Article
Ecology
Adam Lovas-Kiss, Maria J. Navarro-Ramos, Orsolya Vincze, Viktor Loeki, Renata Urgyan, Felicia Paller-Kapusi, Casper H. A. Van Leeuwen, Andy J. Green, Balazs Andras Lukacs
Summary: This study investigates the potential of alien plant seeds to disperse through ingestion, transport, and egestion in waterfowl. By comparing the endozoochorous dispersal ability of alien and native wetland plant species in a feeding experiment with mallards, it is found that alien species have higher passage rates and slower germination, while native species have shorter retention times and higher germinability. These findings suggest that alien species may have traits that facilitate successful endozoochory and enable rapid expansions in new environments.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ziying He, Lingwei Yen, Hongjie Huang, Zihao Wang, Lili Zhao, Zhonghan Chen, Shing Yip Lee, Yisheng Peng
Summary: The nitrogen cycle and root system establishment in mangroves are influenced by exogenous nitrogen input and sediment texture. The study found that sediment texture had a significant impact on the root morphological features, while exogenous nitrogen input had a minor effect. Seedlings of Sonneratia apetala and Kandelia obovata showed similar responses. Therefore, conservation and restoration efforts for mangroves should consider eutrophication and varying sediment textures.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Erin I. Larson, Andrea C. Encalada, N. LeRoy Poff, Alexander S. Flecker
Summary: Characterizing the dispersal traits of Neotropical stream macroinvertebrate communities can provide insights into disturbance and functional diversity responses in these ecosystems. This study examined short-term colonization of cobbles by stream invertebrates in headwater streams in the Ecuadorian Andes and found that taxonomic richness did not show clear trends across colonization time. In addition, focal taxa showed variation in their drift and colonization propensities, unrelated to habitat stability. The study also highlighted the need to consider intra- and interannual differences in colonization experiments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Davide Taurozzi, Giulia Cesarini, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: This study conducted in a protected wetland area in Italy assessed the colonization capacity of plastics by diatoms and macroinvertebrates, and characterized their communities based on traits. The results showed that diatom species tend to colonize artificial plastic supports in lentic environments, regardless of the plastic type and water depth. Macroinvertebrates prefer settlement on the surface of polystyrene supports, likely due to anoxic conditions and the physical structure providing shelter.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Alexandra Heathcote, Christopher De Ruyck, Paulson Des Brisay, Paula Grieef, Nicola Koper
Summary: The study found strongest support for the ecological release hypothesis, but each of the other hypotheses also received some level of support. This suggests that ecological release, predation pressure from mongoose, and climate may all interact to influence morphological adaptations of birds to local conditions in the Caribbean.
Article
Ecology
M. Mozammel Hoque, Parisa Noorian, Gustavo Espinoza-Vergara, Pradeep Manuneedhi Cholan, Mikael Kim, Md Hafizur Rahman, Maurizio Labbate, Scott A. Rice, Mathieu Pernice, Stefan H. Oehlers, Diane McDougald
Summary: Predation by heterotrophic protists drives the emergence of adaptive traits in bacteria, particularly Vibrio cholerae, by selecting for mutations in flagellar transcriptional regulator flrA, leading to enhanced survival and competitive fitness in amoebae and improved colonization in eukaryotic organisms such as zebrafish. These adaptive traits evolved in response to environmental predatory pressure impact the colonization of eukaryotic organisms by these pathogens.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
C. E. Schaedler, R. M. Scalcon, J. L. C. Viero, D. M. Chiapinotto, D. B. David, F. Q. Rosa, E. B. Azevedo
Summary: The study assessed the recovery and germination of glyphosate-resistant Lolium multiflorum seeds that have passed through cattle's digestive system, showing a linear decrease in germination potential with time but with 18% potential by day four. The dose-response curve confirmed the resistance of the recovered seeds, indicating cattle as dispersal agents for these seeds and the need for a 7-day quarantine period between infested areas.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Cheryl L. Patten
Summary: Soil bacteria with rhizocompetence traits can colonize the rhizosphere and utilize nutrients released from plants. Understanding the regulation of these traits is important for developing bacterial inoculants that promote plant growth.
