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Populations composed of individuals descended from multiple distinct genetic lineages often feature significant differences in phenotypic frequencies. We considered hatchery production of steelhead, the migratory anadromous form of the salmonid species Oncorhynchus mykiss, and investigated how differences among genetic lineages and environmental variation impacted life history traits. We genotyped 23,670 steelhead returning to the four California Central Valley hatcheries over 9 years from 2011 to 2019, confidently assigning parentage to 13,576 individuals to determine age and date of spawning and rates of iteroparity and repeat spawning within each year. We found steelhead from different genetic lineages showed significant differences in adult life history traits despite inhabiting similar environments. Differences between coastal and Central Valley steelhead lineages contributed to significant differences in age at return, timing of spawning, and rates of iteroparity among programs. In addition, adaptive genomic variation associated with life history development in this species varied among hatchery programs and was associated with the age of steelhead spawners only in the coastal lineage population. Environmental variation likely contributed to variations in phenotypic patterns observed over time, as our study period spanned both a marine heatwave and a serious drought in California. Our results highlight evidence of a strong genetic component underlying known phenotypic differences in life history traits between two steelhead lineages.

Understanding the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the maintenance of individual differences in behavior and physiology is a fundamental goal in ecology and evolution. The pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis is often invoked to explain the maintenance of such within-population variation. This hypothesis predicts that behavioral traits are part of a suite of correlated traits that collectively determine an individual's propensity to prioritize reproduction or survival. A key assumption of this hypothesis is that these traits are underpinned by genetic trade-offs among life-history traits: genetic variants that increase fertility, reproduction and growth might also reduce lifespan. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence for the existence of genetic trade-offs between five key life-history traits: survival, growth rate, body size, maturation rate, and fertility. Counter to our predictions, we found an overall positive genetic correlation between survival and other life-history traits and no evidence for any genetic correlations between the non-survival life-history traits. This finding was generally consistent across pairs of life-history traits, sexes, life stages, lab vs. field studies, and narrow- vs. broad-sense correlation estimates. Our study highlights that genetic trade-offs may not be as common, or at least not as easily quantifiable, in animals as often assumed.

Floodplains are heterogeneous systems adjacent to large rivers periodically flooded by water originating from the river's lateral flow. During floods, the water flows into the surrounding channels, ponds and lakes, creating an integrated dynamic system characterized by a mosaic of lotic and lentic habitats and by the exchange of nutrients and inhabiting organisms between the main river and its floodplain. This study included a total of 14 sampling sites in a floodplain of the Danube River, designated as a Ramsar site. Seven study sites were in near natural condition, while seven others were separated from the Danube floodplain by an embankment and thus were anthropogenically disturbed (e.g. by hydro–morphological alterations and pollution from agricultural fields). Odonata nymphs were sampled over a two–year period in each season using a benthos hand net. A total of 20 Odonata species were recorded. Some of the documented species are of national and/or international conservation concern, which confirms the conservation value of the habitats studied. Species richness, abundance, taxonomic and functional diversity of Odonata were significantly higher at the anthropogenically disturbed sites than at the near natural sites within the studied floodplain area and correlated positively with macrophyte assemblage metrics (species richness, abundance, diversity). The macrophyte assemblage metrics, water transparency, copper and nitrate concentrations and oxygen saturation in the water were key environmental factors shaping Odonata assemblages in the studied floodplain. As Odonata are used as bioindicators of freshwater status worldwide, the presented results could be used in the protection of endangered wetland ecosystems and their biota. The importance of aquatic macrophytes for the conservation of the local Odonata diversity should be considered in the management of anthropogenically disturbed habitats in protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide freshwater salinization may significantly alter ecosystem functioning and affect biodiversity. We studied the effect of salinity on hatching success of resting eggs of different ages and life history traits of post-diapause females of cladoceran Moina macrocopa. The hatching success of resting eggs was almost unaffected by the salinity we tested (up to 5.9 g L−1). We observed a distinct difference in the hatching success of resting eggs of different ages, which was lower by ca. 50% for 4-year-old resting eggs compared with 1-year-old resting eggs. We found a decrease in the values of the life-history traits of the females hatched from 4-year-old resting eggs compared with the females hatched from 1-year-old resting eggs exposed to salinity within the range of 0.08–3.5 g L−1: a shorter lifespan, a lower juvenile somatic growth rate, a delay in the day of the first reproduction, and a smaller number of parthenogenetic clutches produced. Analysis showed that at a salinity of 3.5 g L−1, females hatched from resting eggs are more vulnerable to the effect of salinity than directly developing females. The post-diapause females exposed to salinity showed a shorter lifespan and reduced reproduction parameters (produced fewer clutches and neonates) compared with the directly developing females. Thus, the hatching of resting eggs can be considered as a critical period of the development of a species with the diapause in its life cycle due to the vulnerability of post-diapause females to increased salinity, which can be crucially important for the ecological success of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host–pathogens interactions are sensitive to changes in temperature and even a slight increase in temperature significantly influences the distribution of insects, including fruit flies. African fig fly, known as Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is one of the invasive, secondary insect pests of fruits. The current article explores the effect of temperature and fungal infection on Z. indianus life history traits. Development of Z. indianus was observed on locally isolated fungus Pichia kudriavzevii (Boidin, Pignal and Besson, 1965) (Saccharomycetales: Pichiaceae) in treated and untreated medium. Pre- adult and adult life stages of treated and untreated individuals at different temperatures showed significant difference in physiological trait values. At extreme temperatures (i.e. 17 and 31 °C) the life history traits (egg hatchability, larval viability, adult emergence, and fecundity) in fungal treated food showed significant reduction in trait values except in development period (egg to adult stage) at 17 °C. Independently, high temperatures (28 and 31 °C) favour shorter fungal growth and Z. indianus development cycle, while longer growth and developmental period at lower temperatures (17 and 21 °C).The current work illustrates the consequences of temperature and fungal infection on the developmental stages and physiological traits of Z. indianus. The combination of the biotic and abiotic factors aids in understanding of the response of pest species of Drosophila to differential temperature ranges and fungal infection; hence, the present study could assist in predicting the driving ecological factors that mediate the containment of Z. indianus, an invasive secondary pest of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The distribution of within‐species lineages has been affected by Quaternary climate changes, and population differentiation has been influenced by species life history traits. We investigated whether the distribution of individual mitochondrial genetic lineages reflects the constituent species' traits. Using the functionally diverse group of butterflies, we examined which lineages are present in Central Europe, an important suture zone. Location: Czech Republic and Western Palearctic. Taxon: A total of 140 butterfly species. Methods: We sequenced DNA barcodes (cytochrome c oxidase 1) (959 sequences) of the entire Czech Republic butterfly fauna and used Barcoding of Life Data System to visualise the species' biogeographic patterns across Europe. We categorised the distribution patterns of lineages inhabiting the Czech Republic, and used multivariate statistics to interpret these categories by the butterflies' habitats, life history traits and threat levels. Results: Open habitat dwellers with specialist traits belonged to Eastern, Southern and temperate lineages. Habitat generalists and woodland dwellers belonged to the Western lineage, formed several lineages or displayed low genetic diversity; they often developed on woody plants, were large‐winged and had long flight periods. The most threatened species were the specialists of Southern, Eastern and temperate lineages. Main Conclusions: The distribution of lineages in Central Europe reflects the history of Quaternary ecosystems: during cold periods of the Pleistocene, the diverse open habitats prevailed and species could expand westwards. Such species also suffer the most under the current anthropogenic habitat alteration. On the other hand, the mobile generalists and woodland dwellers expanded to Central Europe during the Holocene. Our approach of linking the distribution of lineages with species traits can be transferred to other study systems, and we show that DNA barcoding of under‐sampled areas represents a powerful tool for discovering the driving forces of biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microsporidia MB (MB) is a naturally occurring symbiont of Anopheles and has recently been identified as having a potential to inhibit the transmission of Plasmodium in mosquitoes. MB intensity is high in mosquito gonads, with no fitness consequences for the mosquito, and is linked to horizontal (sexual) and vertical (transovarial) transmission from one mosquito to another. Maximising MB intensity and transmission is important for maintaining heavily infected mosquito colonies for experiments and ultimately for mosquito releases. We have investigated how diet affects the MB-Anopheles arabiensis symbiosis phenotypes, such as larval development and mortality, adult size and survival, as well as MB intensity in both larvae and adults. Methods: F1 larvae of G0 females confirmed to be An. arabiensis and infected with MB were either combined (group lines [GLs]) or reared separately (isofemale lines [IMLs]) depending on the specific experiment. Four diet regimes (all mg/larva/day) were tested on F1 GLs: Tetramin 0.07, Tetramin 0.3, Gocat 0.3 and Cerelac 0.3. GLs reared on Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day were then fed either a 1% or 6% glucose diet to determine adult survival. Larvae of IMLs were fed Tetramin 0.07 mg and Tetramin 0.3 mg for larval experiments. The mosquitoes in the adult experiments with IMLs were reared on 1% or 6% glucose. Results: Amongst the four larval diet regimes tested on An.arabiensis development in the presence of MB, the fastest larval development highest adult emergence, largest body size of mosquitoes, highest prevalence and highest density of MB occurred in those fed Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day. Although adult MB-positive mosquitoes fed on 6% glucose survived longer than MB-negative mosquitoes, there was no such effect for those fed on the 1% glucose diet. Development time, wing length and adult survival were not significantly different between MB-infected and uninfected An. arabiensis fed on the Tetramin 0.07 mg/larva/day diet, demonstrating that the MB-conferred fitness advantage was diet-dependent. Conclusions: Microsporidia MB does not adversely impact the development and fitness of An. arabiensis, even under limited dietary conditions. The diet regime of Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day + 6% glucose for adults is the superior diet for the mass rearing of MB-infected An. arabiensis mosquitoes. These results are important for rearing MB-infected An. arabiensis in the laboratory for experiments and the mass rearing required for field releases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect abundance and diversity appear to decline rapidly in recent decades, garnering significant media attention, and hence raising public awareness. Macro‐moths—a species‐rich and ecologically diverse insect group—face severe declines, particularly in urbanised and intensively farmed areas in NW Europe. Flanders is a highly anthropogenic region, serving as a case study where the impact on macro‐moths of stressors like intensive agriculture, industrialisation and urbanisation has been quantified through a recently compiled Red List. Here, for 717 macro‐moth species, we calculated relative changes in distribution area between a reference period (1980–2012) and the subsequent period (2013–2022). By correlating these species‐specific trends with 10 key ecological and life history traits, we calculated more general Multi‐Species Change Indices (MSCIs). These MSCIs showed that species associated with wet biotopes and heathlands declined on average by 20%–25%, while (sub)urban species increased by more than 60%. Species feeding on lichens or mosses increased by 31%, while grass‐feeding species decreased by 20%. Both very small (+34%) and very large species (+15%) increased, whereas medium‐sized species decreased by 5%. Monophagous (+17%), migrant (+88%) and colour‐invariable species (+5%) increased, while colour‐variable species decreased (−8%). Finally, Holarctic (−21%) and Palaearctic species (−5%) decreased, while Mediterranean (+27%) and Western‐Palaearctic species (+9%) increased. Our trait‐based approach identifies key threats and mitigation strategies for moths in anthropogenic regions, offering evidence‐based insights for crafting efficient management recommendations and informed conservation policies to safeguard moth communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal effect plays important role in adaptive evolution and population dynamics. Methylparaben (Mep) is a common organic pollutant exerting diverse impacts on aquatic organisms. However, the impact of maternal Mep exposure on offspring remains poorly understood. This study was designed to explore whether maternal Mep exposure can affect the offspring's population performance, either by amictic mothers in parthenogenesis phase, or by mictic mothers in sexual reproduction phase of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. Here, we exposed either amictic or mictic mothers from one clonal laboratory population to 20 mg/L Mep (T environment) until the offspring or resting eggs were collected. A parallel control group without Mep (C environment) was also set. Thereafter, offspring from amictic mothers or stem female from resting eggs of mictic mothers were treated similarly in T or C environment. Population growth, life history traits and antioxidant indices of the offspring were examined. The results demonstrated that maternal Mep exposure inhibited population performance of offspring in both life history phases, while the negative effects were markedly buffered in sexual reproduction phase. This study clarifies toxicity of Mep on rotifers and highlights the different response patterns of maternal Mep exposure in different life history phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life-history variation is the raw material of adaptation, and understanding its genetic and environmental underpinnings is key to designing effective conservation strategies. We used large-scale genetic pedigree reconstruction of anadromous steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from the Russian River, CA, USA, to elucidate sex-specific patterns of life-history traits and their heritability. SNP data from adults returning from sea over a 14-year period were used to identify 13,474 parent-offspring trios. These pedigrees were used to determine age structure, size distributions and family sizes for these fish, as well as to estimate the heritability of two key life-history traits, spawn date and age at maturity (first reproduction). Spawn date was highly heritable (h2  = 0.73) and had a cross-sex genetic correlation near unity. We provide the first estimate of heritability for age at maturity in ocean-going fish from this species and found it to be highly heritable (h2 from 0.29 to 0.62, depending on sex and method), with a much lower genetic correlation across sexes. We also evaluated genotypes at a migration-associated inversion polymorphism and found sex-specific correlations with age at maturity. The significant heritability of these two key reproductive traits in these imperiled fish, and their patterns of inheritance in the two sexes, is consistent with predictions of both natural and sexually antagonistic selection (sexes experience opposing selection pressures). This emphasizes the importance of anthropogenic factors, including hatchery practices and ecosystem modifications, in shaping the fitness of this species, thus providing important guidance for management and conservation efforts.

