1. |
- Bybee, Seth, et al.
(author)
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Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) as a bridge between ecology and evolutionary genomics
- 2016
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In: Frontiers in Zoology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-9994. ; 13:1
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) present an unparalleled insect model to integrate evolutionary genomics with ecology for the study of insect evolution. Key features of Odonata include their ancient phylogenetic position, extensive phenotypic and ecological diversity, several unique evolutionary innovations, ease of study in the wild and usefulness as bioindicators for freshwater ecosystems worldwide. In this review, we synthesize studies on the evolution, ecology and physiology of odonates, highlighting those areas where the integration of ecology with genomics would yield significant insights into the evolutionary processes that would not be gained easily by working on other animal groups. We argue that the unique features of this group combined with their complex life cycle, flight behaviour, diversity in ecological niches and their sensitivity to anthropogenic change make odonates a promising and fruitful taxon for genomics focused research. Future areas of research that deserve increased attention are also briefly outlined.
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2. |
- De Block, Marjan, et al.
(author)
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Integrating life history and physiology to understand latitudinal size variation in a damselfly
- 2008
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In: Ecography. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0906-7590 .- 1600-0587. ; 31, s. 115-123
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Our understanding of latitudinal life history patterns may benefit by jointly considering age and mass at maturity and growth rate. Additional insight may be gained by exploring potential constraints through pushing growth rates to their maximum and scoring physiological cost-related variables. Therefore, we reared animals of a univoltine Spanish and Belgian population and of a semivoltine Swedish population of the damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum (spanning a latitude gradient of ca 2350 km) in a common environment from the eggs until adult emergence and exposed them to a transient starvation period to induce compensatory growth. Besides age and mass at maturity and growth rate we also scored investment in energy storage (i.e. triglycerides) and immune function (i.e. total activity of phenoloxidase). At emergence, body mass was greater in Spain and Sweden and lower in Belgium, suggesting a genetic component for the U-shaped latitudinal pattern that was found also in a previous study based on field-collected adults. The mass difference between univoltine populations can be explained by the shorter development time in the Belgian population, and this despite a higher growth rate, a pattern consistent with undercompensating countergradient variation. In line with the assumed shorter growth seasons, Belgian and Swedish animals showed higher routine growth rates and compensatory growth after transient starvation. Despite a strong link with metabolic rates (as measured by oxygen consumption) populations with higher routine growth rates had no lower fat content and had higher immune function (i.e. immune function decreased from Sweden to Spain), which was unexpected. Rapid compensatory growth did, however, result in a lowered immune function. This may contribute to the absence of perfect compensating countergradient variation in the Belgian population and the lowest routine growth rates in the Spanish population. Our results underscore the importance of integrating key life historical with physiological traits for understanding latitudinal population differentiation.
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3. |
- Gosden, Thomas, et al.
(author)
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Range limits, large-scale biogeographic variation, and localized evolutionary dynamics in a polymorphic damselfly
- 2011
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In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0024-4066. ; 102:4, s. 775-785
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Studies of heritable colour polymorphisms allow investigators to track the genetic dynamics of natural populations. By comparing polymorphic populations over large geographic areas and across generations, issues about both morph stability and evolutionary dynamics can be addressed, increasing our understanding of the potential mechanisms maintaining genetic polymorphisms. In the present study, we investigated population morph frequencies in a sex-limited heritable colour polymorphic damselfly (Ischnura elegans, Vander Linden), with three discrete female morphs. We compared the frequencies of these three female morphs in 120 different populations from ten European countries at differing latitudes and longitudes. There were pronounced differences in morph frequencies both across the entire European biogeographic range, as well as at a smaller scale within regions. We also found considerable between-population variation at the local scale within regions, particularly at the edges of the range of this species. We discuss these findings in the context of recent models of adaptive population divergence along the range of a species. This polymorphism is thus highly dynamic, with stable morph frequencies at the core of the species range but fluctuating morph dynamics at the range limits. We finish with a discussion of how local interactions and climatic factors can be expected to have a strong influence on the biogeographic patterns in this species and other sexually selected polymorphisms. (c) 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 102, 775-785.
