Using Activity Measures and GNSS Data from a Virtual Fencing System to Assess Habitat Preference and Habitat Utilisation Patterns in Cattle

There has been an increased focus on new technologies to monitor habitat use and behaviour of cattle to develop a more sustainable livestock grazing system without compromising animal welfare. One of the currently used methods for monitoring cattle behaviour is tri-axial accelerometer data from systems such as virtual fencing technology or bespoke monitoring technology. Collection and transmission of high-frequency accelerometer and GNSS data is a major energy cost, and quickly drains the battery in contemporary virtual fencing systems, making it unsuitable for long-term monitoring. In this paper, we explore the possibility of determining habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns in cattle using low-frequency activity and location data. We achieve this by (1) calculating habitat selection ratios, (2) determining daily activity patterns, and (3) based on those, inferring grazing and resting sites in a group of cattle wearing virtual fencing collars in a coastal setting with grey, wooded, and decalcified dunes, humid dune slacks, and salt meadows. We found that GNSS data, and a measure of activity, combined with accurate mapping of habitats can be an effective tool in assessing habitat preference. The animals preferred salt meadows over the other habitats, with wooded dunes and humid dune slacks being the least preferred. We were able to identify daily patterns in activity. By comparing general trends in activity levels to the existing literature, and using a Gaussian mixture model, it was possible to infer resting and grazing behaviour in the different habitats. According to our inference of behaviour the herd predominantly used the salt meadows for resting and ruminating. The approach used in this study allowed us to use GNSS location data and activity data and combine it with accurate habitat mapping to assess habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns, which can be an important tool for guiding management decisions.

A 3D geometric morphometric analysis of the bovid distal humerus, with special reference to Rusingoryx atopocranion (Pleistocene, Eastern Africa)

The family Bovidae [Mammalia: Artiodactyla] is speciose and has extant representatives on every continent, forming key components of mammal communities. For these reasons, bovids are ideal candidates for studies of ecomorphology. In particular, the morphology of the bovid humerus has been identified as highly related to functional variables such as body mass and habitat. This study investigates the functional morphology of the bovid distal humerus in isolation due to its increased likelihood of preservation in the fossil record, and the resulting opportunity for a better understanding of the ecomorphology of extinct bovids. A landmark scheme of 30 landmarks was used to capture the 3D distal humerus morphology in 111 extant bovid specimens. We find that the distal humerus has identifiable morphologies associated with body mass, habitat preference and tribe affiliation and that some characteristics are shared between high body mass bovids and those living on hard, flat terrain which is likely due to the high stress on the bone in both cases. We directly apply our findings regarding extant bovids to the extinct alcelaphine bovid, Rusingoryx atopocranion from the mid to late Pleistocene (>33-45 ka) Lake Victoria region of Kenya. This species is known for some peculiar morphologies including a domed cranium with hollow nasal crests, and having small hooves for a bovid of its size. Another interesting aspect of Rusingoryx's skeletal morphology which has not been addressed is an unusual protrusion on the lateral epicondyle of the distal humerus. Despite considerable individual variation in the Rusingoryx specimens, we find evidence to support its historical assignment to the tribe Alcelaphini, and that it likely preferred open grassland habitats, which is consistent with independent reconstructions of the palaeoenvironment. We also provide the most accurate body mass estimate for Rusingoryx to date, based on distal humerus centroid size. Overall, we are able to conclude that the distal humerus in extant bovids is highly informative regarding body mass, habitat preference and tribe, and that this can be applied directly to a fossil taxon with promising results.

Distribution patterns of the two genetic groups of Corbicula fluminea in a lotic-lentic system

Differences in local habitat conditions are often implicated as drivers for morphological and genetic divergence in natural populations. However, there are still relatively few studies regarding how divergent habitats influence patterns for morphotypes and genetic lineages in aquatic invertebrates. In this study, we explored the morphological patterns, genetic divergence, and distributions of a bivalve, Corbicula fluminea, in a lotic-lentic system. Sampling locations included lotic, ecotone, and lentic habitats. First, we found two lineages (Lineages A and B) with significant genetic divergence that primarily corresponded to two morphotypes (Morphs D and C) of C. fluminea. Lineage A consisted of 88.68% Morph D (shell sculpture: 8-14 ridges/cmsh) and 11.32% Morph C (shell sculpture: 15 ridges/cmsh) individuals and had genetic similarity to invasive populations. Lineage B consisted of only Morph C (shell sculpture: 15-23 ridges/cmsh). Second, we revealed clear effects of habitat on the spatial distribution patterns for the two lineages of C. fluminea. Lineage A was dominant in lotic habitats, with a significantly higher density than that of Lineage B in these locations. Lineage B was dominant in lentic habitats. However, both lineages had their highest densities in the ecotone habitat, without clear dominance and no significant difference in density between groups. Individuals of Lineages A and B are different in shell morphology, which may be related to a benefit trade-off between shell shapes that allow for rapid burrowing and holding position in different flow conditions. The distribution patterns indicate that Lineages A and B may not prefer uniquely lotic and lentic habitats, but each lineage is more tolerant to one habitat type, respectively. Generally, our study established a correlation among morphotypes, lineages, and different habitats for C. fluminea along a lotic-lentic gradient system, which has important implementations for fisheries management units and for understanding the role of habitat preference for this species in monitoring for pioneer dispersal in invasive species management.

A new distribution and host record for the rare moth, Callioratis millari (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), and some ecological observations

Callioratis millari Hampson (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is a Critically Endangered moth endemic to South Africa. Despite extensive searches, it was previously known only from the Entumeni Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where its larvae exclusively feed on the cycad Stangeria eriopus (Kunze) Baill (Cycadales: Stangeriaceae). In July 2022, a new population of C. millari was discovered in the Kabouga section of Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. Larvae of C. millari were feeding on the cycad Encephalartos caffer (Thunb.) Lehm (Cycadales: Zamiaceae), which also constitutes a new host record. In June 2023, we determined larval incidence and herbivory at this new locality, offering insights into the ecological requirements of C. millari. Known C. millari localities, although ecologically different, share low altitudes (700-950 m a.s.l.), moderate to high rainfall, and grassy habitats with sparse woody cover. A total of 59 larvae were counted in Kabouga, mostly in the fifth and sixth (final) instars. Herbivory incidence was lower on smaller plants and those covered by other vegetation. The flight period of adult C. millari likely occurs between mid-March and April in Kabouga, but further investigation is needed to clarify this. The peak period of larval occurrence in Kabouga occurs during the driest and coldest months of the year (May-July). Considering limited habitat availability, host plant poaching, and the risk of untimely fires, the species should be considered highly threatened. This study adds to our understanding of the biology of C. millari and provides information on its ecological requirements and may contribute to making informed management decisions.

Unravelling the life-history patterns and habitat preferences of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) in the Pearl River, China

Eels have fascinated biologists for centuries due to their amazing long-distance migrations between freshwater habitats and very distant ocean spawning areas. The migratory life histories of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, in the waters of south China are not very clear despite its ecological importance, and the need for fishery regulation and management. In this study, strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) microchemical profiles of the otoliths of silver eels were measured by X-ray electron probe microanalysis based on data collected from different habitats (including freshwater and brackish habitats), in the large subtropical Pearl River. The corresponding habitat preference characteristics were further analysed using redundancy analysis (RDA). A total of 195 Japanese eels were collected over 6 years. The collected individuals ranged from 180 to 771 mm in total length and from 8 to 612 g in body weight. Two-dimensional pictures of the Sr:Ca concentrations in otoliths revealed that the A. japonica in the Pearl River are almost entirely river eels, spending the majority of their lives in fresh water without exposure to salt water, while the catadromous migration time has delayed about 1 month in the Pearl River estuary in the past 20 years. RDA analysis further indicated that juveniles and adults preferred water with high salinity and high tide levels. Youth preferred habitats with high river fractals. Our findings contribute to a growing body of evidence showing that the eels are extremely scarce currently and conservation measures against them are imminent, including the protection of brackish and freshwater areas where they live in south China.

