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220 results for “Island Ecology”
Data from: The ecology and evolution of seed predation by Darwin's finches on Tribulus cistoides on the Galápagos Islands
Predator-prey interactions play a key role in the evolution of species traits through antagonistic coevolutionary arms-races. The evolution of beak morphology in the Darwin's finches in response to competition for seed resources is a classic example of evolution by natural selection. The seeds of Tribulus cistoides are an important food source for the largest ground finch species (Geospiza fortis, G. magnirostris, and G. conirostris) in dry months, and the hard spiny morphology of the fruits are a potent agent of selection that drives contemporary evolutionary change in finch beak morphology. Although the effects of these interaction on finches are well known, how seed predation affects the ecology and evolution of the plants is poorly understood. Here we examine whether seed predation by Darwin's finches affects the ecology and evolution of T. cistoides. We ask whether the intensity of seed predation and the strength of natural selection by finches on fruit defense traits varies among populations, islands, years, or with varying finch community composition (i.e., the presence/absence of the largest beaked species, which feed on T. cistoides most easily). We then further test whether T. cistoides fruit defenses have diverged among islands in response to spatial variation in finch communities. We addressed these questions by examining seed predation by finches in 30 populations of T. cistoides over three years. Our study reveals three key results. First, Darwin's finches strongly influence T. cistoides seed survival, whereby seed predation varies with differences in finch community composition among islands and in response to inter-annual fluctuations in precipitation. Second, finches impose phenotypic selection on T. cistoides fruit morphology, whereby smaller and harder fruits with longer or more spines exhibited higher seed survival. Variation in finch community composition and precipitation also explains variation in phenotypic selection on fruit defense traits. Third, variation in the number of spines on fruits among islands is consistent with divergent phenotypic selection imposed by variation in finch community composition among islands. These results suggest that Darwin's finches and T. cistoides are experiencing an ongoing coevolutionary arms-race, and that the strength of this coevolution varies in space and time.
Data from: Cranial evolution in the extinct Rodrigues Island owl Otus murivorus (Strigidae), associated with unexpected ecological adaptations
<p>Island birds that were victim of anthropic extinctions were often more specialist species, having evolved their most distinctive features in isolation. Here we studied a fossil cranium of the 'giant' extinct scops owl <i>Otus murivorus</i> from Rodrigues Island (Mascarene Islands, southwestern Indian Ocean), to determine any potential unique characters. The fossil and extant strigids were imaged through x-ray microtomography, providing 3D views of external and internal (endocast, inner ear) cranial structures. Geometric morphometrics and analyses of traditional measurements yielded new information about the Rodrigues owl's evolution and ecology. <i>Otus murivorus </i>exhibits a 2-tier "lag behind" phenomenon for cranium and brain evolution, both being proportionately small relative to increased body size. It also had a much more developed olfactory bulb than congeners, indicating an unexpectedly developed olfactory sense, suggesting a partial food scavenging habit. In addition, <i>O. murivorus </i>had the eyes placed more laterally than <i>O. sunia</i>, the species from which it was derived, probably a side effect of a small brain; rather terrestrial habits; probably relatively fearless behavior; and a less vertical posture (head less upright) than other owls (this in part an allometric effect of size increase). These evolutionary features, added to gigantism and wing reduction, make the extinct Rodrigues owl's evolution remarkable, and with multiple causes.</p>
Data from: Does biological intimacy shape ecological network structure? A test using a brood pollination mutualism on continental and oceanic islands
Biological intimacy—the degree of physical proximity or integration of partner taxa during their life cycles—is thought to promote the evolution of reciprocal specialization and modularity in the networks formed by co‐occurring mutualistic species, but this hypothesis has rarely been tested. Here, we test this "biological intimacy hypothesis" by comparing the network architecture of brood pollination mutualisms, in which specialized insects are simultaneously parasites (as larvae) and pollinators (as adults) of their host plants to that of other mutualisms which vary in their biological intimacy (including ant‐myrmecophyte, ant‐extrafloral nectary, plant‐pollinator and plant‐seed disperser assemblages). We use a novel dataset sampled from leafflower trees (Phyllanthaceae: Phyllanthus s. l. [Glochidion]) and their pollinating leafflower moths (Lepidoptera: Epicephala) on three oceanic islands (French Polynesia) and compare it to equivalent published data from congeners on continental islands (Japan). We infer taxonomic diversity of leafflower moths using multilocus molecular phylogenetic analysis and examine several network structural properties: modularity (compartmentalization), reciprocality (symmetry) of specialization and algebraic connectivity. We find that most leafflower‐moth networks are reciprocally specialized and modular, as hypothesized. However, we also find that two oceanic island networks differ in their modularity and reciprocal specialization from the others, as a result of a supergeneralist moth taxon which interacts with nine of 10 available hosts. Our results generally support the biological intimacy hypothesis, finding that leafflower‐moth networks (usually) share a reciprocally specialized and modular structure with other intimate mutualisms such as ant‐myrmecophyte symbioses, but unlike nonintimate mutualisms such as seed dispersal and nonintimate pollination. Additionally, we show that generalists—common in nonintimate mutualisms—can also evolve in intimate mutualisms, and that their effect is similar in both types of assemblages: once generalists emerge they reshape the network organization by connecting otherwise isolated modules.
