Cecilia Nilsson, Judy Shamoun-Baranes, Dara A Satterfield, Sissel Sjöberg, Emily B Cohen
{"title":"Animal niches in the airspace.","authors":"Cecilia Nilsson, Judy Shamoun-Baranes, Dara A Satterfield, Sissel Sjöberg, Emily B Cohen","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For flying animals, including many birds, bats, and insects, the air is a crucial arena for a range of behaviors. Technological advances, such as year-round tracking of flight altitudes and expanded use of radar, increasingly show how flying animals use the aerial habitat. This enables us to answer questions about the environmental patterns and ecological processes that shape aerial niches, including energetics, biotic interactions, and risk due to growing anthropogenic conflicts. In this review, we identify environmental conditions and biological interactions influencing where animals occur in the airspace throughout their life cycles. We outline an ecological framework to advance understanding of how different properties of the airspace shape fundamental aerial habitat niches and how biotic interactions influence the realized niches.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145091966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mink R Verschoor, Yann Hautier, George A Kowalchuk, Ralph J M Temmink, Marijke van Kuijk, Emma R Ladouceur, Alexandra J Wright, Kathryn E Barry
{"title":"Applying complementarity in ecological restoration.","authors":"Mink R Verschoor, Yann Hautier, George A Kowalchuk, Ralph J M Temmink, Marijke van Kuijk, Emma R Ladouceur, Alexandra J Wright, Kathryn E Barry","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change and biodiversity loss decrease ecosystem functioning and compromise the delivery of nature's contributions to people. Restoration may help address these global challenges, but systems are unique and goals diverse. We review how translating complementarity theory into restoration practice in terrestrial, coastal, and wetland ecosystems can help to meet functional restoration goals. Using the mechanisms that drive complementarity - resource partitioning, abiotic facilitation, and biotic feedbacks - can improve restoration outcomes. These mechanisms can increase functioning by guiding site preparation and species selection, enhancing establishment, and limiting dominant species. We propose a decision tool to match mechanisms with suitable contexts. Degraded ecosystems offer unique opportunities to intentionally reintroduce these processes and observe how they rebuild complexity and function.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145076136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simon A F Darroch, Michelle M Casey, Alison T Cribb, Amanda E Bates, Matthew E Clapham, Dori L Contreras, Matthew Craffey, Ivo A P Duijnstee, William Gearty, Nicholas J Gotelli, Marcus J Hamilton, Riley F Hayes, Pincelli M Hull, Daniel E Ibarra, V A Korasidis, Jaemin Lee, Cindy V Looy, Tyler R Lyson, Benjamin Muddiman, Peter D Roopnarine, Alex B Shupinski, Felisa A Smith, Alycia L Stigall, Catalina P Tomé, Katherine A Turk, Amelia Villaseñor, Peter J Wagner, Steve C Wang, S Kathleen Lyons
{"title":"'Earth system engineers' and the cumulative impact of organisms in deep time.","authors":"Simon A F Darroch, Michelle M Casey, Alison T Cribb, Amanda E Bates, Matthew E Clapham, Dori L Contreras, Matthew Craffey, Ivo A P Duijnstee, William Gearty, Nicholas J Gotelli, Marcus J Hamilton, Riley F Hayes, Pincelli M Hull, Daniel E Ibarra, V A Korasidis, Jaemin Lee, Cindy V Looy, Tyler R Lyson, Benjamin Muddiman, Peter D Roopnarine, Alex B Shupinski, Felisa A Smith, Alycia L Stigall, Catalina P Tomé, Katherine A Turk, Amelia Villaseñor, Peter J Wagner, Steve C Wang, S Kathleen Lyons","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the role of humans as 'ecosystem engineers' requires a deep-time perspective rooted in evolutionary history and the fossil record. However, no conceptual framework exists for studying the rise of ecosystem engineering in deep time, requiring us to consider effects that fall outside the scope of traditional definitions. Here, we present a new framework applicable to both modern and ancient engineering-type effects. We propose a new term - 'Earth system engineering' - to describe biological processes that alter the structure and function of planetary spheres, and which combines core tenets of ecosystem engineering, niche construction, and legacy effects. We illustrate this framework using the fossil record, and show how it can be applied across the tree of life, and throughout Earth history.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145138939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maren Wellenreuther, Rebekah A Oomen, Kwi Young Han, Rebecca Krohman, Thorsten B H Reusch
{"title":"Beyond supergenes: the diverse roles of inversions in trait evolution.","authors":"Maren Wellenreuther, Rebekah A Oomen, Kwi Young Han, Rebecca Krohman, Thorsten B H Reusch","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chromosomal inversions are ubiquitous across the Tree of Life, with genome-wide studies revealing a bias toward smaller inversions, yet research has disproportionately focused on large, supergene-like inversions linked to discrete phenotypes. This limits our understanding of inversions' roles in trait evolution, as their size affects their potential functional impact. Investigation of smaller inversions and multi-inversion genotypes is crucial to elucidate their role in shaping continuous traits and evolutionary adaptation. Addressing this requires a shift towards a systematic study of smaller inversions and the use of experimental assays and functional annotation to identify the evolutionary forces driving different genomic trait architectures.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145006692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christopher C Kyriazis, Jacqueline A Robinson, Kirk E Lohmueller
