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5,538 results for “Population data”
Input data and code supporting the cod_v2 population estimates
<p>The <strong><em>model.zip</em></strong> file contains input data and code supporting the cod_v2 population estimates. The file<strong> <em>modelData.RData</em></strong> provides the input data to the JAGS model and the file<em> <strong>modelCode.R</strong></em> contains the source code for the model in the JAGS language. The files can be used to run the model for further assessments and as a starting point for further model development.</p> <p>The data and the model were developed using the statistical software <strong>R version 4.0.2</strong> (https://cran.r-project.org/bin/windows/base/old/4.0.2) and <strong>JAGS 4.3.0</strong> (https://mcmc-jags.sourceforge.io), a program for analysis of Bayesian graphical models using Gibbs sampling, through the R package <strong>runjags 2.2.0</strong> (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/runjags).</p>
Deriving population scaling rules from individual-level metabolism and life history traits - Code and Data
<p>Individual metabolism generally scales with body mass with an exponent around 3/4. From dimensional arguments it follows that maximum population growth rate (rmax) scales with a -1/4 exponent. However, the dimensional argument implicitly assumes that offspring size is proportional to adult size. Here we calculate rmax from metabolic scaling at the level of individuals within size-structured populations while explicitly accounting for offspring size. We identify four general patterns of how rmax scales with adult mass based on four empirical life-history patterns employed by groups of species. These life-history patterns are determined by how traits of somatic growth rate and/or offspring mass relate to adult mass. One life-history pattern -- constant adult:offspring mass ratio and somatic growth rate independent of adult mass -- leads to the classic -1/4 scaling of rmax. The other three life-history patterns lead either to non-metabolic population growth scaling with adult mass or do not follow a power-law relationship at all. Using life-history data of five marine taxa and terrestrial mammals, we identify species groups that belong to one of each case. We predict that elasmobranchs, copepods, and mammals follow standard -1/4 power-law scaling, whereas teleost fish and bivalves do not have a pure power-law scaling. Our work highlights how taxa may deviate from the classic -1/4 metabolic scaling pattern of maximum population growth. The approach is generic and can be applied to any taxa.</p>
Data from: Population genetics and independently replicated evolution of predator-associated burst speed ecophenotypy in mosquitofish
<p>Many species show replicated ecophenotypy due to recurring patterns of natural selection. Based on the presence or absence of pursuit predators, at least 17 species of fish repeatedly differentiated in body shape in a manner that increases burst swimming speed and the likelihood of predator escape. The predator-associated burst speed (<b>PABS</b>) ecophenotype is characterized by a small head and trunk and enlarged caudal region. Mechanisms promoting replicated phenotype-environment association include selection (without evolution), a single instance of adaptive evolution followed by biased habitat occupation, repeated instances of local adaptation, or adaptive phenotypic plasticity. Common garden rearing of mosquitofish, <i>Gambusia affinis</i>, demonstrated a likely heritable basis for PABS phenotypy, but it is unknown whether populations are otherwise genetically distinct or whether replicated ecophenotypy represents a single or replicated instances of adaptation. To genetically characterize the populations and test hypotheses of single or multiple adaptations, we characterized variation in 12 polymorphic DNA microsatellites in the previously studied <i>G. affinis</i> populations. Populations were genetically distinct by multilocus analysis, exhibited high allelic diversity, and were heterozygote deficient, which effects were attributed to <i>G. affinis</i>'s shoaling nature and habitat patchiness. Genetic and phenotypic distances among populations were correlated for non-PABS but not PABS morphology. Multilocus analysis demonstrated ecophenotype polyphyly and scattered multivariate genetic structure which support only the replicated-adaptation model. As all of the diverse tests performed demonstrated lack of congruence between patterns of molecular genetic and PABS differentiation, it is likely that divergent natural selection drove multiple instances of adaptive evolution.Many species show replicated ecophenotypy due to recurring patterns of natural selection. Based on the presence or absence of pursuit predators, at least 17 species of fish repeatedly differentiated in body shape in a manner that increases burst swimming speed and the likelihood of predator escape. The predator-associated burst speed (<b>PABS</b>) ecophenotype is characterized by a small head and trunk and enlarged caudal region. Mechanisms promoting replicated phenotype-environment association include selection (without evolution), a single instance of adaptive evolution followed by biased habitat occupation, repeated instances of local adaptation, or adaptive phenotypic plasticity. Common garden rearing of mosquitofish, <i>Gambusia affinis</i>, demonstrated a likely heritable basis for PABS phenotypy, but it is unknown whether populations are otherwise