scholarly journals Fitness response variation within and among consumer species can be co-mediated by food quantity and biochemical quality

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svenja Schälicke ◽  
Johannes Teubner ◽  
Dominik Martin-Creuzburg ◽  
Alexander Wacker

Abstract In natural heterogeneous environments, the fitness of animals is strongly influenced by the availability and composition of food. Food quantity and biochemical quality constraints may affect individual traits of consumers differently, mediating fitness response variation within and among species. Using a multifactorial experimental approach, we assessed population growth rate, fecundity, and survival of six strains of the two closely related freshwater rotifer species Brachionus calyciflorus sensu stricto and Brachionus fernandoi. Therefore, rotifers fed low and high concentrations of three algal species differing in their biochemical food quality. Additionally, we explored the potential of a single limiting biochemical nutrient to mediate variations in population growth response. Therefore, rotifers fed a sterol-free alga, which we supplemented with cholesterol-containing liposomes. Co-limitation by food quantity and biochemical food quality resulted in differences in population growth rates among strains, but not between species, although effects on fecundity and survival differed between species. The effect of cholesterol supplementation on population growth was strain-specific but not species-specific. We show that fitness response variations within and among species can be mediated by biochemical food quality. Dietary constraints thus may act as evolutionary drivers on physiological traits of consumers, which may have strong implications for various ecological interactions.

1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSAN KILHAM ◽  
DANIEL KREEGER ◽  
CLYDE GOULDEN ◽  
SCOTT LYNN

2021 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 109104
Author(s):  
Paul E. Kanive ◽  
Jay J. Rotella ◽  
Taylor K. Chapple ◽  
Scot D. Anderson ◽  
Timothy D. White ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carissa Jones ◽  
Isaac Rojas-González ◽  
Julio Lemos-Espinal ◽  
Jaime Zúñiga-Vega

Abstract There appears to be variation in life-history strategies even between populations of the same species. For ectothermic organisms such as lizards, it has been predicted that demographic and life-history traits should differ consistently between temperate and tropical populations. This study compares the demographic strategies of a temperate and a tropical population of the lizard Xenosaurus platyceps. Population growth rates in both types of environments indicated populations in numerical equilibrium. Of the two populations, we found that the temperate population experiences lower adult mortality. The relative importance (estimated as the relative contribution to population growth rate) of permanence and of the adult/reproductive size classes is higher in the temperate population. In contrast, the relative importance for average fitness of fecundity and growth is higher in the tropical population. These results are consistent with the theoretical frameworks about life-historical differences among tropical and temperate lizard populations.


Toxins ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Krnjaja ◽  
Slavica Stanković ◽  
Ana Obradović ◽  
Tanja Petrović ◽  
Violeta Mandić ◽  
...  

Fusarium graminearum as the main causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and its ability to produce trichothecenes was investigated by molecular techniques. A total of 37 strains isolated from the wheat, harvested in Serbia in 2005, 2008 and 2015, and previously designated by morphological observation as F. graminearum, were used for trichothecene genotypes characterization. The strains were identified using the species-specific primer set FG16R/FG16F while genotypic characterization was done using specific TRI13 and TRI3 sequences of the trichothecene gene clusters. The PCR assays identified all strains as species of F. graminearum sensu stricto with the DON/15-ADON genotype. The quantification of the mycotoxin (DON) was performed using the biochemical assay. The high levels of DON (>20,000 µg kg−1) were recorded in all of the strains from 2005, four strains from 2008 and two strains from 2015. Weather data of the investigated seasons, showed that the optimal temperature, frequent rains and high relative humidity (RH) was very favourable for the development of F. graminearum, affecting the DON biosynthesis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Ruffino ◽  
Diane Zarzoso-Lacoste ◽  
Eric Vidal

