16 research outputs found
Does Clade Density Constrain Geographical Range Evolution?
No full textThe role of biotic interactions, such as interspecific competition, in driving geographical range evolution is still poorly understood. For instance, lineages distributed across regions with a large number of potential competitors might experience some level of geographical packing of their range limits, so that changes in their geographical distributions are hampered. Conversely, a large number of competitors could instead lead to accelerated rates of geographical range evolution, with lineages shifting their ranges to avoid competition. We recently introduced the concept of clade density (CD; the sum of the areas of overlap between a species and other members of its higher taxon, weighted by their phylogenetic distance) as a proxy of the potential for interspecific competition across the geographical distribution of a given species. In this study, we used a large dataset with 5936 terrestrial vertebrate species to test whether CD is significantly associated with variation in the rate of geographical range evolution using two alternative approaches. First, we tested if there is a significant relationship between CD and the geographical distance between sister species. In addition, we estimated tip rates of geographical range evolution and tested if they were consistently associated with variation in CD. We found no evidence for an effect of CD on geographical range evolution in either of the tested approaches, even after accounting for phylogenetic uncertainty. These results are inconsistent with equilibrial models of species diversification and suggest that interspecific competition might not play a pervasive role in geographical range evolution of terrestrial vertebrates
Phylogenetic patterns of species rarity and the relationship between rarity traits and speciation rates in terrestrial mammals
No full text1 p.Species rarity, here referred to the condition in which species traits are infrequent in a given spatial or ecological context, is a fundamental challenge for conservation biology and evolutionary ecology. We investigate the phylogenetic pathways of rarity in terrestrial mammals, to unravel the complex interplay of factors contributing to species rarity, and to shed light on the evolutionary processes shaping contemporary biodiversity. Using a large-scale phylogenetic dataset of 3,212 species, we explore the evolutionary
heritability of rarity levels and forms, examine phylogenetic relationships between rarity axes, and test potential links between rarity traits and speciation rates. By employing the three-dimensional Rabinowitz rarity framework, we classify species rarity based on range size, population density, and habitat breadth. Phylogenetic signal analyses revealed significant conservatism in rarity forms and levels across species and orders, indicating a strong influence of phylogenetic history on rarity types. The primary findings of our model
demonstrate a correlation between rarity traits, with population density negatively correlated with range size, and habitat breadth positively correlated with range size. Remarkably, speciation rates were inversely related to both range size and population density, suggesting that smaller ranges and populations might lead to higher speciation rates. Moreover, higher latitudes were associated with higher speciation rates. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating phylogenetic history to understand the current distribution of species rarity and its implications for conservation. This study lays the groundwork for applying similar approaches to plant species, broadening our understanding of rarity across different taxonomic groups.Peer reviewe
Macroecological and macroevolutionary patterns of rarity in terrestrial mammals
No full textOrientador: Prof. Dr. Marcio R. PieTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação. Defesa : Curitiba, 29/09/2023Inclui referênciasÁrea de concentração: Ecologia e ConservaçãoResumo: A raridade biológica fascina pesquisadores há séculos. Compreender as bases ecológicas e evolutivas da raridade nos ajuda a entender padrões globais de diversidade e traçar estratégias mais eficazes na conservação das espécies ao redor do mundo. Neste estudo utilizamos uma abordagem integrativa entre a macroecologia e macroevolução para compreender padrões de raridade entre os mamíferos terrestres. No primeiro capítulo caracterizamos o caminho evolutivo da principal característica associada à raridade das espécies: a área de distribuição geográfica e sua posição latitudinal. Utilizando métodos filogenéticos comparativos, inferimos processos que parecem ocorrer de maneira similar entre as maiores ordens de mamíferos e ajudam a explicar padrões globais de distribuição da diversidade. No segundo capítulo, classificamos mais de quatro mil espécies quanto à sua raridade e identificamos o atual estado de vulnerabilidade entre as espécies comuns e raras. Também foi proposto um índice baseado nas características intrínsecas relativas à raridade e à sensibilidade das espécies à ação humana. Com isto, foram definidas áreas de conflito globais que seriam prioridades para conservação por abranger maior diversidade de espécies potencialmente vulneráveis e projeções de transformações mais intensas no habitat. No terceiro capítulo investigamos a conservação filogenética da raridade, identificada pela estimativa de um alto sinal filogenético das formas e níveis de raridade. Também encontramos uma tendência de relação negativa entre dois principais eixos da raridade (a área de distribuição geográfica e a densidade populacional) e uma relação, também negativa entre estas variáveis e as taxas de especiação no grupo. Estes resultados ancoram explicações sobre existência desproporcional de espécies raras e comuns entre as comunidades ecológicas.Abstract: Biological rarity has fascinated researchers for centuries. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary underpinnings of rarity aids in comprehending global diversity patterns and devising more effective strategies for species conservation worldwide. In this study, we employed an integrated approach blending macroecology and macroevolution to unravel patterns of rarity across terrestrial mammals species. In the first chapter, we characterized the evolutionary pathway of the primary characteristic associated with species rarity, the geographical range size and its latitudinal position. Through phylogenetic comparative methods, we inferred processes that seem to occur similarly across major mammalian orders, shedding light on global diversity distribution patterns. In the second chapter, we classified over four thousand species based on their rarity and identified the current vulnerability status among both common and rare species. We proposed an index based on intrinsic rarity-related traits and species' susceptibility to human influence. This approach indicates global conflict zones demanding conservation attention due to encompassing a higher diversity of potentially vulnerable species and more intense habitat transformations projections. In the third chapter, we investigate the phylogenetic conservatism of rarity among mammalian species, discerned by the observation of a strong phylogenetic signal between rarity forms and levels. We also uncovered a tendency towards a negative relationship between two key axes of rarity (geographical distribution area and population density) and a likewise negative relationship between these variables and speciation rates within the group. These findings underscore explanations for the disproportionate occurrence of both rare and common species within ecological communities
In-service training of teachers of the initial years of fundamental education for the use of digital technologies in mathematics teaching
No full textEsta dissertação de mestrado, vinculada à linha de pesquisa “Processos Formativos, Ensino e Aprendizagem.” do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da FCT/UNESP, teve por objetivo geral analisar uma experiência de formação em serviço de professores dos anos iniciais do Ensino Fundamental sobre a possiblidade de utilizar as TDIC no Ensino de Matemática e por objetivos específicos: identificar o perfil dos professores participantes da pesquisa quanto à utilização das tecnologias e do ensino de Matemática; investigar a constituição de um grupo de formação continuada em serviço tendo em vista a integração das TDIC na prática escolar do Ensino de Matemática; caracterizar os elementos que facilitam a formação de um grupo de estudos; descrever os elementos que demonstram a inserção das tecnologias no Ensino de Matemática pelos sujeitos da pesquisa; analisar os avanços e retrocessos relatados pelos professores no processo ao final da formação. A pesquisa tem uma abordagem qualitativa com delineamento descritivo – explicativo e para a efetivação da coleta de dados fizemos uso de questionários e da observação durante o processo. Desenvolvemos um processo formativo de professores em serviço na EMEIF General Lima Figueiredo, escola pertencente à Rede Municipal de Educação de Bilac (SP), nos Horários de Trabalho Pedagógicos Coletivos (HTPC). Esta unidade escolar conta, atualmente, com 10 salas de aulas equipadas com lousas digitais interativas. A análise dos dados focou os seguintes aspectos: participação docente, condições de formação, conteúdo específico e ação do gestor No processo formativo vivenciado os professores elaboraram e desenvolveram atividades com recursos digitais com seus alunos em sala de aula, bem como socializaram e refletiram com o grupo suas experiências. Os resultados dessa pesquisa permitiram identificar indícios de transformação da prática docente com a inserção de tecnologias digitais da informação e comunicação para o ensino de Matemática. Apontam, ainda, para a importância de uma formação em serviço na qual os gestores e docentes trabalham em conjunto e compartilham aprendizagens. Portanto, entendemos que, é preciso formar os professores para que a escola contemporânea se atualize e que os recursos tecnológicos atuais sejam integrados e utilizados de forma significativa por nossos alunos.This master's dissertation, linked to the research line "Processes Formativos, Ensino e Aprendizagem." Of the Postgraduate Program in Education of FCT / UNESP, had the general objective to analyze an experience of in-service teacher training in the initial years of Teaching Fundamental about the possibility of using the TDIC in Mathematics Teaching and for specific objectives: to identify the profile of the teachers participating in the research regarding the use of technologies and the teaching of Mathematics; To investigate the constitution of a group of continuing