Search results for "Study"
showing 10 items of 15483 documents
Population cycles and outbreaks of small rodents: ten essential questions we still need to solve
2021
AbstractMost small rodent populations in the world have fascinating population dynamics. In the northern hemisphere, voles and lemmings tend to show population cycles with regular fluctuations in numbers. In the southern hemisphere, small rodents tend to have large amplitude outbreaks with less regular intervals. In the light of vast research and debate over almost a century, we here discuss the driving forces of these different rodent population dynamics. We highlight ten questions directly related to the various characteristics of relevant populations and ecosystems that still need to be answered. This overview is not intended as a complete list of questions but rather focuses on the most…
“A cleaner break”: Genetic divergence between geographic groups and sympatric phenotypes revealed in ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta)
2020
Abstract Capture and long‐distance translocation of cleaner fish to control lice infestations on marine salmonid farms has the potential to influence wild populations via overexploitation in source regions, and introgression in recipient regions. Knowledge of population genetic structure is therefore required. We studied the genetic structure of ballan wrasse, a phenotypically diverse and extensively used cleaner fish, from 18 locations in Norway and Sweden, and from Galicia, Spain, using 82 SNP markers. We detected two very distinct genetic groups in Scandinavia, northwestern and southeastern. These groups were split by a stretch of sandy beaches in southwest Norway, representing a habitat…
Dispersion of vendace eggs and larvae around potential nursery areas reveals their reproductive strategy
2019
Depending on their reproductive strategy, different fish species aim to aggregate or disperse eggs and larvae in their reproductive habitat. Many pelagic species disperse their eggs widely around the potential nursery areas. Larval dispersion or aggregation affects population sub‐structuring, which has important implications in fisheries management and conservation of the natural spatial diversity in populations. The dispersion of larval vendace (Coregonus albula) was quantified in two oligotrophic Finnish lakes, and effects of density and environmental variables on the inter‐annual variation in the larval distribution were examined by analysing spatial abundance data from the lakes from 19…
Influence of warming temperatures on coregonine embryogenesis within and among species
2021
The greatest response of lakes to climate change has been the increase in water temperatures on a global scale. The responses of many lake fishes to warming water temperatures are projected to be inadequate to counter the speed and magnitude of climate change, leaving some species vulnerable to decline and extinction. We experimentally evaluated the responses of embryos from a group of cold, stenothermic fishes (Salmonidae Coregoninae) - within conspecifics across lake systems, between congeners within the same lake system, and among congeners across lake systems - to a thermal gradient using an incubation method that enabled global comparisons. Study groups included cisco (Coregonus artedi…
Prolonged stigma and flower lifespan in females of the gynodioecious plant Geranium sylvaticum
2017
tIn gynodioecious plants females need a reproductive advantage over hermaphrodites to be maintainedin the same population. Generally, three main proximate causes for a female advantage are considered:inbreeding avoidance, different resource allocation patterns, and differences in ecological interactions.A mechanism potentially causing a female advantage that is rarely discussed is a difference in flo-ral longevity between the genders. Females may have a longer stigma lifespan than hermaphrodites,which can affect pollination. Stigma and flower lifespan are rarely documented in gynodioecious species,although it is a common observation in dioecious species that female plants flower longer than…
A case study of the coconut crab Birgus latro on Zanzibar highlights global threats and conservation solutions
2021
Abstract The coconut crab Birgus latro, the largest terrestrial decapod, is under threat in most parts of its geographical range. Its life cycle involves two biomes (restricted terrestrial habitats near the coast, and salt water currents of the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans). Its dependence on coastal habitat means it is highly vulnerable to the habitat destruction that typically accompanies human population expansion along coastlines. Additionally, it has a slow reproductive rate and can reach large adult body sizes that, together with its slow movement when on land, make it highly susceptible to overharvesting. We studied the distribution and population changes of coconut crabs at 15…
European catfish (Silurus glanis) as a freshwater apex predator drives ecosystem via its diet adaptability
2017
AbstractApex predators play a key role in ecosystem stability across environments but their numbers in general are decreasing. By contrast, European catfish (Silurus glanis), the European freshwater apex predator, is on the increase. However, studies concerning apex predators in freshwaters are scarce in comparison to those in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The present study combines stomach content and stable isotope analyses with diet preferences of catfish to reveal its impact on the ecosystem since stocking. Catfish niche width is extremely wide in comparison to the typical model predator, Northern pike (Esox lucius). Catfish and pike have different individual dietary specialization…
Large birds travel farther in homogeneous environments
2019
Aim: Animal movement is an important determinant of individual survival, population dynamics and ecosystem structure and function. Nonetheless, it is still unclear how local movements are related to resource availability and the spatial arrangement of resources. Using resident bird species and migratory bird species outside the migratory period, we examined how the distribution of resources affects the movement patterns of both large terrestrial birds (e.g., raptors, bustards and hornbills) and waterbirds (e.g., cranes, storks, ducks, geese and flamingos). Location: Global. Time period: 2003–2015. Major taxa studied: Birds. Methods: We compiled GPS tracking data for 386 individuals across 3…
Assessment of production and qualitative characteristics of different populations of Salvia sclarea L. found in Sicily (Italy)
2021
Salvia sclarea L. is an important industrial crop, valued for its herbal-aromatic properties and high quality essential oils, that is used in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In this study, carried out from 2009 to 2010, the morphological and production characteristics and essential oil content and composition of three Sicilian populations were studied. In particular, the composition of essential oils extracted from primary and secondary inflorescences using steam distillation was assessed. Morphological, production and qualitative data from the three populations were subjected to analysis of variance and cluster analysis. Regarding the quality of the oils, only the most prevalent compo…
Small pelagic fish in the new millennium: A bottom-up view of global research effort
2021
The present review is an outcome of discussions at the ICES-PICES Symposium on Drivers of Dynamics of Small Pelagic Fish convened in Victoria, B.C., Canada in spring 2017.-- This review is a first contribution of a new international Working Group on Small Pelagic Fish started jointly by ICES (WGSPF) and PICES (WG43) to continue world-wide collaboration to advance knowledge on the drivers of populations of SPF.