Find research datasets worth reusing

opencc-zeroOct 2022View details →

Limited seed dispersal shapes fine-scale spatial genetic structure in a Neotropical dioecious large-seeded palm

Seed and pollen dispersal contribute to gene flow and shape the genetic patterns of plants over fine spatial scales. We inferred fine-scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) and estimated realized dispersal distances in Phytelephas aequatorialis, a Neotropical dioecious large-seeded palm. We aimed to explore how seed and pollen dispersal shape this genetic pattern in a focal population. For this purpose, we genotyped 138 seedlings and 99 adults with 20 newly developed microsatellite markers. We tested if rodent-mediated seed dispersal has a stronger influence than insect-mediated pollen dispersal in shaping FSGS. We also tested if pollen dispersal was influenced by the density of male palms around mother palms in order to further explore this ecological process in large-seeded plants. Rodent-mediated dispersal of these large seeds occurred mostly over short distances (mean 34.76 ± 34.06 m) while pollen dispersal distances were two times higher (mean 67.91 ± 38.29 m). The spatial extent of FSGS up to 35 m and the fact that seed dispersal did not increase the distance at which male alleles disperse suggest that spatially limited seed dispersal is the main factor shaping FSGS and contributes only marginally to gene flow within the population. Pollen dispersal distances depended on the density of male palms, decreasing when individuals show a clumped distribution and increasing when they are scattered. Our results show that limited seed dispersal mediated by rodents shapes FSGS in P. aequatorialis, while more extensive pollen dispersal accounts for a larger contribution to gene flow and may maintain high genetic diversity.

opencc-zeroOct 2022View details →

Seed dispersal by waterbirds: a mechanistic understanding by simulating avian digestion

Waterbirds disperse plant species via ingestion and egestion of seeds (endozoochory). However, our understanding about the regulating effects of seed traits, underlying mechanisms and possible (co)evolutionary processes is limited by our traditional reliance on data from feeding experiments with living waterbirds. Here, we overcome these limitations by developing and applying a new bioassay that realistically simulates digestive processes for Anseriformes waterbirds. We test three hypotheses: (1) seed survival and germination are most affected by mechanical digestion in the waterbird gizzard; (2) seed size, hardness, imbibition and shape regulate seed survival; and (3) plants growing in aquatic habitats benefit most from endozoochory by waterbirds. Experiments with 28,200 seeds of 48 plant species demonstrated species-specific seed survival that was entirely determined by digestion in the avian gizzard. Intestinal digestion did not affect seed survival but affected seed establishment (germinability and germination time) for 21% of the species. Large, hard seeds survived the simulations the best, in contrast to generally higher seed survival for smaller seeds during in vivo experiments. This mechanistically explains that small seeds escape digestive processes rather than being inherently more resistant (the 'escape mechanism'), while large seeds are retained until fully digested or regurgitated (the 'resistance and regurgitation mechanism'). Plants growing in wetter habitats had similar seed survival, but digestive processes stimulated their germinability and accelerated their germination more than for terrestrial plants. This indicates a relative advantage of endozoochory for plant species growing in wet habitats, possibly reflecting a co-evolutionary response related to dormancy breaking by gut passage. Simulating seed gut passage using a bioassay allowed establishing mechanisms and identifying relevant seed traits involved in seed dispersal by waterbirds. This information enhances our understanding of how animal species shape plant species distributions, which is extremely relevant now that current anthropogenic pressures already severely impact plant dispersal capacities.

Additional dataset for a paper "Direct evidence for intercontinental dispersal of a snail via a bird"

This is an appendix dataset for a published paper (https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.06771).  See publishing information.

Supporting data for: Limited genetic differentiation of Mycetomoellerius mikromelanos in Parc National Soberanía, Panama: Implications for queen dispersal

The coevolutionary relationship between fungus-growing ants (Formicidae: Attini: Attina) and their symbionts has been well-studied in the Panamanian rainforests. To further understand the ecological context of these evolutionary relationships, we have examined the population genetic structure of the fungus-growing ant species Mycetomoellerius mikromelanos Cardenas, Schultz, & Adams 2021, in the Panama Canal Zone. We specifically investigated the presence of population structure, the significance of geographic features (i.e., creeks) limiting gene flow, and relatedness between ant colonies. To accomplish this, we genotyped 85 ant colonies from nine creeks across an approximately 30 km transect in Parque National Soberanía, Panama using double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. We did not find distinct population structures using two genetic clustering methods; however, we did detect an effect of isolation by distance. Furthermore, related colonies were frequently detected on the same creek or neighboring creeks, and some at further geographic distances. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that new colonies tend to establish on natal creeks and occasionally on distant creeks following long-distance dispersal events. We discuss how population genetic patterns reveal the natural history of M. mikromelanos in Parque National Soberanía and how these results fit into the context of fungus-growing ant mutualisms.