genetically distinct or whether replicated ecophenotypy represents a single or replicated instances of adaptation. To genetically characterize the populations and test hypotheses of single or multiple adaptations, we characterized variation in 12 polymorphic DNA microsatellites in the previously studied <i>G. affinis</i> populations. Populations were genetically distinct by multilocus analysis, exhibited high allelic diversity, and were heterozygote deficient, which effects were attributed to <i>G. affinis</i>'s shoaling nature and habitat patchiness. Genetic and phenotypic distances among populations were correlated for non-PABS but not PABS morphology. Multilocus analysis demonstrated ecophenotype polyphyly and scattered multivariate genetic structure which support only the replicated-adaptation model. As all of the diverse tests performed demonstrated lack of congruence between patterns of molecular genetic and PABS differentiation, it is likely that divergent natural selection drove multiple instances of adaptive evolution.</p>
Population genomic consequences of life history and mating system adaptation to a geothermal soil mosaic in yellow monkeyflowers (common garden phenotype data)
<p>Local selection can promote phenotypic divergence despite gene flow across habitat mosaics, but adaptation itself may generate substantial barriers to genetic exchange. In plants, life-history, phenology, and mating system divergence have been proposed to promote genetic differentiation in sympatry. In this study, we investigate phenotypic and genetic variation in <em>Mimulus guttatus</em> (yellow monkeyflowers) across a geothermal soil mosaic in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Plants from thermal annual and nonthermal perennial habitats were heritably differentiated for life history and mating system traits, consistent with local adaptation to the ephemeral thermal-soil growing season. However, genome-wide genetic variation primarily clustered plants by geographic region, with little variation sorting by habitat. The one exception was an extreme thermal population also isolated by a 200m geographical gap of no intermediate habitat. Individual inbreeding coefficients (F<sub>IS</sub>) were higher (and predicted by trait variation) in annual plants and annual pairs showed greater isolation by distance at local (<1km) scales. Finally, YNP adaptation does not re-use a widespread inversion that underlies <em>M. guttatus</em> life-history ecotypes range-wide, suggesting a novel genetic mechanism. Overall, this work suggests that life history and mating system adaptation strong enough to shape individual mating patterns does not necessarily generate incipient speciation without geographical barriers.</p>
A 24-hour dynamic population distribution dataset based on mobile phone data from Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland
<p><strong>Related article:</strong> Bergroth, C., Järv, O., Tenkanen, H., Manninen, M., Toivonen, T., 2022. A 24-hour population distribution dataset based on mobile phone data from Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-021-01113-4"><em>Scientific Data</em> 9, 39</a>.<br> </p> <p><strong>In this dataset:</strong></p> <p>We present temporally dynamic population distribution data from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland, at the level of 250 m by 250 m statistical grid cells. Three hourly population distribution datasets are provided for regular workdays (Mon – Thu), Saturdays and Sundays. The data are based on aggregated mobile phone data collected by the biggest mobile network operator in Finland. Mobile phone data are assigned to statistical grid cells using an advanced dasymetric interpolation method based on ancillary data about land cover, buildings and a time use survey. The data were validated by comparing population register data from Statistics Finland for night-time hours and a daytime workplace registry. The resulting 24-hour population data can be used to reveal the temporal dynamics of the city and examine population variations relevant to for instance spatial accessibility analyses, crisis management and planning. </p> <p><strong>Please cite this dataset as:</strong><br> <br> Bergroth, C., Järv, O., Tenkanen, H., Manninen, M., Toivonen, T., 2022. A 24-hour population distribution dataset based on mobile phone data from Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland. Scientific Data 9, 39. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-021-01113-4<br> </p> <p><strong>Organization of data</strong></p> <p>The dataset is packaged into a single Zipfile <em>Helsinki_dynpop_matrix.zip</em> which contains following files:</p> <ol> <li> <em>HMA_Dynamic_population_24H_workdays.csv</em> represents the dynamic population for average workday in the study area.</li> <li> <em>HMA_Dynamic_population_24H_sat.csv</em> represents the dynamic population for average saturday in the study area.</li> <li> <em>HMA_Dynamic_population_24H_sun.csv</em> represents the dynamic population for average sunday in the study area.</li> <li><em>target_zones_grid250m_EPSG3067.geojson</em> represents the statistical grid in ETRS89/ETRS-TM35FIN projection that can be used to visualize the data on a map using e.g. QGIS.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Column names</strong></p> <ol> <li><em>YKR_ID </em>: a unique identifier for each statistical grid cell (n=13,231). The identifier is compatible with the statistical YKR grid cell data by Statistics Finland and Finnish Environment Institute.