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22 results for “visual ecology”
Sensory weighting reflects changing patterns of visual investment during ecological divergence in Heliconius butterflies
<p>Integrating information across sensory modalities enables animals to orchestrate a wide range of complex behaviours. The relative importance placed on one sensory modality over another reflects the reliability of cues in a particular environment and corresponding differences in neural investment. As populations diverge across environmental gradients, the reliability of sensory cues may shift, favouring divergence in neural investment and sensory weighting. During their divergence across closed-forest and forest-edge habitats, <em>Heliconius </em>butterflies <em>H. cydno</em> and <em>H. melpomene </em>evolved distinct brain morphologies, with the former<em> </em>investing more in vision. Molecular and anatomical data suggest selection drove these changes, but their behavioural effects remain uncertain. We hypothesised that divergent investment in neuropils may alter sensory weighting during behavioural tasks. To address this, we trained individuals in an associative learning experiment using multimodal colour and odour cues. When positively rewarded stimuli were presented in conflict pairing positively trained colour with negatively trained odour, and vice-versa, <em>H. cydno</em> prioritised visual cues more strongly than <em>H. melpomene</em>. Hence, differences in sensory weighting may evolve early during divergence and are predicted by patterns of neural investment. These findings, alongside other examples, imply that differences in sensory weighting stem from sensory investment as adaptations to local sensory environments.</p>
Spectral sensitivity transition in the compound eyes of a twilight-swarming mayfly and its visual ecological implications
<p>Aquatic insect species that leave the water after larval development, such as mayflies, have to deal with extremely different visual environments in their different life stages. Measuring the spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes of the virgin mayfly (Ephoron virgo) resulted in differences between the sensitivity of adults and larvae. Larvae were primarily green-, while adults were mostly UV-sensitive. The sensitivity of adults and larvae were the same in the UV, but in the green spectral range, adults were 3.3 times less sensitive than larvae. Transmittance spectrum measurements of larval skins covering the eye showed that the removal of exuvium during emergence cannot explain the spectral sensitivity change of the eyes. Taking numerous sky spectra from the literature, the ratio of UV and green photons in the skylight was shown to be maximal for θ ≈ − 13° solar elevation, which is in the θmax = -14.7° and θmin = -7.1° typical range of swarming that was established from webcam images of real swarmings. We suggest that spectral sensitivity of both the larval and adult eyes are adapted to the optical environment of the corresponding life stages.</p>
Text-fig. 4. Graphical visualization of Phytogeographic Reference Regions Assessment (PRRA) of nearest living relative genera of fossil-taxa from late Early Miocene Wiesa assemblage in eastern Germany. Analysis yields only NLRs which have modern distribution area (partly) in E and SE Asia. For relationships of fossil-taxa to nearest living relatives or ecological equivalents, see Tab. 6; taxa used for analysis marked with asterisks. Three geographic resolutions conducted: a – grid with 1.5° latitude/longitude resolution, b – grid with 2°, c – grid with 3°; similarity column indicates cooccurrences of genera of nearest living relatives in single grid box. Maximum value in our analysis: grid box marked with arrow in map a, located in western Yunnan Province, P. R. China and southern Kachin Province, NE Myanmar (east of Myitkyina city), area with 97.371 7–98.874 2° longitude and 24.586 7–25.837 5° latitude, yields 23 co-occurring species of 13 genera (Tab. 7). in Assessment Of Phytogeographic Reference Regions For Cenozoic Vegetation: A Case Study On The Miocene Flora Of Wiesa (Germany)
Text-fig. 4. Graphical visualization of Phytogeographic Reference Regions Assessment (PRRA) of nearest living relative genera of fossil-taxa from late Early Miocene Wiesa assemblage in eastern Germany. Analysis yields only NLRs which have modern distribution area (partly) in E and SE Asia. For relationships of fossil-taxa to nearest living relatives or ecological equivalents, see Tab. 6; taxa used for analysis marked with asterisks. Three geographic resolutions conducted: a – grid with 1.5° latitude/longitude resolution, b – grid with 2°, c – grid with 3°; similarity column indicates cooccurrences of genera of nearest living relatives in single grid box. Maximum value in our analysis: grid box marked with arrow in map a, located in western Yunnan Province, P. R. China and southern Kachin Province, NE Myanmar (east of Myitkyina city), area with 97.371 7–98.874 2° longitude and 24.586 7–25.837 5° latitude, yields 23 co-occurring species of 13 genera (Tab. 7).
