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opennotspecifiedMay 2020View details →

FIGURE 1. A in Relict Humid Tropical Forest In Mexico Promotes Differentiation In Barred Woodcreepers (Aves: Furnariidae)

FIGURE 1. A) Phylogenetic reconstruction (in BEAST) of the relationships among Dendrocolaptes haplotypes based on sequences of the mtDNA concatenated ND2 and CytB. Clades with high a posteriori support (>0.9, BI) are depicted at each node. A divergence time scale in years is included. B) Allele networks for three nDNA loci.

opennotspecifiedMay 2020View details →

FIGURE 3. A in Relict Humid Tropical Forest In Mexico Promotes Differentiation In Barred Woodcreepers (Aves: Furnariidae)

FIGURE 3. A) Map of the occurrence records of D. s. sheffleri and the other taxa of D. sanctithomae. The inset details the boundary between both taxa and depicts the random points generated for the Range-breaking (Ribbon) test. B) Geographic projection of the environmental niche model developed with primary occurrence data of D. s. sheffleri. C) Geographic projection of the environmental niche model developed with primary occurrence data of the remaining populations of D. sanctithomae.

opennotspecifiedMay 2020View details →

FIGURE 2 in Relict Humid Tropical Forest In Mexico Promotes Differentiation In Barred Woodcreepers (Aves: Furnariidae)

FIGURE 2. Overall ventral (above), dorsal (middle), and lateral (below) plumage coloration patterns in specimens of Dendrocolaptes from Mexico (MZFC). From left to right: D. s. sheffleri (Guerrero MZFC 19494, 19495); D. s. sanctithomae (Oaxaca [Chimalapas] MZFC 11806; Veracruz [Los Tuxtlas] MZFC 7817; Campeche [Silvituc] MZFC 13702; Quintana Roo [Puerto Morelos] MZFC 13486; and Chiapas [Ocozocuautla] MZFC 11409). Photos by Leopoldo Vázquez.

opencc-zeroAug 2020View details →

Data from: Small tropical forest trees have a greater capacity to adjust carbon metabolism to long‐term drought than large canopy trees

The response of small understory trees to long‐term drought is vital in determining the future composition, carbon stocks and dynamics of tropical forests. Long‐term drought is, however, also likely to expose understory trees to increased light availability driven by drought‐induced mortality. Relatively little is known about the potential for understory trees to adjust their physiology to both decreasing water and increasing light availability. We analysed data on maximum photosynthetic capacity (J max, V cmax), leaf respiration (R leaf), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf thickness and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations from 66 small trees across 12 common genera at the world's longest running tropical rainfall exclusion experiment and compared responses to those from 61 surviving canopy trees. Small trees increased J max, V cmax, R leaf and LMA (71%, 29%, 32%, 15% respectively) in response to the drought treatment, but leaf thickness and leaf nutrient concentrations did not change. Small trees were significantly more responsive than large canopy trees to the drought treatment, suggesting greater phenotypic plasticity and resilience to prolonged drought, although differences among taxa were observed. Our results highlight that small tropical trees have greater capacity to respond to ecosystem level changes and have the potential to regenerate resilient forests following future droughts.

opencc-zeroAug 2020View details →

Functional diversity and redundancy of tropical forest mammals over time

Globally, tropical rain forests comprise some of the most diverse and functionally rich ecosystems but are increasingly degraded by human impacts. Protected areas have been shown to conserve species diversity, but their effectiveness at maintaining functional diversity over time is less well known, despite the fact that functional diversity likely reveals more ecological information than taxonomic diversity. By extension, the degree to which species loss decreases functional diversity within protected areas is also unknown; functional redundancy may buffer communities from loss of functional diversity from some local extinctions. Using eight years of camera trap data, we quantified annual functional dispersion of the large mammal community in the Volcán Barva region of Costa Rica and tested for changes in functional dispersion over time in response to environmental and anthropogenic predictors. We quantified functional redundancy based on modeled declines in functional dispersion with species loss. Functional dispersion did not change significantly over time and was not associated with measured environmental or anthropogenic predictors. Quantitative modeling of change in functional traits over time did not identify significant changes. We did however find qualitative trends in relative trait proportions, which could be indicative of functional change in the future. We found high functional redundancy, with average functional dispersion declining significantly only after 9 out of 21 large mammal species were lost from the community. We cautiously suggest that protected tropical rain forests can conserve functional diversity over the course of a decade even in heavily fragmented landscapes.

opencc-zeroSep 2020View details →

Data from: Linking coordinated hydraulic traits to drought and recovery responses in a tropical montane cloud forest

