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115 results for “ecological role”
An effective mutualism? The role of theoretical studies in ecology and evolution
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Bite force in the strictly subterranean rodent family of African mole-rats (Bathyergidae): the role of digging mode, social organisation, and ecology
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Data from: Ovipositor and mouthparts in a fossil insect support a novel ecological role for early orthopterans in 300 million years old forests
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Data from: Micro- and macroparasite species richness in birds: the role of host life history and ecology
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Data from: Contrasting ecological roles of non-native ungulates in a novel ecosystem
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Data from: The role of ecology in allopatric speciation of darters in the Central Highlands, USA
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Data from: Explaining ecological shifts: the roles of temperature and primary production in the long-term dynamics of benthic faunal composition
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The roles of recombination and selection in shaping genomic divergence in an incipient ecological species complex
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Data from: Nematode parasite diversity in birds: the role of host ecology, life history and migration
Previous studies have found that migratory birds generally have a more diverse array of pathogens such as parasites, as well as higher intensities of infection. However, it is not clear whether this is driven by the metabolic and physiological demands of migration, differential selection on host life-history traits or basic ecological differences between migratory and non-migratory species. Parasitic helminths can cause significant pathology in their hosts, and many are trophically transmitted such that host diet and habitat use play key roles in the acquisition of infections. Given the concurrent changes in avian habitats and migratory behaviour, it is critical to understand the degree to which host ecology influences their parasite communities. We examined nematode parasite diversity in 153 species of Anseriformes (water birds) and Accipitriformes (predatory birds) in relation to their migratory behaviour, diet, habitat use, geographic distribution and life history using previously published data. Overall, migrators, host species with wide geographic distributions and those utilizing multiple aquatic habitats had greater nematode richness (number of species), and birds with large clutches harboured more diverse nematode fauna with respect to number of superfamilies. Separate analyses for each host order found similar results related to distribution, habitat use and migration; however, herbivorous water birds played host to a less diverse nematode community compared to those that consume some animals. Birds using multiple aquatic habitats have a more diverse nematode fauna relative to primarily terrestrial species, likely because there is greater opportunity for contact with parasite infectious stages and/or consumption of infected hosts. As such, omnivorous and carnivorous birds using aquatic habitats may be more affected by environmental changes that alter their diet and range. Even though there were no overall differences in their ecology and life history compared with non-migrators, migratory bird species still harboured a more diverse array of nematodes, suggesting that this behaviour places unique demands on these hosts and warrants further study.
Data from: The role of local ecology during hybridisation at the initial stages of ecological speciation in a marine snail
Hybrid zones of ecologically divergent populations are ideal systems to study the interaction between natural selection and gene flow during the initial stages of speciation. Here we perform an AFLP genome scan in parallel hybrid zones between divergent ecotypes of the marine snail Littorina saxatilis, which is considered a model case for the study of ecological speciation. RB (Ridged-Banded) and SU (Smooth-Unbanded) ecotypes are adapted to different shore levels and microhabitats, although they present a sympatric distribution at the mid-shore where they meet and mate (partially assortatively). We used shell morphology, outlier and non-outlier AFLP loci from RB, SU and hybrid specimens captured in sympatry to determine the level of phenotypic and genetic introgression. We found different levels of introgression at parallel hybrid zones and non-outlier loci showed more gene flow with greater phenotypic introgression. These results were independent from the phylogeography of the studied populations, but not from the local ecological conditions. Genetic variation at outlier loci was highly correlated with phenotypic variation. In addition, we used the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation to estimate the heritability of morphological traits and to identify potential QTLs to be confirmed in future crosses. These results suggest that ecology (exogenous selection) plays an important role in this hybrid zone. Thus, ecologically-based divergent natural selection is responsible, simultaneously, for both ecotype divergence and hybridisation. On the other hand, genetic introgression occurs only at neutral loci (non-outliers). In the future, genome-wide studies and controlled crosses would give more valuable information about this process of speciation in the face of gene flow.
Data from: Testing the role of ecology and life history in structuring genetic variation across a landscape: a trait-based phylogeographic approach
Hypotheses to explain phylogeographic structure traditionally invoke geographic features, but often fail to provide a general explanation for spatial patterns of genetic variation. Organisms' intrinsic characteristics might play more important roles than landscape features in determining phylogeographic structure. We developed a novel comparative approach to explore the role of ecological and life-history variables in determining spatial genetic variation and tested it on frog communities in Panama. We quantified spatial genetic variation within 31 anuran species based on mitochondrial DNA sequences, for which hierarchical approximate Bayesian computation analyses rejected simultaneous divergence over a common landscape. Regressing ecological variables, on genetic divergence allowed us to test the importance of individual variables revealing that body size, current landscape resistance, geographic range, biogeographic origin and reproductive mode were significant predictors of spatial genetic variation. Our results support the idea that phylogeographic structure represents the outcome of an interaction between organisms and their environment, and suggest a conceptual integration we refer to as trait-based phylogeography.
