Frontiers

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Published by Frontiers

Online ISSN: 2296-701X

Disciplines: Ecology

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Diversification dynamics in crown-group elasmobranchs (i.e., Neoselachii). The topology of the phylogenetic tree is based on Frey et al., 2019 and Jambura et al., 2023, and time calibration was performed in the R package paleotree (Bapst, 2012; R Core Team, 2024) using the a-posteriori “minimum branch length” (MBL) dating method. Minimum ages for each branch followed Cappetta (2012). Rates of origination and extinction were extracted from the Paleobiology Database (PBDB; Peters and McClennen, 2016).
Table 1: Studies that have empirically tested for relationships between species diversification and biotic or abiotic covariates in elasmobranchs.
Drivers of diversification in sharks and rays (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii)

January 2025

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288 Reads

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Aims and scope


Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution is a multidisciplinary journal that provides ecological and evolutionary insights into our natural and anthropogenic world, and how these insights can inform its management.

Led by Field Chief Editor Dr Mark A Elgar (University of Melbourne, Australia), this DOAJ, SCOPUS and SCIE indexed journal welcomes both fundamental and applied research in all domains of ecology and evolution, which address our understanding of all levels of biological diversity using contemporary ecological and evolutionary concepts and questions.

Topics of interest include:

  • behavioral and evolutionary ecology
  • biogeography and macroecology
  • chemical ecology
  • coevolution
  • conservation and restoration ecology
  • ecophysiology
  • evolutionary developmental biology
  • evolutionary and population genetics
  • models in ecology and evolution
  • natural history insights
  • paleoecology
  • paleontology
  • phylogenetics, phylogenomics, and systematics
  • population, community, and ecosystem dynamics
  • social evolution
  • urban ecology

In particular, the journal welcomes submissions which support and advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 13: climate action; and SDG 15: life on land.

Manuscripts describing research that lacks a clear connection to contemporary ecological or evolutionary concepts are not appropriate for this journal, including those that focus primarily on human health, urbanization, or economic factors, and technical aspects of abiotic factors, including energy production, water treatment, or other engineering-based approaches to environmental management. Finally, research that is purely descriptive, or theoretical, and lacks a clear connection with contemporary ecological or evolutionary concepts is not appropriate for this journal.

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution is committed to advancing developments in the field of ecology and evolution by allowing unrestricted access to articles and communicating scientific knowledge to researchers and the public alike, thereby facilitating future scientific insights.

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution is member of the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Recent articles


Wetland elevation change following beneficial use of dredged material nourishment
  • Article
  • Full-text available

February 2025

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7 Reads

Brian D. Harris

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Aleksandra Ostojic

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Lenore P. Tedesco

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[...]

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Monica Chasten

Introduction The beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) to nourish degrading wetlands is a direct solution to increase surface elevation to help wetlands keep pace with sea level rise (SLR). While there have been numerous demonstrations of BUDM in wetland environments, there is a limited understanding of the resultant spatial and temporal elevation response due to consolidation of the dredged material and underlying wetland foundation soils. Methods To address this, surface elevations were monitored following multiple BUDM nourishments on a back-bay island in New Jersey. Field data was compared to consolidation models to assess the viability of current geotechnical modeling practices. Multispectral surveys were performed to document the revegetation of the nourished island over time. Results The placement of dredged material smothered the vegetation, but the site experienced significant revegetation (low of 22% cover in August 2021 to 52% in September 2023) after three full growing cycles. Approximately two years post BUDM, the nourished area experienced a 0.19 ± 0.11-m increase in elevation. The comparison of elevation immediately after nourishment and two years post- nourishment found that approximately one-third of elevation loss was the result of consolidation of deposited dredged material and the underlying wetland foundation. Discussion It was found that a reliance on solely laboratory data can induce a large degree of uncertainty within projected surface elevations. Thus, the implementation of in-situ geotechnical methods is strongly advised when possible. This investigation allowed for a comprehensive examination of geotechnical modeling methods for planning wetland nourishments, including predicting the ability to keep pace with sea level rise. Ultimately, the two BUDM nourishments offset the effects of SLR by approximately 18-28 years.



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A theory of change to improve conservation outcomes through CITES

February 2025

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41 Reads

Understanding the effectiveness of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) is critical to addressing international environmental issues. Here we articulate the implied theory of change (ToC) underpinning the design and operation of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), based on an analysis of the Convention’s documented evolution. We use this as a framework to critically evaluate the effectiveness of the Convention, with respect to its stated aims, using a range of theoretical and empirical insights. Although achieving success in various ways, CITES is proving ineffective at deterring illegal and/or unsustainable exploitation of many listed species for international trade, which we attribute to implementation and compliance issues and the Convention’s design, including a principal focus on deterrence through state-led law enforcement. Informed by this analysis we develop a modified ToC which could support more effective implementation of CITES. This ToC is intended for application at the species level and incorporates an in-depth examination of the social-ecological systems (SESs) within which species are harvested, used, and traded. This species-system ToC explicitly considers formal and informal institutions, and the use of institutional diagnostics to inform potential revisions to institutional arrangements along supply chains. We argue that taking this approach when considering whether and how to implement trade measures under CITES could enhance the effectiveness of these measures in reducing overexploitation and support legal, traceable, and more ecologically and socially sustainable international trade in wild species. Finally, we highlight the role that CITES could play in the broader global biodiversity governance regime; better alignment with other relevant MEAs could lead to more effective biodiversity conservation overall.


