1
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Benvenuto C, Lorenzi MC. Social regulation of reproduction: control or signal? Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1028-1040. [PMID: 37385846 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, dominant breeders have been considered to be able to control the reproduction of other individuals in multimember groups that have high variance in reproductive success/reproductive skew (e.g., forced sterility/coercion of conspecifics in eusocial animals; sex-change suppression in sequential hermaphrodites). These actions are typically presented as active impositions by reproductively dominant individuals. However, how can individuals regulate the reproductive physiology of others? Alternatively, all contestants make reproductive decisions, and less successful individuals self-downregulate reproduction in the presence of dominant breeders. Shifting perspective from a top-down manipulation to a broader view, which includes all contenders, and using a multitaxon approach, we propose a unifying framework for the resolution of reproductive skew conflicts based on signalling rather than control, along a continuum of levels of strategic regulation of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Benvenuto
- School of Science, Engineering, and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
| | - Maria Cristina Lorenzi
- Laboratoire d'Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée (LEEC), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Villetaneuse, France
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2
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Pla S, Benvenuto C, Capellini I, Piferrer F. Switches, stability and reversals in the evolutionary history of sexual systems in fish. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3029. [PMID: 35637181 PMCID: PMC9151764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30419-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual systems are highly diverse and have profound consequences for population dynamics and resilience. Yet, little is known about how they evolved. Using phylogenetic Bayesian modelling and a sample of 4614 species, we show that gonochorism is the likely ancestral condition in teleost fish. While all hermaphroditic forms revert quickly to gonochorism, protogyny and simultaneous hermaphroditism are evolutionarily more stable than protandry. In line with theoretical expectations, simultaneous hermaphroditism does not evolve directly from gonochorism but can evolve slowly from sequential hermaphroditism, particularly protandry. We find support for the predictions from life history theory that protogynous, but not protandrous, species live longer than gonochoristic species and invest the least in male gonad mass. The distribution of teleosts' sexual systems on the tree of life does not seem to reflect just adaptive predictions, suggesting that adaptations alone may not fully explain why some sexual forms evolve in some taxa but not others (Williams' paradox). We propose that future studies should incorporate mating systems, spawning behaviours, and the diversity of sex determining mechanisms. Some of the latter might constrain the evolution of hermaphroditism, while the non-duality of the embryological origin of teleost gonads might explain why protogyny predominates over protandry in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pla
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | | | - Francesc Piferrer
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
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3
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Harrison XA, McDevitt AD, Dunn JC, Griffiths SM, Benvenuto C, Birtles R, Boubli JP, Bown K, Bridson C, Brooks DR, Browett SS, Carden RF, Chantrey J, Clever F, Coscia I, Edwards KL, Ferry N, Goodhead I, Highlands A, Hopper J, Jackson J, Jehle R, da Cruz Kaizer M, King T, Lea JMD, Lenka JL, McCubbin A, McKenzie J, de Moraes BLC, O'Meara DB, Pescod P, Preziosi RF, Rowntree JK, Shultz S, Silk MJ, Stockdale JE, Symondson WOC, de la Pena MV, Walker SL, Wood MD, Antwis RE. Fungal microbiomes are determined by host phylogeny and exhibit widespread associations with the bacterial microbiome. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210552. [PMID: 34403636 PMCID: PMC8370808 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between hosts and their resident microbial communities are a fundamental component of fitness for both agents. Though recent research has highlighted the importance of interactions between animals and their bacterial communities, comparative evidence for fungi is lacking, especially in natural populations. Using data from 49 species, we present novel evidence of strong covariation between fungal and bacterial communities across the host phylogeny, indicative of recruitment by hosts for specific suites of microbes. Using co-occurrence networks, we demonstrate marked variation across host taxonomy in patterns of covariation between bacterial and fungal abundances. Host phylogeny drives differences in the overall richness of bacterial and fungal communities, but the effect of diet on richness was only evident in the mammalian gut microbiome. Sample type, tissue storage and DNA extraction method also affected bacterial and fungal community composition, and future studies would benefit from standardized approaches to sample processing. Collectively these data indicate fungal microbiomes may play a key role in host fitness and suggest an urgent need to study multiple agents of the animal microbiome to accurately determine the strength and ecological significance of host-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allan D. McDevitt