Data from: Heterospecific aggression and dominance in a guild of coral-feeding fishes: the roles of dietary ecology and phylogeny
Interspecific competition mediates biodiversity maintenance and is an important selective pressure for evolution. Competition is often conceptualized as being exploitative (indirect) or involving direct interference. However, most empirical studies are phenomenological, focusing on quantifying effects of density manipulations, and most competition theory has characterized exploitation competition systems. The effects on resource use of traits associated with direct, interference competition has received far less attention. Here we examine the relationships of dietary ecology and phylogeny to heterospecific aggression in a guild of corallivorous reef fishes. We find that, among chaetodontids (butterflyfishes), heterospecific aggression depends on a synergistic interaction of dietary overlap and specialization: aggression increases with dietary overlap for interactions between specialists but not for interactions involving generalists. Moreover, behavioral dominance is a monotonically increasing function of dietary specialization. The strong, positive relationship of dominance to specialization suggests that heterospecific aggression may contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity where it promotes resource partitioning. Additionally, we find strong phylogenetic signals in dietary overlap and specialization but not behavioral dominance. Our results support the use of phylogeny as a proxy for ecological similarity among butterflyfishes, but we find that direct measures of dietary overlap and specialization predict heterospecific agression much better than phylogeny.
Data from: Ungulate predation and ecological roles of wolves and coyotes in eastern North America
Understanding the ecological roles of species that influence ecosystem processes is a central goal of ecology and conservation biology. Eastern coyotes (Canis latrans) have ascended to the role of apex predator across much of eastern North America since the extirpation of wolves (Canis spp.) and there has been considerable confusion regarding their ability to prey on ungulates and their ecological niche relative to wolves. Eastern wolves (C. lycaon) are thought to have been the historical top predator in eastern deciduous forests and have previously been characterized as deer specialists that are inefficient predators of moose because of their smaller size relative to gray wolves (C. lupus). We investigated intrinsic and extrinsic influences on per capita kill rates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) during winter by sympatric packs of eastern coyotes, eastern wolves, and admixed canids in Ontario, Canada to clarify the predatory ability and ecological roles of the different canid top predators of eastern North America. Eastern coyote ancestry within packs negatively influenced per capita total ungulate (deer and moose combined) and moose kill rates. Furthermore, canids in packs dominated by eastern coyote ancestry consumed significantly less ungulate biomass and more anthropogenic food than packs dominated by wolf ancestry. Similar to gray wolves in previous studies, eastern wolves preyed on deer where they were available. However, in areas were deer were scarce, eastern wolves killed moose at rates similar to those previously documented for gray wolves at comparable moose densities across North America. Eastern coyotes are effective deer predators, but their dietary flexibility and low kill rates on moose suggest they have not replaced the ecological role of wolves in eastern North America.
Drivers of intraspecific differentiation of the alpine cold tolerant herb Notopterygium oviforme: the roles of isolation by distance and ecological factors
<p>Determining the driver mechanisms of phenotypic and genetic divergence of species have long been the central topic in evolutionary biology. However, the relative roles of isolation by distance (IBD) and environment factors in contributing to species divergence is largely undetermined in perennial herbs in East Asia. In this study, we collected population genetic samples of a cold-tolerant perennial herb <i>Notopterygium oviforme</i> in central China. We integrated the population transcriptomes, whole chloroplast genomes, genotyping-by-sequencing, microsatellite markers and ecological environment factors to determine the relative contributions of geography, climatic and soil factors on genetic, chemical and phenotypic trait divergence. The clearly genetic distinction was identified between the west Qinling (WQ) and east Qinling Mountains (EQ) geographical groups within<i> N. oviforme</i>. Interestingly, the two groups have existed the obviously niche conservatism, which might have caused the similarity of most leaf functional traits. Multiple matrix regression with randomization analysis showed that the spatial pattern of intraspecific divergence mainly resulted from effect of IBD, not isolation by environment. Meanwhile, transcriptomic expression divergence and some ecological factors have played the key roles in differentiation of intraspecific lineage. Approximate Bayesian Computation showed that both lineages have experienced the historically population expansion, and the recent range contraction. Molecular dating suggested that the intraspecific divergence was closely associated with the dramatically uplifts of the Qinling Mountains in East Asia. These results demonstrated that the geography, geological and environmental factors together shaped the cryptic intraspecific diversification and population dynamics shifts of<i> </i>perennial cold tolerant herb.</p>
Fig. 1 in The ecological role of immature phantom midges (Diptera: Chaoboridae) in the Eocene Lake Messel, Germany
Fig. 1. The geographic position of Lake Messel during the Eocene. White indicates sea, grey indicates land during the Eocene. The outlines of present-day northern Europe are superimposed. Modified after Franzen (1992).
Drivers of intraspecific differentiation of the alpine cold tolerant herb Notopterygium oviforme: the roles of isolation by distance and ecological factors
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Data from: Ungulate predation and ecological roles of wolves and coyotes in eastern North America
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Data from: Brain size evolution in pipefishes and seahorses: the role of feeding ecology, life history and sexual selection
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Data from: Ecomorphological diversifications of Mesozoic marine reptiles: the roles of ecological opportunity and extinction
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Data from: Heterospecific aggression and dominance in a guild of coral-feeding fishes: the roles of dietary ecology and phylogeny
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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.