How hosts and pathogens choose the strengths of defense and counterdefense: a game-theoretical view

January 2025

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10 Reads

Host–pathogen interactions consist of an attack by the pathogen, frequently a defense by the host and possibly a counterdefense by the pathogen. Here, we present a game-theoretical approach to describe such interactions. We consider a game where the host and pathogen are players and can choose between the strategies of defense (or counterdefense) and no response. Specifically, they may or may not produce a toxin and an enzyme degrading the toxin, respectively. We consider that the host and pathogen must also incur a cost for toxin or enzyme production. We highlight both the sequential and non-sequential versions of the game and determine the Nash equilibria. Furthermore, we resolve a paradox occurring in that interplay. If the inactivating enzyme is very efficient, producing the toxin becomes useless, leading to the enzyme being no longer required. Then, the production of the defense becomes useful again. In game theory, such situations can be described by a generalized matching pennies game. As a novel result, we find under which conditions the defense cycle leads to a steady state or an oscillation. We obtain, for saturating dose–response kinetics and considering monotonic cost functions, “partial (counter)defense” strategies as pure Nash equilibria. This implies that producing a moderate amount of toxin and enzyme is the stable situation in this game.


Exploration of migration directions in different populations of Eothenomys miletus in the Hengduan Mountains of Yunnan Province: a genome-based analysis

January 2025

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22 Reads

Eothenomys miletus is an endemic species that inhabits the Hengduan Mountain regions (HDR) and serves as one of the primary hosts for plague and hantaviruses. While the physiological characteristics of E. miletus have been extensively studied, the molecular aspects, particularly the migration direction of E. miletus , remain unclear. In the present study, we utilized genomic data to investigate the migration direction of four populations: Ailaoshan (ALS), Jiangchuan (JC), Lijiang (LJ), and Deqin (DQ), which are distributed from south to north within the HDR. Our results indicated that the ALS population is positioned at the base of the phylogenetic tree, and admixture analysis revealed that the ALS population is more closely related to the JC and DQ populations. Integrate the molecular genetic structure, fossil records of E. miletus as well as the results of our research, we inferred that the migration direction of E. miletus may have been from south to north, suggesting that the DQ and JC populations may have originated from the migration of ALS. However, the migration patterns and origins of the LJ population require further investigation and discussion. Additionally, we focused on identifying genomic signatures of selection and local adaptation among the different populations. We identified three selected genes associated with the olfactory placode in DQ: Six1 , Six4 , and Sox2 . We hypothesized that these genes may be linked to the DQ population’s adaptation to the region’s microclimate. In summary, the present study is the first to employ genomics to explore the migration direction of E. miletus , which is crucial for future research on the origins of Eothenomys .


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Intraspecific epigenomics divergence in brown bears (Ursus arctos): insights from genome-wide DNA methylation patterns

January 2025

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84 Reads

Epigenetic mechanisms such as methylation can influence gene expression and play a crucial role in the adaptation to local environmental conditions, thereby introducing non-genetic variability within species. Here, using a Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing approach (RRBS), we compared the methylation patterns in blood and muscle across three European brown bear populations. Our results clearly demonstrated that, beyond tissue-driven divergences, the methylation patterns of the three populations are significantly distinct. Differentially methylated sites, possibly associated with genomic features involved in development and anatomical differentiation, are widespread across the bear genome. This finding supports previous studies suggesting a role for the alteration of developmental pathways in shaping phenotypic novelties with potential adaptative significance. Our results underscore the importance and the effectiveness of including epigenetic approaches in studying wild non-model organisms. Investigating the epigenome can be especially relevant for endangered populations that have experienced a significant erosion of genomic diversity.


Reduction in thermal plasticity of life history traits in response to cold selection: an experimental evolution study using Drosophila melanogaster

January 2025

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5 Reads

Introduction How selection influences phenotypic plasticity is an important question in evolutionary biology. We report an experimental evolution study that examined how prolonged selection at cold vs. warm temperature impacts the thermal plasticity of traits like reproductive output, body size, and body water content in Drosophila melanogaster . Methods We conducted the study on two sets of large, outbred fly populations: one maintained at the standard fly rearing temperature, i.e., 25°C, and another selected at cold temperature, i.e., 17°C, for 3.5 years. Both selection lines were derived from the same ancestral population. Results and discussion We found that while 25°C selected females lay significantly fewer eggs in cold compared to warm or optimal rearing temperature of 25°C, the 17°C selected females have consistent or canalized fecundity levels across warm and cold conditions. Sustained fecundity levels across cold and warm conditions are potential marks of adaptation to a broader thermal range. While phenotypic plasticity may aid in adaptation to new environments, for traits such as fecundity, consistent levels across environments, that is, low plasticity, may be more adaptive. We also found that male flies from cold vs. warm selection regimes differ in their thermal plasticity. Plasticity of dry weight and body water content was reduced in the cold-selected males, indicating the evolution of canalized levels for these traits too. While canalized fecundity levels across temperatures can potentially help in thermal adaptation, the significance of reduced plasticity of male body size and water content needs to be investigated in the future.