Understanding plant hydraulic functioning and water balance during drought has become key in predicting species survival and recovery. However, the insightful studies that couple physiological and morphological attributes do not exist in many ecosystems, such as the vulnerable Tropical Montane Cloud Forests (TMCF). In this study, we evaluate drought resistance and recovery for saplings for five tree species spanning deciduous to evergreen habits from a Mexican TMCF. Methods Drought treatments withheld water until plants reached species-specific P50 or P88 values (pressures required to induce a 50 or 88 percent loss in hydraulic conductivity), at which point they were rewatered. Drought resistance were considered within the isohydric-anisohydric framework and compared to leaf gas exchange, water status, pressure-volume curves, specific leaf area, and stomatal density. Results TMCF species closed stomata well before significant losses in hydraulic conductivity (isohydric). Yet, despite the coordination of these traits, they did not predict how long it took species to reach critical hydraulic thresholds. Instead, maximum photosynthesis rates explained these times reinforcing the linkage between hydraulic and carbon dynamics. Despite varying hydraulic conductivities, stomatal responses, and times to hydraulic thresholds, all study plants except for two individuals (out of 60) recovered following rewatering. The recovery of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance was explained by the P50 values and isohydry. Conclusions This study raises new questions surrounding drought management strategies, recovery processes, and how lethal thresholds are defined. Further studies need to consider the role of water and carbon balance in allowing for both survival and recovery to drought.

opencc-zeroOct 2020View details →

Negative trait-based association between abundance of nitrogen fixing trees and long-term tropical forest biomass accumulation

1. Plant functional traits are thought to drive biomass production and biogeochemical cycling in tropical forests, but it remains unclear how nitrogen (N)-fixing legumes influence the functional traits of neighboring trees and forest-wide biomass dynamics. Further, the degree to which effects of N-fixers are density-dependent and may depend on stem size and spatial scale remain largely unknown. 2. Here, we examine 30-years of stem demography data for ~20,000 trees in a lowland tropical forest in Trinidad that span a wide range of functional traits thought to drive aboveground biomass (AGB) dynamics. 3. These forests show positive but decreasing long-term net AGB accumulation resulting from constant average productivity but increasing mortality of non-fixing trees over time. We find that high abundance of N-fixing trees is associated with compositional shifts in non-fixer functional traits that confer lower competitive performance and biomass accumulation. Across tree size classes, most interactions between N-fixers and non-fixers were negative, density dependent, and strongest at smaller spatial scales. 4. Synthesis. Overall, our findings suggest that local trait-based interactions between N-fixing and non-fixing trees can influence long-term carbon accumulation in tropical forests.

Data from: Impacts of habitat on butterfly dispersal in tropical forests, parks and grassland patches embedded in an urban landscape

Dispersal distances of 17 species of butterflies in tropical Singapore were significantly greater in forest than in urban habitat. Butterflies in urban plots frequently moved within suitable habitat (park/grassland) patches but rarely crossed non-habitat patches suggesting potential isolation and a need for urban corridors.

Supplementary material 3 from: Duron Q, Cornulier T, Vidal E, Bourguet E, Ruffino L (2020) Combining live and lethal trapping to inform the management of alien invasive rodent populations in a tropical montane forest. NeoBiota 63: 101-125. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.63.53811

Mean distances (± se) of trapped rats from the edge of the removal area during the four trapping sessions

Supplementary material 4 from: Duron Q, Cornulier T, Vidal E, Bourguet E, Ruffino L (2020) Combining live and lethal trapping to inform the management of alien invasive rodent populations in a tropical montane forest. NeoBiota 63: 101-125. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.63.53811

Distances (in meters) travelled between rats' home range centers in the CMR area and their recapture in the removal area for 27 individuals

Data from: Genetic diversity of the rain tree (Albizia saman) in Colombian seasonally dry tropical forest for informing conservation and restoration interventions

Albizia saman is a multipurpose tree species of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of Mesoamerica and northern South America typically cultivated in silvopastoral and other agroforestry systems around the world, a trend that is bound to increase in light of multimillion hectare commitments for forest and landscape restoration. The effective conservation and sustainable use of A. saman requires detailed knowledge of its genetic diversity across its native distribution range of which surprisingly little is known to date. We assessed the genetic diversity and structure of A.saman across twelve representative locations of SDTF in Colombia, and how they may have been shaped by past climatic changes and human influence. We found four different genetic groups which may be the result of differentiation due to isolation of populations in pre-glacial times. The current distribution and mixture of genetic groups across STDF fragments we observed might be the result of range expansion of SDTFs during the last glacial period followed by range contraction during the Holocene and human-influenced movement of germplasm associated with cattle ranching. Despite the fragmented state of the presumed natural A. saman stands we sampled we did not find any signs of inbreeding, suggesting that gene flow is not jeopardized in humanized landscapes. However, further research is needed to assess potential deleterious effects of fragmentation on progeny. Climate change is not expected to seriously threaten the in situ persistence of A. saman populations and might present opportunities for future range expansion. However, the sourcing of germplasm for tree planting activities needs to be aligned with the genetic affinity of reference populations across the distribution of Colombian SDTFs. We identify priority source populations for in situ conservation based on their high genetic diversity, lack or limited signs of admixture and/or genetic uniqueness.