'Root of all success': Plasticity in root architecture of invasive wild radish for adaptive benefit

Successful plant establishment in a particular environment depends on the root architecture of the seedlings and the extent of edaphic resource utilization. However, diverse habitats often pose a predicament on the suitability of the fundamental root structure of a species that evolved over a long period. We hypothesized that the plasticity in the genetically controlled root architecture in variable habitats provides an adaptive advantage to worldwide-distributed wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum, Rr) over its close relative (R. pugioniformis, Rp) that remained endemic to the East Mediterranean region. To test the hypothesis, we performed a reciprocal comparative analysis between the two species, growing in a common garden experiment on their native soils (Hamra/Sandy for Rr, Terra Rossa for Rp) and complementary controlled experiments mimicking the major soil compositions. Additionally, we analyzed the root growth kinetics via semi-automated digital profiling and compared the architecture between Rr and Rp. In both experiments, the primary roots of Rr were significantly longer, developed fewer lateral roots, and showed slower growth kinetics than Rp. Multivariate analyses of seven significant root architecture variables revealed that Rr could successfully adapt to different surrogate growth conditions by only modulating their main root length and number of lateral roots. In contrast, Rp needs to modify several other root parameters, which are very resource-intensive, to grow on non-native soil. Altogether the findings suggest an evo-devo adaptive advantage for Rr as it can potentially establish in various habitats with the minimal tweak of key root parameters, hence allocating resources for other developmental requirements.

The northern treeshrew (Scandentia: Tupaiidae: Tupaia belangeri) in the context of primate locomotor evolution: A comprehensive analysis of gait, positional, and grasping behavior

The locomotor behaviors of treeshrews are often reported as scurrying "squirrel-like" movements. As such, treeshrews have received little attention beyond passing remarks in regard to primate locomotor evolution. However, scandentians vary considerably in habitat and substrate use, thus categorizing all treeshrew locomotion based on data collected from a single species is inappropriate. This study presents data on gait characteristics, positional, and grasping behavior of the northern treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri) and compares these findings to the fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius) to assess the role of treeshrews as a model for understanding the origins of primate locomotor and grasping evolution. We found that northern treeshrews were primarily arboreal and shared their activities between quadrupedalism, climbing and leaping in rates similar to fat-tailed dwarf lemurs. During quadrupedal locomotion, they exhibited a mixture of gait characteristics consistent with primates and other small-bodied non-primate mammals and demonstrated a hallucal grasping mode consistent with primates. These data reveal that northern treeshrews show a mosaic of primitive mammalian locomotor characteristics paired with derived primate features. Further, this study raises the possibility that many of the locomotor and grasping characteristics considered to be "uniquely" primate may ultimately be features consistent with Euarchonta.

Space use by the endemic common (weedy) seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus): influence of habitat and prey

The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus: Syngnathidae) is an iconic fish endemic to the southern coastal waters of Australia. The authors of this study analysed the habitat preferences and factors influencing microhabitat selection by P. taeniolatus in a population from Kurnell, NSW, Australia. Using field surveys and the resource selection probability function, the authors determined that P. taeniolatus significantly preferred kelp (Ecklonia radiata)-dominated habitat and avoided rock-dominated habitat. They showed P. taeniolatus preferred habitat of between 40% and 80% coverage of Ecklonia, while avoiding areas of <20% cover. Furthermore, across all habitats, mysid prey availability significantly influenced P. taeniolatus habitat selection. The strong dependence of P. taeniolatus on Ecklonia habitat shown in this study was previously untested and highlights that reductions in Ecklonia cover under climate change, or impacts from increasing urbanisation, may render seadragon populations vulnerable to declines.

Traits affecting nutrient recycling by mobile consumers can explain coexistence and spatially heterogeneous trophic regulation across a meta-ecosystem

Ecosystems are linked through spatial flows of organisms and nutrients that impact their biodiversity and regulation. Theory has predominantly studied passive nutrient flows that occur independently of organism movement. Mobile organisms, however, commonly drive nutrient flows across ecosystems through nutrient recycling. Using a meta-ecosystem model where consumers move between ecosystems, we study how consumer recycling and traits related to feeding and sheltering preferences affect species diversity and trophic regulation. We show local effects of recycling can cascade across space, yielding spatially heterogeneous top-down and bottom-up effects. Consumer traits impact the direction and magnitude of these effects by enabling recycling to favour a single ecosystem. Recycling further modifies outcomes of competition between consumer species by creating a positive feedback on the production of one competitor. Our findings suggest spatial interactions between feeding and recycling activities of organisms are key to predicting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across spatial scales.

Spatiotemporal variation in the adult sex ratio, male aggregation, and movement of two tropical cloud forest dung beetles

While theory suggests that at conception the sex ratio should be balanced (1:1), this can be variable across space and time in wild populations. Currently, studies of the environmental factors that regulate adult sex ratio (ASR) in species with different life history traits are scarce. Using capture-recapture over a year, we analyzed the influence of habitat type (forest and nonforest) and season (rainy and dry) on variation in ASR, male aggregation and the trajectory movement of 2 dung beetle species with different life history traits: Deltochilum mexicanum (a hornless roller species) and Dichotomius satanas (a tunneler species with horns on its head and thorax). We found opposite tendencies. The D. mexicanum population tends to be female-biased, but the population of D. satanas tends to be predominantly male, and observed values were not related to habitat type or season. However, the 95% confidence intervals estimated were highly variable between seasons depending on habitat. On examining the monthly variation in ASR for both habitats, we found that it depends on the species. In addition, male aggregation differed between species depending on habitat type and season, and species movement patterns were closely related to their habitat preferences. Based on our results, we argue that comparative population studies of species with different life history traits are necessary to understand the variation in demographic parameters as well as its ecological and evolutionary implications in the face of spatial and climatic environmental variation.

Nonideal nest box selection by tree swallows breeding in farmlands: Evidence for an ecological trap?

Animals are expected to select a breeding habitat using cues that should reflect, directly or not, the fitness outcome of the different habitat options. However, human-induced environmental changes can alter the relationships between habitat characteristics and their fitness consequences, leading to maladaptive habitat choices. The most severe case of such nonideal habitat selection is the ecological trap, which occurs when individuals prefer to settle in poor-quality habitats while better ones are available. Here, we studied the adaptiveness of nest box selection in a tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) population breeding over a 10-year period in a network of 400 nest boxes distributed along a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada. We first examined the effects of multiple environmental and social habitat characteristics on nest box preference to identify potential settlement cues. We then assessed the links between those cues and habitat quality as defined by the reproductive performance of individuals that settled early or late in nest boxes. We found that tree swallows preferred nesting in open habitats with high cover of perennial forage crops, high spring insect biomass, and high density of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), their main competitors for nest sites. They also preferred nesting where the density of breeders and their mean number of fledglings during the previous year were high. However, we detected mismatches between preference and habitat quality for several environmental variables. The density of competitors and conspecific social information showed severe mismatches, as their relationships to preference and breeding success went in opposite direction under certain circumstances. Spring food availability and agricultural landscape context, while related to preferences, were not related to breeding success. Overall, our study emphasizes the complexity of habitat selection behavior and provides evidence that multiple mechanisms may potentially lead to an ecological trap in farmlands.

[Species-habitat association of a deciduous broadleaved forest in the subtropical and tempe-rate transition zone]

The species-habitat association analysis facilitates a better understanding of species coexis-tence and community assembly. Here, all trees in a 25-hm² broadleaved deciduous forest plot in the Qinling Mountains of North-central China were classified into three life stages (i.e., seedling, sapling, and adult). The Torus-translation test was used to examine the species-habitat association. The results showed that the association of species with habitats varied across different species. Most species were significantly associated with high slopes, 95.7% of which showed negative association. 89.5% and 90.9% of tree species were negatively associated with low slopes and ridges, respectively. Most species had positive association with high valley, with only one negative association (0.03%). There were 80, 44 and 23 significant associations with habitats at seedling, sapling and adult stages, respectively, indicating that a greater dependence of seedlings on habitat. 38 species at seedling stage and 25 species at the sapling stage were associated with at least one habitat type, while only 17 species at the adult stage were significantly associated. The effects of habitat on species varied across life stages, showing a weaker species-habitat association at the later stage. Due to the specific environmental demands, most species showed different habitat preferences across life stages.