Biophysical larval dispersal models of observed bonefish (Albula vulpes) spawning events in Abaco, The Bahamas: An assessment of population connectivity and ocean dynamics

Biophysical models are a powerful tool for assessing population connectivity of marine organisms that broadcast spawn. Albula vulpes is a species of bonefish that is an economically and culturally important sportfish found throughout the Caribbean and that exhibits genetic connectivity among geographically distant populations. We created ontogenetically relevant biophysical models for bonefish larval dispersal based upon multiple observed spawning events in Abaco, The Bahamas in 2013, 2018, and 2019. Biological parameterizations were informed through active acoustic telemetry, CTD casts, captive larval rearing, and field collections of related albulids and anguillids. Ocean conditions were derived from the Regional Navy Coastal Ocean Model American Seas dataset. Each spawning event was simulated 100 times using the program Ichthyop. Ten thousand particles were released at observed and putative spawning locations and were allowed to disperse for the full 71-day pelagic larval duration for A. vulpes. Settlement densities in defined settlement zones were assessed along with interactions with oceanographic features. The prevailing Northern dispersal paradigm exhibited strong connectivity with Grand Bahama, the Berry Islands, Andros, and self-recruitment to lower and upper Abaco. Ephemeral gyres and flow direction within Northwest and Northeast Providence Channels were shown to have important roles in larval retention to the Bahamian Archipelago. Larval development environments for larvae settling upon different islands showed few differences and dispersal was closely associated with the thermocline. Settlement patterns informed the suggestion for expansion of conservation parks in Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Andros, and the creation of a park in Eleuthera and the Berry Islands to protect fisheries. Further observation of spawning events and the creation of biophysical models will help to maximize protection for bonefish spawning locations and nursery habitat, and may help to predict year-class strength for bonefish stocks throughout the Greater Caribbean.

Patterns of pollen dispersal and pollen capture in the hybridizing cattails, Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia

Pollen dispersal regulates the formation of the invasive, wind-pollinated hybrid cattail T. × glauca, the F1 offspring of the broadleaf (T. latifolia) and narrowleaf (T. angustifolia cattail. An earlier study suggested that pollen dispersal by T. latifolia might be spatially restricted, with most dispersal occurring over distances less than 2 m. Restricted pollen dispersal would imply that hybrid formation primarily occurs within mixed stands of cattails. Hybrid formation might also be affected by preferential receipt of conspecific pollen, but this has not been investigated for cattails. We compared patterns of pollen dispersal for T. latifolia and T. angustifolia using a wind tunnel. We then tested whether patterns of pollen receipt were biased toward the capture of conspecific versus heterospecific pollen using monospecific cattail stands with a single local pollen source. Results from the wind tunnel partially supported the previous finding of spatially restricted pollen dispersal for T. latifolia, the paternal parent of F1 hybrids. Pollen receipt by T. angustifolia was biased toward the capture of conspecific pollen. Localized pollen dispersal by T. latifolia and preferential conspecific pollen capture by T. angustifolia should reduce rates of hybrid formation below that expected under random mating.

Data from: eDNA-stimulated cell dispersion from Caulobacter crescentus biofilms upon oxygen limitation is dependent on a toxin-antitoxin system

In their natural environment, most bacteria preferentially live as complex surface-attached multicellular colonies called biofilms. Biofilms begin with a few cells adhering to a surface, where they multiply to form a mature colony. When conditions deteriorate, cells can leave the biofilm. This dispersion is thought to be an important process that modifies the overall biofilm architecture and that promotes colonization of new environments. In Caulobacter crescentus biofilms, extracellular DNA (eDNA) is released upon cell death and prevents newborn cells from joining the established biofilm. Thus, eDNA promotes the dispersal of newborn cells and the subsequent colonization of new environments. These observations suggest that eDNA is a cue for sensing detrimental environmental conditions in the biofilm. Here we show that the toxin-antitoxin system (TAS) ParDE4 stimulates cell death in areas of a biofilm with decreased O2 availability. In conditions where O2 availability is low, eDNA concentration is correlated with cell death. Cell dispersal away from biofilms is decreased when parDE4 is deleted, probably due to the lower local eDNA concentration. Expression of parDE4 is positively regulated by O2 and the expression of this operon is decreased in biofilms where O2 availability is low. Thus, a programmed cell death mechanism using an O2-regulated TAS stimulates dispersal away from areas of a biofilm with decreased O2 availability and favors colonization of a new, more hospitable environment.

