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opencc-by-4.0Dec 2005View details →

Fig. 4 in Eight new species of Scrapter (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae), with descriptions of S. albifumus and S. amplispinatus females and a major range extension of the genus

Fig. 4. Scrapter acanthophorus sp. n., distinctive spurred metatibia (arrowed).

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Data for: Recent range shifts of moths, butterflies, and birds are driven by the breadth of their climatic niche

Species are altering their ranges as a response to climate change, but the magnitude and direction of observed range shifts vary considerably among species. The ability to persist in current areas and colonize new areas plays a crucial role in determining which species will thrive and which decline as climate change progresses. Several studies have sought to identify characteristics, such as morphological and life-history traits, that could explain differences in the capability of species to shift their ranges together with a changing climate. These characteristics have explained variation in range shifts only sporadically, thus offering an uncertain tool for discerning responses among species. As long-term selection to past climates have shaped species' tolerances, metrics describing species' contemporary climatic niches may provide an alternative means for understanding responses to on-going climate change. Species that occur in a broader range of climatic conditions may hold greater tolerance to climatic variability and could therefore more readily maintain their historical ranges, while species with more narrow tolerances may only persist if they are able to shift in space to track their climatic niche. Here, we provide a first-filter test of the effect of climatic niche dimensions on shifts in the leading range edges in three relatively well-dispersing species groups. Based on the realized changes in the northern range edges of 383 moth, butterfly, and bird species across a boreal 1100 km latitudinal gradient over c. 20 years, we show that while most morphological or life-history traits were not strongly connected with range shifts, moths and birds occupying a narrower thermal niche and butterflies occupying a broader moisture niche across their European distribution show stronger shifts towards the north. Our results indicate that the climatic niche may be important for predicting responses under climate change and as such warrants further investigation of potential mechanistic underpinnings.

Aqueous self-assembly of a wide range of sophorolipid and glucolipid microbial bioamphiphiles (biosurfactants): considerations about the structure-properties relationship

Hypothesis Sophorolipids are well-known scaled-up microbial glycolipid biosurfactants with strong commercialization potential for their biological origin, mildness compared to classical surfactants. However, their properties are still poorly understood, they cannot be predicted and their behaviour in solution challenges half a century of knowledge generated in the field of surfactant science. By studying forty different types of sophorolipids, this work contributes to better tackle their structure-property relationship and identify which chemical groups in their molecular structure have a critical influence towards their self-assembly properties in water.   Experiments This work explores the self-assembly properties at room temperature of sophorolipids and sophorosides in water using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), optical and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Structural features like the number of sugar headgroups, acetylation, end-chain functional group, (un)saturation, lactonization and length of chain are varied both to rationalize their impact and to understand their effect on the self-assembly.   Findings The number of sugar groups, pH, (un)saturation and lactonization were found to have a critical impact in respect to the sophorolipids self-assembly. The chemical nature of the end-chain functional group and the chain length were found to have a possibly critical impact, depending on the specific type of chemical function (COOH and long chains are critical). Mono- and diacetylation, as well as position of sophorose on the fatty acid (ω, ω-1), are not critical, i.e., do not significantly influence the sophorolipids self-assembly. Hypothesis Sophorolipids are well-known scaled-up microbial glycolipid biosurfactants with strong commercialization potential for their biological origin, mildness compared to classical surfactants. However, their properties are still poorly understood, they cannot be predicted and their behaviour in solution challenges half a century of knowledge generated in the field of surfactant science. By studying forty different types of sophorolipids, this work contributes to better tackle their structure-property relationship and identify which chemical groups in their molecular structure have a critical influence towards their self-assembly properties in water.   Experiments This work explores the self-assembly properties at room temperature of sophorolipids and sophorosides in water using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), optical and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Structural features like the number of sugar headgroups, acetylation, end-chain functional group, (un)saturation, lactonization and length of chain are varied both to rationalize their impact and to understand their effect on the self-assembly.   Findings The number of sugar groups, pH, (un)saturation and lactonization were found to have a critical impact in respect to the sophorolipids self-assembly. The chemical nature of the end-chain functional group and the chain length were found to have a possibly critical impact, depending on the specific type of chemical function (COOH and long chains are critical). Mono- and diacetylation, as well as position of sophorose on the fatty acid (ω, ω-1), are not critical, i.e., do not significantly influence the sophorolipids self-assembly.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Arctic nekton uncovered by eDNA metabarcoding: diversity, potential range expansions and benthopelagic coupling