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Jenny C. Dunn
- School of Life Sciences, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, UK
| | - Sarah M. Griffiths
- Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Richard Birtles
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Jean P. Boubli
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Kevin Bown
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Calum Bridson
- Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Darren R. Brooks
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Samuel S. Browett
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Ruth F. Carden
- School of Archaeology, University College Dublin, Ireland
- Wildlife Ecological and Osteological Consultancy, Wicklow, Ireland
| | - Julian Chantrey
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Friederike Clever
- Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Republic of Panama
| | - Ilaria Coscia
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Katie L. Edwards
- North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, UK
| | - Natalie Ferry
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Ian Goodhead
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Andrew Highlands
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Jane Hopper
- The Aspinall Foundation, Port Lympne Reserve, Hythe, Kent, UK
| | - Joseph Jackson
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Robert Jehle
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | | | - Tony King
- The Aspinall Foundation, Port Lympne Reserve, Hythe, Kent, UK
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, UK
| | - Jessica M. D. Lea
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Jessica L. Lenka
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | | | - Jack McKenzie
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | | | - Denise B. O'Meara
- School of Science and Computing, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland
| | - Poppy Pescod
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Richard F. Preziosi
- Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | - Jennifer K. Rowntree
- Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
| | - Susanne Shultz
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
| | | | - Jennifer E. Stockdale
- School of Biosciences, University of Cardiff, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | - Susan L. Walker
- North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, UK
| | - Michael D. Wood
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
| | - Rachael E. Antwis
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK
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4
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Pla S, Benvenuto C, Capellini I, Piferrer F. A phylogenetic comparative analysis on the evolution of sequential hermaphroditism in seabreams (Teleostei: Sparidae). Sci Rep 2020; 10:3606. [PMID: 32107416 PMCID: PMC7046777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60376-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The Sparids are an ideal group of fishes in which to study the evolution of sexual systems since they exhibit a great sexual diversity, from gonochorism (separate sexes) to protandrous (male-first) and protogynous (female-first) sequential hermaphroditism (sex change). According to the size-advantage model (SAM), selection should favour sex change when the second sex achieves greater reproductive success at a larger body size than the first sex. Using phylogenetic comparative methods and a sample of 68 sparid species, we show that protogyny and protandry evolve from gonochorism but evolutionary transitions between these two forms of sequential hermaphroditism are unlikely to happen. Using male gonadosomatic index (GSI) as a measure of investment in gametes and proxy for sperm competition, we find that, while gonochoristic and protogynous species support the predictions of SAM, protandrous species do not, as they exhibit higher GSI values than expected even after considering mating systems and spawning modes. We suggest that small males of protandrous species have to invest disproportionally more in sperm production than predicted not only when spawning in aggregations, with high levels of sperm competition, but also when spawning in pairs due to the need to fertilize highly fecund females, much larger than themselves. We propose that this compensatory mechanism, together with Bateman’s principles in sequential hermaphrodites, should be formally incorporated in the SAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Pla
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Isabella Capellini
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Francesc Piferrer
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
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5
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Sales NG, Kaizer MDC, Coscia I, Perkins JC, Highlands A, Boubli JP, Magnusson WE, Da Silva MNF, Benvenuto C, Mcdevitt AD. Assessing the potential of environmental DNA metabarcoding for monitoring Neotropical mammals: a case study in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Guimarães Sales
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
| | - Mariane da Cruz Kaizer
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
| | - Ilaria Coscia
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
| | - Joseph C. Perkins
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
| | - Andrew Highlands
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
| | - Jean P. Boubli