Dataset for "Surf-Net: A deep-learning-based method for extracting surface-wave dispersion curves"

dataset for the article "Surf-Net: A deep-learning-based method for extracting surface-wave dispersion curves" corrLSynV8.h5: the generated synthetic waveform dispersion.tar : the dispersion curves set for the generated synthetic waveform; the dispersion curves extracted in Northeast China; the dispersion curves extracted in Southeast China

Internal proper motion dispersion profiles for 37 Milky Way globular clusters extracted from Gaia EDR3

Internal proper motion dispersion profiles, in the radial and tangential components, extracted from Gaia EDR3 data for 37 Milky Way globular clusters. Created for, and used for model fitting in, the submitted manuscript: "Multimass modelling of Milky Way globular clusters - I. Implications on their stellar initial mass function above 1 M$_{\odot}$". Details on the creation of this dataset are available within this article.

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

Data for: The central Alps comprise a major dispersal barrier between western and eastern populations of two butterfly species

Aim: Environmental and species-specific factors shape spatial patterns in genetic diversity and population structure. Comparing different species within the same area helps to disentangle more general from species-specific factors affecting such geographic patterns. Here, we examined genetic diversity and population structuring through geographic features in two alpine butterfly species. Location: European Alps. Taxon: Copper butterflies (Lycaena spp.). Methods: We sampled 21 Lycaena hippothoe and 14 L. virgaureae populations with 18 individuals per population. We analysed the genetic diversity and structure<a> </a>of these populations by using 14 and nine microsatellite markers for L. hippothoe and L. virgaureae , respectively. Results: We found higher number of alleles, allelic richness, observed heterozygosity, FST values and more genetic clusters in L. hippothoe than in L. virgaureae. Both species displayed a major genetic barrier in the central Alps. Western and eastern L. hippothoe populations but central L. virgaureae populations showed the highest genetic diversity. Main Conclusions: The population genetic structures of both Copper butterflies seemed to be strongly affected by population history and demography. Patterns indicate for both species a western and an eastern glacial refuge. The high genetic diversity and pronounced population structure found in L. hippothoe seems to be related to a low dispersal ability and closed populations with high local abundances as opposed to L. virgaureae. The higher dispersal of the latter likely caused hybridisation in the central alpine contact zone boosting genetic diversity, which was not the case in L. hippothoe. These findings suggest that different conservation strategies are needed for these closely related species.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2021View details →

Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) data from two pyroxene grains from Apollo 17 soil 71501

This dataset contains hyperspectral EELS and EDS data for two pyroxene grains from Apollo 17 soil 71501 as well as iron oxidation state standards used in the original article "Detection of ferric iron in an exsolved lunar pyroxene using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS): Implications for space weathering and redox conditions on the Moon" by Brittany Cymes, Katherine Burgess, and Rhonda Stroud. (doi: 10.1111/maps.13941). The purpose of this dataset is to document chemical characteristics of lunar pyroxenes that can be used to interpret conditions of formation and evaluate chemical changes resultant from the process of space weathering.

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

Data and R scripts for: Effects of hunting on genetic diversity, inbreeding and dispersal in Finnish black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix)

While intensive hunting activities, such as commercial fishing and trophy hunting, can have profound influences on natural populations, less intensive recreational hunting can also have more subtle effects on animal behaviour, habitat use and movement, with implications for population persistence. Lekking species such as the black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) may be especially prone to hunting as leks are temporally and spatially predictable, making them easy targets. Furthermore, inbreeding in black grouse is mainly avoided through female-biased dispersal, so any disruptions to dispersal caused by hunting could lead to changes in gene flow, leading to an increasing risk of inbreeding. We therefore investigated the impact of hunting on genetic diversity, inbreeding and dispersal on a metapopulation of black grouse in Central Finland. We genotyped 1,065 adult males and 813 adult females from twelve lekking sites (six hunted, six unhunted) and 200 unrelated chicks from seven sites (two hunted, five unhunted) at up to thirteen microsatellite loci. Our initial confirmatory analysis of sex-specific fine-scale population structure revealed little genetic structure in the metapopulation. Levels of inbreeding did not differ significantly between hunted and unhunted sites in both adults and chicks. However, immigration rates into hunted sites were significantly higher among adults compared to immigration into unhunted sites. We conclude that the influx of migrants into hunted sites may compensate for the loss of harvested individuals, thereby increasing gene flow and mitigating inbreeding. Given the absence of any obvious potential barriers to gene flow in Central Finland, a spatially heterogeneous matrix of hunted and unhunted regions may be crucial to ensure sustainable harvests into the future.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Speciation in coastal basins driven by staggered headwater captures: Dispersal of a species complex, Leporinus bahiensis, as revealed by genome-wide SNP data