</li> <li><em>H0, H1 ... H23 </em>: Each field represents the proportional distribution of the total population in the study area between grid cells during a one-hour period. In total, 24 fields are formatted as “Hx”, where x stands for the hour of the day (values ranging from 0-23). For example, H0 stands for the first hour of the day: 00:00 - 00:59. <br> The sum of all cell values for each field equals to 100 (i.e. 100% of total population for each one-hour period)</li> </ol> <p>In order to visualize the data on a map, the result tables can be joined with the <em>target_zones_grid250m_EPSG3067.geojson</em> data. The data can be joined by using the field <em>YKR_ID</em> as a common key between the datasets.</p> <p><strong>License</strong><br> Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.</p> <p><strong>Related datasets</strong></p> <ul> <li>Järv, Olle; Tenkanen, Henrikki & Toivonen, Tuuli. (2017). Multi-temporal function-based dasymetric interpolation tool for mobile phone data. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.252612</li> <li>Tenkanen, Henrikki, & Toivonen, Tuuli. (2019). Helsinki Region Travel Time Matrix [Data set]. Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3247564</li> </ul> <p><br> </p>
Genetic data and niche differences suggest that disjunct populations of Diglossa brunneiventris are not sister lineages
<p>Disjunct distributions within a species are of great interest in systematics and biogeography. This separation can function as a barrier to gene flow when the distance among populations exceeds the dispersal capacity of individuals, and depending on the duration of the barrier, it may eventually lead to speciation. Here we describe patterns of geographic differentiation of two disjunct populations of <em>Diglossa brunneiventris</em> separated by approximately 1000 km along the Andes. <em>Diglossa brunneiventris vuilleumieri </em>is isolated in northern Colombia, while <em>Diglossa brunneiventris brunneiventris</em> has a seemingly continuous distribution across Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. We sequenced mitochondrial and nuclear DNA of the two <em>Diglossa brunneiventris</em> subspecies to evaluate whether they form a monophyletic clade, while including the other three species within the carbonaria complex (<em>D. gloriosa</em>, <em>D. humeralis</em> and <em>D. carbonaria</em>). We also constructed ecological niche models for each <em>Diglossa brunneiventris </em>subspecies to compare their climatic niches. We found that when using all available molecular data, the two <em>D. brunneiventris</em> subspecies are not sister lineages. In fact, each subspecies is more closely related to other species in the carbonaria complex. Our niche modeling analyses showed that the subspecies are occupying almost entirely different climatic niches. An additional, and not expected result was that the carbonaria complex might encompass more cryptic species than previously considered. We suggest reevaluating the taxonomic status of these brunneiventris populations, especially the northern subspecies, given its highly restricted range and potential threatened status.</p>
Data from: Controlling trapping, overgrazing and invasive vegetation is key to saving Java's last population of the Black-winged Myna
<p><span><span>The Black-winged Myna (<em>Acridotheres melanopterus</em>) is an Endangered passerine endemic to the islands of Java and Bali, Indonesia. </span><span>Illegal trapping to supply the cage-bird trade has led to its near-total extinction, with the global population estimated to number fewer than 100 individuals. The only known population of Black-winged Mynas on Java occurs at Baluran National Park (BNP). </span>These data were generated to meet the two primary aims of the linked paper: the first was to estimate the Black-winged Myna <em>(Acridotheres</em> <em>melanopterus</em>) population size and range at BNP; and the second was to use species distribution modelling to evaluate the potential suitability of areas currently unoccupied by Black-winged Mynas across BNP to identify priorities for management intervention. We carried out line-transect distance sampling following the standard distance analysis method to estimate the population size. A total of 56 detections of groups of Black-winged Mynas were recorded along line transects and are included in the dataset. These records are associated with the land cover type for that segment of the transect, the perpendicular distance of the record to the transect, and the survey effort associated with each transect. To produce the species distribution model, we used three predictor raster layers along with all Black-winged Myna presences recorded </span>(not freely available, see below) and a generated set of pseudo-absences. The dataset contains both the raw data used to create the land cover classification as well as the final raster. The raw data used to produce the habitat classification contains classified points (n = 426) from across BNP, which were used as a training and test data for a random forest land cover classification.</p>
Data from: Population size mediates the contribution of high-rate and large-benefit mutations to parallel evolution