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4. |
- Jiang, Bin, et al.
(author)
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Predator species related adaptive changes in larval growth and digestive physiology
- 2019
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In: Journal of insect physiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-1910 .- 1879-1611. ; 114, s. 23-29
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prey species are often non-randomly distributed along predator gradients but according to how they trade off growth against predation risk. The foraging-mediated growth/predation risk trade-off is well established, with increased foraging accelerating growth but also increasing predator induced mortality. While adaptations in digestive physiology may partly modify the relationship between foraging and growth in response to predation risk, studies exploring the impact of digestive physiology on growth in prey subjected to predation risk are still scarce. Larvae of the dragonfly genus Leucorrhinia segregate at the species level between lakes either being dominated by predatory fish (fish-lakes) or predatory invertebrates (dragonfly-lakes). Predators of these two lake types differ dramatically in their hunting style like searching and pursuing mode causing different selection pressure on prey traits including foraging. In a laboratory experiment we estimated growth rate, digestive physiology (ingested food, growth efficiency, assimilation efficiency, conversion efficiency) and metabolic rate (oxygen consumption) in the presence and absence of predator cues. Whereas fish-lake and dragonfly-lake Leucorrhinia species did not differ in growth rate, they evolved different pathways of digestive physiology to achieve similar growth rate. Because fish-lake species expressed a higher metabolic rate than dragonfly-lake species, we assume energy to be differently allocated and used for metabolic demands between species of both predator environments. Further, growth rate, but not digestive physiology was plastic in response to the presence of predator cues. Our results highlight the impact of digestive physiology in shaping the foraging-mediated growth/predation risk trade-off, with digestive physiology contributing to species distribution patterns along predator gradients.
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5. |
- Johansson, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Large-scale patterns in genetic variation, gene flow and differentiation in five species of European Coenagrionid damselfly provide mixed support for the central-marginal hypothesis
- 2013
-
In: Ecography. - Hoboken : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0906-7590 .- 1600-0587. ; 36:6, s. 744-755
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recently, an increased effort has been directed towards understanding the distribution of genetic variation within and between populations, particularly at central and marginal areas of a species' distribution. Much of this research is centred on the central-marginal hypothesis, which posits that populations at range margins are sparse, small and genetically diminished compared to those at the centre of a species' distribution range. We tested predictions derived from the central-marginal hypothesis for the distribution of genetic variation and population differentiation in five European Coenagrionid damselfly species. We screened genetic variation (microsatellites) in populations sampled in the centre and margins of the species' latitudinal ranges, assessed genetic diversity (HS) in the populations and the distribution of this genetic diversity between populations (FST). We further assessed genetic substructure and migration with Bayesian assignment methods, and tested for significant associations between genetic substructure and bioclimatic and spatial (altitude and latitude) variables, using general linearized models. We found no general adherence to the central-marginal hypothesis; instead we found that other factors such as historical or current ecological factors often better explain the patterns uncovered. This was illustrated in Coenagrion mercuriale whose colonisation history and behaviour most likely led to the observation of a high genetic diversity in the south and lower genetic diversity with increasing latitude, and in C. armatum and C. pulchellum whose patterns of low genetic diversity coupled with the weakest genetic differentiation at one of their range margins suggested, respectively, possible range shifts and recent, strong selection pressure.