Abstract Background Microsporidia MB (MB) is a naturally occurring symbiont of Anopheles and has recently been identified as having a potential to inhibit the transmission of Plasmodium in mosquitoes. MB intensity is high in mosquito gonads, with no fitness consequences for the mosquito, and is linked to horizontal (sexual) and vertical (transovarial) transmission from one mosquito to another. Maximising MB intensity and transmission is important for maintaining heavily infected mosquito colonies for experiments and ultimately for mosquito releases. We have investigated how diet affects the MB-Anopheles arabiensis symbiosis phenotypes, such as larval development and mortality, adult size and survival, as well as MB intensity in both larvae and adults. Methods F1 larvae of G0 females confirmed to be An. arabiensis and infected with MB were either combined (group lines [GLs]) or reared separately (isofemale lines [IMLs]) depending on the specific experiment. Four diet regimes (all mg/larva/day) were tested on F1 GLs: Tetramin 0.07, Tetramin 0.3, Gocat 0.3 and Cerelac 0.3. GLs reared on Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day were then fed either a 1% or 6% glucose diet to determine adult survival. Larvae of IMLs were fed Tetramin 0.07 mg and Tetramin 0.3 mg for larval experiments. The mosquitoes in the adult experiments with IMLs were reared on 1% or 6% glucose. Results Amongst the four larval diet regimes tested on An. arabiensis development in the presence of MB, the fastest larval development highest adult emergence, largest body size of mosquitoes, highest prevalence and highest density of MB occurred in those fed Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day. Although adult MB-positive mosquitoes fed on 6% glucose survived longer than MB-negative mosquitoes, there was no such effect for those fed on the 1% glucose diet. Development time, wing length and adult survival were not significantly different between MB-infected and uninfected An. arabiensis fed on the Tetramin 0.07 mg/larva/day diet, demonstrating that the MB-conferred fitness advantage was diet-dependent. Conclusions Microsporidia MB does not adversely impact the development and fitness of An. arabiensis, even under limited dietary conditions. The diet regime of Tetramin 0.3 mg/larva/day + 6% glucose for adults is the superior diet for the mass rearing of MB-infected An. arabiensis mosquitoes. These results are important for rearing MB-infected An. arabiensis in the laboratory for experiments and the mass rearing required for field releases. Graphical Abstract

The slow-fast continuum is a commonly used framework to describe variation in life-history strategies across species. Individual life histories have also been assumed to follow a similar pattern, especially in the pace-of-life syndrome literature. However, whether a slow-fast continuum commonly explains life-history variation among individuals within a population remains unclear. Here, we formally tested for the presence of a slow-fast continuum of life histories both within populations and across species using detailed long-term individual-based demographic data for 17 bird and mammal species with markedly different life histories. We estimated adult lifespan, age at first reproduction, annual breeding frequency, and annual fecundity, and identified the main axes of life-history variation using principal component analyses. Across species, we retrieved the slow-fast continuum as the main axis of life-history variation. However, within populations, the patterns of individual life-history variation did not align with a slow-fast continuum in any species. Thus, a continuum ranking individuals from slow to fast living is unlikely to shape individual differences in life histories within populations. Rather, individual life-history variation is likely idiosyncratic across species, potentially because of processes such as stochasticity, density dependence, and individual differences in resource acquisition that affect species differently and generate non-generalizable patterns across species.