Article
Plant Sciences
C. Garcia-Verdugo, C. Douthe, M. Francisco, M. Ribas-Carbo, J. Flexas, X. Moreira
Summary: In this study, the phenotypic plasticity of olive trees in different island environments was assessed by growing seedlings in contrasting common gardens. The results showed that most traits of olive trees were not affected by environmental changes, but leaf traits differed geographically, suggesting that the plasticity of olive trees is related to their adaptation to insular ecological conditions.
PERSPECTIVES IN PLANT ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ryan P. Bos, Drishti Kaul, Erik R. Zettler, Jeffrey M. Hoffman, Christopher L. Dupont, Linda A. Amaral-Zettler, Tracy J. Mincer
Summary: Little is known about the dynamics and changes of early plastic biofilm assemblages over time. Gene catalogues were constructed to compare the metabolic differences between early and mature biofilm communities. Early colonization was dominated by Alteromonadaceae and had higher proportions of genes associated with adhesion, biofilm formation, chemotaxis, hydrocarbon degradation and motility. Mature biofilms were composed of predominantly Rhodobacteraceae and displayed higher proportions of carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes and genes for photosynthesis and secondary metabolism.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Hui Yao, Yanpei Bai, Yuan Chen, Haochun Chen, Wanji Yang, Xiangdong Ruan, Zuofu Xiang
Summary: Research suggests that colobine monkeys mainly disperse small seeds through potential endozoochory, especially seeds from multi-seeded fruits, which enhances plant recruitment by promoting seedling growth.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Zizka, Renske E. Onstein, Roberto Rozzi, Patrick Weigelt, Holger Kreft, Manuel J. Steinbauer, Helge Bruelheide, Frederic Lens
Summary: Insular woodiness (IW), the transition from herbaceousness to woodiness, is a distinctive feature of island floras. Previous studies have proposed several drivers of IW, including competition for sunlight, drought, increased lifespan, and reduced herbivory. This study identified 1,097 insular woody species on 375 islands and inferred at least 175 evolutionary transitions on 31 archipelagos. Structural equation models revealed the correlation between insular woody species richness and favorable climate, drought, and island isolation. The results highlight the importance of archipelagos as natural laboratories for studying convergent evolution.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yu Chen, Chiang-shan R. Li
Summary: In this study, it was found that there was an increase in the ventral striatum-insula resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) following overnight abstinence in smokers, while there were no significant changes in the dorsal striatum rsFC. Furthermore, the change in ventral striatum-insula rsFC was negatively correlated with harm avoidance, a personality trait. These findings highlight the impact of very short-term abstinence on striatal connectivity and its relationship with individual personality traits.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Kunrong Qin, Hua Qin, Zizhuo Wang, Li Lin, Haoxiang Zhu, Haiyang Wang
Summary: Understanding how assembly processes shape local plant assemblages is crucial for biodiversity conservation. In the karst mountain region of southwestern China, our study found that diffusion constraints, elevation, and adjacent vegetation types contribute to variations in species composition of self-established communities on roadside slopes. The slope environment exerts strong selective pressures leading to convergence in dispersal and colonization traits, while causing divergence in competitive strategies and regeneration traits.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joshua S. Lynn, Ragnhild Gya, Kari Klanderud, Richard J. Telford, Deborah E. Goldberg, Vigdis Vandvik
Summary: Climate change impacts on biota vary across sites, species, and individual species' ranges. Incorporating species' trait information improves predictions about climate responses. Plant height emerges as the most consistent trait associated with species' climate difference sensitivity.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Antonio J. Perez-Delgado, Paula Arribas, Carles Hernando, Heriberto Lopez, Yurena Arjona, Daniel Suarez-Ramos, Brent C. Emerson, Carmelo Andujar
