1,720,996 research outputs found
Anthropogenic Harvesting Pressure and Changes in Life History: Insights from a Rocky Intertidal Limpet
No full textThe importance of large breeding individuals for maintaining the health of marine fish and invertebrate populations has long been recognized. Unfortunately, decades of human harvesting that preferentially remove larger individuals have led to drastic reductions in body sizes of many of these species. Such size-selective harvesting is particularly worrisome for sequentially hermaphroditic species where the larger size classes are composed primarily of one sex. Whether these species can maintain stable sex ratios under sustained harvesting pressure depends on the level of plasticity of their life-history traits. Here, we show that populations of a marine limpet (Lottia gigantea) can adjust a fundamental aspect of their life history (the timing of sex change) when subjected to size-selective harvesting. As predicted by theoretical models, individuals from harvested populations change sex at smaller sizes and grow at slower rates compared to individuals from protected populations. In addition, the relative size at which the change from male to female occurs remains constant (?0.75; size at sex change/maximum size) across populations, regardless of harvesting pressure. Our results show that population-level demographic and life-history data, in conjunction with existing theory, can be sufficient to predict the responses of sequential hermaphrodites to harvesting pressure. Furthermore, they suggest such species can potentially adapt to size-selective harvesting
Ecological and evolutionary consequences of size-selective harvesting: how much do we know?
No full textSize-selective harvesting, where the large individuals of a particular species are preferentially taken, is common in both marine and terrestrial habitats. Preferential removal of larger individuals of a species has been shown to have a negative effect on its demography, life history and ecology, and empirical studies are increasingly documenting such impacts. But determining whether the observed changes represent evolutionary response or phenotypic plasticity remains a challenge. In addition, the problem is not recognized in most management plans for fish and marine invertebrates that still mandate a minimum size restriction. We use examples from both aquatic and terrestrial habitats to illustrate some of the biological consequences of size-selective harvesting and discuss possible future directions of research as well as changes in management policy needed to mitigate its negative biological impacts
Historical shell size reduction of the dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus) across the southern UK
No full textBody size reduction is predicted to be one of the most common ecological responses to climate change, yet examples within some taxonomic groups, such as marine molluscs, are rare. Here, we document a significant reduction in shell size of the rocky shore gastropod Nucella lapillus across the southern UK using natural history collections and modern field data. These results are correlated with temporal changes in sea-surface temperature from a long-term monitoring station. The maximum height of N. lapillus shells has declined by approximately 18 mm over the past 100 years, and the median size of shells in large size classes declined by 6 mm during this time. Individuals are, on average, larger in the west than in the east, which is noted using both modern and historical samples. In some locations, there has been a local extinction of N. lapillus, potentially due to combined negative impacts of climate warming and TBT pollution. Our results further demonstrate the utility of natural history collections, paired with modern field sampling, to document biological response to climate change and other human impacts
Data from: Historical and recent processes shaping the geographic range of a rocky intertidal gastropod: phylogeography, ecology, and habitat availability
No full textFactors shaping the geographic range of a species can be identified when phylogeographic patterns are combined with data on contemporary and historical geographic distribution, range-wide abundance, habitat/food availability, and through comparisons with codistributed taxa. Here, we evaluate range dynamism and phylogeography of the rocky intertidal gastropod Mexacanthina lugubris lugubris across its geographic range – the Pacific coast of the Baja peninsula and southern California. We sequenced mitochondrial DNA (CO1) from ten populations and compliment these data with museum records, habitat availability and range-wide field surveys of the distribution and abundance of M. l. lugubris and its primary prey (the barnacle Chthamalus fissus). The geographic range of M. l. lugubris can be characterized by three different events in its history: an old sundering in the mid-peninsular region of Baja (~ 417,000 years ago) and more recent northern range expansion and southern range contraction. The mid-peninsular break is shared with many terrestrial and marine species, although M. l. lugubris represents the first mollusc to show it. This common break is often attributed to a hypothesized ancient seaway bisecting the peninsula, but for M. l. lugubris it may result from large habitat gaps in the southern clade. Northern clade populations, particularly near the historical northern limit (prior to the 1970s), have high local abundances and reside in a region with plentiful food and habitat – which makes its northern range conducive to expansion. The observed southern range contraction may result from the opposite scenario, with little food or habitat nearby. Our study highlights the importance of taking an integrative approach to understanding the processes that shape the geographic range of a species via combining range-wide phylogeography data with temporal geographic distributions and spatial patterns of habitat/food availability.</span