Data from: Repeated evolution of reduced visual investment at the onset of ecological speciation in high-altitude <em>Heliconius</em> butterflies
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Weighting of sensory cues reflects changing patterns of visual investment during ecological divergence in Heliconius butterflies
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Spectral sensitivity transition in the compound eyes of a twilight-swarming mayfly and its visual ecological implications
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Foraging shifts and visual preadaptation in ecologically diverse bats
<p>Changes in behaviour may initiate shifts to new adaptive zones, with physical adaptations for novel environments evolving later. While new mutations are commonly considered engines of adaptive change, sensory evolution enabling access to new resources might also arise from standing genetic diversity, and even gene loss. We examine the relative contribution of molecular adaptations, measured by positive and relaxed selection, acting on eye expressed genes associated with shifts to new adaptive zones in ecologically diverse bats from the superfamily Noctilionoidea. Collectively, noctilionoids display remarkable ecological breadth, from highly divergent echolocation to flight strategies linked to specialized insectivory, the parallel evolution of diverse plant-based diets (e.g., nectar, pollen, and fruit) from ancestral insectivory, and –unusually for echolocating bats– often have large, well-developed eyes. We report contrasting levels of positive selection in genes associated with the development, maintenance, and scope of visual function, tracing back to the origins of noctilionoids and Phyllostomidae (the bat family with most dietary diversity), instead of during shifts to novel diets. Generalized plant visiting was not associated with exceptional molecular adaptation, and exploration of these novel niches took place in an ancestral phyllostomid genetic background. In contrast, evidence for positive selection in vision genes was found at subsequent shifts to either nectarivory or frugivory. Thus, neotropical noctilionoids that use visual cues for identifying food and roosts, as well as for orientation, were effectively preadapted, with subsequent molecular adaptations in nectar-feeding lineages and the Stenodermatinae subfamily of fig-eating bats fine-tuning pre-existing visual adaptations for specialized purposes.</p>
Opsin data from: Multiple axes of visual system diversity in Ithomiini, an ecologically diverse tribe of mimetic butterflies
<p><span>The striking structural variation seen in arthropod visual systems can be explained by the overall quantity and spatio-temporal structure of light within habitats coupled with developmental and physiological constraints. However, little is currently known about how fine-scale variation in visual structures arise across shorter evolutionary and ecological scales. In this study, we characterise patterns of interspecific (between species), intraspecific (between sexes) and intraindividual (between eye regions) variation in the visual system of four ithomiine butterfly species. These species are part of a diverse 26-Myr-old Neotropical radiation where changes in mimetic colouration are associated with fine-scale shifts in ecology, such as microhabitat preference. By using a combination of selection analyses on visual opsin sequences, in-vivo ophthalmoscopy, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and neural tracing, we quantify and describe physiological, anatomical, and molecular traits involved in visual processing. Using these data, we provide evidence of substantial variation within the visual systems of Ithomiini, including: i) relaxed selection on visual opsins, perhaps mediated by habitat preference, ii) interspecific shifts in visual system physiology and anatomy, and iii) extensive sexual dimorphism, including the complete absence of a butterfly-specific optic neuropil in the males of some species. We conclude that considerable visual system variation can exist within diverse insect radiations, hinting at the evolutionary lability of these systems to rapidly develop specialisations to distinct visual ecologies, with selection acting at both the perceptual, processing, and molecular level.</span></p>
Data for: The visual ecology of selective predation: Are unhealthy hosts less stealthy hosts?