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6. |
- Johansson, Magnus
(author)
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Adjusting to the extreme : Thermal adaptation in a freshwater gastropod
- 2015
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Temperature is a ubiquitous force influencing biological processes ranging from cellular responses to life span. The thermal environment for many organisms is predicted to change with globally increasing temperatures and studies conducted in natural systems incorporating various evolutionary forces, such as gene flow, is needed. In my thesis, I investigate how snails (Radix balthica) originating from distinct geothermal environments within Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland have adapted, both genetically and phenotypically, to the respective thermal regime. Locations were classified as either cold, warm or seasonal depending on the average and variance in temperature. A high resolution spatial distribution of genetic variation within Mývatn was obtained using both neutral and outlier AFLPs. In addition, the genetic profile enabled me identify warm origin snails irrespective of geographic location in Iceland. Warm environments were often more stressful than cold or seasonal environments but snails originating from a high temperature location benefited from increased performance elsewhere. Patterns of growth were identical in both common garden and reciprocal transplant experiment; warm origin snails grew faster than both cold and seasonal origin snails. This result is in concordance with quantitative genetics models of thermal adaptation but suggesting cogradient rather than countergradient variation. Although warm origin snails generally had superior performance, survival at cold temperatures (< 12 °C) was reduced. All snails matured at similar size in the common garden experiment but cold origin snails were observed to mature later and lay fewer eggs. Also, snails had a common optimum for growth rate at 20 °C irrespective of thermal origin. This is arguably the reason why snails were observed to have a common thermal preference. Interestingly, warm origin snails had a reduced tolerance to high temperatures compared to cold and seasonal origin snails which did not differ in tolerance. Putatively, natural selection has reduced a putatively unnecessary trait (high temperature tolerance in a stable thermal environment) in favour of higher growth rate and performance in warm habitats. In conclusion, the price of high performance in a warm environment was paid in terms of reduced survival at low temperatures and a potential disadvantage of reduced genetic variability.
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7. |
- Kunce, Warren, et al.
(author)
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Single and mixture impacts of two pyrethroids on damselfly predatory behavior and physiological biomarkers
- 2017
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In: Aquatic Toxicology. - : Elsevier. - 0166-445X .- 1879-1514. ; 190, s. 70-77
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Direct mortality due to toxicity of single pesticide exposure along a concentration gradient, while the most common, is only one important parameter for assessing the effects of pesticide contamination on aquatic ecosystems. Sub-lethal toxicity can induce changes in an organism's behavior and physiology that may have population -level ramifications and consequences for ecosystem health. Additionally, the simultaneous detection of multiple contaminants in monitored watersheds stresses the importance of gaining a greater understanding of the toxicities of combined exposures, particularly at low, environmentally relevant concentrations. Using larvae of the Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion paella), we conducted a combined exposure investigation of two widely-used pyrethroid insecticides presumed to share the same neurotoxic mechanism of action, and estimated their effect on predatory ability, mobility and three physiological biomarkers (Glutathione S-transferase; GST, respiratory electron transport system; ETS, and malondialdehyde; MDA). Deltamethrin exposure (0.065 mu g/L and 0.13 mu g/L) was found to reduce the predatory ability, but it did not affect the larvae's mobility. Esfenvalerate exposure (0.069 mu g/L and 0.13 mu g/L), on the other hand, induced no significant changes in predatory ability or mobility. The decrease in predatory ability after the combination exposure (0.067 mu g/L deltamethrin and 0.12 mu g/L. esfenvalerate) did not significantly differ from the impact of the single deltamethrin exposures. Glutathione-S-transferase was induced after single esfenvalerate exposure and the lower deltamethrin concentration exposure, but seemingly inhibited after exposure to the higher concentration of deltamethrin as well as the combination of both pyrethroids. Our data indicate that sub-lethal exposure to deltamethrin reduces predatory ability and suggest that sub-lethal combined exposure to deltamethrin and esfenvalerate inhibits the GST detoxification pathway. These effects can eventually result in a lower emergence of adults from contaminated ponds.
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8. |
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9. |
- Mikolajewski, Dirk J, et al.