Characteristics of the macroinvertebrate community structure and their habitat suitability conditions in the Chishui River

January 2025

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7 Reads

Introduction As an important tributary of the upper Yangtze River without dams, the study of the macroinvertebrate community structure and habitat suitability conditions in the Chishui River holds significant implications for water ecological conservation and restoration. Methods In order to explore the species composition, community characteristics and their ecological needs of macroinvertebrates in the Chishui River, 26 sampling sites were deployed in the Chishui River in this study in March (dry season), July (wet season), and November (normal season) of 2023 and performed community structure analysis. Results A total of 153 macroinvertebrate taxa were identified, with 62 taxa recorded in the dry season, 46 in the wet season and 115 in the normal season. The assemblage was predominantly composed of aquatic insects from the EPT group (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera). The results of ANOSIM analysis indicate that the species composition of macroinvertebrates varies significantly across different water periods. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Margalef index were significantly higher during the normal season compared to the dry and wet seasons. In contrast, the Pielou index and Simpson index remained relatively stable, suggesting a higher level of evenness in community structure across the different water periods. Based on the habitat suitability curves, Corbicula fluminea and Heptagenia prefer environments with high flow velocities and substrate particle sizes (D50) smaller than 300 mm. Hydropsyche sp.1 and Baetis thrive in environments with medium to low water depths, high flow velocities, and D50 ranging from 100 to 300 mm. Caridina favor deeper waters, low flow velocities, and larger substrate particles. The GAM fitting results revealed that the number of macroinvertebrate taxa increased with rising pondus hydrogenii (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) levels. Species richness initially declined and then rose within certain thresholds of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. The optimal conditions for macroinvertebrate communities in the Chishui River were determined to be a DO concentration of 9.8 mg/L and an NH3-N concentration of 0.12 mg/L. Discussion Overall, the macroinvertebrate community structure in the Chishui River is significantly influenced by factors such as water quality, flow velocity, and substrate particle size, and it demonstrates strong adaptability to seasonal variations.


Comparisons of male and female (A) probability of apparent survival for ages observed and (B) calculated rate of senescence between each age, with the dashed red line representing no change in probability of survival. Error bars represent 95% highest density intervals.
Annual variation in probability of apparent survival for a 12-year old male (blue) and female (green). Horizontal lines represent survival probability with a random effect of year equal to zero. Only years for which the survival probability of a 12-year old individual could be estimated are included. Error bars represent 95% highest density intervals.The inset graph shows estimates on an axis from 0-1 to help visualize the annual variation in probability of apparent survival.
A comparison of sex-specific senescence patterns in a long-lived marine mammal

January 2025

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11 Reads

The lifetime fitness of an individual is determined by the integrated results of survival and reproduction. Improving our understanding of variation in survival senescence within and between species will therefore provide greater insight into the evolution of different life history strategies. Survival is influenced by multiple factors, consequently, variation in patterns of senescence is expected between individuals and sexes and across mating systems and the continuum of life history strategies. To date there is little consensus regarding the mechanisms driving the evolution of sex differences in actuarial senescence, necessitating the need for studies of sex-specific senescence for species across a wide range of life histories. The Weddell seal is a species of long-lived mammal that displays moderate polygyny and little sexual size dimorphism, which makes it an unusual species compared to other long-lived mammals that share the polygynous mating system. Here we used 37 years of data for 1,879 female and 1,474 male Weddell seals from Erebus Bay, Antarctica, to estimate and compare sex-specific patterns of survival rates using basis splines which allow flexible modeling of age-specific patterns. We found that males had lower rates of survival throughout life and higher rates of actuarial senescence after early adulthood compared to females. These results add to our understanding of sex-specific survival rates in the species and contribute information for a long-lived, polygynous species that should aid in achieving a broader understanding of aging between sexes and across the tree of life.


The use of BirdNET embeddings as a fast solution to find novel sound classes in audio recordings

January 2025

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113 Reads

Passive acoustic monitoring has emerged as a useful technique for monitoring vocal species and contributing to biodiversity monitoring goals. However, finding target sounds for species without pre-existing recognisers still proves challenging. Here, we demonstrate how the embeddings from the large acoustic model BirdNET can be used to quickly and easily find new sound classes outside the original model’s training set. We outline the general workflow, and present three case studies covering a range of ecological use cases that we believe are common requirements in research and management: monitoring invasive species, generating species lists, and detecting threatened species. In all cases, a minimal amount of target class examples and validation effort was required to obtain results applicable to the desired application. The demonstrated success of this method across different datasets and different taxonomic groups suggests a wide applicability of BirdNET embeddings for finding novel sound classes. We anticipate this method will allow easy and rapid detection of sound classes for which no current recognisers exist, contributing to both monitoring and conservation goals.


