scholarly journals Assessing Niche Shifts and Conservatism by Comparing the Native and Post-Invasion Niches of Major Forest Invasive Species

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 479
Author(s):  
Vivek Srivastava ◽  
Wanwan Liang ◽  
Melody A. Keena ◽  
Amanda D. Roe ◽  
Richard C. Hamelin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Variable Selection ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Forest Pests ◽  
Principle Components Analysis ◽  
Niche Shifts ◽  
Complete Set

Invasive species experience biotic and abiotic conditions that may (or may not) resemble their native environment. We explored the methodology of determining climatic niches and compared the native and post-invasion niches of four invasive forest pests to determine if these species experienced shifts or changes in their new climatic niches. We used environmental principle components analysis (PCA-env) method to quantify climatic niche shifts, expansions, and temporal changes. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of variable selection in the delineation and comparison of niche space. We found that variable selection influenced the delineation and overlap of each niche, whereas the subset of climatic variables selected from the first two PCA-env axes explained more variance in environmental conditions than the complete set of climatic variables for all four species. Most focal species showed climatic niche shifts in their invasive range and had not yet fully occupied the available niche within the invaded range. Our species varied the proportion of niche overlap between the native and invasive ranges. By comparing native and invasive niches, we can help predict a species’ potential range expansion and invasion potential. Our results can guide monitoring and help inform management of these and other invasive species.

scholarly journals Smaller climatic niche shifts in invasive than non-invasive alien ant species

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia K. Bates ◽  
Sébastien Ollier ◽  
Cleo Bertelsmeier
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Invasion Biology ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Spatial Spread ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Niche Shifts ◽  
Negative Impacts

Abstract The globalization of trade and human movement has resulted in the accidental dispersal of thousands of alien species worldwide at an unprecedented scale. Some of these species are considered invasive because of their extensive spatial spread or negative impacts on native biodiversity. Explaining which alien species become invasive is a major challenge of invasion biology, and it is often assumed that invasiveness is linked to a greater ability to establish in novel climates. To test whether invasive species have expanded more into novel climates than non-invasive alien species, we quantified niche shifts of 82 ant species. Surprisingly, invasive species showed smaller niche shifts than non-invasive alien species. Independent of their invasiveness, the species with the smallest native niches and range sizes, experienced the greatest niche shifts. Overall, our results challenge the assumption that invasive species are particularly good pioneers of novel climates.

scholarly journals Climatic niche comparison across a cryptic species complex

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Zhao ◽  
Hufang Zhang ◽  
Jiufeng Wei
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Cryptic Species Complex

According to current molecular evidence, the Chionaspis pinifoliae heterophyllae species complex has been recognized as 10 cryptic species. In this study, we construct potential distribution maps for seven cryptic species based on climatic variables. This was done to assess the main environmental factors that have contributed to the distribution map and test the degree of niche overlap across the seven cryptic species. We used MaxEnt to build the climatic niche models under climatic variables. For these models, the similarities and differences of the niches across the cryptic species were estimated. By comparing the potential distribution model of each cryptic species, our results suggested parapatric, sympatric and allopatry populations for this cryptic species complex. Our results showed high variability in niche overlap, and more often niche conservatism than niche divergence. The current species delimitation of the Chionaspis pinifoliae heterophyllae complex by molecular information and the hypothesis that the niche overlap in the sympatric population is higher than that of the allopatry population were supported based on the findings. This study will provide baseline data and a distribution range to facilitate the further control of these insects and formulate quarantine measures.

Global Assessment of Climatic Niche Shifts in Three Rumex Species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Carlin ◽  
Jennifer Bufford ◽  
Philip Hulme ◽  
William Godsoe
Keyword(s):  
Species Distributions ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Niche Shift ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Introduced Range ◽  
Niche Shifts

Abstract Climatic niche shifts occur when species occupy different climates in the introduced range than in their native range. We know that climatic niche shifts are common occurrences, however we do not currently understand whether climatic niche shifts can consistently be predicted across the globe. Using three congeneric weed species, we investigate whether the known presence of a climatic niche shift in one range can help predict a species’ distribution in other ranges. We consider whether data either from other ranges or from closely related species can help predict whether climatic niche shifts will occur. We compared the climatic conditions occupied by Rumex obtusifolius, R. crispus, and R. conglomeratus between their native range (Eurasia) and three different introduced ranges (North America, Australia, New Zealand). We consider metrics of niche overlap, expansion, unfilling, pioneering, and similarity to determine whether i) climatic niche shifts have occurred and ii) climatic niche shifts were consistent across ranges and congeners. We found that the presence and direction of climatic niche shifts is inconsistent across ranges for all three species. Within an introduced range, however, niche shifts were similar between species. Despite this, species distributions outside of their native range could not be reliably predicted by the distributions of congeners in either their native or introduced ranges. This study is the first of its kind to consider niche shifts across multiple introduced ranges and species, highlighting new challenges in predicting species distributions when species undergo climatic niche shifts.

