scholarly journals Genome size versus geographic range size in birds

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10868
Author(s):  
Beata Grzywacz ◽  
Piotr Skórka
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Chromosome Number ◽  
Genome Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Generalized Least Squares ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Brain Mass ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates

Why do some species occur in small, restricted areas, while others are distributed globally? Environmental heterogeneity increases with area and so does the number of species. Hence, diverse biotic and abiotic conditions across large ranges may lead to specific adaptations that are often linked to a species’ genome size and chromosome number. Therefore, a positive association between genome size and geographic range is anticipated. Moreover, high cognitive ability in organisms would be favored by natural selection to cope with the dynamic conditions within large geographic ranges. Here, we tested these hypotheses in birds—the most mobile terrestrial vertebrates—and accounted for the effects of various confounding variables, such as body mass, relative brain mass, and geographic latitude. Using phylogenetic generalized least squares and phylogenetic confirmatory path analysis, we demonstrated that range size is positively associated with bird genome size but probably not with chromosome number. Moreover, relative brain mass had no effect on range size, whereas body mass had a possible weak and negative effect, and range size was larger at higher geographic latitudes. However, our models did not fully explain the overall variation in range size. Hence, natural selection may impose larger genomes in birds with larger geographic ranges, although there may be additional explanations for this phenomenon.

scholarly journals Of mice and wrens: the relation between abundance and geographic range size in British mammals and birds

1997 ◽  
Vol 352 (1352) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Blackburn ◽  
K. J. Gaston ◽  
R. M. Quinn ◽  
H. Arnold ◽  
R. D. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Geographic Range Size ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Size Relation

We examine the relation between population size and geographic range size for British breeding birds and mammals. As for most other assemblages studied, a strong positive interspecific correlation is found in both taxa. The relation is also recovered once the phylogenetic relatedness of species has been controlled for using an evolutionary comparative method. The slope of the relation is steeper for birds than for mammals, but this is due in large part to two species of mammals that have much higher population sizes than expected from their small geographic ranges. These outlying mammal species are the only ones in Britain to be found only on small offshore islands, and so may be exhibiting density compensation effects. With them excluded, the slope of the abundance–range size relation for mammals is not significantly different to that for birds. However, the elevation of the relation is higher for mammals than for birds, indicating that mammals are approximately 30 times more abundant than birds of equivalent geographic range size. An earlier study of these assemblages showed that, for a given body mass, bats had abundances more similar to birds than to non–volant mammals, suggesting that the difference in abundance between mammals and birds might be due to constraints of flight. Our analyses show that the abundance–range size relation for bats is not different for that from other mammals, and that the anomalously low abundance of bats for their body mass may result because they have smaller than expected geographic extents for their size. Other reasons why birds and mammals might have different elevations for the relation between population size and geographic range size are discussed, together with possible reasons for why the slopes of these relations might be similar.

scholarly journals Geographic range size is predicted by plant mating system

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dena Grossenbacher ◽  
Ryan Briscoe Runquist ◽  
Emma Goldberg ◽  
Yaniv Brandvain
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Biological Trait ◽  
Geographic Range Size ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Mate Limitation ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Annual Life History ◽  
Plant Mating System

Species' geographic ranges vary enormously, and even closest relatives may differ in range size by several orders of magnitude. With data from hundreds of species spanning 20 genera in 15 families, we show that plant species that autonomously reproduce via self-pollination consistently have larger geographic ranges than their close relatives that generally require two parents for reproduction. Further analyses strongly implicate autonomous self-fertilization in causing this relationship, as it is not driven by traits such as polyploidy or annual life history whose evolution is sometimes correlated with autonomous self-fertilization. Furthermore, we find that selfers occur at higher maximum latitudes and that disparity in range size between selfers and outcrossers increases with time since their separation. Together, these results show that autonomous reproduction - a critical biological trait that eliminates mate limitation and thus potentially increases the probability of establishment - increases range size.

