scholarly journals Predators as Agents of Selection and Diversification

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 415
Author(s):  
Jerald B. Johnson ◽  
Mark C. Belk
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Evolutionary Diversification ◽  
Multiple Predator Species ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Future Work

Predation is ubiquitous in nature and can be an important component of both ecological and evolutionary interactions. One of the most striking features of predators is how often they cause evolutionary diversification in natural systems. Here, we review several ways that this can occur, exploring empirical evidence and suggesting promising areas for future work. We also introduce several papers recently accepted in Diversity that demonstrate just how important and varied predation can be as an agent of natural selection. We conclude that there is still much to be done in this field, especially in areas where multiple predator species prey upon common prey, in certain taxonomic groups where we still know very little, and in an overall effort to actually quantify mortality rates and the strength of natural selection in the wild.

Heterochrony and the Problem of Missing Links in Evolutionary Sequences

1984 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 84-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Broadhead ◽  
Johnny A. Waters
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Feature Recognition ◽  
Biological Meaning ◽  
Juvenile Stages ◽  
Transitional Forms ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Organic Change

Critics of the concept of organic change through time have demanded proof not only of “transitional forms” but of specific transitions among higher taxonomic groups. Transitional forms among species and between a species of one genus and a species of another genus have been criticized because most demonstrated ancestor-descendant transitions are considered to occur within one “kind” of organism; the “kind” concept is bereft of biological meaning.Natural selection acts upon organisms at all stages of ontogeny, and especially at larval-juvenile stages. Large shifts in the morphology of one or more features are common in groups of organisms that evolve by heterochrony. Because heterochrony involves a change in timing of the appearance or development of a particular feature, recognition of heterochrony requires a confident knowledge of ontogeny. The resulting increase in complexity (e.g. recapitulation) or decrease in complexity (e.g. paedomorphosis), well documented among living organisms, commonly excludes morphologic intermediates. Paedomorphosis is especially important in the evolution of progressively simplifying lineages and has been well documented from living plants and animals and fossil representatives of echinoderms (blastoids, crinoids), conodonts, arthropods, mollusks and vertebrates. Heterochrony characterizes the evolution of most metazoan organisms, occurs at all taxonomic levels and was probably responsible for major innovations by which higher taxonomic groups are recognized.

Natural selection in the wild

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 306-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin Burt
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
In The Wild

Natural selection in the wild

1987 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-638
Author(s):  
G WILKINSON
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
In The Wild

Detecting emergent effects of multiple predator species

Oecologia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 702-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaine D. Griffen
Keyword(s):  
Predator Species ◽  
Multiple Predator Species

scholarly journals Towards reducing variations in infant mortality and morbidity: a population-based approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Field ◽  
Elaine Boyle ◽  
Elizabeth Draper ◽  
Alun Evans ◽  
Samantha Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Developmental Outcomes ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Childhood Mortality ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Future Work

BackgroundOur aims were (1) to improve understanding of regional variation in early-life mortality rates and the UK’s poor performance in international comparisons; and (2) to identify the extent to which late and moderately preterm (LMPT) birth contributes to early childhood mortality and morbidity.ObjectiveTo undertake a programme of linked population-based research studies to work towards reducing variations in infant mortality and morbidity rates.DesignTwo interlinked streams: (1) a detailed analysis of national and regional data sets and (2) establishment of cohorts of LMPT babies and term-born control babies.SettingCohorts were drawn from the geographically defined areas of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, and analyses were carried out at the University of Leicester.Data sourcesFor stream 1, national data were obtained from four sources: the Office for National Statistics, NHS Numbers for Babies, Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries and East Midlands and South Yorkshire Congenital Anomalies Register. For stream 2, prospective data were collected for 1130 LMPT babies and 1255 term-born control babies.Main outcome measuresDetailed analysis of stillbirth and early childhood mortality rates with a particular focus on factors leading to biased or unfair comparison; review of clinical, health economic and developmental outcomes over the first 2 years of life for LMPT and term-born babies.ResultsThe deprivation gap in neonatal mortality has widened over time, despite government efforts to reduce it. Stillbirth rates are twice as high in the most deprived as in the least deprived decile. Approximately 70% of all infant deaths are the result of either preterm birth or a major congenital abnormality, and these are heavily influenced by mothers’ exposure to deprivation. Births at < 24 weeks’ gestation constitute only 1% of all births, but account for 20% of infant mortality. Classification of birth status for these babies varies widely across England. Risk of LMPT birth is greatest in the most deprived groups within society. Compared with term-born peers, LMPT babies are at an increased risk of neonatal morbidity, neonatal unit admission and poorer long-term health and developmental outcomes. Cognitive and socioemotional development problems confer the greatest long-term burden, with the risk being amplified by socioeconomic factors. During the first 24 months of life each child born LMPT generates approximately £3500 of additional health and societal costs.ConclusionsHealth professionals should be cautious in reviewing unadjusted early-life mortality rates, particularly when these relate to individual trusts. When more sophisticated analysis is not possible, babies of < 24 weeks’ gestation should be excluded. Neonatal services should review the care they offer to babies born LMPT to ensure that it is appropriate to their needs. The risk of adverse outcome is low in LMPT children. However, the risk appears higher for some types of antenatal problems and when the mother is from a deprived background.Future workFuture work could include studies to improve our understanding of how deprivation increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in early life and investigation of longer-term outcomes and interventions in at-risk LMPT infants to improve future attainment.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.

Emotion-Focused Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 452-458
Author(s):  
Sharon Manne
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Emotion Focused Therapy ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Traumatic Life Events ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Future Work

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) is a psychological treatment that posits that exploring and understanding one’s painful emotions is necessary for adaptive functioning. EFT enhances clients’ awareness and ability to access, understand, interpret, regulate, and potentially transform their maladaptive emotional responses. This chapter describes the principles, intervention approaches, and empirical evidence evaluating EFT in both nononcology and oncology populations. There is extensive empirical evidence supporting EFT for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and traumatic life events and relationship distress among the general population. Although components of EFT, such as inner awareness and self-compassion, can be found in other psychological interventions provided to cancer patients and survivors, EFT has received little empirical attention in the psycho-oncology literature. There are only two studies that have evaluated EFT for cancer patients, and one of these studies did not support its efficacy. It may be premature to conclude whether EFT has clinical utility. Future work may benefit from a more formal test of EFT, where therapists are carefully trained and monitored to deliver EFT using the phases, steps, and approaches described in this chapter, both in the individual and couples’ context.

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