education in service with a view to the integration of the TDIC in the school practice of Mathematics Teaching; Characterize the elements that facilitate the formation of a group of studies; To describe the elements that demonstrate the insertion of the technologies in the Mathematics Teaching by the subjects of the research; Analyze the advances and setbacks reported by teachers in the process at the end of training. The research has a qualitative approach with descriptive - explanatory delineation and for the effectiveness of the data collection we made use of questionnaires and observation during the process. We developed a training process for teachers in service at the General Lima Figueiredo EMEIF, a school belonging to the Municipal Education Network of Bilac (SP), in the Collective Pedagogical Working Hours (HTPC). This school unit currently has 10 classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards. Data analysis focused on the following aspects: teacher participation, training conditions, specific content and manager action In the formative process experienced, teachers developed and developed activities with digital resources with their students in the classroom, as well as socialized and reflected with the Group their experiences. The results of this research allowed to identify indications of transformation of the teaching practice with the insertion of digital information and communication technologies for the teaching of Mathematics. They also point out the importance of in-service training in which managers and teachers work together and share learning. Therefore, we understand that it is necessary to train teachers so that the contemporary school is updated and that the current technological resources are integrated and used in a significant way by our students
Chapter 2 - Supplementary tables
No full textSupplementary Material Table S1: List of all data used in the analysis, rarity forms, rarity levels and potential vulnerability index for all species.Supplementary Material Table S2: Percentage of forms and levels of rarity across IUCN category by order.Supplementary Material Table S3: SEM results for the major orders: Carnivora, Cetartiodactyla, Chiroptera, Diprotodontia, Eulipotyphla, Primates and Rodentia</p
Padrões macroevolutivos da casta reprodutiva em formigas (Hymenoptera: formicidae)
No full textOrientador: Marcio Roberto Pie.Monografia (bacharelado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná. Setor de Ciências Biológicas. Curso de Graduação em Ciências Biológica
Identificação de áreas prioritárias para inventários de formigas no Brasil : integrando histórico de registros e dados de perda de habitat
No full textOrientador: Prof. Dr. Marcio R. PieCoorientador: Prof. Dr. Andreas Luiz S. MeyerDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação. Defesa : Curitiba, 18/02/2019Inclui referências: p.23-33Resumo: A perda de habitat é a principal causa do desaparecimento local e global de espécies, podendo acontecer antes mesmo delas serem registradas ou sequer descritas. Por outro lado, a deficiência de dados de distribuição das espécies e os grandes vieses de amostragem podem afetar diretamente inferências sobre padrões de riqueza de espécies que formam a base das estratégias de conservação. Os insetos, apesar do seu grande papel ecossistêmico, ainda são bastante negligenciados quando se tratam de inventários biológicos. Entre os insetos, as formigas são organismos de importância única por sua grande riqueza de espécies, hábitos de vida, abundância, distribuição e por realizarem inúmeras interações biológicas. Neste trabalho, nós classificamos as regiões brasileiras (biomas e ecorregiões) de acordo com a prioridade para novas coletas de formigas, baseada na distribuição dos registros atuais e de dados recentes de perda de habitat, entre os anos de 2000 e 2016. Para isso nós construímos um conjunto de dados com quase 8 mil registros de ocorrência de formigas no Brasil. Estes dados foram compilados a partir da literatura e de um banco de dados online, a plataforma AntWeb. As medidas de perda de habitat utilizadas apresentaram aspectos diferentes quanto à alteração da vegetação natural, refletindo em variações nas prioridades de coleta para cada unidade de estudo. A Caatinga foi o bioma que demonstrou maior urgência para realização de novos inventários e a Mata Atlântica o bioma com menor urgência. No entanto, houve grande diferença de prioridade entre as ecorregiões pertencentes a cada um dos biomas, o que destacou a necessidade de darmos uma atenção especial a estas unidades que contém uma cobertura vegetal mais homogênea e provavelmente uma composição de formigas associada bastante característica. A escolha de futuros focos de pesquisa de acordo com uma combinação da intensidade de perda de habitat e do conhecimento biológico prévio pode ser um bom ponto de partida para preenchermos as lacunas de conhecimento, ajudando em novas estratégias de conservação. O conjunto de dados de ocorrência aqui construído também poderá ser muito útil em estudos sobre a distribuição da mirmecofauna no Brasil, ajudando a desvendar importantes padrões macroecológicos.Abstract: Habitat loss is the main cause of the local and global disappearance of species, which may occur even before they are recorded or even described. On the other hand, the deficiency of species distribution data and large