Changes in the Habitat Preference of Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) during a Period of Rapid Population Increase

The number of breeding pairs of crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) in Hanzhong, China has recovered remarkably from 2 to 511 from 1981 to 2019. Although the crested ibis has been closely monitored, the habitat preference of the bird has not been well studied despite the extensive increase in abundance. We used nest site data from the past 39 years and 30 environmental variables to develop species distribution models for each year. We applied random forest to select important environmental variables, and used logistic regressions to quantify the changes in habitat preferences in 39 years, taking into account the effects of interaction and quadratic terms. We found that six variables had strong impacts on nest site selection. The interaction term of rice paddies and waterbodies, and the quadratic term of precipitation of the wettest quarter of the year were the most important correlates of nest presence. Human impact at nest sites changed from low to high as birds increased their use of ancestral habitats with abundant rice paddies. We concluded that during the population recovery, the crested ibises retained their dependence on wetlands, yet moved from remote areas to populated rural regions where food resources had recovered due to the ban of pesticide use.

Daily activity profile of the golden mantella in the "Froggotron"-A replicated behavioral monitoring system for amphibians

Research on threatened species in zoos can provide vital information to inform conservation planning and implementation in the field. This is particularly important for rare and cryptic species with behavior patterns that are difficult to observe in the wild. The Critically Endangered golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) is an iconic, endemic frog confined to mid-altitude subhumid forest in Moramanga District, Madagascar. Ecological and behavioral data for this highly threatened species are sparse, and conservation work will need to be informed by both in situ and ex situ research on behavior and habitat preferences. This study utilized environmental information gathered in the field to design a system where behavior and microhabitat use could be measured in captivity. Using replicated climatically controlled chambers (the "Froggotrons"), we analysed the 24-h activity profile of the golden mantella in relation to temperature and humidity. Golden mantellas showed a bimodal pattern of activity during the day with much less activity during the night. Frogs kept at warmer temperatures (20-25°C) were more active than those kept under cooler conditions (16-19°C). However, the bimodal pattern was retained under the different temperatures, although the second peak occurred slightly earlier under warmer conditions. Most activity was observed when humidity levels were above 85%, although less than half of the mantellas were active outside leaf microhabitats during peak periods. These findings can inform ongoing field surveys through determining the optimum times of day to either capture or count golden mantellas for further conservation actions.

Phylogeography of the northernmost distributed Anisocentropus caddisflies and their comparative genetic structures based on habitat preferences

Knowledge of the factors that determine the distribution ranges of organisms is necessary to understand their evolutionary and ecological significance and contribution to biodiversity. A very effective mean of studying such factors is to compare the distribution characteristics and genetic structures of closely related species with differing habitat preferences. Freshwater aquatic insects are relatively easy to observe and the basis of their corresponding niche differentiation easier to identify. Freshwater habitats are categorized lotic or lentic water according to flow regime. In Japanese Islands, the genus Anisocentropus of the calamoceratid caddisfly, the target group in this study, was morphologically reconfirmed that three species, that is, Anisocentropus kawamurai, A. pallidus, and A. magnificus. Among these, A. kawamurai prefers lotic environments and A. pallidus is adapted to lentic water habitats. The distribution range of these sister species overlaps within the Japanese Islands. We estimated the phylogeny and the evolutionary history of Anisocentropus caddisflies worldwide. We estimated divergence periods by two methods, a single locus with various specimens and multiple loci with reduced numbers of the specimens. As a result, we elucidated the phylogenetic position of Japanese species within the cosmopolitan genus Anisocentropus, and also revealed their dual origin. In addition, we demonstrated that the contrasting genetic structures between the sister species distributed in widely overlapping areas were due to differentiation in their respective adapted environmental preferences. Although, in general, it is known that species adapted to lentic water have greater dispersal potential and so are associated with wider distribution areas by means of examining their comparative genetic structures, we revealed a new pattern of genetic locality existing in the genetic structures of the species adapted to lentic water. We then present evidence that suggests the ecological preferences of a species are an important factor in understanding the evolutionary history of that species.

All Shades of Shrimp: Preferences of Colour Morphs of a Freshwater Shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Decapoda, Atyidae) for Substrata of Different Colouration

Simple Summary

Examination of preferences of an aquarium “Red Cherry” shrimp for differently coloured backgrounds revealed common traits, irrespective of shrimp body colouration. The shrimp selected dark backgrounds and coarse patterns over light and fine patterned substrata. Thus, the use of materials with dark and uniform colouration can contribute to designing proper monitoring tools to detect biological invasions after releasing this pet into the wild, as well as to provide shrimp with comfortable conditions in captivity.

Abstract

An ornamental freshwater shrimp, Neocaridina davidi, is popular as an aquarium hobby and, therefore, a potentially invasive species. There is a growing need for proper management of this species to determine not only their optimum breeding conditions, but also their ability to colonise novel environments. We tested habitat preferences of colour morphs (brown, red, white) of N. davidi for substratum colour (black, white, grey shades, red) and fine or coarse chess-board patterns to recognise their suitable captivity conditions and predict their distribution after potential release into nature. We conducted laboratory choice experiments (n = 8) with three individuals of the same morph exposed for two hours to a range of backgrounds. Shrimp preferred dark backgrounds over light ones irrespective of their own colouration and its match with the background colour. Moreover, the brown and red morphs, in contrast to the white morph, preferred the coarse background pattern over the finer pattern. This suggests that the presence of dark, uniform substrata (e.g., rocks, macrophytes) will favour N. davidi. Nevertheless, the polymorphism of the species has little effect on its total niche breadth, and thus its invasive potential.

Abundance of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Leaf Litter and Soil Layers in Forested Habitats in Poland

This study aims to determine the species composition and density of colony-forming units (CFU) of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in leaf litter at different depths of the top layer of forest soils depending on the type of forest (coniferous, deciduous and mixed forest), and the date of sampling (spring, autumn). In each type of forest, leaf litter and soil were collected using a soil stick from four depths of soil: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 and 15-20 cm. Entomopathogenic fungi were isolated by a soil or litter dilution plating method on a selective medium. Four fungal genera were found: Beauveria spp., Cordyceps spp., Metarhizium spp., and Lecanicillium spp. The density of EPF was usually higher in leaf litter than in the layers of soil below, and the most frequently isolated species from both environments were Beauveria spp. among soil samples from all forest types; Beauveria spp. were most abundant in the top layer (0-5 cm), and their density of CFUs gradually decreased deeper into the soil profile.

Habitat benefits of restored oyster reefs and aquaculture to fish and invertebrates in a coastal pond in Rhode Island, US

Oyster habitat restoration seeks to recover lost ecosystem services including increased provisioning of refuge and foraging habitat for fish and invertebrate communities. The goal of this study was to quantify the ecosystem service benefit of habitat provisioning in Ninigret Pond, RI following oyster restoration. We measured four metrics, abundance, biomass, species richness and diversity, as well as isotopic composition in fish and invertebrates collected seasonally from restored oyster, aquaculture, and bare sediment sites, to examine whether the oyster habitat outperformed the bare sediment habitat. Sampling locations were chosen in Foster's Cove north and south, Grassy Point, South Sanctuary, and an Aquaculture lease; each had two restored oyster sites and one bare sediment site. Each site was sampled using a box trap, seine net, shrimp trap, and minnow trap. Oyster habitats had significantly greater metrics than did bare sediment habitats in some comparisons from the box trap and seine net samples. Restored oyster sites at South Sanctuary had lower metric values than the other oyster sites. Metrics from the Aquaculture sites were comparable to the Foster's Cove and Grassy Point restored oyster sites and often outperformed South Sanctuary restored oyster sites. Seasonally, spring and autumn samples tended to have higher abundance and biomass values than summer. Isotopic composition of five species occurring at both restored oyster and bare sediment sites demonstrated some differences in the trophic levels between species but not between habitat types. In Ninigret Pond, fish and invertebrate abundance, biomass, species richness, and diversity benefit from the use of oyster and bare sediment habitats. Coastal zone managers interested in restoring the ecological function of oyster reefs to support fish and invertebrate communities should consider strategically locating restoration projects within the mosaic of structured habitats and monitoring them for selected ecosystem services.