Various biological groups include genera that occur in tropical regions of continents that are separated by thousands of kilometres of ocean. However, in such pantropical groups, the taxonomic classification is often erroneous so that some of these cases may rather represent convergent evolution of distantly related species. Once monophyly of pantropical genera is firmly established, we can ask how these groups have become globally spread and what traits facilitate reaching a wide distribution.Some butterfly genera are considered pantropical and are a good system to ask such questions because we have a relatively large amount of information about their distribution, phylogeny and life history traits.Phylogeographic analyses have revealed that dispersal across land bridges throughout the Cenozoic period was typical for butterflies and that older clades are typically more widely distributed across the globe than more recently diverged clades.Results here also showed that certain life history traits, such as larval polyphagy and habitat generalism, correlate with a large range size in butterflies, although research biases towards temperate rather tropical regions exist.This review emphasises the first and foremost need for accurate taxonomy to prove phylogenetic monophyly in pantropical genera. Only when these evolutionary relationships are firmly established can we improve our understanding of the driving forces of their distributions and range sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apis mellifera was used as a model species for ecotoxicological testing. In the present study, we tested the effects of acetone (0.1% in feed), a solvent commonly used to dissolve pesticides, on bees exposed at different developmental stages (larval and/or adult). Moreover, we explored the potential effect of in vitro larval rearing, a commonly used technique for accurately monitoring worker exposure at the larval stage, by combining acetone exposure and treatment conditions (in vitro larval rearing vs. in vivo larval rearing). We then analyzed the life‐history traits of the experimental bees using radio frequency identification technology over three sessions (May, June, and August) to assess the potential seasonal dependence of the solvent effects. Our results highlight the substantial influence of in vitro larval rearing on the life cycle of bees, with a 47.7% decrease in life span, a decrease of 0.9 days in the age at first exit, an increase of 57.3% in the loss rate at first exit, and a decrease of 40.6% in foraging tenure. We did not observe any effect of exposure to acetone at the larval stage on the capacities of bees reared in vitro. Conversely, acetone exposure at the adult stage reduced the bee life span by 21.8% to 60%, decreased the age at first exit by 1.12 to 4.34 days, and reduced the foraging tenure by 30% to 37.7%. Interestingly, we found a significant effect of season on acetone exposure, suggesting that interference with the life‐history traits of honey bees is dependent on season. These findings suggest improved integration of long‐term monitoring for assessing sublethal responses in bees following exposure to chemicals during both the larval and adult stages. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1320–1331. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving success rates of classical weed biocontrol programs is an ongoing effort that requires a variety of different approaches. Previous assessments indicated biocontrol agent taxonomy and feeding characteristics and weed life history traits are associated with better control outcomes. We examined weed biocontrol releases for correlations between biocontrol agent and target weed traits associated with different levels of reported establishment and control. Data collated in the 5th edition of 'Biological Control of Weeds: A World Catalogue of Agents and Their Target Weeds' were used as the basis for this global analysis. Published literature was used to augment the catalog with data for eight biocontrol agent traits and four target weed traits. Biocontrol agent establishment and impact data were analyzed against these traits using generalized linear mixed models and categorical models, respectively. Analyses for biocontrol agent establishment reveal the following agent traits were correlated with a greater probability of establishment: being an internal feeder, feeding on above-ground plant tissues, multivoltine agents and agents that feed during both their adult and immature life stages. Insect taxon did not affect establishment except for the order Lepidoptera, which had the lowest establishment probability. For weed traits, those occurring in aquatic or riparian habitats were associated with a higher probability of biocontrol agent establishment. Regarding agent impact, using the definition categories in the catalog, agents feeding externally and on vegetative plant tissues, multivoltine agents and those with both adult and immature plant-feeding life stages were strongly correlated with greater impact. Perennials, reproducing only vegetatively and invading aquatic or riparian habitats were associated with greater biocontrol impact. Our findings could facilitate both the prioritization of invasive plants targeted for biocontrol and the selection of suitable biocontrol agent candidates, which should further improve biocontrol project outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the significance of mycorrhizal symbioses, which are complex relationships between plants and fungi that have a profound impact on ecosystem dynamics and functions. It delves into the different types of mycorrhizal symbioses and examines the molecular, physiological, and ecological aspects of these interactions. The article also discusses the role of mycorrhizas in nutrient cycling and the exchange of resources between plants and fungi. It emphasizes the importance of community ecology and functional guilds in understanding mycorrhizal interactions and their implications for ecosystem resilience and biodiversity conservation. The article presents various research studies on mycorrhizal symbioses and their ecological implications, including the effects of global change on plant-mycorrhizal interactions, the characteristics of invasive mycorrhizal fungi, the mycorrhizal microbiome, and the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agroecosystems and urban environments. The research underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, the significance of comprehending molecular signaling pathways and ecosystem-scale dynamics, and the potential practical applications of mycorrhizal research in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of ongoing research and collaboration to unlock new frontiers in mycorrhizal ecology. [Extracted from the article]

