Article
Plant Sciences
Bi-Ru Zhu, Xiao-Meng Li, Da-Yong Zhang, Wan-Jin Liao
Summary: Field and common garden comparisons are commonly used to test the rapid evolution of increased vigor in introduced plant populations. Our study found that latitudinal clines can influence comparisons between introduced and native populations, with Chinese populations of Senecio vulgaris outperforming European populations in terms of growth and reproduction. This suggests that latitudinal clines in phenotypic traits should be considered in such comparisons when introduced populations are geographically structured.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Gabrielle Grandstaff, Yulia A. Kuzovkina, Ana Legrand
Summary: This study compared the attractiveness of native willows and introduced willows to different subfamilies of bees and found that both types of willows were equally attractive to pollinators. Therefore, planting either native or introduced willows can provide similar floral resources for pollinators.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Franziska Leonhardt, Clara Arranz Aveces, Anke Mueller, Baptiste Angin, Mathieu Jegu, Pius Haynes, Raffael Ernst
Summary: There is no clear empirical evidence to support the assumption that genetic diversity facilitates successful invasions. Using Johnstone's Whistling Frog as a model, this study found that both exotic populations of alien taxa and their native source populations exhibit low genetic diversity. In contrast, populations of the endemic species are genetically diverse and differentiated. These genetic patterns are consistent with geological processes and invasion histories. The study suggests that ecological factors and human drivers, rather than genetic diversity, play a more important role in the establishment success of alien taxa.
Article
Zoology
Boris R. Krasnov, Elena N. Surkova, Georgy Shenbrot, Irina S. Khokhlova
Summary: This study examined the effects of latitude and geographic range size on body size, leg length, and sexual size dimorphism in fleas, considering phylogenetic relationships between species. Results showed a positive correlation between body size and latitude, but not geographic range size. Male body size increased with latitude, while the effect of latitude was non-significant for females. Intraspecific body size variation was not associated with latitude or geographic range span. There was no evidence of an association between tibia length and latitude. Sexual size dimorphism decreased with latitude, independent of geographic range size. The findings suggest that macroecological patterns may manifest differently in males and females.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wen-Wen Liu, Yi-Hui Zhang
Summary: The study found that invasive populations of Spartina alterniflora had lower germination percentage and index than native populations, but germinated faster. In the invasive range, germination percentage and index increased with latitude, while in the native range, they decreased with latitude.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierre-Andre Eyer, Alexander J. Blumenfeld, Laura N. L. Johnson, Elfie Perdereau, Phillip Shults, Shichen Wang, Franck Dedeine, Simon Dupont, Anne-Genevieve Bagneres, Edward L. Vargo
Summary: This study examined the invasion history of the invasive termite Reticulitermes flavipes using SNP data from native and introduced populations, revealing a complex invasion pathway with multiple events from the native range and bridgehead introductions from France. The research suggests that long-distance dispersal through human transportation plays a significant role in the species' invasion success, and multiple introductions and admixture in the native range can increase genetic diversity transferred to the introduced range, potentially favoring invasion success.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Donovan A. Bell, Ryan P. Kovach, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Robert Al-Chokhachy, Timothy J. Cline, Diane C. Whited, David A. Schmetterling, Paul M. Lukacs, Andrew R. Whiteley
Summary: This study found that climate change has negative impacts on the distributions of native and invasive trout species in the northern Rocky Mountains of the USA. The occupancy rates of bull trout and cutthroat trout decreased over time, with different reasons behind these declines, requiring species-specific management actions.