(author)
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Predator-driven trait diversification in a dragonfly genus : covariation in behavioral and morphological antipredator defense
- 2010
-
In: Evolution. - : Wiley. - 0014-3820 .- 1558-5646. ; 64:11, s. 3327-3335
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Proof for predation as an agent shaping evolutionary trait diversification is accumulating, however, our understanding how multiple antipredator traits covary due to phenotypic differentiation is still scarce. Species of the dragonfly genus Leucorrhinia underwent shifts from lakes with fish as top predators to fishless lakes with large dragonfly predators. This move to fishless lakes was accompanied by a partial loss and reduction of larval spines. Here, we show that Leucorrhinia also reduced burst swimming speed and its associated energy fuelling machinery, arginine kinase activity, when invading fishless lakes. This results in patterns of positive phylogenetic trait covariation between behavioral and morphological antipredator defense (trait cospecialization) and between behavioral antipredator defense and physiological machinery (trait codependence). Across species patterns of trait covariation between spine status, burst swimming speed and arginine kinase activity also matched findings within the phenotypically plastic L. dubia. Our results highlight the importance of predation as a factor affecting patterns of multiple trait covariation during phenotypic diversification.
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10. |
- Nilsson-Ortman, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Latitudinal patterns of phenology and age-specific thermal performance across six Coenagrion damselfly species
- 2013
-
In: Ecological Monographs. - 0012-9615 .- 1557-7015. ; 83:4, s. 491-510
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using a combination of computer simulations and laboratory experiments we test if the thermal sensitivity of growth rates change during ontogeny in damselfly larvae and if these changes can be predicted based on the natural progression of average temperature or thermal variability in the field. The laboratory experiment included replicated species from Southern, Central, and Northern Europe. Although annual fluctuations in temperature represent a key characteristic of temperate environments, few studies of thermal performance have considered the ecological importance of the studied traits within a seasonal context. Instead, thermal performance is assumed to remain constant throughout ontogeny and to reflect selection acting over the whole life cycle. The laboratory experiment revealed considerable variation among species in the strength and direction of ontogenetic performance shifts. In four species from Southern and Central Europe, reaction norms were steepest during early ontogeny, becoming less steep during later ontogenetic stages (indicative of low-temperature acclimation). In one Northern European species, the slope of reaction norms did not change during ontogeny. In the other North European species, reaction norms became steeper during ontogeny (indicative of high-temperature acclimation). We had expected high-latitude species to show strong low-temperature acclimation responses, because they have a short flight season and inhabit a strongly seasonal environment. Instead, we found the reversed pattern: Low-latitude species displayed strong low-temperature acclimation responses, and high-latitude species displayed weak, or even reversed, acclimation responses to low temperatures. These findings suggest that low-temperature acclimation may be less beneficial and possibly more costly in habitats with rapid seasonal transitions in average temperature. We conclude that thermal performance traits are more dynamic than typically assumed and caution against using results from single ontogenetic stages to predict species' responses to changing environmental conditions.
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11. |
- Nilsson-Örtman, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Competitive interactions modify the temperature dependence of damselfly growth rates
- 2014
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In: Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0012-9658 .- 1939-9170. ; 95:5, s. 1394-1406
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Individual growth rates and survival are major determinants of individual fitness, population size structure, and community dynamics. The relationships between growth rate, survival, and temperature may thus be important for predicting biological responses to climate change. Although it is well known that growth rates and survival are affected by competition and predation in addition to temperature, the combined effect of these factors on growth rates, survival, and size structure has rarely been investigated simultaneously in the same ecological system. To address this question, we conducted experiments on the larvae of two species of damselflies and determined the temperature dependence of growth rate, survival, and cohort size structure under three scenarios of increasing ecological complexity: no competition, intraspecific competition, and interspecific competition. In one species, the relationship between growth rate and temperature became steeper in the presence of competitors, whereas that of survival remained unchanged. In the other species, the relationship between growth rate and temperature was unaffected by competitive interactions, but survival was greatly reduced at high temperatures in the presence of interspecific competitors. The combined effect of competitive interactions and temperature on cohort size structure differed from the effects of these factors in isolation. Together, these findings suggest that it will be challenging to scale up information from single-species laboratory studies to the population and community level.