Anthropogenic habitat modification can indirectly effect reproduction and survival in social species by changing the group structure and social interactions. We assessed the impact of habitat modification on the fitness and life history traits of a cooperative breeder, the Arabian babbler (Argya squamiceps). We collected spatial, reproductive and social data on 572 individuals belonging to 21 social groups over 6 years and combined it with remote sensing to characterize group territories in an arid landscape. In modified resource‐rich habitats, groups bred more and had greater productivity, but individuals lived shorter lives than in natural habitats. Habitat modification favoured a faster pace‐of‐life with lower dispersal and dominance acquisition ages, which might be driven by higher mortality providing opportunities for the dominant breeding positions. Thus, habitat modification might indirectly impact fitness through changes in social structures. This study shows that trade‐offs in novel anthropogenic opportunities might offset survival costs by increased productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under increasing human‐related threats to forests, many studies suggest that increasing tree species diversity may boost forest resilience by enhancing the range of species' responses to disturbances. However, it remains unclear whether passive or active forest management strategies should be applied to increase tree diversity. This issue would benefit from investigating which management and environmental factors, together with species' functional traits, influence temporal changes in tree species diversity.We explored the influence of the bioclimatic region, land‐use history, forest cover, protection, management, forest structure and changes in temperature and precipitation, to explain tree species diversity changes in NE Iberian forests, by comparing 3141 plots from the Spanish National Forest Inventory sampled between 1989 and 2016. Moreover, we assessed which species' functional traits (dispersal habit, drought and shade tolerance) were most relevant for diversity changes.After 27 years, tree species richness and diversity moderately increased in the tree and regeneration layers. This trend occurred mostly in long‐established, non‐recently managed forests and in those with a lower initial basal area. Increasing temperature had negative effects for diversity increase in the tree layer but positive for the regeneration compartment, while decreasing precipitation showed the opposite effects.Tree species with higher drought tolerance, and especially those animal‐dispersed ones arriving from the regional pool, mostly contributed to the local diversity increase. This pattern occurred in all forest types, although the taxonomic array of species varied.Synthesis and applications. The main drivers influencing the passive increase in tree species diversity suggest a primary role of diminishing forest exploitation in this recovery process, fine‐tuned by climatic changes. This ecological scenario has particularly favoured animal‐dispersed tree species with higher drought tolerance, which mostly led the diversity increase. A higher presence of such highly mobile and drought‐tolerant species can be crucial to increase functional diversity and, ultimately, increase forest resilience under future scenarios of greater aridity. In light of these results, management strategies should continue fostering the restoration of diversity in once intensively exploited forests while ensuring the maintenance of the already gained tree species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many tropical species show declining populations. The pantropical order Trogoniformes has 76% of its species ranked as declining, reflecting a worldwide problem. Here, we report on the reproductive ecology and life history traits of the declining and near‐threatened old world Whitehead's Trogon (Harpactes whiteheadi), the declining new world Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris), and the stable Masked Trogon (T. personatus). We also reviewed the literature on reproductive ecology and life history traits of trogons to assess possible commonalities that might help explain population declines. We found that the declining Whitehead's and Collared Trogons had reasonable nest success (32% and 25%, respectively), while the stable Masked Trogon had poor reproductive success (9%), all contrary to population trends. However, the limited literature data suggested that poor reproductive success may be common among trogons, which may contribute to population declines. Parents fed young at a low rate and had long on‐bouts for incubation and nestling warming that reduced activity at the nest, as favored by high nest predation risk over evolutionary time. We found that young fledged from the nest with poorly developed wings, as also favored by high nest predation risk. Evolved nestling periods among trogon species suggests that poor wing development is likely common. Wing development has been shown to affect juvenile survival after leaving the nest. The poor wing development may be an important contributor to population declines that deserves more attention. Evolved life history traits are important to recognize as creating population vulnerabilities in a changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant trait variation is constrained by mechanical and energetic trade‐offs as attested by the global spectrum of plant form and function and the fine‐root economics space for above‐ and below‐ground traits. However, traits that are key for fitness maintenance in some plant groups, such as clonal and bud bank traits, have not yet been integrated within the frameworks provided by the above‐ground and the fine‐root economics space.By using an extensive dataset encompassing above‐ground, fine‐root, clonal and bud bank traits of 2000 species of Central European herbs, we asked whether clonal and bud bank traits correspond to the placement of species in the above‐ground or fine‐root trait space.Perennial clonal and non‐clonal herbs show indistinct positioning within the above‐ground and fine‐root trait spaces. This extends and reinforces previous fragmentary evidence of weak correlations between clonal and bud bank traits and above‐ground trait dimensions. Additionally, we identify for the first time a limited correlation between clonal and fine‐root traits as well. This disconnection suggests that clonal traits operate independently from other trait spectra. For this reason, we introduce the concept of a 'clonal trait space' for clonal herbs. The first dimension of this space is defined by bud bank size and the persistence of clonal connection, reflecting a gradient of species specialisation for on‐spot persistence and tolerance to disturbance (persistence dimension). The second dimension, defined by multiplication rate and lateral spread, reflects a specialisation axis for clonal multiplication and horizontal size dimension (clonal multiplication dimension). Clonal trait dimensions add non‐redundant information to the above‐ground or fine‐roots trait space.Synthesis: We champion the integration of the persistence and clonal multiplication dimensions from the 'clonal trait space' into the frameworks provided by the above‐ground trait and the fine‐root economics spaces, thereby enhancing our comprehension of the multifaceted trait strategies exhibited by plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersal is a crucial component of species' responses to climate warming. Warming‐induced changes in species' distributions are the outcome of how temperature affects dispersal at the individual level. Yet, there is little or no theory that considers the temperature dependence of dispersal when investigating the impacts of warming on species' distributions.Here I take a first step towards filling this key gap in our knowledge. I focus on ectotherms, species whose body temperature depends on the environmental temperature, not least because they constitute the majority of biodiversity on the planet. I develop a mathematical model of spatial population dynamics that explicitly incorporates mechanistic descriptions of ectotherm life history trait responses to temperature. A novel feature of this framework is the explicit temperature dependence of all phases of dispersal: emigration, transfer and settlement.I report three key findings. First, dispersal, regardless of whether it is random or temperature‐dependent, allows both tropical and temperate ectotherms to track warming‐induced changes in their thermal environments and to expand their distributions beyond the lower and upper thermal limits of their respective climate envelopes. In the absence of dispersal mortality, warming does not alter these new distributional limits.Second, an analysis based solely on trait response data predicts that tropical ectotherms should be able to expand their distributions polewards to a greater degree than temperate ectotherms. Analysis of the dynamical model confirms this prediction. Tropical ectotherms have an advantage when moving to cooler climates because they experience lower within‐patch and dispersal mortality, and their higher thermal optima and maximal birth rates allow them to take advantage of the warmer parts of the year. Previous theory has shown that tropical ectotherms are more successful in invading and adapting the temperate climates than vice versa. This study provides the key missing piece, by showing how temperature‐dependent dispersal could facilitate both invasion and adaptation.Third, dispersal mortality does not affect the poleward expansion of ectotherm distributions. But, it prevents both tropical and temperate ectotherms from maintaining sink populations in localities that are too warm to be viable in the absence of dispersal. Dispersal mortality also affects species' abundance patterns, causing a larger decline in abundance throughout the range when species disperse randomly rather than in response to thermal habitat suitability. In this way, dispersal mortality can facilitate the evolution of dispersal modes that maximize fitness in warmer thermal environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on human telomeres have established that telomeres exert a significant influence on lifespan and health of organisms. However, recent research has indicated that the original idea that telomeres affect lifespan in a universal and central manner across all eukaryotic species is an oversimplification. Indeed, findings from a variety of animal species revealed that the role of telomere biology in aging is more subtle and intricate than previously recognized. Here, we show how telomere biology varies depending on the taxon. We also show how telomere biology corresponds to basic life history traits and affects the life table of a species and investments in growth, body size, reproduction, and lifespan; telomeres are hypothesized to shape evolutionary perspectives for species in an active but complex manner. Our evaluation is based on telomere biology data from many examples from throughout the animal kingdom that vary according to the degree of organismal complexity and life history strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria catalyze the formation and destruction of soil organic matter, but the bacterial dynamics in soil that govern carbon (C) cycling are not well understood. Life history strategies explain the complex dynamics of bacterial populations and activities based on trade-offs in energy allocation to growth, resource acquisition, and survival. Such trade-offs influence the fate of soil C, but their genomic basis remains poorly characterized. We used multisubstrate metagenomic DNA stable isotope probing to link genomic features of bacteria to their C acquisition and growth dynamics. We identify several genomic features associated with patterns of bacterial C acquisition and growth, notably genomic investment in resource acquisition and regulatory flexibility. Moreover, we identify genomic trade-offs defined by numbers of transcription factors, membrane transporters, and secreted products, which match predictions from life history theory. We further show that genomic investment in resource acquisition and regulatory flexibility can predict bacterial ecological strategies in soil. IMPORTANCE Soil microbes are major players in the global carbon cycle, yet we still have little understanding of how the carbon cycle operates in soil communities. A major limitation is that carbon metabolism lacks discrete functional genes that define carbon transformations. Instead, carbon transformations are governed by anabolic processes associated with growth, resource acquisition, and survival. We use metagenomic stable isotope probing to link genome information to microbial growth and carbon assimilation dynamics as they occur in soil. From these data, we identify genomic traits that can predict bacterial ecological strategies which define bacterial interactions with soil carbon.

In a world grappling with climate change, understanding the enduring impact of changes in temperatures on insect adult traits is crucial. It is proposed that cold- and warm-adapted species exhibit specialized behavioural and physiological responses to their respective temperature ranges. In contrast, generalist species maintain more stable metabolic and developmental rates across a broader range of temperatures, reflecting their ability to exploit diverse thermal niches. Here, we explored this intricate response to temperature exposure in three Drosophila species: Drosophila ezoana originating in Arctic regions, D. novamexicana in arid, hot environments, and in the cosmopolitan species D. virilis. Rearing these flies at 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C revealed striking variations in their cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, known to mediate mate recognition and prevent water loss in insects. The cold-adapted D. ezoana consistently exhibited reduced CHC levels with increasing temperatures, while the warm-adapted D. novamexicana and the cosmopolitan D. virilis displayed more nuanced responses. Additionally, we observed a significant influence of rearing temperature on the mating behaviour of these flies, where those reared at the extreme temperatures, 15 and 30 °C, exhibiting reduced mating success. Consequently, this led to a decrease in the production of adult offspring. Also, these adult offspring underwent notable alterations in life history traits, reaching adulthood more rapidly at 25 and 30 °C but with lower weight and reduced longevity. Furthermore, among these offspring, those produced by the cold-adapted D. ezoana were more vulnerable to desiccation and starvation than those from the warm-adapted D. novamexicana and the cosmopolitan D. virilis. In summary, our research demonstrates that Drosophila species from diverse ecological regions exhibit distinct responses to temperature changes, as evidenced by variations in CHC profiles, mating behaviours, fertility, and life history traits. This provides valuable insights into how environmental conditions shape the biology and ecology of insects.