Map of Hainan Island.
The target achievement rate of existing protected areas.
Mean values of biodiversity and ecosystem services under locking and unlocking existing protected areas scenarios. The inverse of nitrogen export and floodwater represents water quality and flood mitigation services.
Target achievement rate under locking and unlocking existing protected areas (PAs) scenarios.
Distribution map of protected areas.
A comparative analysis of protected area expansion strategies for biodiversity and ecosystem services: a case study of Hainan Island

Introduction The allocation of limited resources to simultaneously protect biodiversity and provide ecosystem services (ESs) is a critical global challenge in achieving the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. One common strategy for this challenge is to expand existing protected areas (PAs), but the efficiency of different expansion methods for biodiversity and ESs remains unknown. Methods This study investigated two strategies, preserving existing PAs (“locking”) versus reassessing their boundaries (“unlocking”), to evaluate their effectiveness in achieving biodiversity and ES targets. The study used Marxan, a spatial modeling tool, to assess the effectiveness of PAs expansion strategies on Hainan Island in China. Results and discussion The current PAs system, which encompasses 8.82% of the island, is inadequate for protecting the target levels of biodiversity and ES. We experimented with expanding the PAs to 15% using both strategies. The results revealed that, compared with the “unlocking” strategy, the “locking” strategy favored ES protection (66.49% vs 86.84%), but did so at the expense of biodiversity conservation. In contrast, the “unlocking” strategy required a larger area for expansion and led to increased habitat fragmentation compared wtih the “locking” approach. These findings underscore the need for a strategic approach to expanding PAs and balancing between biodiversity conservation and ES provision. This study offers valuable insights that could be used for broader applications in PAs management and biodiversity conservation planning.


Study area showing the Desoai National Park (black line) and Himalayan brown bear occurrences obtained from the camera traps (green circle).
Response curves (from 0 to 1) of the environmental predictors used in species distribution modelling for the Himalayan brown bear in the Desoai National Park.
Potential distribution of the Himalayan brown bear in the Deosai National Park and neighbouring areas.
Habitat patches for the Himalayan brown bear in the Deosai National Park and neighbouring areas.
Landscape connectivity map for the Himalayan brown bear in the Deosai National Park and neighbouring areas.
Species distribution modelling and landscape connectivity as tools to inform management and conservation for the critically endangered Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) in the Deosai National Park, Pakistan

January 2025

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142 Reads

The main cause of the global threat to large carnivore populations living in high-altitude areas is human pressure. The Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus, hereafter bear) is listed as a critically endangered species, and it dominates the higher altitudes of the North and Western Himalayan landscapes. Here, we used species distribution modelling and landscape connectivity to find bears’ suitable habitats and corridors in the Deosai National Park (DNP) and surrounding areas. Species distribution models detected a bear’s suitable habitat of 1,125 km², of which ca. 73% was covered by DNP. The most crucial predictors in determining the bears’ distribution were elevation—particularly if it was between 3,500 and 4,500 meters above sea level—as well as the bears’ distance from rivers, cattle, and the DNP borders. We discovered robust connectivity among presence points in the core of the study area, particularly within the DNP boundaries, by using the electrical circuit theory models. Landscape connectivity values were indeed low in some areas outside and close to the DNP confines. Based on our findings, it is imperative to protect habitats and corridors that allow the bears to migrate between the suitable patches, particularly beyond the park’s boundaries, to improve bear conservation.


Diversification dynamics in crown-group elasmobranchs (i.e., Neoselachii). The topology of the phylogenetic tree is based on Frey et al., 2019 and Jambura et al., 2023, and time calibration was performed in the R package paleotree (Bapst, 2012; R Core Team, 2024) using the a-posteriori “minimum branch length” (MBL) dating method. Minimum ages for each branch followed Cappetta (2012). Rates of origination and extinction were extracted from the Paleobiology Database (PBDB; Peters and McClennen, 2016).
Table 1: Studies that have empirically tested for relationships between species diversification and biotic or abiotic covariates in elasmobranchs.
Drivers of diversification in sharks and rays (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii)

January 2025

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288 Reads

Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are a charismatic lineage of unquestionable ecological importance in past and present marine ecosystems. Represented by over 1200 species, elasmobranchs have undergone substantial shifts in taxonomic diversity since their origin. Quantifying these diversification trends and their underlying causes improves our understanding of macroevolutionary processes and the factors influencing community composition through deep time. Studies addressing drivers of diversification in Elasmobranchii have yielded conflicting results; some report clear relationships between specific traits and diversification events, whilst others fail to find support for such relationships. There is also some evidence to suggest that biotic interactions or environmental factors (global climatic change and tectonic events) have shaped elasmobranch diversification dynamics. In this review, we summarise the diversification dynamics of elasmobranchs over their evolutionary history, before considering the evidence for the three principal hypothesised drivers of diversification in this clade: trait evolution, biotic interactions, and environmental change. Finally, we discuss major limitations in the field, and how discordant methodologies and data sources hamper our current understanding of diversification in Elasmobranchii. Whilst future studies will undoubtedly be required to further unravel this complex relationship, no single factor can be considered the sole satisfactory explanation for observed deep time diversification trends in Elasmobranchii to the exclusion of the other.