Phylogenetic heritability of geographic range size in haematophagous ectoparasites: time of divergence and variation among continents

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 1623-1632
Author(s):  
Boris R. Krasnov ◽  
Georgy I. Shenbrot ◽  
Luther van der Mescht ◽  
Elizabeth M. Warburton ◽  
Irina S. Khokhlova
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Geographic Range Size ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Time Of Divergence ◽  
Over Time

AbstractTo understand existence, patterns and mechanisms behind phylogenetic heritability in the geographic range size (GRS) of parasites, we measured phylogenetic signal (PS) in the sizes of both regional (within a region) and continental (within a continent) geographic ranges of fleas in five regions. We asked whether (a) GRS is phylogenetically heritable and (b) the manifestation of PS varies between regions. We also asked whether geographic variation in PS reflects the effects of the environment's spatiotemporal stability (e.g. glaciation disrupting geographic ranges) or is associated with time since divergence (accumulation differences among species over time). Support for the former hypothesis would be indicated by stronger PS in southern than in northern regions, whereas support for the latter hypothesis would be shown by stronger PS in regions with a large proportion of species belonging to the derived lineages than in regions with a large proportion of species belonging to the basal lineages. We detected significant PS in both regional and continental GRSs of fleas from Canada and in continental GRS of fleas from Mongolia. No PS was found in the GRS of fleas from Australia and Southern Africa. Venezuelan fleas demonstrated significant PS in regional GRS only. Local Indicators of Phylogenetic Association detected significant local positive autocorrelations of GRS in some clades even in regions in which PS has not been detected across the entire phylogeny. This was mainly characteristic of younger taxa.

scholarly journals Beyond range size: drivers of species’ geographic range structure in European plants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Csergő ◽  
Olivier Broennimann ◽  
Antoine Guisan ◽  
Yvonne M. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Species Distribution ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Generalized Least Squares ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Species Range ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Patch Shape ◽  
Shape Complexity ◽  
Structure Metrics

AbstractAimTo assess if and how species’ range size relates to range structure, if the observed geographic range properties can be retrieved from predicted maps based on species distribution modeling, and whether range properties are predictable from biogeophysical factors.LocationEuropeTime periodCurrentMajor taxa studied813 vascular plant species endemic to EuropeMethodsWe quantified the size and spatial structure of species’ geographic ranges and compared ranges currently occupied with those predicted by species distribution models (SDMs). SDMs were constructed using complete occurrence data from the Atlas Florae Europaeae and climatic, soil and topographic predictors. We used landscape metrics to characterize range size, range division and patch shape structure, and analysed the phylogenetic, geographic and ecological drivers of species’ range size and structure using phylogenetic generalized least squares (pGLS).ResultsRange structure metrics were mostly decoupled from species’ range size. We found large differences in range metrics between observed and predicted ranges, in particular for species with intermediate observed range size and occupied area, and species with low and high observed patch size distribution, geographic range filling, patch shape complexity and geographic range fractality. Elevation heterogeneity, proximity to continental coasts, Southerly or Easterly geographic range positions and narrow ecological niche breadth constrained species’ observed range size and range structure to different extents. The strength and direction of the relationships differed between observed and predicted ranges.Main conclusionsSeveral range structure metrics, in addition to range size, are needed to adequately describe and understand species’ ranges. Species’ range structure can be well explained by geophysical factors and species niche width, albeit not consistently for observed and predicted ranges. As range structure can have important ecological and evolutionary consequences, we highlight the need to develop better predictive models of range structure than provided by current SDMs, and we identify the kinds of species for which this is most necessary.

Spatial patterns in the geographic range sizes of bird species in the New World

1996 ◽  
Vol 351 (1342) ◽  
pp. 897-912 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New World ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Maximum Range ◽  
Rapoport’S Rule ◽  
Body Sizes