Summary: The study reveals the diversification process within a beetle species adapted to the soil environment. Through molecular phylogenetics, population genomics, and morphometric analysis, it was found that the species consists of at least seven lineages, suggesting the presence of a cryptic species complex.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alberto J. Coello, Mario Fernandez-Mazuecos, Ruben H. Heleno, Pablo Vargas
Summary: The study introduces a new software package, PAICE, for estimating the number of inter-island colonization events in island systems. PAICE provides estimates that are an order of magnitude higher than previous methods and can be applied in various biogeographic contexts, taking into account sampling size. It offers a standardized estimate of colonization success across different study species.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carmelo Andujar, Paula Arribas, Heriberto Lopez, Yurena Arjona, Antonio Perez-Delgado, Pedro Oromi, Alfried P. Vogler, Brent C. Emerson
Summary: Most of the understanding of island diversity comes from aboveground systems, while the patterns and processes of diversification and community assembly for belowground biotas remain poorly understood. This study focuses on a young and dynamic oceanic island to advance our understanding of the processes driving community assembly of soil mesofauna. Through DNA metabarcoding and analysis, the study reveals the role of niche conservatism in community assembly and the importance of habitat specialization through colonization and preadapted species. The study also shows hierarchical patterns of distance decay and geographical structuring within the soil mesofaunal community.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jaime Moyano, Franz Essl, Ruben Heleno, Pablo Vargas, Martin A. Nunez, Mariano A. Rodriguez-Cabal
Summary: Understanding the impact of long-distance dispersal on the naturalization of non-native plant species is crucial in invasion science. This study analyzed the relationship between different types of long-distance dispersal traits and global naturalization incidence and extent. The results showed that traits associated with dispersal by animal attachment and sea currents were positively correlated with naturalization incidence, while traits associated with wind dispersal and animal ingestion showed a negative relationship. Factors such as residence time, economic use, and specific dispersal traits also influenced the extent of naturalization. The economic use of plants reduced the influence of dispersal traits on naturalization incidence for intentionally introduced plants.
Article
Ecology
Sergio Timoteo, Jorg Albrecht, Beatriz Rumeu, Ana C. Norte, Anna Traveset, Carol M. Frost, Elizabete Marchante, Francisco A. Lopez-Nunez, Guadalupe Peralta, Jane Memmott, Jens M. Olesen, Jose M. Costa, Luis P. da Silva, Luisa G. Carvalheiro, Marta Correia, Michael Staab, Nico Bluthgen, Nina Farwig, Sandra Hervias-Parejo, Sergei Mironov, Susana Rodriguez-Echeverria, Ruben Heleno
Summary: Keystone species play a disproportionately important role in ecosystem functioning. This study examines whether their importance extends across different types of interactions and ecological niche dimensions. The results show that keystone species importance is positively associated across multiple niche dimensions and is independent of abundance. This has important implications for ecosystem resilience and conservation.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alba Costa, Ruben Heleno, Yanick Dufrene, Eleanor Huckle, Ronny Gabriel, Xavier Harrison, Dana G. Schabo, Nina Farwig, Christopher N. Kaiser-Bunbury
Summary: Invasive non-native species can disrupt animal-mediated seed dispersal interactions, affecting the stability of recipient communities. This study investigates the impact of plant invasions on frugivory and seed dispersal networks in a tropical island, finding that non-native plants compete with natives for dispersal services and that invasion and seasonality alter native seed dispersal. This highlights the importance of controlling plant invasions to maintain ecosystem functions and biodiversity.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sara Martin-Hernanz, Manuel Nogales, Luis Valente, Mario Fernandez-Mazuecos, Fernando Pomeda-Gutierrez, Emilio Cano, Patricia Marrero, Jens M. Olesen, Ruben Heleno, Pablo Vargas
Summary: This study investigates the origin and source areas of thermophilous plants in the Canary Islands. Through phylogenetic analysis of 39 plant groups, it was found that the origin of thermophilous plants in the Canary Islands is complex, including both the Mediterranean Basin and other regions. These findings challenge the view that the Canary Islands and Madeira are part of the Mediterranean Floristic Region.