Increasing global use of dams is a major threat to freshwater ecosystems as they dramatically disrupt river flow regimes resulting in a cascade of negative impacts on fish and other aquatic biota. Quantitative reviews of damming impacts have focused on community level responses, but there is no synthetic understanding of species-specific effects. Such work is needed because freshwater fishes are among the most diverse clades in the animal kingdom, possessing a wide variety of life history traits that may facilitate resiliency in the face of increasing damming worldwide. To help fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate whether key life history traits mediate fish population response to damming. We developed linear mixed models to evaluate if migration status, body size, reproductive strategy, trophic level, and taxonomy influence population response to damming. Largely, we observed both negative and positive population responses to damming suggesting that there is no universal response to this type of disturbance. Further, there was no single or combination of life history trait(s) that significantly explained variation in our models. There was weak evidence that maximum body length and parental care through nest guarding influenced the response of fish to damming. Taxonomic analysis revealed a single order, Eupercaria, that exhibited some evidence of positive response to damming. Overall, our findings suggest that dams create both positive and negative effects on fish populations without a clear signal from the life history traits we evaluated. Resilience to the effects of damming may depend on complex interactions in traits not measured in our analysis or other site-specific factors that result in population increases or declines. This suggests that case-by-case system assessments are likely still needed to understand and predict the consequences of dams. Such information is critical, given the increased prevalence of damming in major river basins that harbor a large fraction of global fish biodiversity.

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous, opportunistic human pathogen. Since it often expresses multidrug resistance, new treatment options are urgently required. Such new treatments are usually assessed with one of the canonical laboratory strains, PAO1 or PA14. However, these two strains are unlikely representative of the strains infecting patients, because they have adapted to laboratory conditions and do not capture the enormous genomic diversity of the species. Here, we characterized the major P. aeruginosa clone type (mPact) panel. This panel consists of 20 strains, which reflect the species’ genomic diversity, cover all major clone types, and have both patient and environmental origins. We found significant strain variation in distinct responses toward antibiotics and general growth characteristics. Only few of the measured traits are related, suggesting independent trait optimization across strains. High resistance levels were only identified for clinical mPact isolates and could be linked to known antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. One strain, H01, produced highly unstable AMR combined with reduced growth under drug-free conditions, indicating an evolutionary cost to resistance. The expression of microcolonies was common among strains, especially for strain H15, which also showed reduced growth, possibly indicating another type of evolutionary trade-off. By linking isolation source, growth, and virulence to life history traits, we further identified specific adaptive strategies for individual mPact strains toward either host processes or degradation pathways. Overall, the mPact panel provides a reasonably sized set of distinct strains, enabling in-depth analysis of new treatment designs or evolutionary dynamics in consideration of the species’ genomic diversity.IMPORTANCENew treatment strategies are urgently needed for high-risk pathogens such as the opportunistic and often multidrug-resistant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we characterize the major P. aeruginosa clone type (mPact) panel. It consists of 20 strains with different origins that cover the major clone types of the species as well as its genomic diversity. This mPact panel shows significant variation in (i) resistance against distinct antibiotics, including several last resort antibiotics; (ii) related traits associated with the response to antibiotics; and (iii) general growth characteristics. We further developed a novel approach that integrates information on resistance, growth, virulence, and life-history characteristics, allowing us to demonstrate the presence of distinct adaptive strategies of the strains that focus either on host interaction or resource processing. In conclusion, the mPact panel provides a manageable number of representative strains for this important pathogen for further in-depth analyses of treatment options and evolutionary dynamics.

Phenology refers to the seasonal timing patterns commonly exhibited by life on Earth, from blooming flowers to breeding birds to human agriculture. Climate change is altering abiotic seasonality (e.g., longer summers) and in turn, phenological patterns contained within. However, how phenology should evolve is still an unsolved problem. This problem lies at the crux of predicting future phenological changes that will likely have substantial ecosystem consequences, and more fundamentally, of understanding an undeniably global phenomenon. Most studies have associated proximate environmental variables with phenological responses in case-specific ways, making it difficult to contextualize observations within a general evolutionary framework. We outline the complex but universal ways in which seasonal timing maps onto evolutionary fitness. We borrow lessons from life history theory and evolutionary demography that have benefited from a first principles-based theoretical scaffold. Lastly, we identify key questions for theorists and empiricists to help advance our general understanding of phenology.

Theoretically, species' characteristics should allow estimation of dispersal potential and, in turn, explain levels of population genetic differentiation. However, a mismatch between traits and genetic patterns is often reported for marine species, and interpreted as evidence that life-history traits do not influence dispersal. Here, we couple ecological and genomic methods to test the hypothesis that species with attributes favouring greater dispersal potential-e.g., longer pelagic duration, higher fecundity and larger population size-have greater realized dispersal overall. We used a natural experiment created by a large-scale and multispecies mortality event which created a "clean slate" on which to study recruitment dynamics, thus simplifying a usually complex problem. We surveyed four species of differing dispersal potential to quantify the abundance and distribution of recruits and to genetically assign these recruits to probable parental sources. Species with higher dispersal potential recolonized a broader extent of the impacted range, did so more quickly and recovered more genetic diversity than species with lower dispersal potential. Moreover, populations of taxa with higher dispersal potential exhibited more immigration (71%-92% of recruits) than taxa with lower dispersal potential (17%-44% of recruits). By linking ecological with genomic perspectives, we demonstrate that a suite of interacting life-history and demographic attributes do influence species' realized dispersal and genetic neighbourhoods. To better understand species' resilience and recovery in this time of global change, integrative eco-evolutionary approaches are needed to more rigorously evaluate the effect of dispersal-linked attributes on realized dispersal and population genetic differentiation.