[Species composition and community structure of coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest in Xiaolong Mountain, Gansu Province, Northwest China]

Xiaolong Mountain, located in warm temperate subtropical transition zone, is one of the important biodiversity conservation areas in China. We analyzed species composition, community structure, and habitat preferences of all woody plant species with DBH (diameter at breast height)≥1 cm in a 6 hm² plot in Xiaolong Mountain, Gansu Province, Northwest China. A total of 29251 individuals (41735 stems) belonging to 33 families, 65 genera, and 124 species were recorded. The 28 species with importance value ≥1 contributed 82.9% to the total abundance. The top four species with the highest importance value were Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata, Betula platyphylla, Lindera aggregata var. playfairii and Corylus heterophylla. The structure of DBH size class of all stems showed an inverse 'J' type, indicating a successful regeneration tendency in the understory. Results from the indicator species analysis showed that 11 species had significant habitat prefe-rences, an two species (Ostrya japonica and Acer stachyophyllum subsp. betulifolium) had the most obvious preferences. Results from the redundancy analysis and partial methods showed that topographic factors played a dominant role in determining species distribution.

Biological, Ecological, and Distributional Aspects of Two Native Species of Lucilia Genus (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Forensic Interest in Yungas Environments of Argentina

This study determined the spatial and temporal dynamics of two native neotropical species flies of forensic interest, belonging to the Lucilia (Robineau-Desvoidy) genus. The study focused on their abundance and reproductive behaviors associated with different habitats and phenological parameters. In the Province of Salta, Argentina, monthly samplings were performed over 1 yr in urban, rural, and native habitats, at morning, mid-day, and afternoon periods, controlling the oviposition of captured specimens. Environmental variables were also assessed: cloudiness, precipitation, relative humidity, temperature, and tree cover. Lucilia purpurascens (Walker) appeared to be associated with native habitats, whereas Lucilia ochricornis (Wiedemann) was mainly associated with rural habitats, exhibiting distinct habitat preferences. Two ecotones were also identified: rural-urban and rural-native, suggesting rural habitats promoted habitable conditions at its margins. Both species were recorded at the end of winter to the middle of autumn, with an initial peak in early spring, and a second peak at late summer. These peaks were associated with the highest numbers of laid eggs. Lucilia purpurascens preferred high tree coverings, whereas L. ochricornis resisted areas with intermediate sun, suggesting limited sun exposure was important. The latter was also associated with daily flight activities; during the warm season, the densest catches occurred at morning and afternoon periods, whereas during the cold season, they occurred at mid-day. Climatic variables explained 77% of variability in terms of abundance and oviposition. Synergistic effects were observed between these variables, suggesting that these variables conditioned insect distribution and reproduction, and not just temperature per se.

Beneficial Land Management for Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in the United Kingdom

Simple Summary

Hedgehogs are declining in the United Kingdom and are now absent from large areas of agriculture land. This commentary discusses the requirements of hedgehogs and links these to land management options that are currently used to benefit wildlife in agricultural areas. Using our knowledge of hedgehog requirements for population persistence, we suggest which land management practices are likely to be of benefit to hedgehogs in the hope that land owners will adopt some of the suggestions to help maintain and expand existing hedgehog populations across agricultural landscapes of the United Kingdom.

Abstract

Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are traditionally thought of as being a rural dwelling species, associated with rural and agricultural landscapes across Europe. However, recent studies have highlighted that hedgehogs are more likely to be found in urban than rural habitats in the United Kingdom. Here, we review the status of rural hedgehog populations across the UK and evaluate the potential benefits of agri-environment schemes for hedgehog persistence, while highlighting a lack of empirical evidence that agri-environment options will benefit hedgehog populations. Our synthesis has implications for future conservation strategies for hedgehogs and insectivorous mammals living in agricultural landscapes, and calls for more empirical studies on agri-environment options and their potential benefits to hedgehogs.

Exploration of Environmental DNA (eDNA) to Detect Kirtland's Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)

Simple Summary

Small and difficult to find species of conservation concern such as the Kirtland’s Snake require significant survey effort using traditional methods. Surveying for DNA shed into the environment, or environmental DNA, we set out to improve detection probability and efficiency to aid in future conservation efforts for this species. Field surveys revealed temporal and spatial variation in Kirtland’s Snake activity. More snakes were found in the spring, during the first field season, and in areas with abundant grass, herbaceous vegetation, and shrubs. We collected environmental samples and developed a molecular assay to detect eDNA across this spatial and temporal gradient of snake activity. We also tested the persistence of DNA in the microenvironment snakes are expected to use by introducing feces into artificial burrows. We were able to detect snake eDNA in only a single environmental sample and found that eDNA in artificial burrows appears to decline within a week. We explored the potential methodological and biological causes of this low detection success to aid future research employing eDNA detection as a survey method in snakes.

Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys utilize DNA shed by organisms into their environment in order to detect their presence. This technique has proven effective in many systems for detecting rare or cryptic species that require high survey effort. One potential candidate for eDNA surveying is Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii), a small natricine endemic to the midwestern USA and threatened throughout its range. Due to its cryptic and fossorial lifestyle, it is also a notoriously difficult snake to survey, which has limited efforts to understand its ecology. Our goal was to utilize eDNA surveys for this species to increase detection probability and improve survey efficiency to assist future conservation efforts. We conducted coverboard surveys and habitat analyses to determine the spatial and temporal activity of snakes, and used this information to collect environmental samples in areas of high and low snake activity. In addition, we spiked artificial crayfish burrows with Kirtland’s Snake feces to assess the persistence of eDNA under semi-natural conditions. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay using a hydrolysis probe was developed to screen the environmental samples for Kirtland’s Snake eDNA that excluded closely related and co-occurring species. Our field surveys showed that snakes were found in the spring during the first of two seasons, and in areas with abundant grass, herbaceous vegetation, and shrubs. We found that eDNA declines within a week under field conditions in artificial crayfish burrows. In environmental samples of crayfish burrow water and sediment, soil, and open water, a single detection was found out of 380 samples. While there may be physicochemical and biological explanations for the low detection observed, characteristics of assay performance and sampling methodology may have also increased the potential for false negatives. We explored these outcomes in an effort to refine and advance the successful application of eDNA surveying in snakes and groundwater microhabitats.

Patterns of Occurrence and Activity of Entomopathogenic Fungi in the Algarve (Portugal) Using Different Isolation Methods

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are distributed in natural and agricultural soils worldwide. To investigate EPF occurrence in different botanical habitats and soil-ecoregions, we surveyed 50 georeferenced localities in the spring of 2016 across the Algarve region (South Portugal). Additionally, we compared three EPF isolation methods: insect baiting in untreated or pre-dried-soil and soil dilution plating on a selective medium. We hypothesized that forest habitats (oak and pine semi-natural areas) and the acidic soil ecoregion may favor EPF occurrence. Overall, EPF species were present in 68% of sites, widely distributed throughout the Algarve. The use of selective media resulted in higher recovery of EPF than did either soil-baiting method. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither vegetation type nor ecoregion appeared to influence EPF occurrence. Traditional and molecular methods confirmed the presence of five EPF species. Beauveria bassiana (34% of sites), was the most frequently detected EPF, using pre-dried soil baiting and soil dilution methods. However, baiting untreated soil recovered Fusarium solani more frequently (26% of sites), demonstrating the utility of using multiple isolation methods. We also found Fusarium oxysporum, Purpureocillium lilacinum and Metarhizium anisopliae in 14%, 8% and 2% of the sites, respectively. Three abiotic variables (pH, soil organic matter and Mg) explained 96% of the variability of the entomopathogen community (EPF and entomopathogenic nematodes) in a canonical correspondence analysis, confirming the congruence of the soil properties that drive the assemblage of both entomopathogens. This study expands the knowledge of EPF distribution in natural and cultivated Mediterranean habitats.