Article
Microbiology
Alice G. Russo, Emma F. Harding, Grace J. H. Yan, Daniel Selechnik, Simon Ducatez, Jayna L. DeVore, Jia Zhou, Roshmi R. Sarma, Yin Peng Lee, Mark F. Richardson, Richard Shine, Lee A. Rollins, Peter A. White
Summary: The study found that Australian cane toads mainly carry one globally prevalent virus, while multiple virus species were found in their native range. The different virus species carried by toads in the two locations suggest that Australian cane toads have avoided the viral infections experienced by their native counterparts.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Simon G. Innes, James S. Santangelo, Nicholas J. Kooyers, Kenneth M. Olsen, Marc T. J. Johnson
Summary: This study found that there were no clear changes in cyanogenesis clines in response to climate change, but introduced populations continue to adapt to their contemporary environments.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yingyod Lapwong, Ariya Dejtaradol, Jonathan K. Webb
Summary: The Asian house gecko demonstrates the ability to adjust thermal tolerance to variable temperatures in non-native regions, with geckos from introduced subtropical populations in southeastern Australia showing lower cold tolerance in winter and higher heat tolerance. This plasticity may contribute to the successful invasion of tropical species into colder regions.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brenda J. J. Grewell, Blanca Gallego-Tevar, Gael Barcenas-Moreno, Christine R. R. Whitcraft, Karen M. M. Thorne, Kevin J. J. Buffington, Jesus M. Castillo
Summary: Tidal wetlands are heavily affected by climate change and the invasion of alien plant species. A study on Iris pseudacorus showed that the invasive plants have stronger growth and better adaptation to environmental stresses induced by rising sea level than the native plants. This knowledge can be applied to improve risk assessments and conservation strategies.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
B. Surmacz
Summary: Flower colour polymorphism refers to the presence of multiple colour variants in plant populations, and the study of this phenomenon has led to important discoveries in genetics. In this research, the flower colour variation of Convolvulus arvensis was examined, revealing polymorphic flower colours across the species range. Patterns of colour distribution were observed in different regions, suggesting a potential link between environmental factors and the frequency of different colour morphs. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these patterns.
Article
Plant Sciences
Juan B. Gallego-Fernandez, Jose G. Garcia-Franco
Summary: The study found significant differences in floral traits of Oenothera drummondii between native and non-native populations, with corolla size being the main contributor. While each floral feature varies independently in response to latitude and environmental conditions, there is a clear trend of size reduction with increasing latitude. Floral integration and flower lifespan remain similar across different latitudes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katherine E. Harper, Lauren A. Scheinberg, Katharyn E. Boyer, Erik E. Sotka
Summary: Biological invasions pose a severe threat to coastal ecosystems, however, the presence of cryptic diversity and inaccurate species identification makes tracking difficult. This study used genetic sequencing and genotyping to clarify the cryptic diversity and introduction history of the marine amphipod Ampithoe valida. The results revealed that the species complex consists of three cryptic lineages and likely originated in the North Pacific before dispersing to the North Atlantic through a trans-arctic exchange.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Peter Nosko, Kerri Moreau, Christian Kuehne, Kelly C. Major, Jurgen Bauhus
Summary: In the introduced range, Quercus rubra seedlings exhibit greater shade tolerance, faster growth and development, and better survival under closed canopies compared to the native range. This suggests that natural regeneration of Quercus rubra is less limited by shade in the introduced range, potentially explaining the differences in regeneration success between native and introduced ecosystems. Future research should further investigate these differences and their underlying genetic and environmental factors across a broader geographical range.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anna R. Armitage, Carolyn A. Weaver, Ashley A. Whitt, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: The study found that woody encroachment of mangroves into coastal wetlands can lead to a decrease in plant species richness and changes in animal assemblages, with certain species being more common in areas without mangroves. Results were consistent with a previous manipulative experiment, indicating mangroves have significant impacts on associated plant and animal communities as woody encroachment continues and mangrove cover increases.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jane M. Lucas, Jayne Jonas, Angela N. Laws, David H. Branson, Steven C. Pennings, Chelse M. Prather, Michael S. Strickland
Summary: This study examined the interactions between herbivore species and functional diversity with nutrient availability in shaping above- and below-ground ecosystems. Results showed that herbivores affected plant biomass, richness, and soil microbial communities, and interactions with fertilizer influenced below-ground carbon availability and microbial biomass. The effects of herbivore diet and taxonomic composition on ecosystems highlight the importance of considering multiple diversity metrics in studies of herbivore-mediated effects.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Wenwen Liu, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: This study explored the importance of plant species and different habitat conditions to synchrony in plant productivity across coastal marsh habitats in Georgia, USA. Synchrony was highest within a plant species and within a marsh zone, and decreased across species with increasing distance and elevational differences. Abiotic conditions, such as water column temperature and salinity, also showed high synchrony among sites, pointing to the Moran effect as a likely explanation for the findings.