Understanding the drivers of trade-offs among traits is vital for comprehending the evolution and maintenance of trait variation. Theoretical frameworks propose that evolutionary mechanisms governing trade-offs frequently exhibit a scale-dependent nature. However, empirical tests of whether trade-offs exhibited across various biological scales (i.e. individuals, populations, species, genera, etc.) remains scarce. In this study, we explore trade-off between dispersal and reproductive effort among sympatric sister species of wasps in the genus Belonocnema (Hymenoptera: Cynipini: Cynipidae) that form galls on live oaks: B. fossoria, which specializes on Quercus geminata, and B. treatae, which specializes on Q. virginiana. Specifically, our results suggest that B. fossoria has evolved reduced flight capability and smaller wings, but a larger abdomen and greater total reproductive effort than B. treatae, which has larger wings and is a stronger flier, but has a smaller abdomen and reduced total reproductive effort. These traits and the relationships among them remain unchanged when B. fossoria and B. treatae are transplanted and reared onto the alternative host plant, suggesting that trait divergence is genetically based as opposed to being a plastic response to the different rearing environments. However, when looking within species, we found no evidence of intraspecific trade-offs between wing length and reproductive traits within either B. fossoria or B. treatae. Overall, our results indicate that observed trade-offs in life history traits between the two gall former species are likely a result of independent adaptations in response to different environments as opposed to the amplified expression of within species intrinsic tradeoffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued and rapid development of urban environments presents many challenges to organisms living in and around cities. Insects are among the most abundant and diverse class of animals but surprisingly little is known about how most species respond to urbanisation across clades with varying life histories, especially in the subtropics and tropics.In this study, we sample insect abundance and diversity across an urbanisation gradient in a subtropical region to assess the impact of urbanisation on 43 phototactic species of insects representing eight distinct orders. We also attempted to determine which life history traits best explain how species respond to urbanisation.We predicted an overall loss of abundance and richness with increasing urbanisation, with smaller, generalist species being the least impacted. We also predicted that species with above ground larval habitats would be less affected by urbanisation.Overall, urban development decreased both species richness and the abundance of individuals per order, with abundance being most reduced for Hymenoptera but least reduced for Coleoptera. At a species‐specific level, urban development negatively impacted most but not all species, although uncertainty around these estimates was high. We did not identify key traits that determined a species' sensitivity to urbanisation.Our results showcase that urbanisation may impact ecosystem function given overall reduction in the number of individual insects per order, despite wide variability in species‐specific responses. Our study also emphasises the importance of species selection when designing studies that examine responses of multiple taxa across an environmental gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) is a method analogous to traditional mark-recapture but without requiring recapture of individuals. Instead, multilocus genotypes (genetic marks) are used to identify related individuals in one or more sampling occasions, which enables the opportunistic use of samples from harvested wildlife. To apply the method accurately, it is important to build appropriate CKMR models that do not violate assumptions linked to the species' and population's biology and sampling methods. In this study, we evaluated the implications of fitting overly simplistic CKMR models to populations with complex reproductive success dynamics or selective sampling. We used forward-in-time, individual-based simulations to evaluate the accuracy and precision of CKMR abundance and survival estimates in species with different longevities, mating systems, and sampling strategies. Simulated populations approximated a range of life histories among game species of North America with lethal sampling to evaluate the potential of using harvested samples to estimate population size. Our simulations show that CKMR can yield nontrivial biases in both survival and abundance estimates, unless influential life history traits and selective sampling are explicitly accounted for in the modeling framework. The number of kin pairs observed in the sample, in combination with the type of kinship used in the model (parent-offspring pairs and/or half-sibling pairs), can affect the precision and/or accuracy of the estimates. CKMR is a promising method that will likely see an increasing number of applications in the field as costs of genetic analysis continue to decline. Our work highlights the importance of applying population-specific CKMR models that consider relevant demographic parameters, individual covariates, and the protocol through which individuals were sampled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aquatic habitats in urban areas are often important for conservation of local biodiversity. Although Odonata are widely used as ecological indicators of freshwater habitat integrity and health, our understanding and knowledge of their ecological requirements in urban landscapes is not yet complete. Therefore, the taxonomic and functional diversity of Odonata assemblages was analyzed in a semi-natural wetland in the Croatian capital in the summers of 2020 and 2023. The two main habitat types, anthropogenically disturbed and natural oxbow lakes, mostly had comparable assemblage metrics. However, we found significant differences in relation to the time scale, where most metrics were lower in 2023, indicating the negative impact of extreme climate events (including droughts) that occurred in this region after 2020. As even some species of conservation concern were detected, our results indicate that semi-natural urban wetlands, especially natural oxbow lakes, have great potential to function as good habitats for Odonata. As the human population in urban areas is continuously growing, urbanization is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. To mitigate the negative effects, the inclusion of blue zones (aquatic habitats) in modern urban development practices is strongly recommended, as they could be beneficial for the local biodiversity conservation. Odonata are a flagship group and are widely used in freshwater conservation as ecological indicators of habitat integrity and health. However, our understanding of their ecological requirements in urban landscapes is not yet complete. Therefore, we analyzed the taxonomic and functional diversity of Odonata in a semi-natural wetland in the Croatian capital. This study was conducted in the summers of 2020 and 2023. Most taxonomic and functional assemblage metrics were comparable between the two main habitat types, anthropogenically disturbed and natural oxbow lakes. However, significant differences were found in relation to the time scale, where most metrics were lower in 2023, indicating the negative impact of extreme climate events (including droughts) that occurred in this region after 2020. With 19 species recorded, our results indicate that semi-natural urban wetlands, especially natural oxbow lakes, have great potential to function as good habitats for Odonata, where even some species of conservation concern were detected. When developing landscape management plans in urban areas, it is essential to consider the importance of habitat heterogeneity in terms of good structure of aquatic macrophytes (presence of submerged, emergent and floating vegetation), which would ensure the most suitable habitat conditions for local Odonata species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quarrying has a crucial impact on the environment, but it could enhance species diversity. Mining sites represent important refuges for countless species disappearing from homogenous landscapes. Our study focused on assemblages of heterotrophic communities such as moths (Lepidoptera), carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), spiders (Araneae), and macromycetes (fungi: Basidiomycota, Ascomycota) in an active part of kaolin quarries and their immediate surroundings in the Pilsen region, Czech Republic. We compared differences between mined and unmined sites, sites with spontaneous succession and sites with replanted pine trees. In total, we recorded 178 moth, 63 spider, 27 carabid beetle, and 81 macromycetes species, including 21 Red‐listed species. The moths, carabid beetles, and macromycetes tended to inhabit unmined sites; on the contrary, open habitat spiders preferred open sites with replanted pine trees. Based on the life history traits analyses, moth species feeding on forbs and grasses prevail at the active part of kaolin quarries, where higher plant diversity was detected. Large body carabid beetles such as Carabus spp. favored unmined sites, as well as macromycetes with long‐lived fruit bodies. Open habitat and xerophilous spiders inhabited the replanted sites by pine trees where the sparse vegetation was obvious. Our results indicated that groups with radically different life histories such as moths, carabids, and macromycetes may react to mining remarkably similarly, although spiders, despite sharing predatory habits with the majority of carabids, reacted differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life history of a parasite describes its partitioning of assimilated resources into growth, reproduction, and transmission effort, and its precise timing of developmental events. The life cycle, in contrast, charts the sequence of morphological stages from feeding to the transmission forms. Phenotypic plasticity in life history traits can reveal how parasites confront variable environments within hosts. Within the protist phylum Apicomplexa major clades include the malaria parasites, coccidians, and most diverse, the gregarines (with likely millions of species). Studies on life history variation of gregarines are rare. Therefore, life history traits were examined for the gregarine Monocystis perplexa in its host, the invasive earthworm Amynthas agrestis at three sites in northern Vermont, United States of America. An important value of this system is the short life-span of the hosts, with only seven months from hatching to mass mortality; we were thus able to examine life history variation during the entire life cycle of both host and parasite. Earthworms were collected (N = 968 over 33 sample periods during one host season), then parasites of all life stages were counted, and sexual and transmission stages measured, for each earthworm. All traits varied substantially among individual earthworm hosts and across the sites. Across sites, timing of first appearance of infected earthworms, date when transmission stage (oocysts packed within gametocysts) appeared, date when number of both feeding (trophic) cells and gametocysts were at maximum, and date when 100% of earthworms were infected differed from 2-8 weeks, surprising variation for a short season available for parasite development. The maximal size of mating cells varied among hosts and across sites and this is reflected in the number of oocysts produced by the gametocyst. A negative trade-off was observed for the number of oocysts and their size. Several patterns were striking: (1) Prevalence reached 100% at all sites by mid season, only one to three weeks after parasites first appeared in the earthworms. (2) The number of parasites per host was large, reaching 300 × 10³ cells in some hosts, and such high numbers were present even when parasites first appeared in the host. (3) At one site, few infected earthworms produced any oocysts. (4) The transmission rate to reach such high density of parasites in hosts needed to be very high for a microbe, from >0.33% to >34.3% across the three sites. Monocystis was one of the first protist parasites to have its life cycle described (early 19th century), but these results suggest the long-accepted life cycle of Monocystis could be incomplete, such that the parasites may be transmitted vertically (within the earthworm's eggs) as well as horizontally (leading to 100% prevalence) and merogony (asexual replication) could be present, not recognized for Monocystis, leading to high parasitemia even very early in the host's season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By quantifying key life history parameters in populations, such as growth rate, longevity, and generation time, researchers and administrators can obtain valuable insights into its dynamics. Although point estimates of demographic parameters have been available since the inception of demography as a scientific discipline, the construction of confidence intervals has typically relied on approximations through series expansions or computationally intensive techniques. This study introduces the first mathematical expression for calculating confidence intervals for the aforementioned life history traits when individuals are unidentifiable and data are presented as a life table. The key finding is the accurate estimation of the confidence interval for r , the instantaneous growth rate, which is tested using Monte Carlo simulations with four arbitrary discrete distributions. In comparison to the bootstrap method, the proposed interval construction method proves more efficient, particularly for experiments with a total offspring size below 400. We discuss handling cases where data are organized in extended life tables or as a matrix of vital rates. We have developed and provided accompanying code to facilitate these computations. • Analytical confidence intervals for life history parameters in demography. • The most relevant finding is the expression for the CI for the growth rate. • The method is more efficient than bootstrap, especially if sample size is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects, particularly house fly pupae (M. domestica L.), are increasingly promoted as a rich and sustainable protein source, presenting a practical solution for organic waste management. These insects possess the capability to transform animal waste into valuable biomass, underscoring the necessity to evaluate housefly larval growth on diverse waste mixtures. The primary objective was to comprehend how different culture media influence the life history traits of this species. To address this, the research aimed to assess the growth and development performance of housefly larvae reared on various waste mixtures. Adult house flies (M. domestica) were sourced from meat and fish markets in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh, employing systematic sampling from different market sections for a representative selection. Experimental diets were formulated with combinations of cattle blood, cattle manure, rice bran, wheat bran, and kitchen waste, categorized into Diet-A (kitchen waste:cattle manure:wheat bran), Diet-B (cattle blood:rice bran), Diet-C (cattle manure:wheat bran), and Diet-D (cattle blood:kitchen waste:rice bran). Additionally, a control group comprised a mixture of waste materials, including yeast, egg white, milk powder, and wheat bran. The findings revealed that larvae, pupae, and adults reared on Diet-B, incorporating cattle blood and rice bran, demonstrated increased length compared to other diets. This varied diet also produced the heaviest larvae, pupae, and adults, exhibiting the highest morphometric parameters. The moisture content of pupae varied across the different diets, ranging from 53.23±0.17 % to 65.47±1.32 %. The pupae reared on Diet-B had the highest levels of crude protein (53.44±0.05 %, p < 0.05), while those reared on Diet-C had the highest levels of fat (18.56±0.05 %, p < 0.05 except for diet A). The findings demonstrate that housefly larvae can be reared on diets containing rice bran and cattle blood, which have different nutritional profiles and biological capacities. However, the ideal rearing strategy should depend on how M. domestica will be utilized in the future. The study highlights insects, especially housefly pupae, as a sustainable protein source and an organic waste management solution. Therefore, the results of this study contribute to the broader understanding of Musca domestica and offer practical implications for both scientific research and pest management practices.

