scholarly journals Variability in colour, metallic lustre, and body size of Carabus arvensis Herbst, 1784 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in relation to habitat properties

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Germund Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Genetic Drift ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Habitat Properties ◽  
Two Populations

Objectives are to elucidate whether populations of Carabus arvensis Herbst, 1784 from contrasting habitats differ in (i) colour, (ii) brightness of metal lustre, or (iii) body size (length of elytra, of elytra + pronotum, and width of pronotum). Two large populations were studied, originating from (a) open heathland, being a remnant from more widespread heaths during former centuries, and (b) mature pine forest established 100–150 years ago on sandy agricultural land. Heath individuals had significantly more brilliant metal lustre and mostly lighter, vivid copper colour than pine forest individuals, which were typically black with a violet shade and slightly larger in size. The two populations are nowadays isolated, which was probably not the case 1–2 centuries ago, when both sites studied were treeless. The usually blackish colour of the forest population could be a recent adaptation to the changed environment, though some influence of processes such as genetic drift cannot be excluded.

Testing for Asymmetrical Gene Flow in aDrosophila melanogasterBody-Size Cline

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 667-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Jason Kennington ◽  
Julia Gockel ◽  
Linda Partridge
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Genetic Parameter ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Microsatellite Data ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Two Populations ◽  
Private Alleles

AbstractAsymmetrical gene flow is an important, but rarely examined genetic parameter. Here, we develop a new method for detecting departures from symmetrical migration between two populations using microsatellite data that are based on the difference in the proportion of private alleles. Application of this approach to data collected from wild-caught Drosophila melanogaster along a latitudinal body-size cline in eastern Australia revealed that asymmetrical gene flow could be detected, but was uncommon, nonlocalized, and occurred in both directions. We also show that, in contrast to the findings of a previous study, there is good evidence to suggest that the cline experiences significant levels of gene flow between populations.

scholarly journals Diet of Ameerega braccata (Steindachner, 1864) (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from Chapada dos Guimarães and Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
LR. Forti ◽  
ASO. Tissiani ◽  
T. Mott ◽  
C Strüssmann
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Niche Breadth ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Phylogenetic Perspective ◽  
Toxic Alkaloids ◽  
Two Populations

The understanding of feeding habits is important for anurans in general, both from an ecological and a phylogenetic perspective. For diurnal poison frogs belonging to the Dendrobatidae family, diet aspects play a crucial role in their defense and survival. Herein, we investigated feeding habits, foraging behaviour, and overall effects of habitat, sex, and body size on the diet of individuals of Ameerega braccata, a poorly known dendrobatid species. Specimens were observed and collected in the type-locality, Chapada dos Guimarães, and in the neighbouring municipality of Cuiabá, both in the State of Mato Grosso, Midwestern Brazil. The most important prey categories for A. braccata were Formicidae, Isoptera, and Acari, whose representatives were caught during active foraging. Individuals from Chapada dos Guimarães population consumed more Acari but fewer Isoptera than individuals from Cuiabá. Despite this, niche breadth values were narrow and similar for the two populations. Individuals from two distinct habitats (campo sujo and cerrado stricto sensu) showed differences in their diet, probably as an effect of differential prey availability. Females consumed more Isoptera than males. The number of prey categories used as food was not influenced by the variation of body size of the target species. However, the abundance and the volume of consumed Acari were statistically correlated with body size. The main results suggest that Ameerega braccata has a narrow niche breadth, as well as a specialised diet in ants, termites, and mites, which reinforces the hypotheses of close association between Acari consumption and the presence of skin toxic alkaloids, already found in other species of Dendrobatidae. Although differences in prey consumption between sexes are uncommon among poisonous frogs, differences in the diet composition between age classes, which probably reduce intraspecific competition, are frequently reported.

Intraspecific variation in a lizard from the Central Mexican Plateau: intersexual differences in size and shape explored

2020 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 656-666
Author(s):  
Abraham Lozano ◽  
Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista ◽  
Raciel Cruz-Elizalde
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Biomechanical Models ◽  
Tree Population ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Selective Forces ◽  
Sceloporus Grammicus ◽  
Intraspecific Morphological Variation ◽  
Two Populations

Abstract Morphological adaptations of individuals are directly (or indirectly) determined by the environment. Depending on sex, these adaptations may vary in different ways, given that different selective forces may be operating on organisms. Here, we evaluate intraspecific morphological variation (size and shape) in two populations of Sceloporus grammicus that occur in different structural habitats (trees and rocks). No difference in overall body size was found between the two populations. However, strong differences were found in body shape; the tree population was characterized by having shorter hindlimb proportions than the rock population, which agrees with the theory of biomechanical models. Furthermore, our results show that this species is dimorphic in size and shape, both in sex and population effects. A review of the literature suggests that the large overall body size and relatively longer distal segments of males could be an advantage for defending their territory, and the observation that females had relatively longer head length may be related to trophic niche divergence; however, this remains to be tested. Detailed quantification of behaviour, performance and reproductive characteristics must be performed to shed light on the evolution of sexual dimorphism in this widely distributed species in Mexico.

