carriage ofStaphylococcus aureusis a risk factor for infection, yet the bacterial determinants required for carriage are poorly defined. Interactions betweenS. aureusand other members of the bacterial flora may determine colonization and have been inferred in previous studies by using correlated species distributions. However, traits mediating species interactions are often polymorphic, suggesting that understanding how interactions structure communities requires a trait-based approach. We characterizedS. aureusgrowth inhibition by the culturable bacterial aerobe consortia of 60 nasal microbiomes, and this revealed intraspecific variation in growth inhibition and that inhibitory isolates clustered within communities that were culture negative forS. aureus. Across microbiomes, the cumulative community-level growth inhibition was negatively associated withS. aureusincidence. To fully understand the ecological processes structuring microbiomes, it will be crucial to account for intraspecific variation in the traits that mediate species interactions.

scholarly journals Intraspecific trait variation in plants: a renewed focus on its role in ecological processes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A C Westerband ◽  
J L Funk ◽  
K E Barton
Keyword(s):  
Population Biology ◽  
Temporal Structure ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Secondary Chemistry ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Ecosystem Properties ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variation ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Background Investigating the causes and consequences of intraspecific trait variation (ITV) in plants is not novel, as it has long been recognized that such variation shapes biotic and abiotic interactions. While evolutionary and population biology have extensively investigated ITV, only in the last 10 years has interest in ITV surged within community and comparative ecology. Scope Despite this recent interest, still lacking are thorough descriptions of ITV’s extent, the spatial and temporal structure of ITV, and stronger connections between ITV and community and ecosystem properties. Our primary aim in this review is to synthesize the recent literature and ask: (1) How extensive is intraspecific variation in traits across scales, and what underlying mechanisms drive this variation? (2) How does this variation impact higher-order ecological processes (e.g. population dynamics, community assembly, invasion, ecosystem productivity)? (3) What are the consequences of ignoring ITV and how can these be mitigated? and (4) What are the most pressing research questions, and how can current practices be modified to suit our research needs? Our secondary aim is to target diverse and underrepresented traits and plant organs, including anatomy, wood, roots, hydraulics, reproduction and secondary chemistry. In addressing these aims, we showcase papers from the Special Issue. Conclusions Plant ITV plays a key role in determining individual and population performance, species interactions, community structure and assembly, and ecosystem properties. Its extent varies widely across species, traits and environments, and it remains difficult to develop a predictive model for ITV that is broadly applicable. Systematically characterizing the sources (e.g. ontogeny, population differences) of ITV will be a vital step forward towards identifying generalities and the underlying mechanisms that shape ITV. While the use of species means to link traits to higher-order processes may be appropriate in many cases, such approaches can obscure potentially meaningful variation. We urge the reporting of individual replicates and population means in online data repositories, a greater consideration of the mechanisms that enhance and constrain ITV’s extent, and studies that span sub-disciplines.

scholarly journals The role of changes in environmental quality in multitrait plastic responses to environmental and social change in the model microalgaChlamydomonas reinhardtii

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio J. Melero-Jiménez ◽  
Antonio Flores-Moya ◽  
Sinéad Collins
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Trait Variation ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variation ◽  
Plastic Responses

AbstractIntraspecific variation plays a key role in species’ responses to environmental change; however, little is known about the role of changes in environmental quality (the population growth rate an environment supports) on intraspecific trait variation. Here, we hypothesize that intraspecific trait variation will be higher in ameliorated environments than in degraded ones. We first measure the range of multitrait phenotypes over a range of environmental qualities for three strains and two evolutionary histories ofChlamydomonas reinhardtiiin laboratory conditions. We then explore how environmental quality and trait variation affect the predictability of lineage frequencies when lineage pairs are grown in indirect co-culture. Our results show that environmental quality has the potential to affect intraspecific variability both in terms of the variation in expressed trait values, and in terms of the genotype composition of rapidly growing populations. We found low phenotypic variability in degraded or same-quality environments and high phenotypic variability in ameliorated conditions. This variation can affect population composition, as monoculture growth rate is a less reliable predictor of lineage frequencies in ameliorated environments. Our study highlights that understanding whether populations experience environmental change as an increase or a decrease in quality relative to their recent history affects the changes in trait variation during plastic responses, including growth responses to the presence of conspecifics. This points towards a fundamental role for changes in overall environmental quality in driving phenotypic variation within closely-related populations, with implications for microevolution.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Brachytherapy Using Radioactive Nanoparticles: An Alternative to Seed-Based Brachytherapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baljeet Seniwal ◽  
Velaphi C. Thipe ◽  
Sukhvir Singh ◽  
Telma C. F. Fonseca ◽  
Lucas Freitas de Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Canine Models ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Radioactive Seeds

Interstitial brachytherapy (BT) is generally used for the treatment of well-confined solid tumors. One example of this is in the treatment of prostate tumors by permanent placement of radioactive seeds within the prostate gland, where low doses of radiation are delivered for several months. However, successful implementation of this technique is hampered due to several posttreatment adverse effects or symptoms and operational and logistical complications associated with it. Recently, with the advancements in nanotechnology, radioactive nanoparticles (radio-NPs) functionalized with tumor-specific biomolecules, injected intratumorally, have been reported as an alternative to seed-based BT. Successful treatment of solid tumors using radio-NPs has been reported in several preclinical studies, on both mice and canine models. In this article, we review the recent advancements in the synthesis and use of radio-NPs as a substitute to seed-based BT. Here, we discuss the limitations of current seed-based BT and advantages of radio-NPs for BT applications. Recent progress on the types of radio-NPs, their features, synthesis methods, and delivery techniques are discussed. The last part of the review focuses on the currently used dosimetry protocols and studies on the dosimetry of nanobrachytherapy applications using radio-NPs. The current challenges and future research directions on the role of radio-NPs in BT treatments are also discussed.

Coping Humor as a Mediator Between Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peizhen Sun ◽  
Jennifer J. Chen ◽  
Hongyan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Regulation Of Emotion ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Overall Job Satisfaction

Abstract. This study investigated the mediating role of coping humor in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and job satisfaction. Participants were 398 primary school teachers in China, who completed the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Coping Humor Scale, and Overall Job Satisfaction Scale. Results showed that coping humor was a significant mediator between EI and job satisfaction. A further examination revealed, however, that coping humor only mediated two sub-dimensions of EI (use of emotion and regulation of emotion) and job satisfaction. Implications for future research and limitations of the study are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document