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12. |
- Nilsson-Örtman, Viktor, et al.
(author)
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Generalists and specialists along a latitudinal transect : patterns of thermal adaptation in six species of damselflies
- 2012
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In: Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0012-9658 .- 1939-9170. ; 93:6, s. 1340-1352
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tropical organisms colonizing temperate environments face reduced average temperatures and dramatic thermal fluctuations. Theoretical models postulate that thermal specialization should be favored either when little environmental variation is experienced within generations or when among-generation variation is small relative to within-generation variation. To test these predictions, we studied six temperate species of damselflies differing in latitudinal distribution. We developed a computer model simulating how organisms experience environmental variation (accounting for diapause and voltinism) and performed a laboratory experiment assaying thermal sensitivities of growth rates. The computer model showed opposing latitudinal trends in among-and within-generation thermal variability: within-generation thermal variability decreased toward higher latitudes, whereas relative levels of among-generation thermal variability peaked at midlatitudes (where a shift in voltinism occurred). The growth experiment showed that low-latitude species were more thermally generalized than mid- and high-latitude species, supporting the prediction that generalists are favored under high levels of within-generation variation. Northern species had steeper, near-exponential reaction norms suggestive of thermal specialization. However, they had strikingly high thermal optima and grew very slowly over most of the thermal range they are expected to experience in the field. This observation is at present difficult to explain. These results highlight the importance of considering interactions between life history and environmental variation when deriving expectations of thermal adaptation.
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13. |
- Nilsson-Örtman, Viktor, 1984-, et al.
(author)
-
Latitudinal patterns of phenology and age-specific thermal performance across six Coenagrion damselfly species
- 2013
-
In: Ecological Monographs. - : Ecological society of America. - 0012-9615 .- 1557-7015. ; 83:4, s. 491-510
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using a combination of computer simulations and laboratory experiments we test if the thermal sensitivity of growth rates change during ontogeny in damselfly larvae and if these changes can be predicted based on the natural progression of average temperature or thermal variability in the field. The laboratory experiment included replicated species from Southern, Central, and Northern Europe. Although annual fluctuations in temperature represent a key characteristic of temperate environments, few studies of thermal performance have considered the ecological importance of the studied traits within a seasonal context. Instead, thermal performance is assumed to remain constant throughout ontogeny and to reflect selection acting over the whole life cycle. The laboratory experiment revealed considerable variation among species in the strength and direction of ontogenetic performance shifts. In four species from Southern and Central Europe, reaction norms were steepest during early ontogeny, becoming less steep during later ontogenetic stages (indicative of low-temperature acclimation). In one Northern European species, the slope of reaction norms did not change during ontogeny. In the other North European species, reaction norms became steeper during ontogeny (indicative of high-temperature acclimation). We had expected high-latitude species to show strong low-temperature acclimation responses, because they have a short flight season and inhabit a strongly seasonal environment. Instead, we found the reversed pattern: Low-latitude species displayed strong low-temperature acclimation responses, and high-latitude species displayed weak, or even reversed, acclimation responses to low temperatures. These findings suggest that low-temperature acclimation may be less beneficial and possibly more costly in habitats with rapid seasonal transitions in average temperature. We conclude that thermal performance traits are more dynamic than typically assumed and caution against using results from single ontogenetic stages to predict species' responses to changing environmental conditions.
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14. |
- Raczynski, Mateusz, et al.