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
| | - William E. Magnusson
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus Amazonas Brazil
| | | | - Chiara Benvenuto
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
| | - Allan D. Mcdevitt
- Environment and Ecosystem Research Centre School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford SalfordM5 4WTUK
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6
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Abstract
Sequential hermaphroditism, where males change to females (protandry) or the reverse (protogyny), is widespread in animals and plants, and can be an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) if fecundity rises faster with age in the second sex. Sequential hermaphrodites also generally have sex ratios skewed towards the initial sex, and standard theory based on fixed sexes indicates that this should reduce effective population size ( Ne) and increase the deleterious effects of genetic drift. We show that despite having skewed sex ratios, populations that change sex at the ESS age do not have reduced Ne compared with fixed-sex populations with an even sex ratio. This implies that the ability of individuals to operate as both male and female allows the population to avoid some evolutionary constraints imposed by fixed sexes. Furthermore, Ne would be maximized if sex change occurred at a different (generally earlier) age than is selected for at the individual level, which suggests a potential conflict between individual and group selection. We also develop a novel method to quantify the strength of selection for sex reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin S Waples
- 1 NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center , Seattle, WA , USA
| | - Stefano Mariani
- 2 Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, University of Salford , Salford M54WT , UK
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- 2 Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, University of Salford , Salford M54WT , UK
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7
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McDevitt AD, Sales NG, Browett SS, Sparnenn AO, Mariani S, Wangensteen OS, Coscia I, Benvenuto C. Environmental DNA metabarcoding as an effective and rapid tool for fish monitoring in canals. J Fish Biol 2019; 95:679-682. [PMID: 31183856 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We focus on a case study along an English canal comparing environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding with two types of electrofishing techniques (wade-and-reach and boom-boat). In addition to corroborating data obtained by electrofishing, eDNA provided a wider snapshot of fish assemblages. Given the semi-lotic nature of canals, we encourage the use of eDNA as a fast and cost-effective tool to detect and monitor whole fish communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan D McDevitt
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Naiara Guimarães Sales
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Samuel S Browett
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Abbie O Sparnenn
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Stefano Mariani
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Owen S Wangensteen
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ilaria Coscia
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
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8
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Siegenthaler A, Wangensteen OS, Benvenuto C, Campos J, Mariani S. DNA metabarcoding unveils multiscale trophic variation in a widespread coastal opportunist. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:232-249. [PMID: 30276912 PMCID: PMC7380037 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A thorough understanding of ecological networks relies on comprehensive information on trophic relationships among species. Since unpicking the diet of many organisms is unattainable using traditional morphology-based approaches, the application of high-throughput sequencing methods represents a rapid and powerful way forward. Here, we assessed the application of DNA metabarcoding with nearly universal primers for the mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase I in defining the trophic ecology of adult brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, in six European estuaries. The exact trophic role of this abundant and widespread coastal benthic species is somewhat controversial, while information on geographical variation remains scant. Results revealed a highly opportunistic behaviour. Shrimp stomach contents contained hundreds of taxa (>1,000 molecular operational taxonomic units), of which 291 were identified as distinct species, belonging to 35 phyla. Only twenty ascertained species had a mean relative abundance of more than 0.5%. Predominant species included other abundant coastal and estuarine taxa, including the shore crab Carcinus maenas and the amphipod Corophium volutator. Jacobs' selectivity index estimates based on DNA extracted from both shrimp stomachs and sediment samples were used to assess the shrimp's trophic niche indicating a generalist diet, dominated by crustaceans, polychaetes and fish. Spatial variation in diet composition, at regional and local scales, confirmed the highly flexible nature of this trophic opportunist. Furthermore, the detection of a prevalent, possibly endoparasitic fungus (Purpureocillium lilacinum) in the shrimp's stomach demonstrates the wide range of questions that can be addressed using metabarcoding, towards a more robust reconstruction of ecological networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjin Siegenthaler