Complementary Use of Various Types of Anthropogenic Habitats by Scolia hirta (Hymenoptera: Scoliidae) and Scolia sexmaculata

Scolia hirta (Schrank) and Scolia sexmaculata (O.F. Müller) are Palearctic, parasitic Aculeata inhabiting forests and forest steppes. At present, the abundance and dispersal of these species are increasing considerably in Poland and other European countries, allowing observation of their possible habitat preferences. The analysis of the preferences of S. hirta and S. sexmaculata was conducted in Northern and North-Eastern Poland based on the evaluation of their occurrence in six types of habitats: (A) psammophilous and xerothermic grasslands, (B) old fields, (C) city outskirts, (D) sites in housing/industrial zones, (E) sand quarries, (F) post-industrial wastelands, and in a total of three types of landscape: 1) semi-natural, 2) urban, and 3) industrial. We demonstrated that the habitat most frequently colonized by S. hirta is post-industrial wastelands, while S. sexmaculata were most often sampled in old fields, with the frequency of 100% and 94.11%, respectively. At the same time, the abundance of the species in these habitats was also the highest, with a mean of 8.00 and 10.88 individuals, respectively. Moreover, S. hirta was relatively frequently found in the urban landscape (67% in city outskirts and 88.23% in the housing/industrial zones), while S. sexmaculata colonized these areas to a considerably low degree (25% in city outskirts and 29.41% in the housing/industrial zones). We also established that the occurrence of the species was affected by the forest cover in the closest vicinity of the study sites, which significantly modified the habitat preference of the species analyzed.

Quaternary climate change and habitat preference shaped the genetic differentiation and phylogeography of Rhodiola sect. Prainia in the southern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

There are two long-standing biogeographic hypotheses regarding the glacial survival of plant species in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP): the in situ survival hypothesis and the tabula rasa hypothesis. We tested these two hypotheses in a phylogeographic study of Rhodiola sect. Prainia, a monophyletic section with ecologically divergent lineages. Molecular data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer, six plastid markers and 13 nuclear microsatellite loci were analyzed for 240 individuals from 19 populations of this section. Environmental data were used to analyze the niches of major phylogenetic lineages within this section and to model changes in their distributions since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We found that Rhodiola sect. Prainia consists of three evolutionary lineages: all populations of R. stapfii, R. prainii populations at the southern edge of the QTP, and R. prainii populations in the interior part of the QTP. During the LGM, the survival of R. prainii in the interior part of the QTP corresponded with the in situ survival hypothesis, while R. stapfii most probably survived the LGM in a manner corresponding with the tabula rasa hypothesis. The evolutionary history of different lineages of this section was shaped by topography, climate change, and lineage-specific habitat preferences.

Comparative urbanization of birds in China and Europe based on birds associated with trees

Urbanization effects on living organisms are spatially heterogeneous. Here we quantified the abundance of birds per tree in forested urban and rural habitats for 85,829 trees mainly in China and Europe. A population model was based on the assumption that: 1) birds have a normally distributed habitat preference; 2) an increase in population size linked to the habitat preference; 3) a population size dependent on the habitat preference; and 4) the removal of a certain fraction of individuals giving rise to extinction. We tested for large-scale differences in the impact of urbanization on the frequency distribution of the difference in abundance between urban and rural habitats in China and parts of Europe. The difference in the frequency distribution of urban population density of birds in trees minus rural population density of birds in trees in China and Europe was statistically significant, suggesting that the abundance of birds differed between trees in urban and rural habitats, but more so in China than in Europe. We hypothesize that more pronounced differences in China than in Europe may have arisen due to the Four Pests Campaign in 1958-1962 that resulted in death of hundreds of millions of birds (mainly tree sparrows Passer montanus, but also numerous other less common species that were starting to become urbanized around 1960). Species that were less common in 1960 could not sustain reductions in population size in urban areas and hence these species are still rare or absent in urban areas today 60 years later.

Morphological traits - desiccation resistance - habitat characteristics: a possible key for distribution in woodlice (Isopoda, Oniscidea)

Terrestrial isopods, as successful colonizers of land habitats, show a great variety in species distribution patterns on a global, continental, or regional scale. On a local, within-habitat level these patterns reflect the species’ tolerance limits and the presence of suitable hiding places (shelter sites, refugia). Humidity preference reflects a species’ capability for water retention which, in turn, depends on the integumental barrier. Desiccation resistance is a key feature in isopod survival under different environmental conditions. The present study shows a correlation between cuticle thickness and desiccation resistance under three relative humidity (RH) ranges (about 30, 75 and 100% RH) in nine species, relating these to the species’ differences in meso- and microhabitat choices. Habitat preferences are also associated with differences in cuticle surface morphology. The results support our hypothesis that species distribution and desiccation resistance are associated with particular cuticular morphological traits. Phylogenetic relations seem to be less important in desiccation resistance than cuticle thickness and external morphology.

Inter- and Intra-population Variation in Habitat Selection for a Forest-dwelling Terrestrial Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina

Habitat selection, where observed use of a resource is disproportionate to availability, is an important behavior allowing individuals to position themselves spatially relative to critical resources in heterogeneous environments. For species that experience variable environments across broad geographic ranges, we expect resource selection templates to vary among populations accordingly. Using radiotelemetry, we examined habitat selection for populations of Eastern Box Turtles, Terrapene carolina, in fire-maintained forests of the sandhills compared to nearby unburned coastal plain forests in south-central North Carolina. Turtles at the fire-maintained sandhills site preferred bottomland habitats and areas near steams, whereas turtles in the unburned coastal plain environment preferred uplands and used streams randomly. In addition, turtles in the fire-maintained sandhills avoided Longleaf Pine and more strongly preferred hardwood and non-Longleaf Pine forests compared to turtles at the unburned coastal plain site. Body size, but not sex, was also an important source of variation in habitat selection within populations, with smaller turtles more strongly preferring areas near water. Selection of habitat structural components in the immediate area of locations did not differ between sites, sexes, or body sizes. These results highlight the variety of resource selection templates in T. carolina, underscoring a potential need for population- or region-specific conservation and management strategies.

Effects of patch size and basal area on avian taxonomic and functional diversity in pine forests: Implication for the influence of habitat quality on the species-area relationship

Relationships between avian diversity and habitat area are assumed to be positive; however, often little attention has given to how these relationships can be influenced by the habitat structure or quality. In addition, other components of biodiversity, such as functional diversity, are often overlooked in assessing habitat patch value. In the Sandhills Ecoregion of Georgia, USA, we investigated the relationship between avian species richness and functional diversity, forest basal area, and patch size in pine forests using basal area as a surrogate for overstory structure which in turn impacts vegetation structure and determines habitat quality within a patch. We conducted bird surveys in planted mature pine stands, during breeding season of 2011. We used three classes of stand basal area (BA): OS, overstocked (BA ≥ 23 m2/ha); FS, fully/densely stocked (13.8 m2/ha ≤ BA < 23 m2/ha); and MS, moderately stocked (2.3 m2/ha ≤ BA < 13.8 m2/ha). MS patches showed more structural diversity due to higher herbaceous vegetation cover than other two pine stocking classes of patches. Total species richness and functional richness increased with the size of MS patches, whereas functional divergence decreased with the size of OS patches (p < 0.05). Functional richness tended to be lower than expected as the size of OS patches increased. Greater richness of pine-grassland species was also found at MS patches. Percent cover of MS patches within a landscape influenced positively the richness of pine-grassland species (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that (a) avian species-habitat area relationship can be affected by habitat quality (structural diversity) and varies depending on diversity indices considered, and (b) it is important to maintain moderate or low levels of pine basal area and to preserve large-sized patches of the level of basal area to enhance both taxonomic and functional diversity in managed pine forests.