River health assessment based on set pair analysis model in typical Northern Chinese City

January 2025

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4 Reads

Rivers are critical to ecological and societal sustainability, yet human activities like urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural runoff increasingly threaten their ecological health. This study investigates the ecological health of six major rivers in Dalian City, China, focusing on the relationships between aquatic biological communities and environmental factors. A total of 168 phytoplankton species, 110 zooplankton species, and 102 macrozoobenthos species were identified. The key environmental factors influencing these communities included pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonium nitrogen, total phosphorus, and altitude. Using an entropy-weighted set pair analysis model, spatial variations in river ecosystem health were evaluated. Monitoring sites S12 and S15 exhibited good health conditions, while sites S4, S8, and S17 were rated as poor (Grade IV), and S7 was severely polluted (Grade V). Other sites showed borderline health (Grade III). This research provides valuable insights for improving river ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation in Dalian City, offering a scientific basis for addressing water quality and ecological challenges.


Adaptation of shell morphology to different tidal zones—insights into phenotypic plasticity of Littorina brevicula

January 2025

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24 Reads

Introduction The adaptability of intertidal gastropods to their environmental niches is a critical aspect of their survival. Littorina brevicula, a common intertidal snail, exhibits phenotypic plasticity in response to varying tidal conditions. This study investigates the phenotypic plasticity and shell structure of L. brevicula across two disparate tidal zones to understand how these factors influence shell morphology and growth. Methods A total of 254 specimens of L. brevicula were collected from the intertidal expanse. The analytical approach was tripartite, including traditional morphometric techniques, geometric morphometric methods (GM), and three-dimensional (3D) model simulation analyses. This comprehensive methodology allowed for a detailed examination of shell morphology and growth patterns. Results The results demonstrated that shell growth in the high tidal zone was slower compared to the mid tidal zone. Morphological disparities were evident, with high tidal zone specimens showing lower spires and a more spherical shell conformation, while mid tidal zone specimens had elongated spires and a tower-like shell shape. 3D model simulation analyses revealed different stress distributions; the mid-tide zone simulation showed concentrated stress in a circumscribed region, whereas the high-tide zone simulation showed a more expansive stress distribution across the entire shell. Discussion The distinct morphological adaptations observed in L. brevicula across tidal zones suggest a strong influence of environmental factors on shell morphology. The slower growth and different stress distribution patterns in the high tidal zone may be indicative of the snails' response to more challenging environmental conditions. These findings provide essential evidence for understanding the adaptability of intertidal gastropods to their environmental niches.


Editorial: Changes in plant–herbivore interactions across time scales: bridging paleoecology and contemporary ecology

January 2025

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122 Reads

Plants and arthropods predominate in terrestrial ecosystems, both in biodiversity and biomass (Bar-On et al., 2018). Their trophic interactions, primarily herbivory, have profoundly shaped terrestrial ecosystems, affecting evolutionary trajectories, ecosystem structures, and responses to environmental change. The fossil record provides key insights into long-term processes and large-scale patterns of arthropod (mainly insect) herbivory stretching back to early terrestrial ecosystems, such as the Silurian (~443-419 million years ago) and Devonian (~419-359 million years ago) (Labandeira and Wappler, 2023), despite limitations from temporal and spatial gaps and the need to deduce ecological patterns based on insect morphology, community composition, and plant damage caused by herbivores. Contemporary ecology, in contrast, allows for direct real-time observation and precise measurement of variables related to herbivory, though it lacks the expansive temporal scope. Ideally, our understanding of plant–insect interactions would integrate insights from both ancient and modern ecosystems, spanning ecological (particularly macroecological) and evolutionary patterns across geologic timescales and present-day contexts, with implications for the future. The five manuscripts in this Research Topic contain a multitude of paleoecological insights that will interest specialists in both ancient and modern ecosystems.


Map of the study area showing the locations and basins of the sampling sites. Rivers are indicated as follows: SF, San Fernando; U, Uruguay; J, Jacuí; UP, Upper Paraná; LoP, Lower Paraná; LP, La Plata. Sampling sites [1–17] correspond to those listed in Table 1 . The grey shading represents the different basins sampled.
Representative images of the two study species: M. obtusidens (top) and M. piavussu (bottom). Photographs were taken prior to sampling in Corrientes, Argentina (map reference: site 13).
Collapsed Bayesian tree showing the distribution of M. obtusidens and M. piavussu sequences. The full extended trees are available in SI ( Supplementary Figures A, B ). The (*) symbol indicates that the collapsed tree includes sequences from both GenBank and the sampling conducted for this study.
Haplotype distribution in the Paraná River basin. Circle size represents the frequency of each haplotype at the respective capture sites. (A, B) illustrate the haplotypes of M. obtusidens and M. piavussu, respectively. The haplotype network based on COI sequences is provided in Supplementary Figure C .
Description and map code of sampling sites.
DNA barcoding reveals an unexpected distribution of two Megaleporinus species in the La Plata Basin system