<p>The study "Population size mediates the contribution of high-rate and large-benefit mutations to parallel evolution" by Schenk et al. explores the phenotypic and genotypic changes in <em>Escherichia coli </em>after 500 generations of laboratory adaptation to increasing concentrations of an antibiotic (CTX). The source data files and scripts pertaining to the figures in the main manuscript and the extended data are available on the publishers webiste. Here we provide the source data files and scripts pertaining to the supplementary materials, organized according the figures in the supplementary material. Data are provided for Figures S2-S4, S6-S8, and S10-S12.</p>
Divergence time estimation using ddRAD data and an isolation-with-migration model applied to water vole populations of Arvicola
<p>Molecular dating methods of population splits are crucial in evolutionary biology, but they present important difficulties due to the complexity of the genealogical relationships of genes and past migrations between populations. Using the double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) technique and an isolation-with-migration (IM) model, we studied the evolutionary history of water vole populations of the genus <em>Arvicola</em>, a group of complex evolution with fossorial and semi-aquatic ecotypes. To do this, we first estimated mutation rates of ddRAD loci using a phylogenetic approach. An IM model was then used to estimate split times and other relevant demographic parameters. A set of 300 ddRAD loci that included 85 calibrated loci resulted in good mixing and model convergence. The results showed that the two populations of <em>A. scherman</em> present in the Iberian Peninsula split 34 thousand years ago, during the last glaciation. In addition, the much greater divergence from its sister species, <em>A. amphibius</em>, may help to clarify the controversial taxonomy of the genus. We conclude that this approach, based on ddRAD data and an IM model, is highly useful for analyzing the origin of populations and species.</p>
Data from: Demographic correction – a tool for inference from individuals to populations
<p>Estimation of responses of organisms to their environment using experimental manipulations, and comparison of such responses across sets of species, is one of the primary tools in ecology research. The most common approach is to compare response of a single life stage of species to an environmental factor and use this information to draw conclusions about population dynamics of these species. Such approach ignores the fact that interspecific fitness differences measured at a single life stage are not directly comparable and cannot be extrapolated to lifetime fitness of individuals and thus species' population dynamics. Comparison of one life stage only while omitting demographic information can strongly bias conclusions, both in experimental studies with a few species, and in large comparative studies.</p> <p>We illustrate the effect of this omission using both an exaggerated fictitious example, and biological data on congeneric species differing in their demography. We are showing, taking simple assumptions, that different demography can completely revert conclusions reached by a comparison based on an experiment focusing on a single life stage.</p> <p>We show that a "demographic correction", namely translating observed effects into differences in outcomes of demographic models, is a solution to this problem. It requires turning the detected effects from the experiment into changes of transition probabilities of projection matrix models. Although such solution is limited by the low number of species with demographic data available, we believe that existing data (and data likely to be collected in the near future) permit at least approximate handling of this problem.</p>
Data from: Ecological genetics of Juglans nigra: differences in early growth patterns of natural populations
<p>Many boreal and temperate forest tree species distributed across large geographic ranges are composed of populations adapted to the climate they inhabit. Forestry provenance studies and common gardens provide evidence of local adaptation to climate when associations between fitness traits and the populations' home climates are observed. Most studies that evaluate tree height as a fitness trait do so at a specific point in time. In this study, we elucidate differences in early growth patterns in black walnut (<em>Juglans nigra L.</em>) populations by modeling height growth from seed up to age 11. The data comprise tree height measurements between ages 2 to 11 for 52 natural populations of black walnut collected through its geographic range and planted in one or more of 3 common gardens. We use the Chapman-Richards growth model in a mixed-effects framework and test whether populations differ in growth patterns by incorporating populations' home climate into the model. In addition, we evaluate differences in populations' absolute growth and relative growth based on the fitted model. Models indicated that populations from warmer climates had the highest cumulative growth through time, with differences in average tree height between populations from home climates with a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 13 °C and of 7 °C estimated to be as high as 80% at age 3. Populations from warmer climates were also estimated to have higher and earlier maximum absolute growth rate than populations from colder climates. In addition, populations from warm climates were predicted to have higher relative growth rates at any given tree size. Results indicate that natural selection may shape early growth patterns of populations within a tree species, suggesting that fast early growth rates are likely selected for in relatively mild environments where competition rather than tolerance to environmental stressors becomes the dominant selection pressure.</p>
