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518 results for “life history traits”
Experimental sexual selection affects the evolution of physiological and life history traits
<p>Sexual selection and sexual conflict are expected to affect all aspects of the phenotype, not only traits that are directly involved in reproduction. Here, we show coordinated evolution of multiple physiological and life history traits in response to long-term experimental manipulation of the mating system in populations of <em>Drosophila pseudoobscura</em>. Development time was extended under polyandry relative to monogamy in both sexes, potentially due to higher investment in traits linked to sexual selection and sexual conflict. Individuals (especially males) evolving under polyandry had higher metabolic rates and locomotor activity than those evolving under monogamy. Polyandry individuals also invested more in metabolites associated with increased endurance capacity and efficient energy metabolism and regulation, namely lipid and glycogen. Finally, polyandry males were less desiccation- and starvation- resistant than monogamy males, suggesting trade-offs between resistance and sexually selected traits. Our results provide experimental evidence that mating systems can impose selection that influences the evolution of non-sexual phenotypes such as development, activity, metabolism, and nutrient homeostasis.</p>
Life-history traits modulate the influence of environmental stressors on biodiversity: the case of fireflies, climate, and artificial light at night
Aim Artificial light at night (ALAN) is an unprecedented stressor recently introduced in the abiotic milieu of natural landscapes. As such, understanding how ALAN and other natural stressors act in concert to shape the spatial distribution of biodiversity is a core goal in conservation ecology. Here, we aim at understanding how ALAN and climate interact with life-history traits and courtship signalling systems to dictate the composition of firefly communities in a global biodiversity hotspot. Location An extensive elevational gradient in the Atlantic Rainforest (Brazil) currently known as the hottest hotspot of fireflies on Earth. Methods We used multivariate species distribution models to understand how species traits and courtship signalling systems interact with climate and ALAN to determine species abundances within firefly communities. We also investigated how species-specific responses to climate and ALAN scale up to determine compositional changes in firefly communities along the elevational gradient. Results We found that climate shapes communities by filtering species according to their body size and trophic position. ALAN dictates the dominant courtship signalling system within communities by affecting the abundance of species that use bioluminescence or a combination of bioluminescence and pheromones in courtship. We also found that associations between beta-diversity and ALAN were non-stationary, being higher in regions under low levels of light pollution. This suggests that even incipient increases in ALAN within protected areas can yield fast changes in the composition of firefly communities. Main Conclusions Firefly responses to climate and ALAN are modulated by traits associated with different facets of their life histories. Given the alarming changes in both stressors predicted for the foreseeable future, our findings indicate that firefly communities are vulnerable to compositional changes even within protected areas. --
The expression of demographic costs of reproduction varies among coexisting plants with different life history traits
<p><span>1. </span><span>Demographic costs of reproduction in flowering plants should depend on life history and reproductive effort, but how the expression of costs varies with life history traits is poorly understood.</span></p> <p><span>2. </span><span>We experimentally increased and reduced reproductive effort (fruit production) to quantify demographic costs of reproduction in four coexisting species with contrasting growth forms (clonal vs. nonclonal) and flower production (single- vs. multi-flowered). We repeated the experiment in three years, and measured demographic rates the year after treatment. In two years, we also quantified costs of flower maintenance by contrasting the performance of nonfruiting plants with intact flowers and plants with their flowers removed.