Article
Ecology
Ryan W. Reihart, Kiersten P. Angelos, Kaitlin M. Gawkins, Shania E. Hurst, Denise C. Montelongo, Angela N. Laws, Steven C. Pennings, Chelse M. Prather
Summary: Nitrogen and phosphorus are considered the most important limiting nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems, while micronutrients such as calcium and potassium may play a significant role in structuring grassland arthropod communities. Different combinations of macronutrients and micronutrients have varying effects on arthropod abundance, and some combinations can have toxic or stressful effects on arthropod communities.
Article
Limnology
Fengrun Wu, Steven C. Pennings, Collin Ortals, Jennifer Ruiz, W. Reilly Farrell, Samuel M. McNichol, Christine Angelini, Amanda C. Spivak, Merryl Alber, Chunfu Tong
Summary: The study on perturbation caused by headward-eroding creeks in salt marshes revealed that different variables responded to and recovered from the disturbance in diverse ways. Plants recovered before soils and snails. Disturbance magnitude and time to recovery were often influenced by the proximity to the new creekbank, with some variables never converging with control values.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Dan Peng, Denise C. Montelongo, Leslie Wu, Anna R. Armitage, John S. Kominoski, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: As global change alters ecosystems, the importance of subsidies from one habitat to another may change. This study manipulated black mangrove cover and found that increasing mangrove cover decreases the relative importance of marine subsidies into the intertidal at the plot level, but concentrates subsidies at the front edge of the mangrove stand. Storms may temporarily override mangrove attenuation of subsidies. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of changes in plant species composition on marine subsidies and exchanges among ecosystems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Fan Li, Christine Angelini, James E. Byers, Christopher Craft, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: This study shows that tidal freshwater marsh plant and animal communities are vulnerable to long-term salinity changes but resilient to short saline pulses. While saline pulses did not impair most ecosystem functions, the decline of a single species in the pulse treatment was associated with reduced marsh accretion and no elevation gain, which are crucial for wetland survival in an era of rising seas.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Wenwen Liu, Xincong Chen, Jiayu Wang, Yihui Zhang
Summary: The flowering time of plants has been found to affect biomass accumulation across different latitudes. Invasive populations tend to have higher aboveground and belowground biomass compared to native populations. Additionally, there are parallel latitudinal variations in flowering time. However, the relationship between flowering time and biomass is not significant in the invasive range.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
John S. Kominoski, Carolyn A. Weaver, Anna R. Armitage, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: Changes in dominant plant species following a hurricane can affect carbon processing in coastal wetlands. Despite declines in soil nutrients, post-hurricane carbon processing increased with mangrove cover.
Article
Entomology
Tianjiao Adams, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: Both dietary protein and sodium are important for the growth and reproduction of insect herbivores, and their interaction can enhance cockroach growth rate and offspring weight.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Ming Nie, Wenwen Liu, Steven C. Pennings, Bo Li
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alyssa C. Hockaday, Anna R. Armitage, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: Ecologists use different methods to study interspecific competition and the results may vary. In this study conducted in Texas, USA, we compared four methods to examine the competitive interactions between black mangroves and salt marsh plants. Mangroves were found to strongly suppress the cover and biomass of salt marsh plants, but the strength of these interactions varied depending on the method used, plant species studied, and spatial scale considered.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Xincong Chen, Wenwen Liu, Yuan-Ye Zhang, Yihui Zhang
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that the ability of invasive populations to rapidly adapt to novel environments depends on genetically-based trait variation and covariation. However, few studies have investigated the trait covariance in both native and invasive ranges. This investigation provides a more comprehensive understanding of how historical contingency and adaptation shape invasiveness, contributing to the prediction of future invasion dynamics.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dan Peng, Hongyu Guo, Anna R. Armitage, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: This study conducted the first experimental research on intraspecific competition among adult mangroves in a natural forest, indicating that despite being limited by abiotic conditions, scrub mangroves exhibit strong competition. The importance of competition outweighs the abiotic differences between the fringe and interior.
JOURNAL OF PLANT ECOLOGY
(2022)