Variation in thermal tolerance response associated with geographic location during early development of the neogastropod Ocenebra erinaceus (Linnaeus, 1758)
No full textEnvironmental temperature plays an important role in shaping the distribution and abundance of marine ectothermic organisms. As a general rule, larvae and juveniles are more sensitive to thermal stress than adults and, as a consequence, represent key life stages that determine in part the geographic range of a species. Identifying critical thermal limits during ontogeny allows for the prediction of the potential impacts of climate warming on the distribution of marine ectotherms. However, thermal tolerance - and therefore the potential to meet the challenge of warming- is known to vary at population scale for many species. In order to fully appreciate a species' future under climate warming, multiple populations studies from different thermal environments are necessary. In this study, we compared the thermal tolerance response during the intracapsular development of the marine gastropod Ocenebra erinaceus between two geographically separated populations: one from the middle (Solent, UK) and another from the south of the species' geographic range (Arcachon, France). The results show that the thermal tolerance response was influenced by geographic origin. Embryos from the relatively warm-water southern population (France) show a warm-eurythermal tolerance window with optimal temperatures between 12 and 18 °C. On the contrary, embryos from the cold-water northern population (UK) exhibit a narrow, warm-stenothermal, thermal tolerance window with optimal temperatures between 14 and 16 °C. In both populations, temperatures outside of the thermal range cause lethal and sub-lethal effects. Importantly, previously observed dispersal polymorphism was not observed at hatching time in either population in our study. Our study demonstrates that during early developmental stages, embryos are adapted to local thermal conditions and that they live very close to their upper thermal limits. Temperatures outside this range cause detrimental and contrasting effects on embryonic development of O. erinaceus, implying that the effects of future warming will depend on the population response to local environmental history. Our results suggest that global warming could shift the geographical distribution range of O. erinaceus poleward.</p
The influence of ecological and life history factors on ectothermic temperature-size responses: analysis of three Lycaenidae butterflies (Lepidoptera)
No full textBody size has been shown to decrease with increasing temperature in many species, prompting the suggestion that it is a universal ecological response. However, species with complex life cycles, such as holometabolous insects, may have correspondingly complicated temperature-size responses. Recent research suggests that life history and ecological traits may be important for determining the direction and strength of temperature-size responses. Yet, these factors are rarely included in analyses. Here, we aim to determine if the size of the bivoltine butterfly, Polyommatus bellargus, and the univoltine butterflies, Plebejus argus and Polyommatus coridon, change in response to temperature and whether these responses differ between the sexes, and for P. bellargus, between generations. Forewing length was measured using digital specimens from the Natural History Museum, London (NHM), from one locality in the UK per species. The data were initially compared to annual and seasonal temperature values, without consideration of life history factors. Sex and generation of the individuals and mean monthly temperatures, which cover the growing period for each species, were then included in analyses. When compared to annual or seasonal temperatures only, size was not related to temperature for P. bellargus and P. argus, but there was a negative relationship between size and temperature for P. coridon. When sex, generation and monthly temperatures were included, male adult size decreased as temperature increased in the early larval stages, and increased as temperature increased during the late larval stages. Results were similar but less consistent for females, while second generation P. bellargus showed no temperature-size response. In P. coridon, size decreased as temperature increased during the pupal stage. These results highlight the importance of including life history factors, sex and monthly temperature data when studying temperature-size responses for species with complex life cycles
The role of temperature on the aerobic response of encapsulated embryos of Ocenebra erinaceus (Neogastropoda, Muricidae): A comparative study between two populations