</span></p> <p><span>3. </span><span>Costs varied among species, in both magnitude and demographic rate affected. Costs of natural reproduction were expressed as reductions in size and fecundity next year, whereas increased reproduction additionally reduced sprouting probability. The magnitude of demographic costs of both reproduction and flower maintenance was highest in the nonclonal, multi-flowered species, and costs were more frequently detected in the two multi-flowered species than in the single-flowered ones. This may be explained by higher biomass allocation to reproductive parts and a longer flowering period in the former. Demographic costs of reproduction did not depend on clone size.</span></p> <p><span>4. </span><span>These results document that demographic costs vary among coexisting species sharing similar niches, and are associated with divergence in life history traits. Such trait-dependent variation in costs may reduce competition among coexisting species and facilitate diversity.</span></p>
Connectivity among thermal habitats buffers the effects of warm climate on life-history traits and population dynamics
<p>1. Contemporary climate change affects population dynamics, but its influence varies with landscape structure. It is still unclear whether landscape fragmentation buffers or enhances the effects of climate on population size and on the age and body size of individuals composing these populations.</p> <p>2. This study aims to investigate the impacts of warm climates on lizard life-history traits and population dynamics in habitats varying in their connectivity.</p> <p>3. We monitored common lizard (<em>Zootoca vivipara</em>) populations for three years in an experimental system in which both climatic conditions and connectivity among habitats were simultaneously manipulated. We considered two climatic treatments (i.e., present-day climate and warm climate (+1.4°C than present-day climate)) and two connectivity treatments (i.e., a connected treatment in which individuals could move from one climate to the other and an isolated treatment in which movement between climates was not possible). We monitored survival, reproduction, growth, dispersal, age and body size of each individual in the system as well as population density through time.</p> <p>4. We found that the influence of warm climates on the life-history traits and population dynamics depended on the connectivity among thermal habitats. Populations in warm climates were i) composed of younger individuals only when isolated; ii) larger in population size only in connected habitats; and iii) composed of larger age-specific individuals independently of the landscape configuration. The connectivity among habitats altered population responses to climate warming likely through asymmetries in the flow and phenotype of dispersers between thermal habitats.</p> <p>5. Our results demonstrate that landscape fragmentation can drastically change the dynamics and persistence of populations facing climate change.</p>
Figure 4 in Life-History traits of Hollandichthys multifasciatus (Eigenmann & Norris, 1900) (Characiformes: Characidae) in coastal Atlantic Forest blackwater streams from
Figure 4. Frequency distribution of oocytes diameter (mm) of mature females of Hollandichthys multifasciatus sampled at the different coastal blackwater streams in the Baixada Santista and Northern Coast Basins, São Paulo state. P2 (N = 4); P3 (N = 3); P4 (N = 10); P5 (N = 4); P6 (N = 4).
Figure 3 in Life-History traits of Hollandichthys multifasciatus (Eigenmann & Norris, 1900) (Characiformes: Characidae) in coastal Atlantic Forest blackwater streams from
Figure 3. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) plot of environmental variables measured at 10 blackwater streams in the Baixada Santista and Northern Coast Basins, São Paulo state. Environmental variables are indicated by vectors. DOC = Dissolved Organic Carbon; Temp = Temperature; C = Conductivity; DO = Dissolved Oxygen; HC = High Canopy; S = Sand; SC = Silt/Clay; LB = Leaf Banks; OV = Overhanging vegetation. For stream acronyms see Table 1.
Figure 1 in Life-History traits of Hollandichthys multifasciatus (Eigenmann & Norris, 1900) (Characiformes: Characidae) in coastal Atlantic Forest blackwater streams from
Figure 1. Study area, coastal region of the State of São Paulo. Sampled streams (JP1, JP2 – Itapanhaú); (P1-P6 – Guaratuba); Itaguaré (MP) and Una (BB1 – Una). Adapted from Esteves et al. (2019).
Figure 2 in Life-History traits of Hollandichthys multifasciatus (Eigenmann & Norris, 1900) (Characiformes: Characidae) in coastal Atlantic Forest blackwater streams from
Figure 2. View of one of the sampling sites (JP1, Itapanhaú sub-basin), showing block nets at the 100 m sampled stretch.