The Arctic Ocean is home to a unique fauna that is disproportionately affected by global warming but that remains under-studied. Due to their high mobility and responsiveness to global warming, cephalopods and fishes are good indicators of the reshuffling of Arctic communities. Here, we established a nekton biodiversity baseline for the Fram Strait, the only deep connection between the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. Using universal primers for fishes (12S) and cephalopods (18S), we amplified environmental DNA (eDNA) from seawater (50–2700 m) and deep-sea sediment samples collected at the LTER HAUSGARTEN observatory. We detected twelve cephalopod and 31 fish taxa in the seawater and seven cephalopod and 28 fish taxa in the sediment, including the elusive Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus). Our data suggest three fish (Mallotus villosus, Thunnus sp. and Micromesistius poutassou) and one squid (Histioteuthis sp.) range expansions. The detection of eDNA of pelagic origin in the sediment also suggests that M. villosus, Arctozenus risso and M. poutassou as well as gonatid squids are potential contributors to the carbon flux. Continuous nekton monitoring is needed to understand the ecosystem impacts of rapid warming in the Arctic and eDNA proves to be a suitable tool for this endeavor.

opencc-zeroFeb 2023View details →

Distinct responses and range shifts of lizards populations across an elevational gradient under climate change

Ongoing climate change has profoundly affected global biodiversity, but its impacts on populations across elevations remain understudied. Using a mechanistic niche model incorporating species traits, we predicted ecophysiological responses (activity times, oxygen consumption and evaporative water loss) for lizard populations at high-elevation (< 3600 m asl) and extra-high-elevation (> 3600 m asl) under recent (1970–2000) and future (2081–2100) climates. Compared with their high-elevation counterparts, lizards from extra-high-elevations are predicted to experience a greater increase in activity time and oxygen consumption but a similar increase in evaporative water loss. By integrating these ecophysiological traits into a hybrid species distribution model (HSDM), we were able to make the following predictions under two warming scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP5-8.5). By 2081–2100, we predict that lizards at both high- and extra-high-elevations will shift upslope; lizards at extra-high-elevations will gain more and lose less habitat than will their high-elevation congeners. We therefore advocate the conservation of high-elevation species in the context of climate change, especially for those populations living close to their lower elevational range limits. In addition, by comparing the results from HSDM and traditional species distribution models, we highlight the importance of considering intraspecific variation and local adaptation in physiological traits along elevational gradients when forecasting species' future distributions under climate change.

Range restriction, climate variability, and human-related risks imperil lizards worldwide

Aims: Identifying major reasons for species imperilment is a necessary step for conservation, yet the degree to which we can generalize is hard for species-rich yet less-studied taxa, such as lizards. Here, we aim to bridge the gap by providing comprehensive analyses of the correlates and processes of species extinction and threats for global lizards. Location: Global Time period: Current Major taxa studied: Lizards Methods: We compiled a dataset comprising extinction risk status, six intrinsic traits, and seven extrinsic factors for 5256 lizard species. We carried out binomial distribution tests for 43 families and seven realms to check the non-randomness in species' extinction risk and then employed phylogenetic linear regressions to identify the key factors that relate to the extinction proneness of lizards and species subgroups. Based on the IUCN threat assessment, we identified major threats for global lizards and for major families and regions. Results: We found strong evidence of taxonomic and geographical non-randomness in the extinction risk of lizards. Geographical range size, human footprint and density, insular endemism, temperature and precipitation seasonality, and body size were key predictors of extinction risk, and the first three factors were also important across families and realms. Moreover, newly described species were more likely to have a restricted range size and a higher extinction risk. Globally, the most detrimental threat was habitat destruction, while overexploitation, species invasion, and climate change varied widely in importance among species groups. Main conclusions: Overall, we highlight the detrimental influences of range restriction, climate variability, and anthropogenic threats to species persistence. We suggest that lizards are potentially at high risk of extinction due to widespread human disturbance and species with extinction-prone traits require conservation prioritization. Moreover, lizards of different families and regions require different management strategies because of variation in extinction-risk correlates and threats. --

opencc-zeroDec 2022View details →

Data for: Implications of climate change for biocontrol efficacy across the northern range of the invasive plant Linaria dalmatica