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
- Present address:
Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphCanada
| | - Owen S. Wangensteen
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
- Present address:
Norwegian College of Fishery ScienceUiT the Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
| | - Joana Campos
- CIIMARInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental ResearchUniversity of PortoMatosinhosPortugal
| | - Stefano Mariani
- Ecosystems and Environment Research CentreSchool of Environment and Life SciencesUniversity of SalfordSalfordUK
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9
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Mascolino S, Mariani S, Benvenuto C. Behavioural responses in a congested sea: an observational study on a coastal nest-guarding fish. The European Zoological Journal 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2019.1699611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S. Mascolino
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S. Mariani
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - C. Benvenuto
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
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10
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Siegenthaler A, Wangensteen OS, Soto AZ, Benvenuto C, Corrigan L, Mariani S. Metabarcoding of shrimp stomach content: Harnessing a natural sampler for fish biodiversity monitoring. Mol Ecol Resour 2018; 19:206-220. [PMID: 30358106 PMCID: PMC7379652 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Given their positioning and biological productivity, estuaries have long represented key providers of ecosystem services and consequently remain under remarkable pressure from numerous forms of anthropogenic impact. The monitoring of fish communities in space and time is one of the most widespread and established approaches to assess the ecological status of estuaries and other coastal habitats, but traditional fish surveys are invasive, costly, labour intensive and highly selective. Recently, the application of metabarcoding techniques, on either sediment or aqueous environmental DNA, has rapidly gained popularity. Here, we evaluate the application of a novel, high‐throughput DNA‐based monitoring tool to assess fish diversity, based on the analysis of the gut contents of a generalist predator/scavenger, the European brown shrimp, Crangon crangon. Sediment and shrimp samples were collected from eight European estuaries, and DNA metabarcoding (using both 12S and COI markers) was carried out to infer fish assemblage composition. We detected 32 teleost species (16 and 20, for 12S and COI, respectively). Twice as many species were recovered using metabarcoding than by traditional net surveys. By comparing and interweaving trophic, environmental DNA and traditional survey‐based techniques, we show that the DNA‐assisted gut content analysis of a ubiquitous, easily accessible, generalist species may serve as a powerful, rapid and cost‐effective tool for large‐scale, routine estuarine biodiversity monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjin Siegenthaler
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Owen S Wangensteen
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Ana Z Soto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Laura Corrigan
- Environment Agency, Tyneside House, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stefano Mariani
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
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11
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Siegenthaler A, Mastin A, Dufaut C, Mondal D, Benvenuto C. Background matching in the brown shrimp Crangon crangon: adaptive camouflage and behavioural-plasticity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3292. [PMID: 29459624 PMCID: PMC5818513 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21412-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
A combination of burrowing behaviour and very efficient background matching makes the brown shrimp Crangon crangon almost invisible to potential predators and prey. This raises questions on how shrimp succeed in concealing themselves in the heterogeneous and dynamic estuarine habitats they inhabit and what type of environmental variables and behavioural factors affect their colour change abilities. Using a series of behavioural experiments, we show that the brown shrimp is capable of repeated fast colour adaptations (20% change in dark pigment cover within one hour) and that its background matching ability is mainly influenced by illumination and sediment colour. Novel insights are provided on the occurrence of non-adaptive (possibly stress) responses to background changes after long-time exposure to a constant background colour or during unfavourable conditions for burying. Shrimp showed high levels of intra- and inter-individual variation, demonstrating a complex balance between behavioural-plasticity and environmental adaptation. As such, the study of crustacean colour changes represents a valuable opportunity to investigate colour adaptations in dynamic habitats and can help us to identify the mayor environmental and behavioural factors influencing the evolution of animal background matching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjin Siegenthaler
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Alexander Mastin
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Clément Dufaut
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Debapriya Mondal
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK.