Bird conservation is nowadays a strong driving force for prioritising rodent eradications, but robust quantitative estimates of impacts are needed to ensure cost-effectiveness of management operations. Here, we review the published literature to investigate on what methodological basis rodent effects on island bird communities have been evaluated for the past six decades. We then discuss the advantages and limitations of each category of methods for the detection and quantification of impacts, and end with some recommendations on how to strengthen current approaches and extend our knowledge on the mechanisms of impacts. Impact studies (152 studies considered) emphasised seabirds (67%), black rats (63%) and the Pacific Ocean (57%). Among the most commonly used methods to study rodent impacts on birds were the observation of dead eggs or empty nests while monitoring bird breeding success, and the analyses of rodent diets, which can both lead to misleading conclusions if the data are not supported by direct field evidence of rodent predation. Direct observations of rodent–bird interactions (19% of studies) are still poorly considered despite their potential to reveal cryptic behaviours and shed light on the mechanisms of impacts. Rodent effects on birds were most often measured as a change or difference in bird breeding parameters (74% of studies), while estimates of bird population growth rates (4%) are lacking. Based on the outcomes of this literature review, we highlight the need for collecting unbiased population-level estimates of rodent impacts, which are essential prerequisites for predicting bird population growth scenarios and prioritising their conservation needs. This could be achieved by a more systematic integration of long-term monitoring of bird populations into rodent management operations and modelling bird population dynamics. We also strongly recommend including various complementary methods in impact assessment strategies to unravel complex interactions between rodents and birds and avoid faulty evidence. Finally, more research should be devoted to a better understanding of the cases of non-impacts (i.e. long-term coexistence) and those impacts mediated by mechanisms other than predation and ecosystem-level processes.


Nativa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 469
Author(s):  
Yasmin Bruna de Siqueira Bezerra ◽  
José Vargas de Oliveira ◽  
Taciana Keila dos Anjos Ramalho ◽  
Douglas Rafael e Silva Barbosa ◽  
Carlos Romero Ferreira de Oliveira ◽  
...  

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos repelentes e as taxas de crescimento populacional de óleos essenciais de Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum e Myracroduon urundeuva sobre o ácaro vermelho Tetranychus ludeni (Zacher) em algodoeiro de fibra colorida. Para o teste de repelência, óleos de Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum e Myracroduon urundeuva foram testados em diferentes concentrações sobre fêmeas adultas de T. ludeni, assim como para o teste de crescimento populacional, onde as cultivares foram tratadas com óleos essenciais.  O efeito repelente foi verificado para todos os óleos testados nas duas cultivares de algodão colorida. As taxas instantâneas de crescimento populacional para T. ludeni nas cultivares de algodoeiro BRS Verde e BRS Rubi foram todas positivas (ri> 0), indicando que a população está em estado ascendente, no entanto, a população cresceu a uma taxa menor quando comparada ao controle. Os óleos essenciais de C. citriodora, O. basilicum e M. urundeuva apresentam efeito acaricida e potencial controle alternativo de T. ludeni em algodoeiro de fibras coloridas sem causar danos ao algodoeiro.Palavras-chave: ácaro vermelho; algodão colorido; controle alternativo; taxa instantânea de crescimento; repelência. ACARICIDAL ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS ON RED MITETetranychus ludeni (Zacher) (Acari: Tetranychidae) IN TWO COTTON CULTIVARS ABSTRACT: The objective of this work was to evaluate the repellent and population growth rates of essential oils of Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum and Myracroduon urundeuva on the red mite Tetranychus ludeni (Zacher) in cotton fiber. For the repellency test, oils of Corymbia citriodora, Ocimum basilicum and Myracroduon urundeuva were tested in different concentrations on adult females of T. ludeni, as well as for the population growth test, where the cultivars were treated with essential oils. The repellent effect was verified for all tested oils the two cultivars of colored cotton. The instant population growth rates for T. ludeni in the cultivars BRS Verde and BRS Rubi were all positive (ri> 0), indicating that the population is in an upward, however, the population grew at a lower rate when compared to the control. The essential oils of C. citriodora, O. basilicum and M. urundeuva have an acaricidal effect and potential alternative control of T. ludeni in cotton from colored fibers without causing damage to the cotton.Keywords: Red mite; colored cotton; essential oils; instant growth rate; repellency.