(author)
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Phenological Shifts in a Warming World Affect Physiology and Life History in a Damselfly
- 2022
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In: Insects. - : MDPI. - 2075-4450. ; 13:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Simple Summary Climate warming affects phenological events of cold-blooded organisms. In this analysis we studied, in laboratory conditions, the impact of warming and hatching dates on key life history and physiological traits in a cannibalistic damselfly, Ischnura elegans. Larvae were reared in groups from hatching to emergence through one or two growth seasons, depending on the voltinism. Larvae were equally divided by hatching dates (early and late) and temperature treatment (current and warming). Early and late hatched groups were not mixed. Despite no difference in cannibalism rate between different hatching dates and temperatures, early hatched larvae reared under warming had elevated immune function measured as phenoloxidase (PO) activity. This increased PO activity was not traded off with life history traits. Instead, age and mass at emergence, and growth rate were mainly affected by temperature and voltinism. Our results confirm the importance of phenological shifts in a warming world for shaping physiology and life history in a freshwater insect. Under climate warming, temperate ectotherms are expected to hatch earlier and grow faster, increase the number of generations per season, i.e., voltinism. Here, we studied, under laboratory conditions, the impact of artificial warming and manipulated hatching dates on life history (voltinism, age and mass at emergence and growth rate) and physiological traits (phenoloxidase (PO) activity at emergence, as an indicator of investment in immune function) and larval survival rate in high-latitude populations of the damselfly Ischnura elegans. Larvae were divided into four groups based on crossing two treatments: early versus late hatching dates and warmer versus control rearing temperature. Damselflies were reared in groups over the course of one (univoltine) or two (semivoltine) growth seasons, depending on the voltinism. Warming temperature did not affect survival rate. However, warming increased the number of univoltine larvae compared to semivoltine larvae. There was no effect of hatching phenology on voltinism. Early hatched larvae reared under warming had elevated PO activity, regardless of their voltinism, indicating increased investment in immune function against pathogens. Increased PO activity was not associated with effects on age or mass at emergence or growth rate. Instead, life history traits were mainly affected by temperature and voltinism. Warming decreased development time and increased growth rate in univoltine females, yet decreased growth rate in univoltine males. This indicates a stronger direct impact of warming and voltinism compared to impacts of hatching phenology on life history traits. The results strengthen the evidence that phenological shifts in a warming world may affect physiology and life history in freshwater insects.
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15. |
- Raczynski, Mateusz, et al.
(author)
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Size-mediated priority effects are trait-dependent and consistent across latitudes in a damselfly
- 2021
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In: Oikos. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0030-1299 .- 1600-0706. ; 130:9, s. 1535-1547
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Variation in hatching time (phenology) might cause size differences within populations resulting in size-mediated priority effects (SMPEs) shaping intraspecific interactions. These phenology-driven effects potentially can be strengthened by seasonal time constraints caused by a short growth season, and depend on latitude. Here the single and combined effects of phenology and latitude-associated time constraints on SMPEs in larvae of an aquatic insect, the damselfly Lestes sponsa, are studied. We did so by rearing larvae in groups of 16 individuals with different phenology (hatching date) thereby imposing strong intraspecific competition, resulting in cannibalism. We thereby manipulated in a fully crossed way time constraints (combination of temperature and photoperiod: thermo-photoperiod) in larvae from low-latitude and more time constrained high-latitude populations, and examined effects on life history (survival, development, growth) and physiology (fat and protein contents, and phenoloxidase activity as a measure of immune function). Phenology, time constraints and latitude of origin had strong effects on life history, but only the time constraint affected the physiology. We detected a SMPE for survival that, however, was not stronger under time constraints and was consistent in strength between latitudes. Phenology and time constraints interacted for development and growth in a direction suggesting adaptive responses to time constraints but these life history traits did not show SMPEs. We provided important insights in the study of SMPEs thereby showing these to be trait-dependent and not more pronounced under experimentally manipulated or latitude-associated time constraints. Our study thereby makes an important addition to geographic variation in SMPEs, a largely neglected topic.
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16. |
- Urban, Mark C., et al.
(author)
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When and how can we predict adaptive responses to climate change?