Variation and plasticity in life-history traits and fitness of wild Arabidopsis thaliana populations are not related to their genotypic and ecological diversity
<p>Despite its implications for population dynamics and evolution, the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation in wild populations remains unclear. Here, we estimated variation and plasticity in life-history traits and fitness of the annual plant <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> in two common garden experiments that differed in environmental conditions. We used up to 306 maternal inbred lines from six Iberian populations characterized by low and high genotypic (based on whole-genome sequences) and ecological (vegetation type) diversity. Low and high genotypic and ecological diversity was found in edge and core Iberian environments, respectively. Given that selection is expected to be stronger in edge environments and that ecological diversity may enhance both phenotypic variation and plasticity, we expected genotypic diversity to be positively associated with phenotypic variation and plasticity. However, maternal lines, irrespective of the genotypic and ecological diversity of their population of origin, exhibited a substantial amount of phenotypic variation and plasticity for all traits. Furthermore, all populations harbored maternal lines with canalization (robustness) or sensitivity in response to harsher environmental conditions in one of the two experiments. Overall, we conclude that the environmental attributes of each population probably determine their genotypic diversity, but all populations maintain substantial phenotypic variation and plasticity for all traits, which represents an asset to endure in changing environments.</p>
Dataset of "Life history traits and cancer prevalence in birds" article
<p>Data used in the "Life history traits and cancer prevalence in birds" article. This dataset provides taxonomic information about the bird species used in this article, as well as the species' neoplasia and malignancy prevalence, and life history trait data.</p>
Combining local ecological knowledge with camera traps to assess the link between African mammal life history traits and their occurrence in anthropogenic landscapes
<p>Understanding what influences species and trait composition is critical for predicting changes in communities driven by landscape transformation. </p> <p>We explored how life history traits are associated with the persistence of mammal species in human-dominated habitats within the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. We combined data from a camera trap and a local ecological knowledge-based survey in an integrated occupancy model to analyze species occurrence along a gradient of anthropogenic landscape transformation. </p> <p>Results confirmed that mammal occurrence in human-modified habitats was related to specific life history traits. Species with more specialist diets, as well as larger body mass species were more likely to stay in protected areas. Species with slow reproductive strategies occupied more natural areas. </p> <p>Our study also showed that combining different monitoring methods enabled us to increase spatial coverage and mammal sighting numbers. This approach fostered research participation by various stakeholders, an important step for co-designing wildlife-friendly anthropogenic spaces. </p> <p><strong>Synthesis and applications: </strong>Integrating data from a standard ecological protocol and structured participatory citizen knowledge allowed us to identify the species functional traits associated with mammal species occurrence in anthropogenic landscapes at a local scale. These results advocate for wisely combining methods, and will guide conservation orientated land-use planning towards the protection of natural habitats in the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve. This methodological approach will enable managers and conservationists to use data obtain from diverse protocols. This should catalyze the involvement of citizens in biodiversity monitoring and conservation.</p>
Data from: Selection for life-history traits to maximize population growth in an invasive marine species
Species establishing outside their natural range, negatively impacting local ecosystems, are of increasing global concern. They often display life-history features characteristic for r-selected populations with fast growth and high reproduction rates to achieve positive population growth rates (r) in invaded habitats. Here, we demonstrate substantially earlier maturation at a 2 orders of magnitude lower body mass at first reproduction in invasive compared to native populations of the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi. Empirical results are corroborated by a theoretical model for competing life-history traits that predicts maturation at the smallest possible size to optimize r, while individual lifetime reproductive success (R0), optimized in native populations, is near constant over a large range of intermediate maturation sizes. We suggest that high variability in reproductive tactics in native populations is an underappreciated determinant of invasiveness, acting as substrate upon which selection can act during the invasion process.