<p>Predators can strongly influence disease transmission and evolution, particularly when they prey selectively on infected hosts. Although selective predation has been observed in numerous systems, why predators select infected prey remains poorly understood. Here, we use a mathematical model of predator vision to test a longstanding hypothesis about the mechanistic basis of selective predation in a <em>Daphnia</em>-microparasite system, which serves as a model for the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases. Bluegill sunfish feed selectively on <em>Daphnia</em> infected by a variety of parasites, particularly in water uncolored by dissolved organic carbon. The leading hypothesis for selective predation in this system is that infection-induced changes in the transparency of <em>Daphnia</em> render them more visible to bluegill. Rigorously evaluating this hypothesis requires that we quantify the effect of infection on the visibility of prey from the predator's perspective, rather than our own. Using a model of the bluegill visual system, we show that three common parasites, <em>Metschnikowia bicuspidata</em>, <em>Pasteuria ramosa</em> and <em>Spirobacillus cienkowskii</em>, decrease the transparency of <em>Daphnia</em>, rendering infected <em>Daphnia</em> darker against a background of downwelling light. As a result of this increased brightness contrast, bluegill can see infected <em>Daphnia</em> at greater distances than uninfected <em>Daphnia</em> - between 19-33% further, depending on the parasite. <em>Pasteuria</em> and <em>Spirobacillus</em> also increase the chromatic contrast of <em>Daphnia</em>. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that selective predation by fish on infected <em>Daphnia</em> could result from the effects of infection on <em>Daphnia</em>'s visibility. However, contrary to expectations, the visibility of <em>Daphnia</em> was not strongly impacted by water color in our model. Our work demonstrates that models of animal visual systems can be useful in understanding ecological interactions that impact disease transmission.</p>
Raw data for: Stable Isotope Trajectory Analysis (SITA): A new approach to quantify and visualize dynamics in stable isotope studies. Sturbois et al., in revision in Ecological Monographs
<p>These data sets are used as ecological applications in Sturbois et al., in revision, Stable Isotope Trajectory Analysis (SITA): A new approach to quantify and visualize dynamics in stable isotope studies. submitted in Ecological Monographs.</p> <p>- DataS1_furseals.Rdata originates from: Kernaléguen, L., Cazelles, B., Arnould, J.P.Y., Richard, P., Guinet, C., Cherel, Y., 2012. Long-Term Species, Sexual and Individual Variations in Foraging Strategies of Fur Seals Revealed by Stable Isotopes in Whiskers. PLoS ONE 7, e32916. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032916</p> <p>- DataS2_Pike.Rdata originates from: Cucherousset, J., Paillisson, J.-M., Roussel, J.-M., 2013. Natal departure timing from spatially varying environments is dependent of individual ontogenetic status. Naturwissenschaften 100, 761–768. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-013-1073-y</p> <p>- DataS4_GT1.Rdata and DataS5_GT2.Rdata originate from: Quillien, N., Nordström, M.C., Schaal, G., Bonsdorff, E., Grall, J., 2016. Opportunistic basal resource simplifies food web structure and functioning of a highly dynamic marine environment. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 477, 92–102.</p> <p>- DataS6_Lakes.Rdata originates from: Zhao, T., Villéger, S., Cucherousset, J., 2019. Accounting for intraspecific diversity when examining relationships between non-native species and functional diversity. Oecologia 189, 171–183. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-018-4311-3</p> <p>Information about respective sampling strategies and sample preparation are available in these original articles. All use of this data sets must cite original article as well as the SITA article.</p>
Foraging shifts and visual preadaptation in ecologically diverse bats
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Data for: The visual ecology of selective predation: Are unhealthy hosts less stealthy hosts?