Modeling Habitat Suitability of Migratory Birds from Remote Sensing Images Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Simple Summary

The understanding of the spatio-temporal distribution of the species habitats would facilitate wildlife resource management and conservation efforts. Existing methods have poor performance due to the limited availability of training samples. More recently, location-aware sensors have been widely used to track animal movements. The aim of the study was to generate suitability maps of bar-head geese using movement data coupled with environmental parameters, such as remote sensing images and temperature data. Therefore, we modified a deep convolutional neural network for the multi-scale inputs. The results indicate that the proposed method can identify the areas with the dense goose species around Qinghai Lake. In addition, this approach might also be interesting for implementation in other species with different niche factors or in areas where biological survey data are scarce.

Abstract

With the application of various data acquisition devices, a large number of animal movement data can be used to label presence data in remote sensing images and predict species distribution. In this paper, a two-stage classification approach for combining movement data and moderate-resolution remote sensing images was proposed. First, we introduced a new density-based clustering method to identify stopovers from migratory birds’ movement data and generated classification samples based on the clustering result. We split the remote sensing images into 16 × 16 patches and labeled them as positive samples if they have overlap with stopovers. Second, a multi-convolution neural network model is proposed for extracting the features from temperature data and remote sensing images, respectively. Then a Support Vector Machines (SVM) model was used to combine the features together and predict classification results eventually. The experimental analysis was carried out on public Landsat 5 TM images and a GPS dataset was collected on 29 birds over three years. The results indicated that our proposed method outperforms the existing baseline methods and was able to achieve good performance in habitat suitability prediction.

Competition-driven niche segregation on a landscape scale: Evidence for escaping from syntopy towards allotopy in two coexisting sibling passerine species

The role of interspecific competition for generating patterns in species' distribution is hotly debated and studies taking into account processes occurring at both large and small spatial scales are almost missing. Theoretically, competition between species with overlapping niches should result in divergence of their niches in sympatry to reduce the costs of competition. Many species show a mosaic distribution within sympatric zones, with the syntopic sites occupied by both species, and allotopic sites where only one species occurs. It is unclear whether such mosaics arise as a consequence of competition-driven niche segregation or due to the decline of their abundances towards range edges driven by environmental gradients. If the interspecific competition matters, we should observe (1) a shift in habitat preferences of one or both species between syntopy and allotopy, and (2) between allopatry and allotopy. Moreover, (3) species should show greater divergence in their habitat preferences in allotopy than in allopatry where (4) no differences in habitat preferences may occur. Finally, (5) shifts should be generally greater in the competitively subordinate species than in the dominant species. We used a unique dataset on abundance of two closely related passerine species, the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), collected across their syntopy, allotopy and allopatry. The predictions were tested within a generalized mixed-effects modelling framework. After accounting for environmental gradients perpendicular to the species' contact zone, we found a strong support for all but one prediction. Habitat preferences of both species shifted markedly between syntopy and allotopy, as well as between allopatry and allotopy. Whereas the species preferred the same habitats in allopatry, their preferences became strikingly different in allotopy where the abundance of the Common Nightingale increased towards dry and warm sites with low coverage of pastures, while the abundance of the Thrush Nightingale showed exactly opposite trends. Fifth prediction was not supported. Our results indicate that the competition between closely related species can result in considerable changes in habitat use across their geographic ranges accompanied with divergence in their habitat preferences in sympatry. Here, the species "escape" from competition to allotopic sites covered by habitats avoided by the competitor. Therefore, we argue that the interspecific competition is an important driver of species' distribution at both large and small spatial scales.

Surveillance of biting midges (Culicoides spp.) in Northern Ireland: influence of seasonality, surrounding habitat and livestock housing

Biting midges, Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are important vectors of viral pathogens. Following the outbreak of bluetongue serotype 8 in Europe between 2006 and 2009, many Culicoides surveillance programmes were initiated to identify vector-active periods, in accordance with European Commission regulation 2007/1266/EC. This study utilized surveillance data from 4 years of continuous light-trapping at 14 sites in Northern Ireland. The number of captured Culicoides varied from none during the vector-free period (December-April) to more than 36 000 per night during peak activity in the summer. The Obsoletus group represented 75% of Culicoides collected and the Pulicaris group represented 21%. A total of 91% of Culicoides were female, of which 42% were parous. Abundance data, sex ratios and parous rates suggested that both the Obsoletus and Pulicaris groups underwent three generations/year. The Obsoletus group was associated with cattle-rearing habitats and woodland, the Impunctatus group was found in habitats related to sheep rearing and the Pulicaris group were associated with both cattle and sheep. Housing did not reduce incursion of female Obsoletus group Culicoides but it did for males and for the Pulicaris group Culicoides. The influence of housing was strongly affected by time of year, probably reflecting the presence of livestock indoors/outdoors.

Species associations and distributions of soil entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium spp. in Japan

Metarhizium Sorokīn (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) is a genus of facultative parasites of insects found in soils from various environments and is used for pest management. Understanding the habitat selection of Metarhizium spp. is critical to improve the efficacy and persistence of these fungi as microbial insecticides. This study sought to determine the habitat preferences of Metarhizium spp. in Japan. We identified 302 isolates of Metarhizium spp. as eight species by a combination of PCR–RFLP and phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences. M. pingshaense was the predominant species in Japan and was most frequently isolated from both forest and agricultural environments. On the other hand, M. brunneum and M. pemphigi were comparatively restricted to forest environments. A similar species association was detected in a small area that was intensively investigated, where 7 species including 14 genotypes were isolated from soil. The results of this study have revealed different habitat preferences among Metarhizium spp. in Japan.

Coevolution between flight morphology, vertical stratification and sexual dimorphism: what can we learn from tropical butterflies?

Occurrence patterns are partly shaped by the affinity of species with habitat conditions. For winged organisms, flight-related attributes are vital for ecological performance. However, due to the different reproductive roles of each sex, we expect divergence in flight energy budget, and consequently different selection responses between sexes. We used tropical frugivorous butterflies as models to investigate coevolution between flight morphology, sex dimorphism and vertical stratification. We studied 94 species of Amazonian fruit-feeding butterflies sampled in seven sites across 3341 ha. We used wing-thorax ratio as a proxy for flight capacity and hierarchical Bayesian modelling to estimate stratum preference. We detected a strong phylogenetic signal in wing-thorax ratio in both sexes. Stouter fast-flying species preferred the canopy, whereas more slender slow-flying species preferred the understorey. However, this relationship was stronger in females than in males, suggesting that female phenotype associates more intimately with habitat conditions. Within species, males were stouter than females and sexual dimorphism was sharper in understorey species. Because trait-habitat relationships were independent from phylogeny, the matching between flight morphology and stratum preference is more likely to reflect adaptive radiation than shared ancestry. This study sheds light on the impact of flight and sexual dimorphism on the evolution and ecological adaptation of flying organisms.

SYMPATRIC SPECIATION VIA HABITAT SPECIALIZATION DRIVEN BY DELETERIOUS MUTATIONS

Theoretical studies have suggested that the evolution of habitat (host) races, regarded as a prelude to sympatric speciation, requires strong trade-offs in adaptation to different habitats: alleles that improve fitness in some habitats and have deleterious effects of similar magnitude in other habitats must be segregating in the population. I argue that such trade-offs are not necessary; the evolution of habitat races can also be driven by genetic variation due to loci that affect fitness in one habitat and are neutral or nearly so in others, that is, when performance in different habitats is genetically independent. One source of such genetic variation are deleterious mutations with habitat-specific fitness effects. I use deterministic two-locus and multilocus models to show that the presence of such mutations in the gene pool results in indirect selection favoring habitat fidelity or habitat preference over acceptance of both suitable habitats. This leads to the evolution of largely genetically isolated populations that use different habitats, from a single panmictic population of individuals accepting both habitats. This study suggests that the conditions favoring habitat race formation, and thus possibly sympatric speciation, are much less stringent than previously thought.