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12
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Siegenthaler A, Mondal D, Benvenuto C. Quantifying pigment cover to assess variation in animal colouration. Biol Methods Protoc 2017; 2:bpx003. [PMID: 32161786 PMCID: PMC6994029 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpx003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of animal colouration addresses fundamental and applied aspects relevant to a wide range of fields, including behavioural ecology, environmental adaptation and visual ecology. Although a variety of methods are available to measure animal colours, only few focus on chromatophores (specialized cells containing pigments) and pigment migration. Here, we illustrate a freely available and user-friendly method to quantify pigment cover (PiC) with high precision and low effort using digital images, where the foreground (i.e. pigments in chromatophores) can be detected and separated from the background. Images of the brown shrimp, Crangon crangon, were used to compare PiC with the traditional Chromatophore Index (CI). Results indicate that PiC outcompetes CI for pigment detection and transparency measures in terms of speed, accuracy and precision. The proposed methodology provides researchers with a useful tool to answer essential physiological, behavioural and evolutionary questions on animal colouration in a wide range of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjin Siegenthaler
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Debapriya Mondal
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
| | - Chiara Benvenuto
- School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
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Mascolino S, Benvenuto C, Gubili C, Sacchi C, Boufana B, Mariani S. The ART of mating: alternative reproductive tactics and mating success in a nest-guarding fish. J Fish Biol 2016; 89:2643-2657. [PMID: 27696416 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Behavioural observations in the field of male Mediterranean damselfish Chromis chromis were combined with molecular analyses, using bi-parentally and maternally inherited markers, to investigate reproductive success patterns of alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) in terms of number of eggs sired and number of females contributing to each nest. Cuckoldry was observed in every nest sampled, with at least two and up to seven sneaker males per nest. The nesting male, however, always significantly fertilized the greater number of eggs (on average 49%) in each clutch, whereas each sneaker fertilized around 7% of the clutch. The average number of females whose eggs were fertilized by nesting males was 6·76 (range 2-13), while each sneaker on average fertilized the eggs of 1·74 (range 1-8) females. Using this sibship reconstruction, some of the factors involved in the regulation of the dynamic equilibrium of reproductive success were investigated between the two ARTs shown by C. chromis males. Results show that the sneakers' reproductive success was positively linked to egg clutch size; the density of individuals in the nesting area negatively affected the size of egg clutches; the rate of defence behaviours performed by nesting males negatively influenced the number of females contributing to each nest.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mascolino
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4, Ireland
| | - C Benvenuto
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, U.K
| | - C Gubili
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, U.K
| | - C Sacchi
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, 4, Ireland
| | - B Boufana
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, U.K
| | - S Mariani
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, U.K
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Palmisano S, Benvenuto C, Casagranda B, Dobrinja C, Piccinni G, de Manzini N. Long waiting lists and health care spending The example of cholecystectomy. Ann Ital Chir 2015; 86:327-332. [PMID: 26343220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM Cholecystectomy is among surgical procedures with the longest waiting list and a significant amount of patients waiting for surgery suffer from symptoms related to complications of cholelithiasis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic impact caused by waiting lists. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study was performed on patients undergoing intervention of cholecystectomy. 86 patients were included in the study. A comparative analysis was carried out among patients without complications (group A) and patients who faced complications while waiting for surgery, therefore requiring unplanned hospital admissions (group B), and patients who were operated in emergency for complications (group C). RESULTS The overall cost of health care amounted to 1.849,4 € for each patient of group A, 3.513,2 € for each patient of group B and 2.584,6 € for each patient of group C. Each patient of group B was about 1.9 times more expensive than an asymptomatic one (group A) and about 1.36 times more expensive than one operated in emergency (group C). The conversion rate of the groups was not statistically significant, whereas the length of hospital stays was: patients in group B had longer hospital stays compared to patients in groups A and C. CONCLUSION Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for complicated cholelithiasis is the cheapest treatment considering the costs of health care, causing lower social costs related to absence from work and an improved perception of the quality of life.