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Opsin data from: Multiple axes of visual system diversity in Ithomiini, an ecologically diverse tribe of mimetic butterflies
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Data from: Visualizing connectivity of ecological and evolutionary concepts – an exploration of research on plant species rarity
<p>Understanding the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence species rarity has important theoretical and applied implications, yet the reasons why some species are rare while others are common remain unresolved. As a novel exploration of scientific knowledge, we used network analysis conceptually to visualize the foci of a comprehensive base of >800 studies on plant species rarity within the context of ecology and evolution. In doing so, we highlight existing research strengths that could substantiate novel syntheses and gaps that could inspire new research. Our results reveal strong integrated foci on population dynamics with other ecological concepts. In contrast, despite the potential for ecological and evolutionary processes to interact, few studies explored the interplay of environmental factors and microevolutionary patterns. The cellular and molecular biology, physiology, and plasticity of rare plant species within both ecological and evolutionary contexts similarly provide avenues for impactful future investigations.</p>
The visual ecology of Holocentridae, a nocturnal coral reef fish family with a deep-sea-like multibank retina
<p>The visual systems of teleost fishes usually match their habitats and lifestyles. Since coral reefs are bright and colourful environments, the visual systems of their diurnal inhabitants have been more extensively studied than those of nocturnal species. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a detailed investigation of the visual system of the nocturnal reef fish family Holocentridae. Results showed that the visual system of holocentrids is well adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle with a rod-dominated retina. Surprisingly, rods in all species were arranged into 6-17 well-defined banks, a feature most commonly found in deep-sea fishes, that may increase the light sensitivity of the eye and/or allow colour discrimination in dim-light. Holocentrids also have the potential for dichromatic colour vision during the day with the presence of at least two spectrally different cone types: single cones expressing the blue-sensitive <i>SWS2A</i> gene, and double cones expressing one or two green-sensitive <i>RH2</i> genes. Some differences were observed between the two subfamilies, with Holocentrinae (squirrelfish) having a slightly more developed photopic visual system than Myripristinae (soldierfish). Moreover, retinal topography of both ganglion cells and cone photoreceptors showed specific patterns for each cell type, likely highlighting different visual demands at different times of the day, such as feeding. Overall, their well-developed scotopic visual systems and the ease of catching and maintaining holocentrids in aquaria, make them ideal models to investigate teleost dim-light vision and more particularly shed light on the function of the multibank retina and its potential for dim-light colour vision.</p>
Data from: Visual ecology of true lemurs suggests a cathemeral origin for the primate cone opsin polymorphism
In contrast to the majority of primates, which exhibit dedicated diurnality or nocturnality, all species of Eulemur are cathemeral. Color vision, in particular, is strongly affected by the spectral composition and intensity of ambient light, and the impact of activity period on the evolution of primate color vision is actively debated. We studied three groups of wild brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar over a one-year span. We also used non-invasive fecal DNA collection and analysis to study the opsin genes underlying the color vision of 24 individuals. We quantify the color and brightness of dietary fruits and modeled the chromaticity and discriminability of food objects to different visual phenotypes under daylight, twilight, and moonlight conditions. We found that E. fulvus possesses routine dichromacy, unlike its congener E. flavifrons, for which polymorphic trichromacy has been reported. Our models suggest that dichromacy is well-suited to the foraging ecology of E. fulvus. The performance of modeled dichromats and trichromats is comparable under nocturnal illuminants and the luminance values of most diet items are detectable across light conditions. The trichromatic phenotype demonstrates a modest advantage under daylight conditions only. Our results, taken together with reports of polymorphic trichromacy in E. flavifrons, suggest functional ecological variation in the visual system of the genus Eulemur. Interspecific phenotypic variation in the color vision of a genus is both unexpected and instructive. Ecological differences between species of Eulemur could reveal thresholds for the origins of polymorphic trichromacy, which preceded the evolution of routine trichromatic vision in humans and other primates.
Data from: Visual ecology of true lemurs suggests a cathemeral origin for the primate cone opsin polymorphism
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Data from: The price of looking sexy: visual ecology of a three level predator-prey system
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Data from: Visualizing connectivity of ecological and evolutionary concepts – an exploration of research on plant species rarity
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PAML data from: Evolutionary ecology of the visual opsin gene sequence and its expression in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)
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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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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.