Quantitative trait locus mapping reveals an independent genetic basis for joint divergence in leaf function, life-history, and floral traits between scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis) populations
<p><b>PREMISE </b></p> <p>Across taxa, vegetative and floral traits that vary along a fast-slow life-history axis are often correlated with leaf functional traits arrayed along the leaf economics spectrum, suggesting a constrained set of adaptive trait combinations. Such broad-scale convergence may arise from genetic constraints imposed by pleiotropy (or tight linkage) within species, or from natural selection alone. Understanding the genetic basis of trait syndromes and their components is key to distinguishing these alternatives and predicting evolution in novel environments.</p> <p><b>METHODS </b></p> <p>We used a line-cross approach and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to characterize the genetic basis of twenty leaf functional/physiological, life history, and floral traits in hybrids between annualized and perennial populations of scarlet monkeyflower (<i>Mimulus cardinalis</i>).</p> <p><b>RESULTS </b></p> <p>We mapped both single and multi-trait QTLs for life history, leaf function and reproductive traits, but found no evidence of genetic co-ordination across categories. A major QTL for three leaf functional traits (thickness, photosynthetic rate, and stomatal resistance) suggests that a simple shift in leaf anatomy may be key to adaptation to seasonally dry habitats.</p> <p><b>CONCLUSIONS </b></p> <p>Our results suggest that the co-ordination of resource-acquisitive leaf physiological traits with a fast life history and more selfing mating system results from environmental selection rather than functional or genetic constraint. Independent assortment of distinct trait modules, as well as a simple genetic basis to leaf physiological traits associated with drought escape, may facilitate adaptation to changing climates. </p>
Many roads to success: Different combinations of life-history traits provide accurate germination timing in seasonally dry environments
Germination timing is determined by several plant life-history traits. Seed dormancy regulates the time and place of early plant development and spreads recruitment risks over time. Dispersal phenology and syndrome can influence germination timing and buffer spatial heterogeneity. The ecological requirements for germination (the germination niche) can also influence when and where germination takes place. To date, the relative importance of each of these four traits to ensure the phenological adaptation of individual species in diverse communities remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the functional interactions among them and their relevance in heterogenous, seasonally dry environments. We collected seed dispersal phenology and syndrome for 82 species of the Brazilian savanna (cerrado) and evaluated the dormancy and germination behavior of the seeds of every taxon. Based on these data, we developed two new ecological indexes to estimate the likelihood of a non-dormant seed to germinate upon dispersal (∆G) and the overall variability of germination through time (σT). We then evaluated the influence of each trait on germination timing within a phylogenetically controlled framework. Our results show that even though germination is concentrated at the beginning of the rainy season, seed dispersal takes place year-round. Non-dormant seeds released during the dry season were characterized by high ∆G values that delayed their germination until the onset of the favorable season. Simultaneously, seed dormancy and spatial dispersal (i.e., the two risk-reduction mechanisms) were negatively correlated as dormancy and high σT values were only prevalent in seeds with reduced spatial dispersal ability. We conclude that the timing of seed germination is ultimately the net outcome of adaptive interactions among life-history traits, which can result in multiple functionally equivalent phenotypes. It is possible that this might contribute to community diversity by providing opportunities for the coexistence of different species.
FIGURE 1 in The Impact Of Cucumber Nitrogen Nutrition On Life History Traits Of Tetranychus Urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae)
FIGURE 1: Age specific survival rate (lx) and fecundity (mx) of Tetranychus urticae on four nitrogen treatments
Selfing rate variation within species is unrelated to life-history traits or geographic range position
<p>Premise: In plants, populations and species vary widely along the continuum from outcrossing to selfing. Life-history traits and ecological circumstances influence among-species variation in selfing rates but their general role in explaining intraspecific variation is unknown. Using a database of plant species, we test whether life-history traits, geographic range position, or abundance predict selfing rate variation among populations. </p> <p>Methods: We identified species where selfing rates were estimated in at least three populations at known locations. Two key life-history traits (generation time and growth form) were used to predict within-species selfing rate variation. Populations sampled within a species' native range were assessed for proximity to the nearest edge and abundance. Finally, we conducted linear and segmented regressions to determine functional relationships between selfing rate and geographic range position within species.</p> <p>Key results: While woody species exhibit lower variation in selfing rates compared to herbs, this is explained by the lower average selfing rate of woody species. Relationships between selfing and peripherality or abundance significantly varied among species in their direction and magnitude. However, there was no general pattern of increased selfing towards range edges. A power analysis shows that tests of this hypothesis require studying many (i.e. 40+) populations.</p> <p>Conclusions: Intraspecific variation in plant mating systems is often substantial yet remains difficult to explain. Beyond sampling more populations, future tests of biogeographic hypotheses will benefit from phylogeographic information concerning specific range edges, the study of traits influencing mating system (e.g. herkogamy), and measures of abundance at local scales (e.g. population density).</p>