Seasonal home range dynamics and sex differences in habitat use in a threatened, coastal marsh bird

A comprehensive understanding of spatiotemporal ecology is needed to develop conservation strategies for declining species. The king rail (Rallus elegans) is a secretive marsh bird whose range historically extended across the eastern United States. Inland migratory populations have been greatly reduced with most remaining populations inhabiting the coastal margins. Our objectives were to determine the migratory status of breeding king rails on the mid-Atlantic coast and to characterize home range size, seasonal patterns of movement, and habitat use. Using radiotelemetry, we tracked individual king rails among seasons, and established that at least a segment of this breeding population is resident. Mean (±SE) home range size was 19.8 ± 5.0 ha (95% kernel density) or 2.5 ± 0.9 (50% kernel density). We detected seasonal variation and sex differences in home range size and habitat use. In the nonbreeding season, resident male home ranges coincided essentially with their breeding territories. Overwintering males were more likely than females to be found in natural emergent marsh with a greater area of open water. Females tended to have larger home ranges than males during the nonbreeding season. We report for the first time the use of wooded natural marsh by overwintering females. Brood-rearing king rails led their young considerable distances away from their nests (average maximum distance: ~600 ± 200 m) and used both wooded natural and impounded marsh. King rails moved between natural marsh and managed impoundments during all life stages, but the proximity of these habitat types particularly benefitted brood-rearing parents seeking foraging areas with shallower water in proximity to cover. Our results demonstrate the importance of interspersion of habitat types to support resident breeders. Summer draining of impounded wetlands that are seasonally flooded for wintering waterfowl allows regrowth of vegetation and provides additional habitat at a critical time for wading birds.

Does Type of Substratum Affects Chironomid Larvae Assemblage Composition? A Study in a River Catchment in Northern Patagonia, Argentina

Chironomid larvae assemblages were investigated at seven sampling stations in relation to stream habitat type in the Challhuaco-Ñireco river system located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the North-Western part of Rio Negro Province, Argentina. A total of 2229 individuals were sampled and 43 Chironomidae taxa were recorded with Orthocladiinae (29) being the best represented subfamily, followed by Diamesinae (5), Tanypodinae (3), Podonominae (3) and Chironominae (3). Stictocladius spF, Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) sp6, Cricotopus sp2, Cricotopus sp3 and Parapsectrocladius sp2 were the most abundant taxa. Sites near the source of the river system were dominated by Podonomus sp., Limnophyes sp., Parapsectrocladius sp. and Stictocladius spF, whereas sites close to the river mouth were dominated by Diamesinae sp5 and Cricotopus sp. Rank/abundance plots show that all the analysed sites displayed dominance of some species. Stictocladius spF, Cricotopus sp2, Cricotopus sp3, Cricotopus (Paratrichocladius) sp6, Parapsectrocladius sp. and Limnophyes sp. resulted as dominant species, or being part of a group of dominant species, at least in one sample. Eleven taxa were associated with habitats related with riffle areas and stable substrates with filamentous algae. Species-environment relationships were examined using ordination analysis. Elevation was the most significant environmental variable that explained 22% of the total variability of the chironomid assemblages, showing stronger relationships among sites within an altitudinal gradient than among habitat type. Abundance of chironomids increased from headwaters to the outflow in Nahuel Huapi Lake responding to an altitude gradient as well as some environmental factors such as coarse matter and nutrient concentrations.

Coexistence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Peninsular Florida Two Decades After Competitive Displacements

The spread of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) eastward in the mid-1980s from its initial establishment in Houston, TX, was associated with rapid declines and local disappearances of Aedes aegypti (L.) in Gulf Coast states and Florida where annual larval surveillance during the early 1990s described temporal and spatial patterns of competitive displacements in cemeteries and tire shops. Approximately 20 yr later in 2013-2014, we re-visited former collection sites and sampled aquatic immatures of these two species from tire shops in 10 cities on State Route 441 and from 9 cemeteries from Lakeland to Miami in southwest Florida. In the recent samples Ae. aegypti was recovered from three central Florida cities where it had not been detected in 1994, but its northern limit on Rte. 441, Apopka, did not change. Other evidence, such as trends at a few cemeteries, suggested a moderate resurgence of this species since 1994. Cage experiments that exposed female progeny of Ae. aegypti from recent Florida collection sites to interspecific mating by Ae. albopictus males showed that females from coexistence sites had evolved resistance to cross-mating, but Ae. aegypti from sites with no Ae. albopictus were relatively susceptible to satyrization. Habitat classifications of collection sites were reduced by principal component (PC) analysis to four variables that accounted for > 99% of variances; PCs with strong positive loadings for tree cover and ground vegetation were associated with collection sites yielding only Ae. albopictus Within the coexistence range of the two species, the numbers of Ae. aegypti among total Aedes collected were strongly correlated in stepwise logistic regression models with two habitat-derived PCs, distance from the coast, and annual rainfall and mean maximum temperatures at the nearest weather station. Subtle increases in the range of Ae. aegypti since its previous displacements are interpreted in the context of the evolution of resistance to mating interference, realized versus fundamental niches of the two species, and persisting competition with Ae. albopictus.

Spatial modeling of data with excessive zeros applied to reindeer pellet-group counts

We analyze a real data set pertaining to reindeer fecal pellet‐group counts obtained from a survey conducted in a forest area in northern Sweden. In the data set, over 70% of counts are zeros, and there is high spatial correlation. We use conditionally autoregressive random effects for modeling of spatial correlation in a Poisson generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), quasi‐Poisson hierarchical generalized linear model (HGLM), zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP), and hurdle models. The quasi‐Poisson HGLM allows for both under‐ and overdispersion with excessive zeros, while the ZIP and hurdle models allow only for overdispersion. In analyzing the real data set, we see that the quasi‐Poisson HGLMs can perform better than the other commonly used models, for example, ordinary Poisson HGLMs, spatial ZIP, and spatial hurdle models, and that the underdispersed Poisson HGLMs with spatial correlation fit the reindeer data best. We develop R codes for fitting these models using a unified algorithm for the HGLMs. Spatial count response with an extremely high proportion of zeros, and underdispersion can be successfully modeled using the quasi‐Poisson HGLM with spatial random effects.

Quantifying the Relative Importance of Phylogeny and Environmental Preferences As Drivers of Gene Content in Prokaryotic Microorganisms

Two complementary forces shape microbial genomes: vertical inheritance of genes by phylogenetic descent, and acquisition of new genes related to adaptation to particular habitats and lifestyles. Quantification of the relative importance of each driving force proved difficult. We determined the contribution of each factor, and identified particular genes or biochemical/cellular processes linked to environmental preferences (i.e., propensity of a taxon to live in particular habitats). Three types of data were confronted: (i) complete genomes, which provide gene content of different taxa; (ii) phylogenetic information, via alignment of 16S rRNA sequences, which allowed determination of the distance between taxa, and (iii) distribution of species in environments via 16S rRNA sampling experiments, reflecting environmental preferences of different taxa. The combination of these three datasets made it possible to describe and quantify the relationships among them. We found that, although phylogenetic descent was responsible for shaping most genomes, a discernible part of the latter was correlated to environmental adaptations. Particular families of genes were identified as environmental markers, as supported by direct studies such as metagenomic sequencing. These genes are likely important for adaptation of bacteria to particular conditions or habitats, such as carbohydrate or glycan metabolism genes being linked to host-associated environments.