January 2025

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109 Reads

Introduction Megaleporinus obtusidens, also known as "boga," is a freshwater teleost fish species widely distributed across South America with significant commercial value in Argentina and Brazil. Fishers, particularly those in the lower Paraná River, frequently classify the fish they catch as M. obtusidens. Despite various approaches, including cytogenetics, molecular data, and morphological analysis, the taxonomic classification of the boga fish remains debated among researchers, resulting in discrepancies in the literature. Methods This study aimed to assess the diversity of specimens captured in the La Plata River Basin, initially classified as Megaleporinus obtusidens by fishers, using DNA barcoding. The mitochondrial COI marker was employed to explore species assignment and genetic diversity in Megaleporinus, a genus with high commercial exploitation in the southern area of the La Plata Basin. Results Our findings indicate that some boga samples, previously identified as M. obtusidens, are actually M. piavussu. We also observed significant differences in the geographic distribution, diversity, and genetic structure between the two species. Discussion These results highlight the importance of studying the ecology of each species separately. Proper resource management, based on accurate species identification, is critical for the conservation of ichthyofauna in the region.


How much to cut? Finding an optimal thinning intensity of encroaching woody species for the herbaceous community in an East African savanna

January 2025

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52 Reads

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1 Citation

Globally, bush encroachment poses a great threat to the conservation of biodiversity and rangeland productivity. However, control methods of encroaching woody species have rarely been experimentally quantified. We assessed the impact of tree thinning intensities on tree mortality, and the herbaceous community in Borana rangelands, an Ethiopian savannah ecosystem. At two 1.4 ha areas of mono-specific Vachellia drepanolobium stands, we set up 20 m x 10 m experimental plots with four tree-thinning treatments (0%, 33%, 67%, and 100% tree removal), with three replications in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) across two sites. The 0% plot was left uncleared and used as control. Over two growing periods, we monitored resulting tree mortality, coppicing, seedling mortality, and recruitment as well as herbaceous layer attributes (diversity, biomass) and the rangeland conditions. Tree thinning intensity significantly increased abundance of the dominant desirable grass species. Total herbaceous and grass species richness, diversity and biomass were significantly improved under high (100%) and moderate (67%) tree removal intensity. We conclude that tree thinning at moderate intensity (67%) was most effective in enhancing mortality of encroached trees, and improving grass diversity, and herbaceous biomass. We stress that effective tree thinning requires post-thinning management and repeated bush control measures. Our findings contribute to development of recommendations on controlling bush encroachment, species restoration, and rangeland productivity in Ethiopian rangelands.


Holotypes of the three South African Parapapio species. From left to right: female P. whitei mandible (STS 563), male P. broomi cranium (STS 564), and female P. jonesi cranium (STS 565). Shown in anterior (top row), right lateral (center row), and superior (bottom row) views. Anterior is to the right in lateral and superior views. Scale is the same for all.
Parapapio crania seriated from generally most robust (right cranium at center top) clockwise to least robust (left cranium at center top). Scale is the same for all crania. See Methods for details on seriation criteria. Specimen IDs clockwise from top right to top left: BF 43, MP 239, MP 223, MP 221, MP 76, MP 2, MP 75, M 3070, SWP 389, STS 565, STS 397, and STS 254A. Consensus taxonomic identifications are adjacent to each cranium. Each specimen is assigned a color to facilitate visualization of seriation results for multiple morphological features (see Figure 3 ).
Seriation results for seven morphological features purported to differentiate between the three South African Parapapio species. Scale is the same for all crania. See Methods for details on seriation criteria. Each individual is assigned a color in the top row to facilitate visualization of seriation results (see Figure 2 for closer views of the specimens). In general, seriation results vary considerably across features and do not pattern consistently with the three species division. M1, first molar; P. br, Parapapio broomi; P. jo, Parapapio jonesi; P. wh, Parapapio whitei.
Parapapio cranial metrics plotted by hypothesized species with 95% confidence ellipses. Plots include measurements of the palate (A–C), muzzle (D, E), and face (E, F). All measurements are in millimeters. Measurements are shown on the cranium at the right and include: (1) palatal width at the upper canines, (2) palatal length, (3) palatal width at the upper third molars, (4) muzzle width at the maxillary fossae, (5) maximum width of the muzzle at the upper canines, (6) facial length, and (7) maximum length of the cranium. For all metrics, P. jonesi falls near the center or at the low end of the overall distribution and is within the 95% confidence limits of the two larger size morphs. P. whitei and P. broomi ranges overlap considerably with a slight offset in palatal measurements (A–C). M3, third molar.
Maxillary first versus second molar mesiodistal lengths for (A) the three hypothesized Parapapio species and an extant comparative sample, Papio hamadryas cynocephalus (see Materials and Methods for sample details), and (B) the pooled Parapapio sample and Papio h. cynocephalus, plotted by sex. Measurements are in millimeters. In (A) the Parapapio morphs follow the expected pattern with P. whitei at the larger end, P. jonesi at the smaller end, and P. broomi in the intermediate range. However, the range of variation across all three morphs is similar to a single extant subspecies of Papio hamadryas. In (B) the distribution of female and male Parapapio individuals is similar to Papio h. cynocephalus, with the only exception of a single male individual (STS 250) at the lower bound of the range. M2, second molar; M1, first molar.
A hypothesis-based approach to species identification in the fossil record: a papionin case study