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Weeks SC, Benvenuto C, Reed SK, Duff RJ, Duan ZH, David P. A field test of a model for the stability of androdioecy in the freshwater shrimp, Eulimnadia texana. J Evol Biol 2014; 27:2080-95. [PMID: 25145977 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of hermaphroditism from dioecy is a poorly studied transition. Androdioecy (the coexistence of males and hermaphrodites) has been suggested as an intermediate step in this evolutionary transition or could be a stable reproductive mode. Freshwater crustaceans in the genus Eulimnadia have reproduced via androdioecy for 24+ million years and thus are excellent organisms to test models of the stability of androdioecy. Two related models that allow for the stable maintenance of males and hermaphrodites rely on the counterbalancing of three life history parameters. We tested these models in the field over three field seasons and compared the results to previous laboratory estimates of these three parameters. Male and hermaphroditic ratios within years were not well predicted using either the simpler original model or a version of this model updated to account for differences between hermaphroditic types ('monogenic' and 'amphigenic' hermaphrodites). Using parameter estimates of the previous year to predict the next year's sex ratios revealed a much better fit to the original relative to the updated version of the model. Therefore, counter to expectations, accounting for differences between the two hermaphroditic types did not improve the fit of these models. At the moment, we lack strong evidence that the long-term maintenance of androdioecy in these crustaceans is the result of a balancing of life history parameters; other factors, such as metapopulation dynamics or evolutionary constraints, may better explain the 24+ million year maintenance of androdioecy in clam shrimp.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Weeks
- Integrated Bioscience Program, Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA
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Palmisano S, Benvenuto C, Casagranda B, Dobrinja C, Piccinni G, de Manzini N. Long waiting lists and health care spending: the example of cholecystectomy. Ann Ital Chir 2014; 85:S2239253X1402218X. [PMID: 24709653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
AIM Cholecystectomy is among surgical procedures with the longest waiting list and a significant amount of patients waiting for surgery suffer from symptoms related to complications of cholelithiasis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic impact caused by waiting lists. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study was performed on patients undergoing intervention of cholecystectomy. 86 patients were included in the study. A comparative analysis was carried out among patients without complications (group A) and patients who faced complications while waiting for surgery, therefore requiring unplanned hospital admissions (group B), and patients who were operated in emergency for complications (group C). RESULTS The overall cost of health care amounted to 1.849,4 € for each patient of group A, 3.513,2 € for each patient of group B and 2.584,6 € for each patient of group C. Each patient of group B was about 1.9 times more expensive than an asymptomatic one (group A) and about 1.36 times more expensive than one operated in emergency (group C). The conversion rate of the groups was not statistically significant, whereas the length of hospital stays was: patients in group B had longer hospital stays compared to patients in groups A and C. CONCLUSION Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for complicated cholelithiasis is the cheapest treatment considering the costs of health care, causing lower social costs related to absence from work and an improved perception of the quality of life. KEY WORDS Cholecystectomy, Complications, Medical care costs, Waiting list.
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Benvenuto C, Tabone E, Vercken E, Sorbier N, Colombel E, Warot S, Fauvergue X, Ris N. Intraspecific variability in the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma chilonis: can we predict the outcome of hybridization? Evol Appl 2012; 5:498-510. [PMID: 22949925 PMCID: PMC3407868 DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00279.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In the framework of biological control, the selection of effective natural enemies determines the final pest control. Thus, the genetic improvement of biocontrol agents could enhance the efficiency of biocontrol programs. Although promising, this approach has rarely been applied in this field. At the intraspecific level, hybridization between divergent populations of biocontrol agents is expected to promote hybrid vigor (heterosis), but it is not clear to what extent. An even more difficult task is the ability to predict the fitness of hybrids from the biological characteristics of their parents. We investigated these general questions by crossing seven populations of the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma chilonis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Our results show different levels of mating compatibilities among populations, including asymmetric or almost complete reproductive isolation. Hybrids' performance (fitness of the F(1) generation) ranges from inbreeding depression to heterosis. It was possible, to some extent, to predict hybrid fitness from pairwise genetic and phenotypic distances among parents, in accordance with the 'dominance' hypothesis. This may provide general guidelines for the genetic improvement of biological control agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Benvenuto
- Biology of Introduced Populations, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Elisabeth Tabone
- Research and Development in Biological Control, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Elodie Vercken
- Biology of Introduced Populations, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Nathalie Sorbier
- Research and Development in Biological Control, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Etty Colombel
- Research and Development in Biological Control, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Sylvie Warot
- Research and Development in Biological Control, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Xavier Fauvergue
- Biology of Introduced Populations, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Nicolas Ris
- Research and Development in Biological Control, Institute Sophia-AgrobiotechINRA–CNRS–UNS, Sophia-Antipolis, France
- †Correspondence Nicolas Ris, Research and Development in Biological Control, Institute Sophia-Agrobiotech, (INRA–CNRS–UNS), Sophia-Antipolis, France. Tel.: +33 4 923 86501; fax: +33 4 923 86401; e-mail:
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Abstract
Chromosomes that determine sex are predicted to evolve differently than autosomes: a lack of recombination on one of the two sex chromosomes is predicted to allow an accumulation of deleterious alleles that eventually leads to reduced functionality and potential physical degradation of the nonrecombining chromosome. Because these changes should occur at an elevated evolutionary rate, it is difficult to find appropriate species in which to test these evolutionary predictions. The unique genetic sex-determining mechanism of the crustacean Eulimnadia texana prevents major chromosome degeneration because of expression of both 'proto-sex' (i.e. early stage of development) chromosomes in homozygous form (ZZ and WW). Herein, we exploit this unique genetic system to examine the predicted accumulation of deleterious alleles by comparing both homogametic sexual types to their heterogametic counterpart. We report differences in crossing over in a sex-linked region in the ZW hermaphrodites (approximately 3%) relative to the ZZ males (approximately 21%), indicative of cross-over suppression in the ZW hermaphrodites. Additionally, we report that both ZZ and WW genotypes have reduced fitness relative to ZW hermaphrodites, which is consistent with the prediction of harboured recessive mutations embedded on both the Z and the W chromosomes. These results suggest that the proto-sex chromosomes in E. texana accumulate recessive deleterious alleles. We hypothesize that recessive deleterious alleles of large effect cannot accumulate because of expression in both ZZ and WW individuals, keeping both chromosomes from losing significant function.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Weeks
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA.