No full textClimate warming can affect the developmental rate and embryonic survival of ectothermic species. However, it is largely unknown if the embryos of populations from different thermal regimes will respond differently to increased warming, potentially due to adaptations to natal environmental conditions. The effects of temperature on respiration rates and oxygen content of the intracapsular fluid were studied during the intracapsular development of Ocenebra erinaceus in two subtidal populations, one from the middle of their geographic distribution, the Solent, UK and another towards the southern portion: Arcachon, France. In this laboratory study, embryos were exposed to temperatures in the range of 14–20 °C. The encapsulation period for both populations was shorter at higher temperatures and intracapsular oxygen availability decreased as development progressed. However, the embryonic aerobic response differed between populations. Encapsulated embryos from the southern population (Arcachon) showed higher respiration rates and metabolic adjustment to elevated temperatures; however, encapsulated embryos from the Solent showed no metabolic adjustment, high capsular mortalities and limited acclimation to high temperatures. Our results suggest that aerobic response of encapsulated embryos is locally adapted to the temperature history of their natal environment and illustrates the importance of local environmental history in determining the fate of key life stages in response to a changing marine climate
Range limits and geographic patterns of abundance of the rocky intertidal owl limpet, Lottia gigantea
No full textAim? We evaluate the stability of the range limits of the rocky intertidal limpet, Lottia gigantea, over the last c. 140 years, test the validity of the abundant centre hypothesis, and test indirectly the roles played by recruitment limitation and habitat availability in controlling the range limits. Because this species is size-selectively harvested, our results also allow us to assess conservation implications.Location? The Pacific coast of North America, from northern California to southern Baja California (41.74° N–23.37° N), encompassing the entire range of L. gigantea.Methods? The historical and modern distributions of L. gigantea were established using museum data and field observations. Overall and juvenile abundances of local populations were estimated at 25 field sites. The spatial distribution of abundance was evaluated statistically against the predictions of five hypothetical models. The availability of habitat was estimated by measuring the percentage of unavailable sandy beach within cumulative bins of coast across the range of L. gigantea.Results? The northern limit of L. gigantea has contracted by c. 2.4° of latitude over recent decades (after 1963), while the southern limit has remained stable. The highest abundances of L. gigantea occur in the centre of its geographic range. Habitat availability is ample in the centre and northern portions of its range, but is generally lacking in the southern range. The northern range is only sparsely populated by adults, with sharp declines occurring north of Monterey Bay (36.80° N). In the southern range, abundance drops precipitously south of Punta Eugenia (27.82° N), coinciding with the region where suitable habitat becomes sparse.Main conclusions? Support for the abundant centre hypothesis was found for L. gigantea. Northern populations are characterized as being recruitment-limited, demographically unstable and prone to local extinctions, while southern populations are suggested to be habitat-limited. The abundant centre is suggested to result partly from a combination of the indirect effects of human harvesting, generating denser populations of smaller individuals, and larval recruitment from well-protected offshore rocky islands primarily found in the range centre
Genetic diversity and population structure of the size-selectively harvested owl limpet, Lottia gigantea
No full textSize-selective harvesting can elicit a genetic response in target species through changes in population genetic subdivision, genetic diversity and selective regimes. While harvest-induced genetic change has been documented in some commercially important species through the use of historic samples, many commonly harvested species, such as coastal molluscs, lack historic samples and information on potential harvest induced genetic change. In this study, we have genotyped six microsatellite markers from populations across much of the California mainland range of the size-selectively harvested owl limpet (Lottia gigantea) to explore the genetic structure and diversity of this species. We found no significant genetic structure or differences in genetic diversity among populations of L. gigantea. Our results suggest high gene flow among populations and that differences in life history, demography, and body size previously observed between protected and exploited populations is largely due to phenotypic plasticity. From a conservation perspective, if proper actions are taken to curb harvesting, then exploited populations should be able to return to their pre-impact state given sufficient time
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