January 2025

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107 Reads

Modern papionin monkeys are a diverse group that encompasses a broad range of morphologies, behaviors, and ecologies. A fossil genus known from African Plio-Pleistocene deposits, Parapapio, is widely regarded as a candidate ancestor to later African papionins. However, despite general agreement that this genus sits at or near the base of the African papionin clade, the taxonomy within Parapapio remains highly contentious. This project evaluates the species-level taxonomy of Parapapio with an explicit hypothesis-based approach to interpreting morphological variation in this sample of fossils. We tested two hypotheses: (H1) the craniodental variation within Parapapio does not cluster into three groups that reflect the three known species, and (H2) all the Parapapio fossils can be accommodated within the craniodental shape and size variation observed for a single extant species of papionin. To test the first hypothesis, we assessed a subset of relatively complete and well-preserved Parapapio crania (n=16), intentionally without reference to previous taxonomic identifications. Specimens were sorted by similarity in cranial features and results were then compared with published taxonomic classifications. Our results demonstrate that morphological traits do not cluster consistently according to the current species categories within Parapapio, failing to reject our first hypothesis. To test our second hypothesis, we examined variation in cranial and dental metrics within Parapapio (n=64) relative to three extant papionin samples (n=310). Our results fail to reject the hypothesis that all Parapapio specimens could belong to a single species and suggest that the three-species paradigm does not reflect the anatomical variation of this genus. We recommend subsuming all Parapapio specimens within Parapapio broomi, the species name with taxonomic priority. The results of this hypothesis-testing approach to taxonomy carry substantial implications for the taxonomy of Parapapio, as well as for biochronological and paleoecological studies more generally, including the taxonomy and paleobiology of hominids recovered from these same deposits.


Response of winter bird communities to environmental variables in riparian zones of cold region: a case study in Shenyang, Northeast of China

January 2025

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30 Reads

Introduction Landscape changes resulting from urbanization have profound impacts on biodiversity, threatening the habitat of resident species. Birds are valuable research subjects because of their diversity, wide distribution, and particular sensitivity to environmental changes. Therefore, exploring the relationships between winter birds and environmental variables is essential for designing and managing green spaces during winter. However, the responses of the winter bird communities to environmental variables in cold regions remain unclear. Methods In this study, we investigated the winter bird community in the riparian zone of the Hun River in Shenyang. We selected 11 environmental variables of the riparian zone and conducted a principal component analysis to extract seven new components that represent environmental changes. Subsequently, we performed correlation and redundancy analyses on bird diversity indicators and environmental variables. Results The results revealed that bird richness, Simpson’s diversity index and Shannon diversity index, was greater in the urban expansion area than in the urban core area. However, abundance was lower in the urban expansion area. Disturbance and built-up components were significantly associated with overall bird diversity, while disturbance, riparian, open vegetation, and suburban vegetation components were significantly linked to the diversity of resident and migratory birds. Birds in the urban expansion area exhibited greater sensitivity to environmental variables compared to those in the urban core area. Discussion This study recommend focusing on seasonal influence on birds’ resource use and urbanization level and bird species composition in riparian zones.


Conceptual diagram depicting light-matter interactions in a leaf and detection by remote sensing platforms. Created in BioRender: BioRender.com/c66i213. Platform image from Adobe Stock. Spectra adapted from Figure 1a in Li et al. (2023), published under Creative Commons license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Flow diagram connecting (1) the reflectance of solar electromagnetic radiation to (2) the specifications of optical sensors, (3) modeling frameworks, (4) model validation, and (5) mapping. Created in Biorender. BioRender.com/a76q686.
Optical remote spectral acquisition of elemental stoichiometry

December 2024

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58 Reads

Optical remote sensing (RS) enables the study of the elemental composition of Earth’s surface over broad spatial extents by detecting reflected electromagnetic radiation. Covalent bonds of macromolecular structures often reflect electromagnetic radiation at specific wavelengths, and in some cases relate to bonds of specific elemental identity. In other cases, interfering optical properties greatly impact the ability of RS to measure elements directly, but advances in statistical methods and the theoretical understanding of optical properties expand the capacity to quantify diverse elements in many systems. When applied under the framework of ecological stoichiometry, spatially and temporally explicit measurements of elemental composition permit understanding of the drivers of ecological processes and variation over space and through time. However, the multitude of available technologies and techniques present a large barrier of entry into RS. In this paper we summarize the capabilities and limitations of RS to quantify elements in terrestrial and aquatic systems. We provide a practical guide for researchers interested in using RS to quantify elemental ratios and discuss RS as an emerging tool in ecological stoichiometry. Finally, we pose a set of emerging questions which integrating RS and ecological stoichiometry is uniquely poised to address.