Assessments at multiple levels of biological organization allow for an integrative determination of physiological tolerances to turbidity in an endangered fish species

Turbidity can influence trophic levels by altering species composition and can potentially affect fish feeding strategies and predator-prey interactions. The estuarine turbidity maximum, described as an area of increased suspended particles, phytoplankton and zooplankton, generally represents a zone with higher turbidity and enhanced food sources important for successful feeding and growth in many fish species. The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is an endangered, pelagic fish species endemic to the San Francisco Estuary and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, USA, where it is associated with turbid waters. Turbidity is known to play an important role for the completion of the species' life cycle; however, turbidity ranges in the Delta are broad, and specific requirements for this fish species are still unknown. To evaluate turbidity requirements for early life stages, late-larval delta smelt were maintained at environmentally relevant turbidity levels ranging from 5 to 250 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) for 24 h, after which a combination of physiological endpoints (molecular biomarkers and cortisol), behavioural indices (feeding) and whole-organism measures (survival) were determined. All endpoints delivered consistent results and identified turbidities between 25 and 80 NTU as preferential. Delta smelt survival rates were highest between 12 and 80 NTU and feeding rates were highest between 25 and 80 NTU. Cortisol levels indicated minimal stress between 35 and 80 NTU and were elevated at low turbidities (5, 12 and 25 NTU). Expression of stress-related genes indicated significant responses for gst, hsp70 and glut2 in high turbidities (250 NTU), and principal component analysis on all measured genes revealed a clustering of 25, 35, 50 and 80 NTU separating the medium-turbidity treatments from low- and high-turbidity treatments. Taken together, these data demonstrate that turbidity levels that are either too low or too high affect delta smelt physiological performance, causing significant effects on overall stress, food intake and mortality. They also highlight the need for turbidity to be considered in habitat and water management decisions.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Habitat Preferences in South Texas, USA

The South Texas region has a historical record of occasional dengue outbreaks. The recent introduction of chikungunya virus to the Caribbean suggests that this disease may be a concern as well. Six different cities and three field habitat types (residential, tire shops, and cemeteries) were examined for evidence of habitat and longitudinal preference of two vector species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. A. aegypti was more prevalent in tire shop sites, while A. albopictus was more prevalent in cemetery sites. In residential sites, the relative abundance of the two species varied with longitude, with A. albopictus being more abundant near the coast, and A. aegypti being more abundant inland. There was also a temporal variation, with A. aegypti declining in frequency over time in residential sites. These results have implications for control strategies and disease risk and suggest a greater need for increased surveillance and research in the region.

Higher mobility of butterflies than moths connected to habitat suitability and body size in a release experiment

Mobility is a key factor determining lepidopteran species responses to environmental change. However, direct multispecies comparisons of mobility are rare and empirical comparisons between butterflies and moths have not been previously conducted. Here, we compared mobility between butterflies and diurnal moths and studied species traits affecting butterfly mobility. We experimentally marked and released 2011 butterfly and 2367 moth individuals belonging to 32 and 28 species, respectively, in a 25 m × 25 m release area within an 11-ha, 8-year-old set-aside field. Distance moved and emigration rate from the release habitat were recorded by species. The release experiment produced directly comparable mobility data in 18 butterfly and 9 moth species with almost 500 individuals recaptured. Butterflies were found more mobile than geometroid moths in terms of both distance moved (mean 315 m vs. 63 m, respectively) and emigration rate (mean 54% vs. 17%, respectively). Release habitat suitability had a strong effect on emigration rate and distance moved, because butterflies tended to leave the set-aside, if it was not suitable for breeding. In addition, emigration rate and distance moved increased significantly with increasing body size. When phylogenetic relatedness among species was included in the analyses, the significant effect of body size disappeared, but habitat suitability remained significant for distance moved. The higher mobility of butterflies than geometroid moths can largely be explained by morphological differences, as butterflies are more robust fliers. The important role of release habitat suitability in butterfly mobility was expected, but seems not to have been empirically documented before. The observed positive correlation between butterfly size and mobility is in agreement with our previous findings on butterfly colonization speed in a long-term set-aside experiment and recent meta-analyses on butterfly mobility.

Shifts in archaeaplankton community structure along ecological gradients of Pearl Estuary

The significance of archaea in regulating biogeochemical processes has led to an interest in their community compositions. Using 454 pyrosequencing, the present study examined the archaeal communities along a subtropical estuary, Pearl Estuary, China. Marine Group I Thaumarchaeota (MG-I) were predominant in freshwater sites and one novel subgroup of MG-I, that is MG-Iν, was proposed. In addition, the previously defined MG-Iα II was grouped into two clusters (MG-Iα II-1, II-2). MG-Iα II-1 and MG-Iλ II were both freshwater-specific, with MG-Iα II-1 being prevalent in the oxic water and MG-Iλ II in the hypoxic water. Salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and pH were the most important determinants that shaped the differential distribution of MG-I subgroups along Pearl Estuary. Marine Group II Euryarchaeota (MG-II) dominated the saltwater sites, but their abundance was higher in surface waters. The phylogenetic patterns of MG-I subgroups and their habitat preferences provide insight into their phylogeographic relationships. These results highlight the diversification of various ecotypes of archaea, especially of MG-I, under distinct environmental factors in Pearl Estuary, which are of great value for further exploring their ecological functions.

Morphological and geographical traits of the british odonata

Trait data are fundamental for many aspects of ecological research, particularly for modeling species response to environmental change. We synthesised information from the literature (mainly field guides) and direct measurements from museum specimens, providing a comprehensive dataset of 26 attributes, covering the 43 resident species of Odonata in Britain. Traits included in this database range from morphological traits (e.g. body length) to attributes based on the distribution of the species (e.g. climatic restriction). We measured 11 morphometric traits from five adult males and five adult females per species. Using digital callipers, these measurements were taken from dry museum specimens, all of which were wild caught individuals. Repeated measures were also taken to estimate measurement error. The trait data are stored in an online repository (https://github.com/BiologicalRecordsCentre/Odonata_traits), alongside R code designed to give an overview of the morphometric data, and to combine the morphometric data to the single value per trait per species data.

Habitat-mediated population limitation in a colonial central-place forager: the sky is not the limit for the black-browed albatross

Animal populations are frequently limited by the availability of food or of habitat. In central-place foragers, the cost of accessing these resources is distance-dependent rather than uniform in space. However, in seabirds, a widely studied exemplar of this paradigm, empirical population models have hitherto ignored this cost. In part, this is because non-independence among colonies makes it difficult to define population units. Here, we model the effects of both resource availability and accessibility on populations of a wide-ranging, pelagic seabird, the black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophris. Adopting a multi-scale approach, we define regional populations objectively as spatial clusters of colonies. We consider two readily quantifiable proxies of resource availability: the extent of neritic waters (the preferred foraging habitat) and net primary production (NPP). We show that the size of regional albatross populations has a strong dependence, after weighting for accessibility, on habitat availability and to a lesser extent, NPP. Our results provide indirect support for the hypothesis that seabird populations are regulated from the bottom-up by food availability during the breeding season, and also suggest that the spatio-temporal predictability of food may be limiting. Moreover, we demonstrate a straightforward, widely applicable method for estimating resource limitation in populations of central-place foragers.

New distribution data and population structure of the European mudminnow Umbra krameri in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Seventy-six individuals of the European mudminnow Umbra krameri from two recent populations from Serbia (Bakreni Batar and Lugomir) and one from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Gromiželj) were analysed for habitat preferences and population structure. The population from Lugomir is a newly recorded population in Serbia. Besides this new record, it is noteworthy that all three studied locations are outside the currently known species distribution range limits.

Faunistic composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical composition of the Elateridae (Coleoptera) family in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey

The main aim of this study was to understand the faunistic composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical composition of the family Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. As a result, 44 species belonging to 5 subfamilies and 19 genera were identified. After adding species reported in the literature to the analysis, the fauna in the research area consists of 6 subfamilies, 23 genera and 72 species. Most of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region were classified in the subfamilies Elaterinae and Dendrometrinae. The genus Athous was the most species-rich genus. The species composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region partially overlaps with the known Elateridae fauna of Turkey. The Western Black Sea region shares the most species with the European part of the Western Palaearctic region, including many of those in the Elateridae family, compared to other regions. Comparisons of the three geographical regions of Turkey show that fauna composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical compositions of the Middle and Western Black Sea regions are more similar to each other than to those of the Central Anatolian region.

Faunistic composition, ecological properties and zoogeographical composition of the family Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Central Anatolian region of Turkey

The focus of this study was to understand the faunistic composition, ecological properties and zoogeographical composition of Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Central Anatolian region. 72 species belonging to seven subfamilies and 25 genera were identified. The major part of the Elateridae fauna of the Central Anatolian region is formed by the subfamilies Elaterinae and Cardiophorinae. The genus Cardiophorus was the most species-rich genus. The species composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Central Anatolian region is partially consistent with known Elateridae fauna of Turkey. The Central Anatolian region shares most species with the European part of the Western Palaearctic as does the Elateridae fauna of Turkey. Detailed localities of nine species are given for the first time for Turkey, with emphasis on the Central Anatolian region.