Global plant-frugivore trait matching is shaped by climate and biogeographic history

Species interactions are influenced by the trait structure of local multi-trophic communities. However, it remains unclear whether mutualistic interactions in particular can drive trait patterns at the global scale, where climatic constraints and biogeographic processes gain importance. Here we evaluate global relationships between traits of frugivorous birds and palms (Arecaceae), and how these relationships are affected, directly or indirectly, by assemblage richness, climate and biogeographic history. We leverage a new and expanded gape size dataset for nearly all avian frugivores, and find a positive relationship between gape size and fruit size, i.e., trait matching, which is influenced indirectly by palm richness and climate. We also uncover a latitudinal gradient in trait matching strength, which increases towards the tropics and varies among zoogeographic realms. Taken together, our results suggest trophic interactions have consistent influences on trait structure, but that abiotic, biogeographic and richness effects also play important, though sometimes indirect, roles in shaping the functional biogeography of mutualisms.

Alternative four-factor structure of the Mini-IPIP in Thailand

This paper reports on the first study of the structure of the Mini-IPIP in Thailand. A modified version was used that included additional Honesty-Humility items. A four-factor structure was found in a Southern Thai community sample (N=212), that did not match previously reported factor structures. When using a separate student sample (N=201), the structure was partially replicated. Two socially oriented dimensions (Social Approach versus Social Withdrawal; Traditional Affiliation), Neuroticism, and a broad Egotism factor capturing low Humility and low Conscientiousness items, emerged. The trait structure in this non-Western sample shows some meaningful divergence from standard five-factor models, suggesting possible cultural modulation of basic personality descriptions.

Positive Psychology: Overview of the Links between Trait Emotional Intelligence and Positive Psychology

The main purpose of this article is to reveal the interaction between trait emotional intelligence and positive psychology ideas. The article reviews the main idea of positive psychology, examines the 3 main levels of this discipline, and their essential principles. The article also provides brief insights into different theories of emotional intelligence, focusing on the features of trait emotional intelligence, its structure and functions. Theoretical insights revealing the interactions between the ideas of positive psychology and emotional intelligence are presented not only in terms of functions of trait emotional intelligence, but also in terms of its trait structure manifestation at different levels of positive psychology. It has been established that the interaction of trait emotional intelligence and positive psychology exists due to functions of emotional intelligence, its perspectives in predicting life success and the structure of traits manifested at the subjective, individual and group levels of positive psychology.