Data from: Historical surveys reveal a long-term decline in muskrat populations
<p>The muskrat (<i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>) is an iconic species in Canada, valued for both its fur and its integral role in wetland ecosystems, and widely regarded for its perseverance. However, the resilience of this semi-aquatic mammal seems to be in question now as increasing evidence points to widespread population declines. Recent analyses of harvest data across North America suggest a reduction in their numbers, but this has not been widely corroborated by population surveys. In this study we replicated historic muskrat house count surveys at two large Great Lakes coastal wetlands and present confirmation that declines in muskrat harvest correspond to actual declines in muskrat abundance. At the Point Pelee National Park marsh and the Matchedash Bay-Gray Marsh wetland we found that mean muskrat house counts declined by 93% and 91% respectively between historic surveys 40-50 years ago and contemporary surveys over the past seven years. The factors responsible for these dramatic declines remain unclear but there may be a relationship with changes in the habitat quality of these wetlands that have occurred over the same time frame. Not only is the loss of muskrats an issue for the resulting loss of the wetland ecosystem services they provide, but it may be an indication of broader marsh ecosystem degradation. As such, a scarcity of muskrats should be considered a red flag for the state of biodiversity in our wetlands. Continued surveys and ongoing research are needed to shed more light on the current status of muskrat populations and their marsh habitats across their native range.</p>
Data from: Modeling the impact of birth control policies on China's population and age: effects of delayed births and minimum birth age constraints
<p>We consider age-structured models with an imposed refractory period between births. These models can be used to formulate alternative population control strategies to China's one-child policy. By allowing any number of births, but with an imposed delay between births, we show how the total population can be decreased and how a relatively older age distribution can be generated. This delay represents a more "continuous" form of population management for which the strict one-child policy is a limiting case. Such a policy approach could be more easily accepted by society. Our analyses provide an initial framework for studying demographics and how social constraints influence population structure.</p> <p>This dataset includes the raw population data for 1981 China and 2000 Japan, and some Matlab code files used to process such raw data and produce predictions.</p>
Life history data on married women of the historical population of île aux Coudres
<p>Evidence from natural populations shows that changes in environmental conditions can cause rapid modifications in the evolutionary potential of phenotypes, partly through genotype-by-environment interactions (G×E). Therefore, the overall rate of microevolution should depend on fluctuations in environmental conditions, even when directional selection is sustained over several generations. We tested this hypothesis in a preindustrial human population that experienced a microevolutionary change in age at first reproduction (AFR) of mothers, using the annual infant mortality rate (IMR) as an indicator of environmental conditions during their early life. Using quantitative genetics analyses, we found that G×Es explained a non-negligible fraction of the additive genetic variance in AFR and in relative fitness, as well as of the genetic covariance between AFR and fitness (i.e. the Robertson-Price covariance). The covariance was stronger for individuals exposed to unfavorable early-life environmental conditions. Our results unravel the presence of G×Es in an important life history trait and its impact on the rate of microevolution, which appears to have been sensitive to short-term fluctuations in local environmental conditions.</p>
Data used for 'Parent-offspring inference in inbred populations'
<p>House mouse population founder genotypes used for imputation and simulation</p>
Data from: Towards a better ecological understanding of metacommunity stability: A multiscale framework to disentangle population variability and synchrony effects
<p>1. Despite great progress in our understanding of the mechanisms governing ecosystem stability in local communities, we still lack knowledge at a larger spatial scale. Studying the stability of metacommunities requires assessing the temporal stability and synchrony of populations across space and organizational levels. Previous attempts to disentangle these effects have provided limited ecological interpretations, and conceptual improvements are needed to identify the underlying ecological processes.</p> <p>2. We propose an extended framework aiming at disentangling simultaneously the relative effects of population stability and different types of synchronies on metacommunity stability. We adapted previous methods of decomposing stability into a new set of indices associated with clearer ecological hypotheses. Particularly, we provide synchrony indices that are not affected by statistical properties of the metacommunity but focus on species responses to environment, demography, and interactions. We applied this framework to a unique dataset describing the sorted biomass of individual plant populations, across 12 communities of a species-rich meadow, and for 16 years. The communities were sampled in different treatments of fertilization and dominant removal to evaluate the effect of environmental heterogeneity on stability.