Study area, rivers, and reservoirs in Xinchang County.
Framework for the evaluation of happy river systems in Xinchang County.
Research on the evaluation index system for happy rivers and lakes: a case study of Xinchang County in Zhejiang Province, China

December 2024

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9 Reads

The “Happy Rivers and Lakes” initiative is an important measure to systematically address the complex water issues in China. It further highlights the effectiveness of constructing happy rivers and lakes based on river health assessments. This approach aims to identify typical practices and the effectiveness of river and lake management and protection at the local level, guiding for river and lake management and conservation work in the new era. This study focuses on county-level administrative units and develops a research framework for the evaluation index system of happy rivers and lakes. A total of 11 primary indicators and 22 secondary indicators are selected from aspects such as river and lake safety, water resources, water environment, biodiversity, and social services. The evaluation and analysis are conducted around the Chengtan River, Huangze River, and Xinchang River, as well as two large reservoirs in Xinchang County. The results show that the comprehensive evaluation score of happy rivers and lakes in Xinchang County is 92.66, categorizing it as a model of happy rivers and lakes. The evaluation results aim to provide references and guidance for similar regions inside and outside Zhejiang Province in their research and practical applications related to happy rivers and lakes.


Multi-scenario assessment of landscape ecological risk in the transitional zone between the warm temperate zone and the northern subtropical zone

December 2024

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11 Reads

Climate transition zones are ecologically sensitive regions that respond to changes in complex natural conditions. Analyzing the spatiotemporal evolution trends and impact factors of landscape ecological risk is crucial for maintaining regional ecosystem security. However, research predominantly focused on the past analytical paradigm, which often needed more strategic predictions for future scenarios tailored to diverse developmental requirements. This study analyzed land use changes in the Huai River Basin during 2000, 2010, and 2020 and used the Future Land Use Simulation model to conduct a multi-scenario simulation for 2030. Subsequently, this study assessed the landscape ecological risk from 2000 to 2030 and analyzed the influencing mechanisms using the ridge regression model. The results showed that: (1) The primary transitions were concentrated between cropland and construction land. By 2030, the area of construction land was projected to continue to expand, with the greatest increase of 2906 km² anticipated in the natural development scenario. (2) The overall spatial pattern of landscape ecological risk showed a “high in the east and low in the west” distribution, with the lowest risk areas predominating (accounting for over 43%). Over the past 20 years, the risk initially increased and then decreased, and by 2030, the risk was expected to decline further. (3) The risk exhibited significant positive spatial autocorrelation. By 2030, the constraint of spatial location on risk distribution would decrease. Local spatial clustering was mainly characterized by “Low-Low” regions (accounting for 20%). (4) Vegetation cover consistently correlated negatively with ecological risk and was the most influential factor, with relative contribution rates all exceeding 21%. The findings have provided a scientific reference for the ecological and environmental management of areas with intense human activity under complex climatic conditions.


Decadal changes in species composition of rare oak Quercus chungii forests with logging history

December 2024

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37 Reads

Quercus chungii is a tree species endemic to subtropical areas of China, rare and endangered in Fujian Province. Minqing Huangchulin National Nature Reserve was specifically established to preserve Q. chungii forests with severe logging history. How the composition of Q. chungii communities changed after the initiation of this conservation practice remains unknown. Understanding the successional trajectories of Q. chungii communities is crucial for conserving and restoring Q. chungii forests and similar secondary forests with logging history in subtropical areas. In this study, we assessed how species and phylogenetic composition of Q. chungii communities changed, and whether these temporal trajectories were primarily contributed by stochastic processes. We established two sites composed by Q. chungii adult trees in the nature reserve in 2013, and measured their species composition in 2013 and 2023, respectively. We found that the communities undergone significant species replacement and reordering from 2013 to 2023, thus leading to high temporal β diversity. These temporal changes in community composition were primarily the results of deterministic ecological processes based on the results of null model analyses. A larger contribution from nestedness than turnover to the temporal β diversity suggested that the change in species richness caused by the loss or gain of species was more important than species turnover in driving the compositional change. A larger contribution from balanced abundance variations than abundance gradient to the temporal β diversity suggested that there was no significant consistent increase or decrease in species abundance during this decade. The target species Q. chungii significantly increased in abundance and basal area, making this species rank among one of the most dominant species in the communities after a decade, indicating the effectiveness of the nature reserve in conserving Q. chungii communities. However, the over-reliance on resprouts may reduce the genetic diversity and increase the risks from natural enemies, thus limiting the future development of Q. chungii. We conclude that although Q. chungii communities undergone rapid recovery from logging disturbance, continuing efforts in studying its population structures and dynamics and their driving factors are crucial for restoring and conserving Q. chungii communities.


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2.4 (2023)

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4.0 (2023)

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