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Abstract
Androdioecy (populations consisting of males and hermaphrodites) is a rare mating system in plants and animals: up to 50 plants and only 36 animals have been described as being androdioecious, with most of the latter being crustaceans. To date, a thorough comparative analysis of androdioecy in animals has not been undertaken. Herein we present such an analysis. Androdioecy has only been extensively surveyed in 2 animal taxa: the nematode Caenorhabditis and the clam shrimp Eulimnadia. The other major taxon having androdioecious species is the Cirripedia (barnacles), but there are only limited studies on androdioecy in this group. In animals, androdioecy is found either in species that have morphologically and ecologically distinct sexes (that is, hermaphrodites and small, "complemental" males) that are derived from hermaphroditic ancestors (that is, the barnacles) or in species that have similarly-sized males and hermaphrodites that have been derived from dioecious ancestors (the remaining androdioecious species). We suggest that the barnacles have evolved a sexual specialization in the form of these complemental males that can more efficiently use the constrained habitats that these barnacles often experience. For the remaining species, we suggest that androdioecy has evolved as a response to reproductive assurance in species that experience episodic low densities. Additionally, we hypothesize that the development of mechanisms allowing reproductive assurance in species with a number of sexually differentiated traits is most likely to result in androdioecy rather than gynodioecy (mixtures of females and hermaphrodites), and that these species may be developmentally constrained to stay androdioecious rather than being capable of evolving into populations solely consisting of efficient, self-compatible hermaphrodites. We conclude by suggesting several areas in need of further study to understand more completely the evolution and distribution of this interesting mating system in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Weeks
- Program in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Department of Biology, The University of Akron Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA
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Ilhéu M, Acquistapace P, Benvenuto C, Gherardi F. Shelter use of the Red-Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in dry-season stream pools. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1127/0003-9136/2003/0157-0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Altarriba J, Bauer LM, Benvenuto C. Concreteness, context availability, and imageability ratings and word associations for abstract, concrete, and emotion words. Behav Res Methods Instrum Comput 1999; 31:578-602. [PMID: 10633977 DOI: 10.3758/bf03200738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Normative values on various word characteristics were obtained for abstract, concrete, and emotion words in order to facilitate research on concreteness effects and on the similarities and differences among the three word types. A sample of 78 participants rated abstract, concrete, and emotion words on concreteness, context availability, and imagery scales. Word associations were also gathered for abstract, concrete, and emotion words. The data were used to investigate similarities and differences among these three word types on word attributes, association strengths, and number of associations. These normative data can be used to further research on concreteness effects, word type effects, and word recognition for abstract, concrete, and emotion words.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Altarriba
- Department of Psychology, University of Albany, SUNY 12222, USA.
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Busato P, Benvenuto C, Gherardi F. Competitive dynamics of a Mediterranean hermit crab assemblage: the role of interference and exploitative competition for shells. J NAT HIST 1998. [DOI: 10.1080/00222939800770981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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