Data supplementing the article "Assessing ecological status with diatoms DNA metabarcoding : scaling-up on a WFD monitoring network (Mayotte island, France)" V. Vasselon, F. Rimet, K. Tapolczai, A. Bouchez submitted to Ecological Indicators journal
<p>These data supplement the article"Assessing ecological status with DNA metabarcoding or microscopy? Comparison using benthic diatoms in tropical rivers" V. Vasselon, F. Rimet, K. Tapolczai, A. Bouchez submitted to Ecological Indicators journal.</p> <p>The directory contains the following files:</p> <p><strong>80 PGM sequencing libraries (raw data, fastq files).rar </strong>- contains the 80 fastq files provided by the sequencing platform with demultiplexed DNA reads (raw data prior any bioinformatics treatments).</p> <p><strong>80 fastq files information.xlsx</strong> - contains the information relative to the 80 samples including: the ID used in Mothur analyses (corresponding to the name of the fastq files), the sample name, the sampling site code, the name of the river, the monitoring network to which rivers belong, the year of sampling and the GPS coordinates of sampling sites.</p> <p><strong>OTU (95 percent of similarity) list of 80 Mayotte samples.xlsx</strong> - contains the final OTU list obtained after applying all the bioinformatics treatments (trimming, clustering,...): OTUs created at 95% of similarity, the number of DNA reads per sample was normalized at 5710 reads (the smallest values obtained in one sample). A DNA representative sequence and the taxonomic assignment determined using Mothur (using classify.otu command) are also provided for each OTU.</p>
Island biogeography predicts skull gigantism and shape variation in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) through ecological release and allometry
Island Rule describes the graded trend of gigantism in small-bodied species to dwarfism in large-bodied species inhabiting islands, but causal explanations remain unresolved. We used geometric morphometrics to quantify cranial morphology of 544 meadow vole (<i>Microtus pennsylvanicus</i>) samples across 11 island and 3 mainland populations from the Outer Lands of New England (Atlantic) and the Alexander Archipelago of Alaska (Pacific). We compared the thermoregulation and endurance (TRE) and ecological release (ER) hypotheses using all-subsets linear models employing residual randomization permutation procedures (rrpp), and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) for model selection. We decoupled direct and indirect effects of island variables on size using path analysis. We evaluated shape with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Procrustes ANOVA on Procrustes shape coordinates, then assessed the impact of static allometry and TRE and ER variables on shape. Six Atlantic island populations exhibit significant signals of gigantism with the largest voles occurring on the smallest islands lacking predators. ER explains 63% of cranial size differences. Island area has a significant total effect on size by influencing the number of mammalian predators, resulting in a 0.011 increase in unit centroid size for a 100 km<sup>2</sup> decrease in island area. This corresponds to a predicted 0.9% change in size for every 100 km<sup>2</sup>. Given static allometry, cranial shape does not respond to insularity independent of size. These results suggest that Island Rule is a latent evolutionary process whose manifestation depends on nuanced biogeographic and ecological contexts that have important conservation and taxonomic implications.
Modelling the origin, fate, and ecological and health impacts of heavy metals from an abandoned mercury mine in a paradise island in the Philippines
<p>This document contains supplementary tables for the article entitled "Modelling the origin, fate, and ecological and health impacts of heavy metals from an abandoned mercury mine in a paradise island in the Philippines"</p>
Figure 2 in Ecological characteristics of Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) in egg stage in Thasos Island, Greece
Figure 2. Distribution of egg batches by distance from the base of the needle.
Figure 3 in Ecological characteristics of Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) in egg stage in Thasos Island, Greece
Figure 3. Hatching rates and mortality of T. pityocampa larvae.
Figure 4 in Ecological characteristics of Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) in egg stage in Thasos Island, Greece
Figure 4. Dependence of the egg parasitism by the location of egg batches on the needles.
Figure 1 in Ecological characteristics of Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) in egg stage in Thasos Island, Greece
Figure 1. Length distribution of P. halepensis needles with eggs batches of T. pityocampa.