1973 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry A. Haines

The value of RNA–DNA ratio as a measure of long-term growth of fish populations under semi-natural conditions and when subjected to environmental manipulations was determined. Populations of carp and smallmouth bass of known age distribution were established in artificial ponds maintained at two fertility levels. After 15 months, population growth rates (as percent increase in weight) and RNA–DNA ratios of muscle tissue from selected fish were measured. Each species exhibited a range of population growth rates. The relation between population growth rate and individual fish RNA–DNA ratio for each species was significant. When reproduction occurred, the relation was not significant unless young-of-the-year fish were excluded from population growth rate calculations. Age of fish was also found to have an important effect on RNA–DNA ratio, with the ratio being higher in younger fish.RNA–DNA ratio can be a reliable indicator of long-term population growth in fish when population age structure is known and recruitment is controlled. The method has potential for use in detecting response to environmental changes before growth rate changes become severe.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca West ◽  
Matthew J. Ward ◽  
Wendy K. Foster ◽  
David A. Taggart

Context Supplementary resource provision is increasingly used by conservation managers to manipulate habitat conditions that limit population growth of threatened species. These methods are popular in reintroduction programs because they can assist released individuals to adapt to novel environments. In situ management and reintroductions are being used to recover warru (black-footed rock-wallaby, Petrogale lateralis MacDonnell Ranges race) on the arid Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia. Direct predation by introduced predators is thought to be the main cause of population decline, but indirect predation effects reducing access to water resources has also been proposed as a limiting factor. Aims To determine whether warru would use supplementary water and so provide a tool to alleviate resource pressure for in situ (wild) and reintroduced warru populations. Methods We provided supplementary water to a wild and reintroduced warru population across 12 months. Drinking rates were calculated by monitoring water points with camera traps and modelled against plant moisture content and total rainfall. We also examined whether number of visits to water points by warru predators and competitors was significantly different to control points (no water present). Key results Wild and reintroduced warru used water points within 0–10 days of installation. No significant increase in visits by predators or competitors was observed at water points. Drinking rates were significantly higher during dry winter months (March–October) for both wild and re-introduced populations. Conclusions Supplementary water is readily utilised by warru. Water could be provided in this manner to warru populations where predators are present, particularly during drier months (generally March–October on the APY Lands), periods of drought or after fire, when food resources will have a lower water content and/or be less abundant. This may increase breeding rates and recruitment of young, and improve the probability of persistence for populations of this threatened species, and should be further investigated. Implications Supplementary water provision may be a useful tool to increase population growth rates for threatened mammalian herbivores in arid habitats. Experimental trials of the uptake of supplementary water and effects on population dynamics will provide important data for implementing adaptive management frameworks for conservation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 1198-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas C. Braun ◽  
John D. Reynolds

Understanding linkages among life history traits, the environment, and population dynamics is a central goal in ecology. We compared 15 populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to test general hypotheses for the relative importance of life history traits and environmental conditions in explaining variation in population dynamics. We used life history traits and habitat variables as covariates in mixed-effect Ricker models to evaluate the support for correlates of maximum population growth rates, density dependence, and variability in dynamics among populations. We found dramatic differences in the dynamics of populations that spawn in a small geographical area. These differences among populations were related to variation in habitats but not life history traits. Populations that spawned in deep water had higher and less variable population growth rates, and populations inhabiting streams with larger gravels experienced stronger negative density dependence. These results demonstrate, in these populations, the relative importance of environmental conditions and life histories in explaining population dynamics, which is rarely possible for multiple populations of the same species. Furthermore, they suggest that local habitat variables are important for the assessment of population status, especially when multiple populations with different dynamics are managed as aggregates.


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