The effect of insect biological control agents on invasive plant populations can vary spatially, and spatial variation in climate may drive regional variation in herbivory, and thus biocontrol efficacy. Within host plant populations, local plant abundance can also be affected by the spatial distribution of herbivores, but whether local patterns persist at larger scales is less well understood. We examined how infestation and damage of the stem-mining weevil Mecinus janthiniformis, a specialist biocontrol agent of the invasive plant Linaria dalmatica, varied with and among populations across the northern edge of the range in North America. We quantified weevil and invasive plant densities, as well as plant fecundity, stem diameter and height across sites spanning an area of ~39,000 km2 in British Columbia, Canada. We found that specialist weevils did not respond to host plant density within sites across the study region. Instead, weevil attack and load were most sensitive to among-site variability in climate, with stems at warmer sites have four times as many weevils compared to stems at cooler sites. Weevils also reduced plant fecundity more at warmer sites, when controlled for plant size (stem diameter) with larger effects of weevils in thicker stems, indicating that L. dalmatica suppression is highest in warmer locations where weevils are more abundant and environmental conditions more favorable. Our results suggest that, with climate change, the efficacy of biocontrol for L. dalmatica will improve across the northern edge of the range. We recommend that at cooler sites, where biocontrols are less prevalent and effects on plant fecundity are weaker, alternative management strategies are necessary at this time. Across invasive plant species more generally, future studies that establish the role of climate in variability in biocontrol efficacy long after introduction can improve management of invasive plants under climate change.

datasets for A systematic approach to study protein-substrate specificity enables the identification of Ssh1 substrate range

datasets for A systematic approach to study protein-substrate specificity enables the identification of Ssh1 substrate range

A quantitative autonomous bioluminescence reporter system with a wide dynamic range for Plant Synthetic Biology

This data set includes: Luminescence (NeoLuc Luminescence), Fluorescence (eGFP) , NeoLuc/eGFP ratios, Area Under The Curve of NeoLuc/eGFP ratios, Normalized Area Under The Curve of Neoluc/eGFP (FBP-RTAs), Firefly Luciferase luminescence (FLuc), Renilla Luciferase luminescence (RLuc), FLuc/RLuc ratios and Normalized  FLuc/RLuc values of all experiments in this work.

opencc-zeroFeb 2022View details →

Data on range-wide breeding habitat use of the critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola after population collapse

The population of the Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola, a formerly widely distributed and abundant songbird of northern Eurasia, suffered a catastrophic decline and a strong range contraction between 1980 and 2013. There is evidence that the decline was driven by illegal trapping during migration, but potential contributions of other factors to the decline, such as land-use change, have not yet been evaluated. Before effects of land-use change can be evaluated, a basic understanding of the ecological requirements of the species is needed. We therefore compared habitat use in ten remaining breeding regions across the range, from European Russia to Japan and the Russian Far East. We also assessed large-scale variation in habitat parameters across the breeding range. We found large variation in habitat use, within and between populations. Differences were related to the cover and height of trees and shrubs at Yellow-breasted Bunting territories. In many regions, Yellow-breasted Buntings occupied early successional stages, including anthropogenic habitats characterized by mowing, grazing or fire regimes. We found that the probability of presence can be best predicted with the cover of shrubs, herbs and grasses. Highest probabilities were found at shrub cover values of 40 to 70 %. Differences in habitat use along a longitudinal gradient were small, but we found strong differences across latitudes, possibly related to habitat availability. We conclude that the remaining Yellow-breasted Bunting populations are not limited to specific habitat types. Our results provide important baseline information to model the range-wide distribution of this critically endangered species and to guide targeted conservation measures.

Small mammal granivory as a biotic filter for tree establishment beyond elevation range boundaries

Trees often experience migration lags in their response to rapidly changing climate. Preferential granivory by nocturnal small mammals has the potential to create lags by reducing germination success beyond range edges. To determine how granivory may limit establishment of trees beyond their range margins, we conducted a seed choice experiment which offered seeds of five regionally dominant tree species to small mammals within distinct forest communities across a 400m elevational gradient on four mountains in the northeastern United States. Multinomial logistic mixed effects models were used to (a) quantify seed preference of each species across the elevational gradient and (b) assess relationships between seed preference and abiotic variables. A separate seed dispersal experiment was used to compare the probability of seed consumption versus seed caching. The low-elevation temperate tree species Fagus grandifolia and Acer saccharum had an equally high probability of granivory within and beyond their range margins (~40% and ~20%, respectively). Generally, seed preference was positively correlated with seed mass and nutrient content regardless of elevation. Our seed dispersal experiment revealed that seeds were 3× more likely to be consumed than cached, suggesting that small mammals can potentially decrease germination success. Overall, temperate tree species with either high seed mass or nutritional value may experience substantial granivory beyond their range margin, partially explaining the observed lag between tree dispersal and climate change. Thus, granivory is vital to consider when modeling future tree species distributions under various climate change scenarios.

Microsatellite alleles of two species of Tetramorium ants in their native and invasive ranges

Microsatellite alleles at 16 loci, for 80 individuals of Tetramorium immigrans and 84 individuals of T. tsushimae from both their native and invasive ranges.