Data from: Non-native mammals are weak candidates to substitute ecological function of native avian seed-dispersers in an island ecosystem
<p>Although prominent examples exist of non-native species causing substantial ecological harm, many have neutral or positive effects, including filling surrogate roles once performed by extinct native organisms. We tested the ecological roles of two non-native mammals as seed dispersers or seed predators in Guåhan, which, due to invasive brown treesnakes (<em>Boiga</em> <em>irregularis</em>), is devoid of native seed dispersers – birds and bats. We conducted feeding trials with captive rats (<em>Rattus</em> spp.), which are present but uncommon due to predation by snakes, and pigs (<em>Sus</em> <em>scrofa</em>), which are abundant. We examined if and how they interacted with common forest fruits. We then compared how any gut-passed or handled seeds germinated compared to seeds left in whole fruit or depulped seeds.</p> <p>Rats and pigs interacted with most of the fruits and seeds (>80%) that they were fed. Of those, most seeds were destroyed – 78% for rats and 90% for pigs, across both native and non-native plant species. Compared to seeds germinating within whole fruits, rats improved germination of the seeds that they handled without ingesting, while pigs diminished the germination of seeds that they handled. The small percentage of seeds (approximately 1.5% for rats and 5% for pigs) that survived gut passage germinated in higher proportions than those in whole fruits. Percentages of seed survival to germination are lower than those found in similar studies with native avian frugivores. Our results indicate that pigs and rats have mixed effects on seeds, but are not suitable surrogates for native seed dispersers.</p>
Data from: Does biological intimacy shape ecological network structure? A test using a brood pollination mutualism on continental and oceanic islands
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Data from: Non-native mammals are weak candidates to substitute ecological function of native avian seed-dispersers in an island ecosystem
Open the record for dataset details and reuse information.
Island biogeography predicts skull gigantism and shape variation in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) through ecological release and allometry
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Data from: The ecology and evolution of seed predation by Darwin's finches on Tribulus cistoides on the Galápagos Islands
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Data from: Giant mice on small islands: Biogeographic and ecological differences contribute to gigantism in island populations
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Data from: Cranial evolution in the extinct Rodrigues Island owl Otus murivorus (Strigidae), associated with unexpected ecological adaptations
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Data from: Ecological speciation in sympatric palms: 3. genetic map reveals genomic islands underlying species divergence in Howea
Although it is now widely accepted that speciation can occur in the face of continuous gene flow, with little or no spatial separation, the mechanisms and genomic architectures that permit such divergence are still debated. Here, we examined speciation in the face of gene flow in the Howea palms of Lord Howe Island, Australia. We built a genetic map using a novel method applicable to long-lived tree species, combining it with double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing of multiple individuals. Based upon various metrics, we detected 46 highly differentiated regions throughout the genome, some of which contained genes with functions that are particularly relevant to the speciation scenario for Howea, specifically salt and drought tolerance.
Data from: Islands in the desert for cavity-nesting bees and wasps: ecology, patterns of diversity, and conservation at oases of Baja California peninsula
<p>Aims: The oases of Baja California peninsula (BCP) have been proposed as important hotspots of biodiversity that hold an exceptional richness in the middle of desert conditions. We provide the effect of habitat, climatic, biogeographic and anthropogenic disturbance on communities of cavity nesting taxa, emphasizing on bees, wasps and their natural enemies. Location: Baja California Peninsula, Northwest Mexico.</p> <p>Methods: In oases of BCP and desert neighbor environments, trap-nesting taxa were evaluated in response to factors affecting the nest abundance, richness, and community structure. We used statistical models to find the variables controlling the nest abundance and ecological analyses to determine the habitat effect on diversity under different scenarios of disturbance and latitude.</p> <p>Results: The nest abundance varied between bees and wasps, but solar irradiation and relative humidity influenced the abundance of both groups. In general, abundance and richness were higher in oases. Bees did not discriminate between oasis and desert habitats to nest and mud-daubing wasps were highly dependent of oases. However, there were exceptions in both groups. The degree of anthropogenic disturbance affected the species composition, richness, and natural enemies.</p> <p>Main conclusions: The oases of Baja California seem to be functioning as mesic islands into the desert, each oasis hosting a great and unique richness of cavity-nesting taxa. About 65% of nest abundance and 50% of species occurred exclusively in the oasis. Thus, at least 21 species could be threatened if the oases of BCP disappear in the future. Local conditions are shaping the community structure of species, but also large-scale factors, e.g. climate and biogeographic patterns seem to be influencing the community structure. Since habitat loss and fragmentation can be a major problem in most oases, strategies to maintain the ecosystem services of pollinators and predators should be included in the conservation programs of these fragile habitats.</p>
Data from: Ecological explanations to island gigantism: dietary niche divergence, predation and size in an endemic lizard
Although rapid evolution of body size on islands has long been known, the ecological mechanisms behind this island phenomenon remain poorly understood. Diet is an important selective pressure for morphological divergence. Here we investigate if selection for novel diets has contributed to the multiple independent cases of island gigantism in the Skyros wall lizard (Podarcis gaigeae) and if diet, predation, or both factors best explain island gigantism. We combined data on body size, shape, bite force, and realized and available diets to address this. Several lines of evidence suggest that diet has contributed to the island gigantism. The larger islet lizards have relatively wider heads and higher bite performance in relation to mainland lizards than would be expected from size differences alone. The proportions of consumed and available hard prey are higher on islets than mainland localities, and lizard body size is significantly correlated with the proportion of hard prey. Furthermore, the main axis of divergence in head shape is significantly correlated with dietary divergence. Finally, a model with only diet and one including diet and predation regime explain body size divergence equally well. Our results suggest that diet is an important ecological factor behind insular body size divergence, but could be consistent with an additional role for predation.
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Allen Brain Atlas
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DANDI Archive for NWB datasets
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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.