</p> <p>3. We found higher stability at a larger spatial scale, mainly due to statistical averaging (portfolio effect). The variability of individual populations was an important determinant of the stability of the whole metacommunity. Consistent with the hypothesis of a common response to environmental conditions, we found that the fluctuations of populations were mostly synchronized (within and between species) at a large spatial scale and tended to destabilize the metacommunity. On the other hand, opposite fluctuations (anti-synchrony) between populations occurred at the local scale, probably due to local species interactions.</p> <p>4. Synthesis Our framework appears as a powerful tool to test how ecological processes occurring simultaneously at different spatial and organizational scales affect the stability of metacommunities. This study advances our ecological understanding of the processes underlying the stability of species-rich environments. --</p>
Data from: Sustained positive consequences of genetic rescue of fitness and behavioural traits in inbred populations of Drosophila melanogaster
<p><span>One solution to alleviate the detrimental genetic effects associated with reductions in population size and fragmentation is to introduce immigrants from other populations. While the effects of this genetic rescue on fitness traits are fairly well known, it is less clear to what extent inbreeding depression and subsequent genetic rescue affects behavioural traits. In this study, replicated crosses between inbred lines of <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em> were performed in order to investigate the effects of inbreeding and genetic rescue on egg-to-adult viability and negative geotaxis behaviour - a locomotor response used to measure e.g. the effects of physiological ageing. Transgenerational effects of outcrossing were investigated by examining the fitness consequences in both the F<sub>1</sub> and F<sub>4</sub> generation. The majority of inbred lines showed evidence for inbreeding depression for both egg-to-adult viability and behavioural performance (95% and 66% of lines, respectively), with inbreeding depression being more pronounced for viability compared to locomotor response. Subsequent outcrossing with immigrants led to an alleviation of the negative effects for both viability and geotaxis response resulting in inbred lines being similar to the outbred controls, with beneficial effects persisting from F<sub>1</sub> to F<sub>4</sub>. Overall, the results clearly show that genetic rescue can provide transgenerational rescue of small, inbred populations by rapidly improving population fitness components. Thus, we show that even the negative effects of inbreeding on behaviour, similar to that of neurodegeneration associated with physiological ageing, can be reversed by genetic rescue.</span></p>
Data from: Tracking population genetic signatures of local extinction with herbarium specimens
<p><strong><span>Background and Aims </span></strong><span>Habitat degradation and landscape fragmentation dramatically lower population sizes of rare plant species. Decreasing population sizes may, in turn, negatively affect genetic diversity and reproductive fitness which can ultimately lead to local extinction of populations. Although such extinction vortex dynamics have been postulated in theory and modelling for decades, empirical evidence from local extinctions of plant populations is scarce. In particular, comparisons between current vs. historical genetic diversity and differentiation are lacking despite their potential to guide conservation management.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Methods </span></strong><span>We studied the population genetic signatures of the local extinction of <em>Biscutella laevigata</em> subsp. <em>gracilis </em>populations in Central Germany. We used microsatellites to genotype individuals from 15 current populations, one ex-situ population, and 81 herbarium samples from five extant and 22 extinct populations. In the current populations, we recorded population size and fitness proxies, collected seeds for a germination trial and conducted a vegetation survey. The latter served as surrogate for habitat conditions to study how habitat dissimilarity affects functional connectivity among the current populations. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Key Results </span></strong><span>Bayesian clustering revealed similar gene pool distribution in current and historical samples but also indicated that a distinct genetic cluster was significantly associated with extinction probability. Gene flow was affected by both spatial distance and floristic composition of population sites, highlighting the potential of floristic composition as powerful predictor of functional connectivity which may promote decision making for reintroduction measures. For an extinct population, we found a negative relationship between sampling year and heterozygosity. Inbreeding negatively affected germination. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Conclusions</span></strong><span> Our study illustrates the usefulness of historical DNA to study extinction vortices in threatened species. Our novel combination of classical population genetics together with data from herbarium specimens, an ex-situ population and a germination trial underscores the need for genetic rescue measures to prevent extinction of <em>B. laevigata</em> in Central Germany. </span></p>