The attempt to identify and explain pattern in the extent of species’ geographical distributions at regional scales has been central to macroecology. However, with the exception of abundance, consistent relations between other variables and species geographic extent have not been forthcoming. One reason may be that studies often encompass the entire geographic ranges of only a fraction of the species in the taxon under consideration, setting biologically artificial boundaries to the area of study, and only revealing part of the pattern in question. Here, we examine patterns in the geographic range sizes of birds in the New World. By testing for patterns in the entire avifauna of a geographically isolated region (95% of species are endemic), we avoid many of the problems of previous studies. Most New World bird species have small geographic ranges, although the frequency distribution of logarithmically transformed ranges is left-skewed. The geographic range size-body size relation is approximately triangular. Small-bodied species may have either large or small ranges, whereas large-bodied species have only large ranges. Species threatened with extinction more often fall nearer to (or below) the lower edge defined by the majority of species in this triangle than do non-threatened species, suggesting that this represents the minimum area needed to sustain viable populations of species of different sizes. The maximum range size attained by species is relatively constant across body sizes, but falls short of the maximum possible given the land area of the New World, and so cannot be limited by this constraint. What does limit maximum range size is thus unclear. There is a latitudinal gradient in the size of species geographic ranges. Species which have the latitudinal mid-point of their geographic ranges at high latitudes either side of the equator tend to have large range sizes, whereas those with mid-points at lower latitudes tend to have small range sizes (as expected from Rapoport’s rule). However, this pattern is not symmetrical about the equator, but rather, at about 17° N. It appears to be a consequence of the biogeography of the New World, and implies that mechanisms suggested to explain Rapoport’s rule based on climatic variability are incorrect. Migrant birds have larger geographic ranges, on average, than do residents. They are also larger-bodied, and tend to inhabit more northerly latitudes than residents, but their larger ranges are not the simple consequence of these other patterns. The patterns we demonstrate, in particular those relating to maximum range size across body sizes and to latitudinal variation in range size, have significant consequences for the understanding of what determines species geographic range sizes.

Environmental controls on geographic range size in marine animal genera

Paleobiology ◽  
10.1666/13056 ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Foote
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Bias ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Marine Animal ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Occurrence Data ◽  
Environmental Preference ◽  
Geographic Range Size

Here I test the hypothesis that temporal variation in geographic range size within genera is affected by the expansion and contraction of their preferred environments. Using occurrence data from the Paleobiology Database, I identify genera that have a significant affinity for carbonate or terrigenous clastic depositional environments that transcends the Database's representation of these environments during the stratigraphic range of each genus. These affinity assignments are not a matter of arbitrarily subdividing a continuum in preference; rather, genera form distinct, nonrandom subsets with respect to environmental preference. I tabulate the stage-by-stage transitions in range size within individual genera and the stage-by-stage changes in the extent of each environment. Comparing the two shows that genera with a preference for a given environment are more likely to increase in geographic range, and to show a larger average increase in range, when that environment increases in areal extent, and likewise for decreases in geographic range and environmental area. Similar results obtain for genera with preferences for reefal and non-reef settings. Simulations and subsampling experiments suggest that these results are not artifacts of methodology or sampling bias. Nor are they confined to particular higher taxa. Genera with roughly equal preference for carbonates and clastics do not have substantially broader geographic ranges than those with a distinct affinity, suggesting that, at this scale of analysis, spatial extent of preferred environment outweighs breadth of environmental preference in governing geographic range. These results pertain to changes over actual geologic time within individual genera, not overall average ranges. Recent work has documented a regular expansion and contraction when absolute time is ignored and genera are superimposed to form a composite average. Environmental preference may contribute to this pattern, but its role appears to be minor, limited mainly to the initial expansion and final contraction of relatively short-lived genera.

scholarly journals Biological and extrinsic correlates of extinction risk in Chinese lizards

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxi Zhong ◽  
Chuanwu Chen ◽  
Yanping Wang
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Habitat Specialization ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Extrinsic Factors

Abstract China is a country with one of the most species rich reptile faunas in the world. However, nearly a quarter of Chinese lizard species assessed by the China Biodiversity Red List are threatened. Nevertheless, to date, no study has explicitly examined the pattern and processes of extinction and threat in Chinese lizards. In this study, we conducted the first comparative phylogenetic analysis of extinction risk in Chinese lizards. We addressed the following three questions: 1) What is the pattern of extinction and threat in Chinese lizards? 2) Which species traits and extrinsic factors are related to their extinction risk? 3) How can we protect Chinese lizards based on our results? We collected data on ten species traits (body size, clutch size, geographic range size, activity time, reproductive mode, habitat specialization, habitat use, leg development, maximum elevation, and elevation range) and seven extrinsic factors (mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, mean annual solar insolation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), human footprint, human population density, and human exploitation). After phylogenetic correction, these variables were used separately and in combination to assess their associations with extinction risk. We found that Chinese lizards with small geographic range, large body size, high habitat specialization, and living in high precipitation areas were vulnerable to extinction. Conservation priority should thus be given to species with the above extinction-prone traits so as to effectively protect Chinese lizards. Preventing future habitat destruction should also be a primary focus of management efforts because species with small range size and high habitat specialization are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss.

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