Comparative analyses that link information on species' traits, environmental change, and organism response have rarely identified unambiguous trait correlates of vulnerability. We tested if species' traits could predict local-scale changes in dung beetle population response to three levels of forest conversion intensity within and across two biogeographic regions (the Neotropics and Afro-Eurasian tropics). We combined biodiversity surveys, a global molecular phylogeny, and information on three species' traits hypothesized to influence vulnerability to forest conversion to examine (1) the consistency of beetle population response across regions, (2) if species' traits could predict this response, and (3) the cross-regional consistency of trait-response relationships. Most beetle populations declined following any degree of forest conversion; these declines were strongest for Neotropical species. The relationship between traits and population trend was greatly influenced by local and biogeographic context. We discuss the ability of species' traits to explain population trends and suggest several ways to strengthen trait-response models.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/12-0251.1 | DOI Listing |
Trop Anim Health Prod
January 2025
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, 40100, Kirsehir, Türkiye.
The present study was conducted on specific skeletal muscles of six weaned male kids from each of the Angora, Hair, Honamlı, and Kilis goat breeds. The relationships between the expression of myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) and myogenic factor 6 (Myf6) genes and muscle fibre characteristics were analysed. Muscle samples from the longissimus dorsi (LD) and semitendinosus (ST) were collected from six 90-day-old weaned male kids of each breed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlob Chang Biol
January 2025
Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany.
Freshwater ecosystems face significant threats, including pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. To address these challenges, management strategies and restoration efforts have been broadly implemented. Across Europe, such efforts have resulted in overall improvements in freshwater biodiversity, but recovery has stalled or failed to occur in many localities, which may be partly caused by the limited dispersal capacity of many species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Insect Sci
January 2025
Biosecurity and Animal Welfare, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Berrimah Farm Science Precinct, Darwin, Northern Territory 0810, Australia.
Species spread in a new environment is often associated with founders' effect, and reduced effective population size and genetic diversity. However, reduced genetic diversity does not necessarily translate to low establishment and spread potential. Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink is a polyphagous pest that has invaded 4 continents in around 34 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant Genome
March 2025
Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, Genetics and Plant Breeding Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Wheat breeders are constantly looking for genes and alleles that increase grain yield. One key strategy is finding new genetic resources in the wild and domesticated gene pools of related species with genes affecting grain size. This study explored a natural population of Triticum turgidum (L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant Cell Environ
January 2025
CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona (Catalonia), Spain.
Water storage capacity and capacitance in trees regulate hydration levels, providing water reserves during drought. However, the effects of varying traits, tissue fractions and of different water pools on the allometry of branch-/sample-level properties have not been systematically investigated. We analyse the relationships between branch size and branch capacity and capacitance with respect to wood density, xylem vulnerability to embolism, and tissue fractions.
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