Data from: Carbon flux and forest dynamics: increased deadwood decomposition in tropical rainforest tree-fall gaps

This study was carried out within an area of lowland, old growth dipterocarp rainforest in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia (4° 44' 35" to 55" N and 116° 58' 10" to 30" E; mean annual rainfall 2838 mm ± 93 mm). On the 20th of July 2017, there was a storm at the study site, which generated winds speeds of 8.4 m/s (Fig. S1). These were among the strongest winds normally experienced in inland forests of the region, which placed extreme sheer stress on trees. Consequently, a large number of trees fell within the same 24-hour period in the study location. Ten tree-fall gaps (mean length: 32 m ± 2.8, mean width: 24.5 m ± 3; see table S1 for gap characteristics) created during this event were selected for use in this investigation, along with ten adjacent closed canopy sites, located 20 m from the edge of each gap. We took 10 hemispherical photos in each gap and closed canopy sites to quantity canopy openness at each location.

FIGURE 11 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 11. Scatter plot graphics of correlations of some parameters of the advertisement calls of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. (A) Note duration and number of pulses. (B) Note duration and pulse period. (C) Pulse rate and air temperature. (D) Note rate and air temperature. (E) Note duration and air temperature. (F) Dominant frequency and snout-vent length.

FIGURE 12 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 12. Agonistic calls of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. Read from top to bottom. (A) Two males (unvouchered), Ilha Pequena, municipality of Camamu, state of Bahia, Brazil. Waveform and spectrogram of three short agonistic calls (aggressive calls, FonoZoo 12711); the first and fourth notes are advertisement calls. Waveform, spectrogram, and power spectrum of the note selected: the last one; the black arrow in the spectrogram indicates the position measured for the power spectrum. (B) Two males in amplexus with one female (the one below); the red arrow indicates the displacer male. Waveform and spectrogram of two long agonistic calls (FonoZoo 12712) in response to short agonistic calls (the shorter duration notes preceding the longer ones). Waveform, spectrogram, and power spectrum of the selected note: the first one. (C) Two males in amplexus. Waveform and spectrogram of three short agonistic calls (release calls, FonoZoo 12713, ZUEC-VID 899) emitted by the male below. Waveform, spectrogram, and power spectrum of a selected note: the last one; the red arrow in the spectrogram indicates the position measured for the power spectrum. The light green orthogonal line in the power spectrums (lower) indicates the dominant frequencies of the notes.

FIGURE 7 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 7. Variation in the color pattern of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. in living and freshly euthanized specimens from localities in the state of Bahia, Brazil. From left to right: natural position view of living specimens; hidden surfaces of thighs; flanks, inguinal region, and anterior surface of thighs; and body in ventral view. (A) MZUESC 20324 (paratype, male). (B) MZUESC 20413 (paratype, male). (C) MZUESC 20421 (paratype, male). (D) MZUESC 20420 (paratype, female).

FIGURE 4 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 4. Holotype of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. (MZUESC 20440). Nuptial pad of the left hand in (A) ventral and (B) dorsal views.

FIGURE 8 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 8. Variation in the color pattern of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. in living specimens from the municipalities of Guaramiranga and Pacoti, state of Ceará, Brazil. Unvouchered male specimen from Pacoti in (A, C) lateral, (B) dorsal, and (D) ventral views; (C) showing the inguinal region's color pattern. Unvouchered female from Guaramiranga in (E) dorsolateral view. Unvouchered males from Guaramiranga in (F) dorsolateral view and (G) showing the inguinal region's color pattern. Photos A–D courtesy of Ciro Albano.

FIGURE 3 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 3. Holotype of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. (MZUESC 20440). Right hand in (A) ventral and (B) dorsal views. Right foot in (C) ventral view.

FIGURE 10 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 10. Variation of the advertisement call of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. Waveform (upper), spectrogram (central) and power spectrum (lower) from a single call. (A) MZUESC 20197, paratype, Ilha Pequena, municipality Camamu, state of Bahia, Brazil. (B) MZUESC 20228, paratype, Ilha Grande, municipality Camamu, state of Bahia, Brazil. (C) MZUESC 20446, paratype, Fazenda Provis"o, municipality Ilhéus, state of Bahia, Brazil. (D) Unvouchered specimen, Parque das Trilhas, municipality of Guaramiranga, state of Ceará, Brazil (FonoZoo 12710). The light green orthogonal line in the power spectrums (lower) indicates the dominant frequency of the notes.

FIGURE 2 in A new species of Scinax Wagler (Hylidae: Scinaxini) from the tropical forests of Northeastern Brazil

FIGURE 2. Holotype of Scinax tropicalia sp. nov. (MZUESC 20440). Head in (A) profile, (B) dorsal, and (C) ventral views.