Abstract Many tropical species show declining populations. The pantropical order Trogoniformes has 76% of its species ranked as declining, reflecting a worldwide problem. Here, we report on the reproductive ecology and life history traits of the declining and near‐threatened old world Whitehead's Trogon (Harpactes whiteheadi), the declining new world Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris), and the stable Masked Trogon (T. personatus). We also reviewed the literature on reproductive ecology and life history traits of trogons to assess possible commonalities that might help explain population declines. We found that the declining Whitehead's and Collared Trogons had reasonable nest success (32% and 25%, respectively), while the stable Masked Trogon had poor reproductive success (9%), all contrary to population trends. However, the limited literature data suggested that poor reproductive success may be common among trogons, which may contribute to population declines. Parents fed young at a low rate and had long on‐bouts for incubation and nestling warming that reduced activity at the nest, as favored by high nest predation risk over evolutionary time. We found that young fledged from the nest with poorly developed wings, as also favored by high nest predation risk. Evolved nestling periods among trogon species suggests that poor wing development is likely common. Wing development has been shown to affect juvenile survival after leaving the nest. The poor wing development may be an important contributor to population declines that deserves more attention. Evolved life history traits are important to recognize as creating population vulnerabilities in a changing world.

ABSTRACTTwo Wolbachia strains, wMel and wAlbB, have been transinfected into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for population replacement with the aim of reducing dengue transmission. Epidemiological data from various endemic sites suggest a pronounced decrease in dengue transmission after implementing this strategy. In this study, we investigated the impact of the Wolbachia strains wMel and wAlbB on Ae. aegypti fitness in a common genetic background. We found that Ae. aegypti females infected with the wMel strain exhibited several significant differences compared with those infected with the wAlbB strain. Specifically, wMel-infected females laid significantly fewer eggs, ingested a lower amount of blood, had a reduced egg production rate, and exhibited a decreased Wolbachia density at a later age compared with mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain. Conversely, the wAlbB strain showed only mild negative effects when compared with Wolbachia-uninfected specimens. These differential effects on Ae. aegypti fitness following infection with either wMel or wAlbB may have important implications for the success of population replacement strategies in invading native Ae. aegypti populations in endemic settings. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for these differences in fitness effects and their potential impact on the long-term efficacy of Wolbachia-based dengue control programs.IMPORTANCEThe transmission of arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya is on the rise globally. Among the most promising strategies to reduce arbovirus burden is the release of one out of two strains of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti: wMel and wAlbB. One critical aspect of whether this approach will succeed involves the fitness cost of either Wolbachia strains on mosquito life history traits. For instance, we found that wMel-infected Ae. aegypti females laid significantly fewer eggs, ingested a lower amount of blood, had a reduced egg production rate, and exhibited a decreased Wolbachia density at a later age compared with mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain. Conversely, the wAlbB strain showed only mild negative effects when compared with Wolbachia-uninfected specimens. These differential effects on mosquito fitness following infection with either wMel or wAlbB may have important implications for the success of population replacement strategies in invading native Ae. aegypti populations.

Poaching is a global issue that threatens many species. However, little research attention has been paid to key life history traits that might help offset some of the worst genetic and demographic impacts of poaching. We investigate the onset of flowering and fecundity in Aquilaria sinensis, an agarwood-producing tree species that faces a constant threat of poaching throughout its native range in southern China. We hypothesise that certain life history traits in this species could buffer genetic erosion associated with selective poaching of larger individuals. We genotyped 1464 individuals using 15 microsatellite markers and examined the difference in genetic diversity between seedlings and adults, as well as that between individuals either side of the threshold diameter at breast height (DBH) size class targeted by poachers. Our study reveals that flowering commences at a DBH of 2.50 cm and that even trees at a DBH of about 6.9 cm invest heavily in seed-set, but that poachers tend to target individuals with a DBH of 15.25 cm or greater. No significant difference in genetic diversity was detected among individuals belonging to seedling and adult life-history stages, or between targeted and non-targeted size classes. The lack of such difference could be explained by certain life history traits which offset some of the most adverse impacts of poaching in Aquilaria sinensis, with important implications for the management and conservation of other species that are threatened by poaching.

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people live, affecting both their physical and mental health. Adolescents are vulnerable to the stress of the pandemic, and may experience indicators of psychological distress, such as depression. This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19-related stressors on depression and the mediating role of life history strategies.MethodsA two-wave longitudinal study was conducted with 1123 adolescents (51.20% girls, Mage = 14.30) recruited from three junior high schools in the Northeastern province of China. Adolescents' life history strategies, depressive symptoms, and demographic variables were assessed at Time 1 (November 2019) and Time 2 (August 2020), and adolescents' experience of COVID-19-related stressors was assessed at Time 2. None of participants was infected by COVID-19 virus.ResultsCOVID-19-related stressors were positively associated with depressive symptoms at Time 2 (β = 0.08, p