A methodological problem in genecology. Seeds versus clones as source material for uniform gardens

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 763-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Hume ◽  
P. B. Cavers
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Heterogeneity ◽  
Methodological Problem ◽  
Flood Plain ◽  
Source Material ◽  
Rumex Crispus ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Two Populations

Plants derived from both achenes and rootstock cuttings (ramets) were used to examine genetically based differences between two populations of Rumex crispus L. from two contrasting habitats, i.e., flood plain and pasture. Offspring from both sources were grown under cultivation in a uniform garden. Fifty-eight characters were determined for each individual. Within the pasture population only, seedling offspring differed significantly from plants obtained from ramets. Characteristics of the two populations were compared using (i) seedling offspring and (ii) ramets. More significant differences were found in the former set of comparisons.In the harsh but predictable flood plain habitat, genetic heterogeneity within the population was less than that found among plants from the pasture. Reasons for this difference are discussed.

scholarly journals Protein variation in strains of mice differing in body size

1975 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Garnett ◽  
D. S. Falconer
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Genetic Drift ◽  
Random Genetic Drift ◽  
Gene Frequencies ◽  
Protein Variation ◽  
Obvious Association ◽  
Average Individual

SUMMARYNine (41%) of the 22 enzymic and non-enzymic loci examined in a strain of mice divergently selected for six-week body weight (six lines selected in each direction and six controls) were found to be polymorphic. The degree of polymorphism varied between the replicates from a maximum of 38% to a minimum of 14% with an average individual heterozygous at 7·7% of its loci. There was no obvious association between any of the isozyme variants and body size. The frequency distribution among the 18 lines was adequately accounted for by random genetic drift. However, an association was observed between body size and the Hbb locus; the Hbbs allele was found to be fixed in all of the six Large lines. An examination of the variance of gene frequencies at this locus excluded random genetic drift as an explanation for the fixation.

scholarly journals Life cycle of natural populations of Metriocnemus (Inermipupa) carmencitabertarum Langton & Cobo 1997 (Diptera: Chironomidae) in The Netherlands: indications for a southern origin?

2017 ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Jan Kuper
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Larval Development ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Life History Characteristics ◽  
Two Populations

The life-history and behaviour of the chironomid Metriocnemus (Inermipupa) carmencitabertarum was studied for three years and a comparison was made between two populations in the Netherlands. Key life-history characteristics are reported, including the number of generations (2-5 generations) and duration of larval development (19-55 days). Life-history characteristics differed between the two populations and between generations within a population. These differences were likely related to differences in competitors (mainly Chironomus riparius Meigen) and thermal characteristics of the habitat from variations in water volume and ambient temperature. Results suggested a diapause in summer, when water levels dropped, and not in winter. A clear seasonal pattern in body size was found with pupal length increasing steeply at the beginning of the summer. The increase in body size was positively correlated with mean ambient temperature during larval development. This correlation is in contrast with the Temperature-Size Rule (TSR) in ectotherms, which postulates a negative correlation between temperature and adult body size. The chance of ectotherm predators being present in the habitat is low, which may explain this feature. Life history characteristics supported a recent northward range expansionfor M. (I.) carmencitabertarum due to warmer winters. If correct, it is predicted that the species will be found in Scotland and northern Germany and/or southern Denmark in the near future.

scholarly journals Farming system shapes traits and composition of spider assemblages in Mediterranean cherry orchards

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8856
Author(s):  
Natalia Rosas-Ramos ◽  
Laura Baños-Picón ◽  
José Tormos ◽  
Josep D. Asís
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Environmental Filters ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Topographic Features ◽  
Habitat Properties

Habitat properties, including crop type, farming system, management practices, or topographic features such as the hillside aspect, may act as environmental filters that select organisms sharing traits compatible with those conditions. The more environmentally-friendly management practices implemented in organic farming seem to benefit a range of taxa, but the extent of those benefits is not well understood. In cherry orchards of the Jerte Valley (Extremadura, western Spain), we explored the response of spider assemblages to the farming system (organic and conventional) and the hillside aspect (sunny or shady) from a taxonomical, behavioral, and morphological perspective. Spiders from both the canopy and soil surface were collected and identified to family. According to their foraging strategy, spiders were sorted in guilds and, for a selected family in each guild, body size was measured on each captured individual. Spider traits and composition were determined by local factors derived from farming system, and by climate conditions associated to the hillside aspect. In taxonomical terms, spiders benefit from organic farming and by the shady aspect. However, from a behavioral perspective, spiders with different foraging strategies exhibit strong variations in their response to the evaluated factors. From a morphological perspective, body size within guilds is differently conditioned by management practices that constitute conditioning disturbance events for each guild, resulting in selecting small individuals. The observed differences in taxonomical, behavioral, and morphological responses of spider communities to habitat properties highlight the importance of examining their assemblages from different perspectives when assessing how they respond to changes in management practices and topographic features.

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