Data for: Phylogenetically controlled life history trait meta-analysis in cetaceans reveals unexpected negative brain size and longevity correlation
<p>The identification of patterns in trait evolution is essential to understand the interaction of evolutionary forces, and provides useful information for species management. Cetaceans are a phylogenetically well-resolved infraorder that exhibit distinct trait variation across behavioural, molecular and life history dimensions, yet few researchers have applied a meta-analytic or comparative approach to these traits. To understand cetacean trait evolution, we used a phylogenetic generalised least squares approach to examine the cognitive buffer hypothesis (CBH). A large brain should buffer individuals against environmental challenges through increasing survival rates, and a longer lifespan should buffer individuals against the cost of extended development for larger brains according to the CBH, leading to an expected positive correlation between brain size and lifespan. In contrast to this expectation, previously observed in taxa including primates, we found a negative correlation between brain size and lifespan in cetaceans. This suggests cetaceans experience selective pressures different from most other mammals in these traits but may be more similar to some social mammalian carnivores that display alloparenting. We also provide a comprehensive dataset to explore additional aspects of trait evolution but which would greatly benefit from studies on behavioural ecology across cetaceans and increased focus on data-deficient species. </p>
Life history traits of Potamopyrgus antipodarum in variable salinity and temperature
<p>Organisms exposed to major environmental change face atypical and stressful conditions across multiple environmental variables, yet studies of phenotypically plastic responses historically focus on one environmental variable at a time. Evaluating multivariate plasticity of traits across different, simultaneously varying environmental variables provides new insights into the fate of populations amidst environmental changes. We aimed to investigate plasticity in multivariate environments by 1) examining the individual and joint effects of two environmental variables and 2) calculating genotype-by-environment interactions and genetic correlations of character states to investigate potential evolutionary constraints.</p> <p>We performed a lab controlled-environment experiment under a full factorial design of low and high temperatures and salinities with multiple maternal lineages of a parthenogenetic freshwater snail, <em>Potamopyrgus antipodarum</em>. Our results revealed that predictions of plastic trait responses among multivariate environments may be unexpected due to non-additive effects of environmental variables and varying magnitudes and orientations of genetic correlations among fitness-related traits. Considering multivariate environments provides deeper insight and advancement of understanding trait evolution by revealing trait patterns that would otherwise be missed in univariate studies. </p>
Developmental Temperature Affects Life-History Traits and Heat Tolerance in the Aphid Parasitoid Aphidius colemani
<p>Dataset associated to the paper "Developmental Temperature Affects Life-History Traits and Heat Tolerance in the Aphid Parasitoid<em> Aphidius colemani". </em>In this study, we exposed the aphid parasitoid <em>Aphidius colemani</em> to different temperature regimes (10, 20, or 28 °C) throughout larval development and measured morphological and physiological traits indicator of fitness and heat tolerance in the adult.</p>
Dataset for Trans-generational effects on diapause and life-history-traits of an aphid parasitoid
<p>Dataset for the following article: Transgenerational effects act on a wide range of insects’ life-history traits and can be involved in the control of developmental plasticity, such as diapause expression. Decrease in or total loss of winter diapause expression recently observed in some species could arise from inhibiting maternal effects. In this study, we explored transgenerational effects on diapause expression and traits in one commercial and one Canadian field strain of the aphid parasitoid <em>Aphidius ervi</em>. These strains were reared under short photoperiod (8:16 h LD) and low temperature (14 °C) conditions over two generations. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/diapause">Diapause</a> levels, developmental times, physiological and morphological traits were measured. Diapause levels increased after one generation in the Canadian field but not in the commercial strain. For both strains, the second generation took longer to develop than the first one. Tibia length and wing surface decreased over generations while fat content increased. A crossed-generations experiment focusing on the industrial parasitoid strain showed that offspring from mothers reared at 14 °C took longer to develop, were heavier, taller with wider wings and with more fat reserves than those from mothers reared at 20 °C (8:16 h LD). No effect of the mother rearing conditions was shown on diapause expression. Additionally to direct plasticity of the offspring, results suggest transgenerational plasticity effects on diapause expression, development time, and on the values of life-history traits. We demonstrated that populations showing low diapause levels may recover higher levels through transgenerational plasticity in response to diapause-induction cues, provided that environmental conditions are reaching the induction-thresholds specific to each population. Transgenerational plasticity is thus important to consider when evaluating how insects adapt to changing environments.</p>
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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)
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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.
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