Past sea level changes and geological instability along watershed boundaries have largely influenced fish distribution across coastal basins, either by dispersal via palaeodrainages now submerged or by headwater captures, respectively. Accordingly, the South American Atlantic coast encompasses several small and isolated drainages that share a similar species composition, representing a suitable model to infer historical processes. Leporinus bahiensis is a freshwater fish species widespread along adjacent coastal basins over narrow continental shelf with no evidence of palaeodrainage connections at low sea level periods. Therefore, this study aimed to reconstruct its evolutionary history to infer the role of headwater captures in the dispersal process. To accomplish this, we employed molecular-level phylogenetic and population structure analyses based on Sanger sequences (5 genes) and genome-wide SNP data. Phylogenetic trees based on Sanger data were inconclusive, but SNPs data did support the monophyletic status of L. bahiensis. Both COI and SNP data revealed structured populations according to each hydrographic basin. Species delimitation analyses revealed from 3 (COI) to 5 (multilocus approach) MOTUs, corresponding to the sampled basins. An intricate biogeographic scenario was inferred and supported by Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) analysis. Specifically, a staggered pattern was revealed and characterized by sequential headwater captures from basins adjacent to upland drainages into small coastal basins at different periods. These headwater captures resulted in dispersal throughout contiguous coastal basins, followed by deep genetic divergence among lineages. To decipher such recent divergences, as herein represented by L. bahiensis populations, we used genome-wide SNPs data. Indeed, the combined use of genome-wide SNPs data and ABC method allowed us to reconstruct the evolutionary history and speciation of L. bahiensis. This framework might be useful in disentangling the diversification process in other neotropical fishes subject to a reticulate geological history.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Global expansion of a solitary-social tropical spitting spider shaped by multiple long-distance dispersals

The spitting spider Scytodes fusca is well known species complex for its unusual hunting technique which involves spitting a venomous sticky silken substance over its prey. Previous studies supposed that S. fusca was native to Central and Southern America but had been expanded to the tropics of almost every continent. We aimed to test the hypothesis of a Neotropical origin for this spider followed by a secondary dispersal to other regions, and to discuss how population expansion occurred in the tropics was driven. We investigated the population structure and spatiotemporal biogeography of the species complex through a culmination of a 22-year comprehensive global sampling using the mitochondrial and nuclear loci (COI, 16S, 18S, 28S, H3 and ITS2). The S. fusca species complex is divided into two clades. One clade comprises the haplotypes from Australasian regions and a haplotype from Baja Peninsula, Mexico. The other is composed of the haplotypes from all analyzed regions including Asia, Australia, the Americas and Madagascar. The Americas and Madagascar populations exhibit a lower genetic diversity compared with the Australasian population, and both have different population demographic histories. The initial divergence within the species complex started during the early Miocene. Diversifications of both clades occurred during the late Miocene. One haplotype was recently and widely dispersed into Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, the Americas and Madagascar. Our results elucidate the global spread history of the S. fusca species complex, suggesting a Malay Archipelago origin, two expansion routes, and its multiple dispersals into the Americas that stem from a common native source population, as well as from Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, or Turks and Caicos bridgeheads. Our data support that the expansion of the S. fusca species complex from Australasia to America and Madagascar was facilitated by long-distance jump dispersal events.

opencc-zeroJan 2023View details →

Data for: Determinants of natal dispersal distances in North American birds

Natal dispersal—the movement from birth site to first breeding site—determines demographic and population genetic dynamics and has important consequences for ecological and evolutionary processes. Recent work suggested that one of the main factors determining natal dispersal distances is the cost of locomotion. We evaluated this hypothesis using band-recovery data to estimate natal dispersal distances for 50 North American bird species. We then analysed the relationships between dispersal distances and a suite of morphological and ecological predictors, including proxies for the cost of locomotion (flight efficiency), using phylogenetic regression models. We found that flight efficiency, population size and habitat influence natal dispersal distances. We discuss how the effects of population size and habitat can also be related to mobility and locomotion. Our findings are consistent with a predominant effect of adaptations for mobility on dispersal distances.

opencc-by-4.0Dec 2022View details →

Long-distance dispersal drives the genetic variation and historical demography of Quercus magnoliifolia and Quercus resinosa (Fagaceae) in the Mexican highlands

