Dispersal syndromes in challenging environments: A cross-species experiment.

Dispersal is a central biological process tightly integrated into life-histories, morphology, physiology and behaviour. Such associations, or syndromes, are anticipated to impact the eco-evolutionary dynamics of spatially structured populations, and cascade into ecosystem processes. As for dispersal on its own, these syndromes are likely neither fixed nor random, but conditional on the experienced environment.

Does range expansion modify trait covariation? A study of a northward expanding dragonfly.

The adaptive value of correlations among phenotypic traits depends on the prevailing environmental conditions. Differences in selection pressures during species range expansions may therefore shape phenotypic integration. In this study, we assessed variation in behavioral and morphological traits, as well as their covariations, in replicated southern and northern European populations of the northward expanding dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea.

Genetic and environmental contributions to the impact of a range-expanding predator on aquatic ecosystems.

Global change is altering biodiversity locally and globally and subsequently affecting the dynamics of communities and ecosystems. Biodiversity can be impacted both at the interspecific (i.e.

Bottom-up and top-down control of dispersal across major organismal groups.

Ecology and evolution unfold in spatially structured communities, where dispersal links dynamics across scales. Because dispersal is multicausal, identifying general drivers remains challenging. In a coordinated distributed experiment spanning organisms from protozoa to vertebrates, we tested whether two fundamental determinants of local dynamics, top-down and bottom-up control, generally explain active dispersal.

New records of host-parasite relationships between Coenagrion scitulum (Rambur, 1842) (Odonata) and water mite larvae (Hydrachnidia) in core and edge host populations.

The relationships between water mite larvae parasitizing Coenagrion scitulum in core and edge populations were described. A total of 636 larvae of 7 water mite species were found on 143 C. scitulum adults (82 females and 61 males).

Delayed effects of chlorpyrifos across metamorphosis on dispersal-related traits in a poleward moving damselfly.

How exposure to contaminants may interfere with the widespread poleward range expansions under global warming is largely unknown. Pesticide exposure may negatively affect traits shaping the speed of range expansion, including traits related to population growth rate and dispersal-related traits. Moreover, rapid evolution of growth rates during poleward range expansions may come at a cost of a reduced investment in detoxification and repair thereby increasing the vulnerability to contaminants at expanding range fronts.

Rapid evolution of increased vulnerability to an insecticide at the expansion front in a poleward-moving damselfly.

Many species are too slow to track their poleward-moving climate niche under global warming. Pesticide exposure may contribute to this by reducing population growth and impairing flight ability. Moreover, edge populations at the moving range front may be more vulnerable to pesticides because of the rapid evolution of traits to enhance their rate of spread that shunt energy away from detoxification and repair.

Variation in innate immunity in relation to ectoparasite load, age and season: a field experiment in great tits (Parus major).

It remains largely unknown which factors affect the innate immune responses of free-living birds. Nevertheless, the degree of innate immunity may play a crucial role in an individual's survival as it procures the first defence against pathogens. We manipulated the ectoparasite load of great tit (Parus major) nests by infesting them with hen fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) before egg laying.