The life cycles of potamodromous fishes are generally interrupted by the presence of a dam, and populations often display different life history traits between upstream and downstream. This study compared the age and growth rates of grass carp and silver carp above and below Changzhou Dam in the Pearl River. Standard length (SL) composition and back-calculated SL at ages one and two years were greater for grass carp upstream than for downstream individuals; and the length–weight relationship differed between upstream and downstream populations, while the sex ratio, age structure and growth were not significantly different. For silver carp, only SL compositions differed between upstream and downstream populations; sex ratio, age structure, SL-at-age and growth rates were similar. Mean SL-at-age and growth rates of both species were lower at high latitudes than at middle and low latitudes, and populations in the Yangtze River had greater mean SL-at-ages and faster growth relative to silver carp at low latitudes. There were no differences in mean SL or growth among populations at middle and low latitudes. For grass carp, age and growth varied with small-scale ecological processes and regions or latitude, while for silver carp, such variations were proportionate to latitude and the large-scale geographical range. This study provides not only guidelines for fisheries management and conservation of exploited potamodromous fishes, but also insights into the relationship between life history trait variation and adaptive capacity. Size composition, the relationship between SL and body weight, size-at-age of grass carp were different, and silver carp only had difference in size composition between upstream and downstream of Changzhou Dam in Pearl River, China. Grass and silver carp showed similar age structure, sex ratio and growth rate between upstream and downstream of Changzhou Dam in Pearl River, China. Size at age and growth rate varied with latitudes to some extent and showed variations among populations at middle and low latitudes in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predict early onset of sexual intercourse. However, patterns of ACEs identified using latent class analysis (LCA) and their links to early sexual intercourse have been less examined. In this study, we apply LCA to identify ACEs profiles at age five and to examine whether these profiles differentially predict adolescents' sexual initiation. We analyzed data obtained from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study for 3,185 participants (male = 1,638; female = 1,547). This included parental/caregivers' reports of 10 types of ACEs when participants were on average at age five and youth self-report data on sexual intercourse before or at age 15. We used LCA to classify the participants into subgroups and multinomial logistic regressions to examine differences in early sexual initiation among the ACEs subgroups. LCA showed evidence of four classes for both genders: low adversity (51.8%), socioeconomic adversity (32.0%), family dysfunction (12.0%), and abuse (4.2%). We found class membership differences in early sexual intercourse in all three adversity classes compared to the low adversity group. Pairwise comparison tests further revealed that adolescents in the family dysfunction class had lesser odds of engaging in early sexual intercourse than their counterparts in the socioeconomic adversity and abuse classes. Our findings suggest that LCA could help identify meaningful and distinctive child adversity patterns while accounting for the co-occurrence of ACEs. This is particularly helpful in evaluating who might be at greatest health risk which can further inform more effective and targeted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard toxicity tests expose springtails (Collembola) through soil, while dietary exposure tests with animals visible on a surface are less commonly applied. We refined a method for dietary chemical exposure for two widely distributed and abundant Collembola species: Folsomia quadrioculata and Hypogastrura viatica as existing methods were sub-optimal. Newly hatched Collembola were offered bark with a natural layer of Cyanobacteria that was either moistened with a solution of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid using a micropipette or soaked in the solution overnight. The first method was superior in producing a measured concentration close to the nominal (0.21 and 0.13 mg/kg dry bark, respectively), and resulting in sub-lethal effects as expected. The adult body size was reduced by 8% for both species, but egg production only in H. viatica. Contrastingly, soaked bark resulted in a measured concentration of 8 mg/kg dry bark, causing high mortality and no egg production in either species. Next, we identified the sub-lethal concentration-range by moistening the bark to expose H. viatica to 0, 0.01, 0.04, 0.13, 0.43 and 1.2 mg imidacloprid/kg dry bark. Only the highest concentration affected survival, causing a mortality of 77%. Imidacloprid reduced moulting rate and the body size at first reproduction. The age at first reproduction appeared delayed as some replicates did not reproduce within the experiment duration. The method of moistened bark for dietary exposure proved optimal to continuously study life history traits, such as growth and reproductive outcomes, which are important to understand effects on key events crucial for population viability and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body size shifts in ectotherms are mostly attributed to the Temperature Size Rule (TSR) stating that warming speeds up initial growth rate but leads to smaller size when food does not limit growth. Investigating the links between temperature, growth, and life history traits is key to understand the adaptive value of TSR, which might be context dependent. In particular, global warming can affect food quantity or quality which is another major driver of growth, fecundity, and survival. However, we have limited information on how temperature and food jointly influence life history traits in vertebrate predators and how changes in different life history traits combine to influence fitness and population demography. We investigate (1) whether TSR is maintained under different food conditions, (2) if food exacerbates or dampens the effects of temperature on growth and life history traits and (3) if food influences the adaptive value of TSR. We combine experiments on the medaka with Integral Projection Models to scale from life history traits to fitness consequences. Our results confirm that warming triggers a higher initial growth rate and a lower adult size, reduces generation time and increases mean fitness. A lower level of food exacerbates the effects of warming on growth trajectories. Although lower feeding frequency increased survival and decreased fecundity, it did not influence the effects of warming on fish development rates, fecundity, and survival. In contrast, feeding frequency influenced the adaptive value of TSR, as, under intermittent feeding, generation time decreased faster with warming and the increase in growth rate with warming was weaker compared to continuously fed fish. These results are of importance in the context of global warming as resources are expected to change with increasing temperatures but, surprisingly, our results suggest that feeding frequency have a lower impact on fitness at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireworms (Agriotes sp.) represent a significant global threat in agriculture as soil-dwelling insect pests. Previous field observations have indicated varying susceptibilities of different potato varieties to wireworm attacks. In this laboratory study, we used three potato varieties known for displaying contrasted levels of susceptibility: Monalisa (high), Spunta (moderate) and Charlotte (low). We tested two groups of hypotheses: (1) wireworms display higher feeding activities when fed on a susceptible variety, which is also linked to faster larval development; (2) the most susceptible varieties are also the most attractive for wireworms, which can be explained by differences in their emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that guide larval foraging behaviour. Based on the results of our bioassays, we confirm our first hypothesis: wireworms feeding activity was higher on Monalisa tuber (i.e. longer galleries, lower weight gain of tubers), and these wireworms gained more weight and size than those that fed on the Charlotte variety, after 50 weeks of feeding. Based on our behavioural assays, we found that wireworms exhibit greater attraction towards Spunta tubers as opposed to those of Monalisa and Charlotte. The volatile collection analyses reveal a complex blend of 63 VOCs from potato tubers but do not suggest significant differences across the three varieties. The volatile profiles were however different between the two tuber phenological stages considered here. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of host detection and selection by wireworms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical time in the life of a male occurs at reproduction, when his behaviour, physiology and resources must be brought to bear for the central purpose of his life—propagating his genes. We ask whether reproduction results in dysfunction of the stress axis, is linked to life history, and causes senescence. We assessed if deterioration in the axis underlies variation in reproductive lifespan in males of five species of North American ground squirrels whose life history varies from near semelparity to iteroparity. The most stressful and energy-demanding time occurs in spring during the intense 2–3 week breeding competition just after arousal from hibernation. We compared their stress axis functioning before and after the mating period using a hormonal challenge protocol. We found no evidence of stress axis dysfunction after reproduction in any species nor was there a relationship between reproductive lifespan and stress axis functional deterioration. Moreover, there was no consistent relationship between free cortisol levels and downstream measures (energy mobilization, haematology, immunity and body indices of condition). Thus, stress axis function was not traded off to promote reproduction irrespective of life history and lifespan, and we conclude that it is a prerequisite for life. Hence, it functions as a constraint and does not undergo senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Schrenkiella parvula, a leading extremophyte model in Brassicaceae, can grow and complete its lifecycle under multiple environmental stresses, including high salinity. Yet, the key physiological and structural traits underlying its stress‐adapted lifestyle are unknown along with trade‐offs when surviving salt stress at the expense of growth and reproduction. We aimed to identify the influential adaptive trait responses that lead to stress‐resilient and uncompromised growth across developmental stages when treated with salt at levels known to inhibit growth in Arabidopsis and most crops. Its resilient growth was promoted by traits that synergistically allowed primary root growth in seedlings, the expansion of xylem vessels across the root‐shoot continuum, and a high capacity to maintain tissue water levels by developing thicker succulent leaves while enabling photosynthesis during salt stress. A successful transition from vegetative to reproductive phase was initiated by salt‐induced early flowering, resulting in viable seeds. Self‐fertilization in salt‐induced early flowering was dependent upon filament elongation in flowers otherwise aborted in the absence of salt during comparable plant ages. The maintenance of leaf water status promoting growth, and early flowering to ensure reproductive success in a changing environment, were among the most influential traits that contributed to the extremophytic lifestyle of S. parvula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]