Genotypes of chloroplast microsatellites used in Albarrán-Lara et al. Data comprises six loci from 61 localities sampling in Mexico

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Data for: The influence of vegetation structure on secondary diaspore dispersal by wind

The role of vegetation structure in relation to wind speed and diaspore attributes on secondary diaspore dispersal by wind has not been empirically studied. Here, we investigated secondary dispersal by wind of diaspores placed in 12 different kinds of vegetation and bare land. The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel using a range of wind speeds and diaspores that differed in mass and kind of appendages. The explanations of wind speed, diaspore attributes, vegetation coverage, life-form, vertical pattern and horizontal pattern for diaspore dispersal capacity were 6.67~10.40%, 16.13~20.53%, 6.227~24.64%, 0.10%, 0.74%, and 0.10%, respectively. Compared with wind speed and diaspore attributes, vegetation coverage contributed the most to diaspore dispersal capacity when vegetation coverage was low (<10% in our study). However, but with a high (10-30%) coverage, vegetation coverage was the least influential factor in secondary diaspore dispersal by wind. Vegetation coverage significantly interacted with vegetation life-form, horizontal pattern and vertical pattern on affecting diaspore dispersal capacity. Thus, the most influential factor determining secondary diaspore dispersal by wind is vegetation coverage.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Data from: Relative brain size is associated with natal dispersal rate and species' vulnerability to climate change in seabirds

The cognitive buffer hypothesis proposes that species with larger brains (relative to their body size) exhibit greater behavioural flexibility, conferring an advantage in unpredictable or novel environments. Therefore, behavioural flexibility – and relative brain size – are likely to be important predictors of a species' vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures and, ultimately, extinction risk. However, current evidence linking brain size to species vulnerability and extinction risk is inconclusive. Furthermore, studies examining the relationship between relative brain size and behavioural flexibility have mainly focused on foraging innovations, whilst other forms of behavioural flexibility remain unexplored. In this study, we collate species-specific information and examine links between relative brain size, rates of natal and adult dispersal (a measure of flexibility in breeding site fidelity), vulnerability to six anthropogenic threats and extinction risk for 131 species of seabird. We focused our study on seabirds, a highly threatened group that displays large variation in both relative brain size and dispersal behaviour. We found a significant positive relationship between relative brain size and natal dispersal rate, suggesting that relative brain size could enhance flexibility in breeding site choice in seabirds, consistent with the cognitive buffer hypothesis. However, this relationship does not persist when we consider adult dispersal, possibly reflecting constraints imposed by mate selection and knowledge transfer in seabirds. We also show that relative brain size is negatively associated with vulnerability to climate change. These findings have immediate application for predicting interspecific variation in species' vulnerability to climate change and identifying priority species for conservation.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Dataset: The dispersal of microbes among and within flowers by butterflies

This data set was collected to examine the ability of Lepidoptera to transport microbes among flowers, while foraging. The first set, "experiment 1", records bacteria and yeasts carried by two species of generalist-nectar-feeding butterflies, Speyeria mormonia and Glaucopsyche lygdamus. We captured wild butterflies in the central Colorado Rockies. We recorded butterfly species, sex, wing wear (which measures age, from 1 = youngest to 5 = oldest), date caught, date tested, and the number of colonies on a YM plate that was streaked by the proboscis, or by a wash from the thorax or by allowing the butterfly to walk across the plate. The second data set, "experiment 2", records the number of colonies of a test bacteria, Rhodococcus fascians, on stigma, anthers and nectaries of Pyrrocoma crocea. Data were collected using flowerheads and adult Speyeria mormonia collected in the field. A butterfly was allowed to feed on a floret; the floret was immediately dissected, and the stigma, anthers and nectaries streaked on a YM plate. A floret on a second flowerhead was then innoculated with the bacteria. The butterfly was allowed to feed on the innoculated floret, and the floret was immediately dissected and parts streaked as for the training floret. The butterfly then fed on a floret in the first flowerhead, and that floret was immediately dissected and parts streaked as for other florets. Data include the identity, sex and wing wear of the butterfly, the date captured, the date the experiment was run, the number of colonies of R. fascians from stigma, anthers and nectaries of all three floret types.

Simulation data of electrostatic wave dispersion relation measurement by MMS

We simulate electrostatic wave packets with an ion-acoustic like dispersion relation traveling at different directions in the probe coordinate system. We then set up a model spacecraft and measure the dispersion relation of the simulated wave packets using a method based on spin-plane interferometry.