sampling biases can directly affect inferences about patterns of species richness that form the basis of conservation strategies. Insects, despite their large ecosystemic role, are still largely neglected when dealing with biological inventories. Among insects, ants are organisms of unique importance because of their species richness, life habits, abundance, distribution, and diverse biological interactions. In this work, we classify the Brazilian regions (biomes and ecoregions) according to the priority for new ant surveys based on the distribution of current records and recent habitat loss data, between the years 2000 and 2016. We constructed a dataset with almost 8,000 records of ant occurrence in Brazil. These data were compiled from the literature and from an online database, the AntWeb platform. The measures of habitat loss used presented different aspects regarding the changes of the natural vegetation, reflecting in variations in the collection priorities for each unit of study. The Caatinga was the biome showing the greatest urgency to carry out new inventories, whereas the Atlantic Forest was the biome with relatively lower urgency. However, there considerable differences of priority between ecoregions belonging to each of biome, which highlighted the need to pay special attention to these units, given that they contain a more homogeneous vegetation cover and probably a characteristic associated ant species composition. The choice of future research foci according to a combination of habitat loss intensity and prior biological knowledge can be a valuable starting point for filling knowledge gaps by helping with new conservation strategies. The occurrence dataset constructed here may also be very useful in studies on the distribution of myrmecofauna in Brazil, helping to uncover important macroecological patterns
The evolution of climatic niche breadth in terrestrial vertebrates
No full textInterspecific variation in climatic niche breadth underlies many ecological phenomena, yet only recently have studies-focused explicitly on the evolution of climatic niche breadth. Here, we integrate data on geographical distributions, bioclimatic variables, and phylogenetic relationships of 18,404 terrestrial vertebrate species to investigate the evolution of climatic niche breadth. We demonstrate that the evolutionary rates of upper and lower climatic niche boundaries are largely uncoupled. For instance, the rate of evolution of low temperature limits was nearly twice that of high-temperature limits, whereas low- and high-precipitation limits remained relatively constant despite a considerable variation in average precipitation. These results suggest that the evolution of climatic niche breadth is fundamentally different between axes. Finally, we found no relationship between climatic niche breadth and speciation rates. The consistency of these patterns across taxa suggests that they represent general principles governing the evolution of climatic niche breadth
The evolution of species abundances in terrestrial vertebrates
No full textInterspecific differences in species abundances are one of the oldest and most universal patterns in ecology, yet little is known about how these differences are generated over evolutionary time. In this study, we test whether there is evidence for phylogenetic signal in population densities of four large groups of terrestrial vertebrates, namely birds, mammals, amphibians, and squamates. In addition, we test the hypothesis that the relative number of species in a clade might be a predictor of the abundance of its constituent species. However, given that the number of species in a clade is the outcome of both its age and diversification rate, and each of these factors was tested separately. Our results provide strong support for phylogenetic signal in species densities for all clades, regardless of differences in how species density was computed, or phylogenetic uncertainty. On the other hand, there was no evidence for a relationship between species abundance and the diversity of its encompassing clade. The implications of phylogenetic signal are discussed in the context of models of species abundance distributions, including Hubbell's neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography
Clade density and the evolution of diversity-dependent diversification
No full textAbstract The assumption of an ecological limit to the number of species in a given region is frequently invoked in evolutionary studies, yet its empirical basis is remarkably meager. We explore this assumption by integrating data on geographical distributions and phylogenetic relationships of nearly six thousand terrestrial vertebrate species. In particular, we test whether sympatry with closely-related species leads to decreasing speciation rates. We introduce the concept of clade density, which is the sum of the areas of overlap between a given species and other members of its higher taxon, weighted by their phylogenetic distance. Our results showed that, regardless of the chosen taxon and uncertainty in the phylogenetic relationships between the studied species, there is no significant relationship between clade density and speciation rate. We argue that the mechanistic foundation of diversity-dependent diversification is fragile, and that a better understanding of the mechanisms driving regional species pools is sorely needed