Article
Ecology
Javier Morente-Lopez, Yurena Arjona, Marcos Salas-Pascual, J. Alfredo Reyes-Betancort, Marcelino J. del Arco-Aguilar, Brent C. Emerson, Antonio Garcia-Gallo, Louis S. Jay-Garcia, Agustin Naranjo-Cigala, Jairo Patino
Summary: This study aims to understand the origins and distribution mechanisms of invasive alien flora in the Canary Islands. The results show that the main source of invasive species is the Neotropics, followed by the Cape Region, tropical Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin. The climate is the primary driving factor for plant invasion, with geographic distance also playing a role.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Guerrero-Campos, Sara Beatriz Mendes, Patricia Marrero, Javier Romero, Concepcion Nieves, Sandra Hervias-Parejo, Juana Maria Gonzalez-Mancebo, Manuel Nogales
Summary: Rabbits have caused devastating effects on endemic insular plants by disrupting native seed dispersal systems. However, the ecological impacts of rabbits in this regard have not been studied holistically in any archipelagos where they were introduced.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Letter
Zoology
Fernanda Garcia, Antonio Alves Da Silva, Ruben Heleno, Jose Paulo Sousa, Joana Alves
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sara Beatriz Mendes, Jens M. M. Olesen, Sergio Timoteo, Ruben Heleno
Summary: In the face of climate change, it is crucial to understand if plant species can adapt to favorable climatic conditions. Recent studies have found that the timing of fruiting can significantly impact future vegetation dynamics and composition. However, comprehensive datasets on fruiting phenology are lacking, hindering our ability to understand the consequences of climate change on plant communities.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos Cano-Barbacil, Martina Carrete, Pilar Castro-Diez, Miguel Delibes-Mateos, Josep A. Jaques, Marta Lopez-Darias, Manuel Nogales, Joan Pino, Macarena Ros, Anna Traveset, Xavier Turon, Montserrat Vila, Maria Altamirano, Ines Alvarez, Andres Arias, Dani Boix, Carlos Cabido, Eva Cacabelos, Fernando Cobo, Joaquin Cruz, Jose A. Cuesta, Beatriz Dader, Pedro del Estal, Belinda Gallardo, Miguel Gomez Laporta, Pablo Gonzalez-Moreno, Jose Carlos Hernandez, Borja Jimenez-Alfaro, Adrian Lazaro Lobo, Mar Leza, Marta Montserrat, Francisco J. Oliva-Paterna, Laura Pineiro, Carlos Ponce, Pere Pons, Roser Rotches-Ribalta, Nuria Roura-Pascual, Marta Sanchez, Alejandro Trillo, Elisa Vinuela, Emili Garcia-Berthou
Summary: Invasive alien species have significant impacts on native biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study used a three-step horizon scanning consensus method to identify potential invaders in Spain in the next 10 years. A total of 47 very high-risk, 61 high-risk, 93 moderate-risk, and 732 low-risk species were identified.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Helena Raposeira, Pedro Horta, Ruben Heleno, Hugo Rebelo
Summary: Understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of biological communities in response to environmental drivers is crucial for predicting the impact of environmental change on biodiversity. In this study, we examined bat diversity across an altitudinal gradient and identified the main environmental factors shaping bat communities. By assessing species' vulnerability to foreseeable environmental changes, we found that altitude, forest cover, and shrub cover were the key drivers influencing bat communities year-round. Interestingly, the vulnerability of bats did not always align with their conservation status, highlighting the importance of considering ecological plasticity in conservation strategies.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Frank Weiser, Anna Walentowitz, Esther Baumann, Christopher Shatto, Maria Guerrero-Campos, Anke Jentsch, Manuel Nogales, Felix Manuel Medina, Ole Reidar Vetaas, Carl Beierkuhnlein
Summary: Volcanic eruptions have significant environmental impacts on surrounding forests, including mechanical damage, volcanic gas emissions, and tephra deposition. The 2021 Tajogaite eruption on the island of La Palma, Spain, caused chlorotic damage to Canary Pine forests due to high levels of volcanic sulphur dioxide. However, the affected trees exhibited widespread resprouting. Needle samples of Pinus canariensis taken from different locations on the island showed a strong increase in sulphur content near the eruption site, while carbon content decreased significantly. The impact of volcanic gases on trees led to resource allocation for resprouting, resulting in lower carbon levels. Surprisingly, we found higher nitrogen levels in needles with high sulphur content, indicating complex environmental factors influencing nitrogen levels. Remote sensing imagery was effective in analyzing large-scale canopy damage, but variations in needle levels at a local and tree-based level were not reflected.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