scholarly journals Spread Risk Assessment of Invasive Axis Deer using Bioclimatic Niche Models

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus Fragoso Etges ◽  
Juan A. Martínez-Lanfranco ◽  
Demétrio Luis Guadagnin
Keyword(s):  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Realized Niche ◽  
Axis Axis ◽  
Niche Shifts ◽  
Axis Deer ◽  
Field Information ◽  
Niche Models ◽  
Non Equilibrium

Abstract Ecological niche models (ENM) calibrated with data from native and invaded ranges are useful tools to manage biological invasions and can be challenged by niche shifts and non-equilibrium processes. We modeled the extent of the potential invasion by the axis deer (Axis axis) worldwide, testing the reciprocal hypotheses of niche conservatism and shift. We quantified niche overlap on the multivariate climatic space and modeled climatic realized niche based on detailed field information. We showed that the axis deer shifted its realized niche after the invasion. We rejected the niche equivalency hypothesis. Most of the climatic niche available in invaded areas is contained in the native climatic niche. Non-equilibrium between native and invasive niches of the axis deer was confirmed due to a large number of unfilled areas in invaded regions. Our projections predict that the most significant regions suitable for the axis deer are located in tropical and subtropical climates around the equator and the southern hemisphere, mostly in the Neotropics.

Climatic niche shifts in introduced species

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (19) ◽  
pp. R1252-R1266
Author(s):  
Olivia K. Bates ◽  
Cleo Bertelsmeier
Keyword(s):  
Introduced Species ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Niche Shifts

scholarly journals Monitoring the influx of new species through citizen science: the first introduced ant in Denmark

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8850
Author(s):  
Julie K. Sheard ◽  
Nathan J. Sanders ◽  
Carsten Gundlach ◽  
Sämi Schär ◽  
Rasmus Stenbak Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
History Museum ◽  
Geographic Space ◽  
Citizen Science Project

Climate change and invasive species threaten biodiversity, yet rigorous monitoring of their impact can be costly. Citizen science is increasingly used as a tool for monitoring exotic species, because citizens are geographically and temporally dispersed, whereas scientists tend to cluster in museums and at universities. Here we report on the establishment of the first exotic ant taxon (Tetramorium immigrans) in Denmark, which was discovered by children participating in The Ant Hunt. The Ant Hunt is a citizen science project for children that we ran in 2017 and 2018, with a pilot study in 2015. T. immigrans was discovered in the Botanical Garden of the Natural History Museum of Denmark in 2015 and confirmed as established in 2018. This finding extends the northern range boundary of T. immigrans by almost 460 km. Using climatic niche modelling, we compared the climatic niche of T. immigrans in Europe with that of T. caespitum based on confirmed observations from 2006 to 2019. T. immigrans and T. caespitum had a 13% niche overlap, with T. immigrans showing stronger occurrence in warmer and drier areas compared to T. caespitum. Mapping the environmental niches onto geographic space identified several, currently uninhabited, areas as climatically suitable for the establishment of T. immigrans. Tetramorium immigrans was sampled almost three times as often in areas with artificial surfaces compared to T. caespitum, suggesting that T. immigrans may not be native to all of Europe and is being accidentally introduced by humans. Overall, citizen scientists collected data on ants closer to cities and harbours than scientists did and had a stronger bias towards areas of human disturbance. This increased sampling effort in areas of likely introduction of exotic species naturally increases the likelihood of discovering species sooner, making citizen science an excellent tool for exotic species monitoring, as long as trained scientists are involved in the identification process.

scholarly journals Global cultivation of wheat crops induces considerable shifts in the range and niche of species relative to their wild progenitors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rujing Yang ◽  
Xiang Gong ◽  
Xiaokang Hu ◽  
Yawen Hu ◽  
Jianmeng Feng
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Crop Cultivation ◽  
Niche Dynamics ◽  
Wheat Cultivation ◽  
Niche Shifts ◽  
Wild Progenitors

Abstract Species’ range and niche play key roles in understanding ecological and biogeographical patterns, especially in projecting global biotic homogenization and potential distribution patterns of species under global change scenarios. However, few studies have investigated the ability of crop cultivation to influence potential range sizes and niche shifts of species. Wheat and its wild progenitors share the same origin and evolutionary history, and thus provide an excellent system to explore this topic. Using ensembled ecological niche models and niche dynamic models, we studied the potential range sizes of wheat and its wild progenitors, as well as their niche dynamics. Our results showed that wheat had larger range size and niche breadth than its wild progenitors, suggesting that wheat cultivation is a more powerful driver of range and niche expansion than natural niche evolution. Additionally, wheat and its wild progenitors occupied different niche positions, and the former did not conserve the niches inherited from the latter, implying that wheat cultivation considerably induces niche shifts. The niche dynamics between wheat and its wild progenitors were not only closely associated with cultivation but were also modified by the niche conservatism of its wild progenitors. In contrast to most invasive plants, wheat, as a global staple crop species, did not conserve the niche space inherited from its wild progenitors, suggesting that compared with most plant invasions, cultivation may have a stronger effect on niche shifts. Therefore, global niche shifts induced by crop cultivation need much more attention, though the underlying mechanisms require further study.