Data from: The importance of population heterogeneities in detecting social learning as the foundation of animal cultural transmission
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>High levels of within-population behavioural variation can have drastic demographic consequences, thus changing the evolutionary fate of populations. A major source of within-population heterogeneity is personality. Nonetheless, it is still relatively rarely accounted for in social learning studies that constitute the most basic process of cultural transmission. Here, we perform in female mosquitofish (<em>Gambusia holbrooki</em>) a social learning experiment in the context of mate choice, a situation called mate copying, and for which there is strong evidence that it can lead to the emergence of persistent traditions of preferring a given male phenotype. </span><span class="TexteCourant1Car"><span>When accounting for the </span></span><span>global</span><span class="TexteCourant1Car"> <span>tendency of females to prefer lager males </span></span><span>but ignoring differences in personality we detected no evidence for mate copying. However, when accounting for the bold-shy dichotomy, we found that bold females did not show any evidence for mate copying, while shy females showed significant amounts of mate copying. This illustrates how the presence of variation in personality can hamper our capacity to detect mate copying. We conclude that mate copying may be more widespread than we thought because many studies ignored the presence of within-population heterogeneities.</span></p>
Data from: When can model-based estimates replace surveys of wildlife populations that span many discrete management units?
<p>Monitoring widely distributed species on a budget presents challenges for the spatio-temporal allocation of survey effort. When there are multiple discrete units to monitor, survey alternatives such as model-based estimates can be useful to fill information-gaps but may not reliably reflect biological complexity and change. The spatio-temporal allocation of survey effort that minimizes uncertainty for the greatest number of units within a budget can help to ensure monitoring efforts are optimized.</p> <p>We used aerial survey-based population estimates of moose (Alces alces) across 30 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in Ontario, Canada to parameterize simulated populations and test the performance of different monitoring scenarios in capturing WMU-specific annual variation and trends. Firstly, we tested scenarios that prioritized conducting a survey for a unit based on one of three management criteria: population state, population uncertainty, or number of years between surveys. Also incorporated in the decision framework were WMU-specific costs and annual budget constraints. Secondly, we tested how using model-based estimates to fill information-gaps improved population and trend estimates. Lastly, we assessed how the utility (based on minimizing population uncertainty) of using a model-based estimate rather than conducting a survey was impacted by population density, severity of environmental stressors, and years since the last survey.</p> <p>Interval-based monitoring that minimized the number of years between surveys captured accurate trends for the highest number of WMUs, but annual variation was poorly captured regardless of management criteria prioritized. Using model-based estimates to fill information gaps improved trend estimation. Further, the utility of conducting a survey increased with time since the last survey and was greater for populations with low densities when the severity of environmental stressors was high, while being greater for populations with high densities when environmental severity was low.</p> <p>Overall, the utility of aerial survey monitoring was strongly associated with WMU-specific monitoring precision and the predictive power of model-based estimates. If long-term trends are evident then there is greater value in using alternatives such as model-based predictions to replace surveys, but model-based estimates may be a poor substitute when there is strong annual variation and when using a simple model.</p>
ScienceDex guides
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These curated guides explain access requirements, typical timelines, costs, and reuse considerations for widely used research datasets.
Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
ABODe is a University of Edinburgh DataShare dataset for behavior classification in group-housed mice using home-cage video, identities, bounding boxes, ground-plate positions, and annotator labels.
DANDI Archive for NWB datasets
DANDI is a BRAIN Initiative archive for publishing and sharing neurophysiology data, including electrophysiology, optophysiology, and behavioral data packaged as NWB and related standards.
International Brain Laboratory public data
The International Brain Laboratory public data releases expose standardized mouse decision-making experiments, including Neuropixels recordings, widefield calcium imaging, behavior, and session metadata accessed through the ONE API.
OpenNeuro
OpenNeuro is a free, open platform for sharing neuroimaging datasets, with public search, dataset pages, and download paths for web, S3, DataLad, and the OpenNeuro CLI.