{"title":"Long runs of homozygosity are reliable genomic markers of inbreeding depression.","authors":"Christopher C Kyriazis, Jacqueline A Robinson, Kirk E Lohmueller","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.06.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.06.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A long-standing goal in ecological, evolutionary, and conservation genetics is to identify genomic correlates of fitness and inbreeding depression. Over the past several years, a growing body of theoretical and empirical work in diverse mammal and bird taxa has established a strong link between long runs of homozygosity (ROH) and inbreeding depression. Here, we develop a new statistic, ID<sub>risk</sub>, which quantifies how long ROH together with heterozygosity in non-ROH regions can be used to predict the risk of inbreeding depression in a population. We highlight the broad utility of the ID<sub>risk</sub> statistic when applied to 24 bird and mammal populations, providing critical information to guide conservation decisions in cases where more direct measures of fitness are not available.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"874-884"},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144769127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reproductive interference: a hidden threat of biological invasions.","authors":"Morelia Camacho-Cervantes, Constantino Macías Garcia","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive species threaten native populations in various ways, including through reproductive interference, but this remains understudied. Here, we present evidence that this interference reduces native fitness through courtship and mating. We emphasize the need for further research and highlight potential risks of using this mechanism as a management tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"837-839"},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ronald A Jenner, Nicholas R Casewell, Eivind A B Undheim
{"title":"What is animal venom? Rethinking a manipulative weapon.","authors":"Ronald A Jenner, Nicholas R Casewell, Eivind A B Undheim","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.05.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.05.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The scientific study of animal venoms covers a broad phylogenetic domain. We argue that the true extent of this domain has been obscured by researchers having overlooked the biological essence of venom. Venoms manipulate the physiological functioning of recipients to produce extended phenotypes that are beneficial to the venom producer and detrimental to its victim. The ability to produce extended phenotypes in living victims, such as prey paralysis, distinguishes venom from saliva. Understanding venom from this perspective substantially broadens the phylogenetic domain of venom to include taxa that use toxic secretions to feed on plants and manipulate sexual partners, and it paves the way for unifying the field of venomics with the fields that study invertebrate-plant interactions and sexual conflict.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"852-861"},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144340428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lydia G Soifer, Julie L Lockwood, Jonas J Lembrechts, Laura H Antão, David H Klinges, Rebecca A Senior, Natalie C Ban, Birgitta Evengard, Belen Fadrique, Sophie Falkeis, Alexa L Fredston, Rob Guralnick, Jonathan Lenoir, Montague H C Neate-Clegg, Juliano Palacios-Abrantes, Gretta Pecl, Malin L Pinsky, Jennifer E Smith, Beth Stys, Morgan W Tingley, Brett R Scheffers
{"title":"Extreme events drive rapid and dynamic range fluctuations.","authors":"Lydia G Soifer, Julie L Lockwood, Jonas J Lembrechts, Laura H Antão, David H Klinges, Rebecca A Senior, Natalie C Ban, Birgitta Evengard, Belen Fadrique, Sophie Falkeis, Alexa L Fredston, Rob Guralnick, Jonathan Lenoir, Montague H C Neate-Clegg, Juliano Palacios-Abrantes, Gretta Pecl, Malin L Pinsky, Jennifer E Smith, Beth Stys, Morgan W Tingley, Brett R Scheffers","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.06.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.06.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change is altering species' distributions globally. Increasing frequency of extreme weather and climate events (EWCEs) is one of the hallmarks of climate change. Despite species redistribution being widely studied in response to long-term climatic trends, the contribution of EWCEs to range shifts is not well understood. We outline how EWCEs can trigger rapid and unexpected range boundary fluctuations by impacting dispersal, establishment, and survival. Whether these mechanisms cause temporary or persistent range shifts depends on the spatiotemporal context and exposure to EWCEs. Using the increasing availability of data and statistical tools to examine EWCE impacts at fine spatiotemporal resolutions on species redistribution will be critical for informing conservation management of ecologically, economically, and culturally important species.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"862-873"},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144668591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lorian E Schweikert, Heather D Bracken-Grissom, Umut Ayoglu, Sönke Johnsen
{"title":"Strategies and significance of self-assessing dynamic visual appearance.","authors":"Lorian E Schweikert, Heather D Bracken-Grissom, Umut Ayoglu, Sönke Johnsen","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dynamic visual appearance, from the capacity of organisms to rapidly alter color or pattern of the body, is typically achieved through physiological color-change and/or bioluminescence. Since these processes often tune appearance to changing ecological conditions, even small errors in performance may impact fitness. Recent discoveries in the field of photobiology have led to an emerging hypothesis that photoreceptive systems associated with appearance-altering tissues function in the self-assessment of dynamic visual appearance. We outline the ecological significance of that self-assessment, the apparent convergence upon strategies to do so, and the implications of these strategies for: (i) the diversity of taxa that employ these strategies, and (ii) the evolution of visual pathways and optical structures previously only understood to serve ocular vision.</p>","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"913-924"},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144765585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Shifting baselines and ecological fieldwork.","authors":"Masashi Soga, Kevin J Gaston","doi":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tree.2025.07.007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23274,"journal":{"name":"Trends in ecology & evolution","volume":" ","pages":"829-830"},"PeriodicalIF":17.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144745161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}