scholarly journals Shifts in Climatic Niche Occupation in Astrophytum Coahuilense (H. Möller) Kayser and Its Potential Distribution in Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1138
Author(s):  
Gabriel Cardoza-Martínez ◽  
Jorge Becerra-López ◽  
Citlalli Esparza-Estrada ◽  
José Estrada-Rodríguez ◽  
Alexander Czaja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Principle Of Maximum Entropy ◽  
Climate Niche ◽  
Distribution Modeling ◽  
Overlap Analysis ◽  
Principle Of Maximum

It has frequently been reported that species with strong niche conservatism will not be able to adapt to new climatic conditions, so they must migrate or go extinct. We have evaluated the shifts in climatic niche occupation of the species Astrophytum coahuilense and its potential distribution in Mexico. We understand niche occupation as the geographic zones with available habitats and with the presence of the species. To assess shifts in climatic niche occupation, we used niche overlap analysis, while potential distribution modeling was performed based on the principle of maximum entropy. The results indicate that this species presents a limited amplitude in its climate niche. This restriction of the climatic niche of A. coahuilense limits its ability to colonize new geographical areas with different climatic environments. On the other hand, the potential distribution models obtained from the present study allow us to identify potential zones based on the climatic requirements of the species. This information is important to identify high priority areas for the conservation of A. coahuilense.

New records and a revision of the actual and potential distribution of Discoglossus montalentii to facilitate future conservation assessments

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-274
Author(s):  
Wouter Beukema ◽  
Giacomo Bruni
Keyword(s):  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
The North ◽  
Conservation Assessments ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Abstract The Corsican Painted Frog Discoglossus montalentii has received little research attention since its discovery, which creates uncertainty about its distribution and conservation status. We here use a combination of field surveys, ecological niche modelling (ENM) and niche overlap analyses to (i) update the D. montalentii distribution; (ii) determine its potential range, and (iii) assess if presence of Discoglossus sardus influences that of D. montalentii. Our surveys reveal presence of D. montalentii at low and mid-altitudes throughout Cap Corse and near the north-western coast, while ENMs suggest that similar climatically and topographically suitable habitats occur beyond the confirmed range in northern- and westernmost Corsica. No evidence for competitive exclusion by D. sardus was found, with both species displaying broad niche overlap at macroscale. Whether potential differences between these species do exist at microhabitat level remains worth exploring. We finally review the conservation status of D. montalentii, and assemble practical knowledge to inform future conservation assessments.

scholarly journals Niche-tracking migrants and niche-switching residents: evolution of climatic niches in New World warblers (Parulidae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1824) ◽  
pp. 20152458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Gómez ◽  
Elkin A. Tenorio ◽  
Paola Montoya ◽  
Carlos Daniel Cadena
Keyword(s):  
New World ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Migratory Behaviour ◽  
Niche Evolution ◽  
Climatic Niche ◽  
Niche Dynamics ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
The Tropics

Differences in life-history traits between tropical and temperate lineages are often attributed to differences in their climatic niche dynamics. For example, the more frequent appearance of migratory behaviour in temperate-breeding species than in species originally breeding in the tropics is believed to have resulted partly from tropical climatic stability and niche conservatism constraining tropical species from shifting their ranges. However, little is known about the patterns and processes underlying climatic niche evolution in migrant and resident animals. We evaluated the evolution of overlap in climatic niches between seasons and its relationship to migratory behaviour in the Parulidae, a family of New World passerine birds. We used ordination methods to measure seasonal niche overlap and niche breadth of 54 resident and 49 migrant species and used phylogenetic comparative methods to assess patterns of climatic niche evolution. We found that despite travelling thousands of kilometres, migrants tracked climatic conditions across the year to a greater extent than tropical residents. Migrant species had wider niches than resident species, although residents as a group occupied a wider climatic space and niches of migrants and residents overlapped extensively. Neither breeding latitude nor migratory distance explained variation among species in climatic niche overlap between seasons. Our findings support the notion that tropical species have narrower niches than temperate-breeders, but does not necessarily constrain their ability to shift or expand their geographical ranges and become migratory. Overall, the tropics may have been historically less likely to experience the suite of components that generate strong selection pressures for the evolution of migratory behaviour.

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