- 2024
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In: Evolution Letters. - : Oxford University Press. - 2056-3744. ; 8:1, s. 172-187
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Predicting if, when, and how populations can adapt to climate change constitutes one of the greatest challenges in science today. Here, we build from contributions to the special issue on evolutionary adaptation to climate change, a survey of its authors, and recent literature to explore the limits and opportunities for predicting adaptive responses to climate change. We outline what might be predictable now, in the future, and perhaps never even with our best efforts. More accurate predictions are expected for traits characterized by a well-understood mapping between genotypes and phenotypes and traits experiencing strong, direct selection due to climate change. A meta-analysis revealed an overall moderate trait heritability and evolvability in studies performed under future climate conditions but indicated no significant change between current and future climate conditions, suggesting neither more nor less genetic variation for adapting to future climates. Predicting population persistence and evolutionary rescue remains uncertain, especially for the many species without sufficient ecological data. Still, when polled, authors contributing to this special issue were relatively optimistic about our ability to predict future evolutionary responses to climate change. Predictions will improve as we expand efforts to understand diverse organisms, their ecology, and their adaptive potential. Advancements in functional genomic resources, especially their extension to non-model species and the union of evolutionary experiments and "omics," should also enhance predictions. Although predicting evolutionary responses to climate change remains challenging, even small advances will reduce the substantial uncertainties surrounding future evolutionary responses to climate change. Preventing biological impacts from climate change will require accurate predictions about which species and ecosystems are most at risk and how best to protect them. Despite some progress, most predictive efforts still omit the potential for evolution to mediate climate change impacts. Here, we evaluate what is predictable now, in the future, and likely never based on recent literature, a survey of authors, and authors' contributions to a special issue on climate change evolution. Evidence indicates a growing ability to predict at least some components underlying evolutionary dynamics. For instance, the direct effects of climate change often alter natural selection regimes that could elicit evolutionary responses assuming sufficient additive genetic variation. We found no evidence for an increase or decrease in evolvability under future climate conditions, but we did find an overall moderate level of evolvability. However, the specific genetics underlying potential adaptive changes are still a "black box" that remains difficult to predict. We not only discuss the opportunities afforded by new genomic techniques to elucidate these genetic black boxes but also caution that the costs and limitations of such techniques for many species might not warrant their general practicality. We highlight further progress and challenges in predicting gene flow and population persistence, both of which can facilitate evolutionary rescue. We finish by listing ten activities that are needed to accelerate future progress in predicting climate change evolution. Despite the many complexities, we are relatively optimistic that evolutionary responses to climate change are becoming more accurate through time, especially assuming a more focused effort to fill key knowledge gaps in the coming years.
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17. |
- Van, Khuong Dinh, et al.
(author)
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Susceptibility to a metal under global warming is shaped by thermal adaptation along a latitudinal gradient
- 2013
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In: Global Change Biology. - : Wiley. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 19:9, s. 2625-2633
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Global warming and contamination represent two major threats to biodiversity that have the potential to interact synergistically. There is the potential for gradual local thermal adaptation and dispersal to higher latitudes to mitigate the susceptibility of organisms to contaminants and global warming at high latitudes. Here, we applied a space-for-time substitution approach to study the thermal dependence of the susceptibility of Ischnura elegans damselfly larvae to zinc in a common garden warming experiment (20 and 24 degrees C) with replicated populations from three latitudes spanning >1500 km in Europe. We observed a striking latitude-specific effect of temperature on the zinc-induced mortality pattern; local thermal adaptation along the latitudinal gradient made Swedish, but not French, damselfly larvae more susceptible to zinc at 24 degrees C. Latitude-and temperature-specific differences in zinc susceptibility may be related to the amount of energy available to defend against and repair damage since Swedish larvae showed a much stronger zinc-induced reduction of food intake at 24 degrees C. The pattern of local thermal adaptation indicates that the predicted temperature increase of 4 degrees C by 2100 will strongly magnify the impact of a contaminant such as zinc at higher latitudes unless there is thermal evolution and/or migration of lower latitude genotypes. Our results underscore the critical importance of studying the susceptibility to contaminants under realistic warming scenarios taking into account local thermal adaptation across natural temperature gradients.
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