Fig. 2 in Fuel Load And Flight Range Estimation Of Migrating Passerines In The Western Part Of The Carpathian Basin During The Autumn Migration

Fig. 2. Potential flight ranges (+ SE) of passerine species stopping over in Tömörd during

Long-range inhibition synchronizes and updates prefrontal task activity

Trial-by-trial physiology data (synchrony measurements and population activity vectors used to compute population vector similarity) supporting Cho et al., 2023. Any use of this data should cite this DOI as well as the associated publication.

Fig. 1 in Fuel Load And Flight Range Estimation Of Migrating Passerines In The Western Part Of The Carpathian Basin During The Autumn Migration

Fig. 1. Potential Mediterranean flyway in southern Europe (arrows) and the location of Tömörd

Drivers of strong isolation and small effective population size at a leading range edge of a widespread plant

Climate change has influenced species distributions worldwide with upward elevational shifts observed in many systems. Leading range edge populations, like those at upper elevation limits, are crucial for climate change responses but can exhibit low genetic diversity due to founder effects, isolation, or limited outbreeding. These factors can hamper local adaptation at range limits. Using the widespread herb, Argentina anserina, we measured ecological attributes (population density on the landscape, area of population occupancy, and plant and flower density) spanning a 1000m elevation gradient, with high elevation populations at the range limit. We measured vegetative clonal potential in the greenhouse for populations spanning the gradient. We combined these data with a ddRAD-seq dataset to test the hypotheses that high-elevation populations would exhibit ecological and genomic signatures of leading range edge populations. We found that population density on the landscape declined towards the high elevation limit, as is expected towards range edges. However, plant density was elevated within edge populations. In the greenhouse, high-elevation plants exhibited stronger clonal potential than low-elevation plants, likely explaining increased plant density in the field. Phylogeographic analysis supported more recent colonization of high-elevation populations which were also more genetically isolated, had more extreme heterozygote excess, and had smaller effective population size than low. Results support that colonization of high elevations was likely accompanied by increased asexuality, contributing to a decline in effective population size. Despite high plant density in leading-edge populations, their small effective size, isolation, and clonality could constrain adaptive potential.

Historic and contemporary biogeographic perspectives on range-wide spatial genetic structure in a widespread seagrass

This raw data set contains multilocus genotypes for 1,312 individual samples from 44 locations. Aim: Historical and contemporary processes drive spatial patterns of genetic diversity. These include climate-driven range shifts and gene flow mediated by biogeographical influences on dispersal. Assessments that integrate these drivers are uncommon, but critical for testing biogeographic hypotheses. Here, we characterise intraspecific genetic diversity and its spatial structure across the entire distribution of a temperate seagrass to test marine biogeographic concepts for southern Australia. Location: Temperate Australian coastal waters Methods: Predictive modelling was used to contrast the current Posidonia australis distribution to its historical distribution during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Spatial genetic structure was estimated for 44 sampled meadows from across the geographical range of the species using nine microsatellite loci. Results: Historical and contemporary distributions were similar, with the exception of the Bass Strait. Genetic clustering was consistent with the three currently recognised biogeographic provinces and largely consistent with the finer-scale IMCRA bioregions. Discrepancies were found within the Flindersian province and southwest IMCRA bioregion, while two regions of admixture coincided with transitional bioregions. Clonal diversity was highly variable, but positively associated with latitude. Genetic differentiation among meadows was significantly associated with oceanographic distance. Main conclusions: Our approach suggests how shared seascape drivers have influenced the capacity of P. australis to effectively track sea level changes associated with natural climate cycles over millennia, and in particular, the recolonisation of meadows across the Continental Shelf following the LGM. Genetic structure associated with IMCRA bioregions reflects the presence of stable biogeographic barriers, such as oceanic upwellings. This study highlights the importance of biogeography to infer the role of historical drivers in shaping extant diversity and structure.

Seed weight of Erodium cicutarium in its native and two invaded ranges

This dataset provides seed weights of the plant Erodium cicutarium in its native range in Germany as well as two invaded ranges, California (US) and Chile. The dataset is related to the following publication: Heger, T., Nikles, G., & Jacobs, B. S. (2018). Differentiation in native as well as introduced ranges: Germination reflects mean and variance in cover of surrounding vegetation. Aob Plants, ply009-ply009. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/ply009

Auditory time thresholds in the range of milliseconds but not seconds are impaired in ADHD

Dataset related to: Auditory time thresholds in the range of milliseconds but not seconds are impaired in ADHD