Austral Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Iron Islands: The importance of iron caves in the eastern Amazon for bat conservation","authors":"Dayana Ferreira Torres,&nbsp;Maria Elina Bichuette","doi":"10.1111/aec.13550","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13550","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Carajás region is home to the largest number of iron caves in Brazil, but studies that integrate elements of biological diversity and landscape characteristics are scarce. We present the first study based on the bat cave vulnerability index (BCVI), which uses bats as a key species for prioritizing caves in South America, whose objective was to assess the biotic potential and vulnerability of caves in the Carajás region, determining priority sites and the most effective conservation actions. The study took place from August 2021 to March 2023, where an inventory of the chiropterofauna of 12 caves was carried out. We recorded 16 bat species, two of which are vulnerable to extinction – <i>Furipterus horrens</i> (Cuvier, 1828) and <i>Natalus macrourus</i> (Gervais, 1856) – and two endemics to the Amazon region – <i>Hsunycteris</i> aff. <i>thomasi</i> (Allen, 1904) and <i>Phyllostomus latifolius</i> (Thomas, 1901); as well as one species with insufficient data to delimit its endemicity or threat status (Lonchophyllinae sp.). Mining is the main anthropogenic activity in the region, but tourism is also present and acts as a potential source of disturbance to the caves. The BCVI revealed three high priority caves for conservation and four with medium priority, indicating that these habitats are vulnerable to species loss and population decline due to exposure to anthropogenic activities and habitat destruction, thus requiring more effective conservation strategies. Considering the uniqueness of the subterranean habitats, we recommend re-evaluating the proposals for expanding mining activities, implementing controlled tourist visitation plans and conducting ecological studies and long-term monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141245546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The relative importance of precipitation change and temperature sensitivity in determining the population viability of a threatened sub-tropical rainforest endemic plant Triunia robusta (Proteaceae)","authors":"Yoko Shimizu,&nbsp;Arnon Accad,&nbsp;Alison Shapcott","doi":"10.1111/aec.13546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13546","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Threatened species in rainforests may be vulnerable to climate change, because of their potentially narrow thermal tolerances, small population sizes, restricted distributions and limited dispersal. We investigated the relative influence of potential climate change on the population viability of <i>Triunia robusta</i> (Proteaceae), an endangered rainforest shrub endemic to southeast Queensland, Australia. A spatially explicit, stochastic population model with seven stage classes was developed and linked with the species distribution model (SDM) to explore a variety of hypothetical climate change simulations over a 90-year period from 2010 to 2100: (1) constant population dynamics, (2) changes in habitat distributions as trend in carrying capacity and (3) changes in habitat distributions, precipitation and temperature regime as relative change in seedling survival and fecundity. The results revealed high vulnerability of small populations to local extinction regardless of geographical location or climatic stressors, while some larger populations located in the southern end of the species distribution range showed persistence in-situ. <i>Triunia robusta</i> was found to be sensitive to reduced precipitation and increased temperature, limiting the species reproductive activities and seedling establishment and reducing the overall abundance consequently. Integration of population models and SDM allowed for the evaluation of multiple climatic stressors that may affect habitat distributions and population dynamics of <i>T. robusta</i> and ultimately suggest potential implications for future conservation and management planning with respect to climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.13546","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141245537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The termitaria terminator: Can Actinobolus beetles affect the relationships between termitaria and related fauna in the Brazilian Cerrado?","authors":"Luis Felipe Carvalho de Lima,&nbsp;Reuber Albuquerque Brandão","doi":"10.1111/aec.13551","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13551","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Termites are key components of tropical ecosystems, particularly in the Cerrado biome, where they dominate animal biomass and play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and soil formation. Their abundance and nutritional value make them primary food sources for various Cerrado animals, influencing predator diversity and several ecological interactions. Additionally, termite mounds serve as essential shelters for a wide range of fauna, aiding in thermoregulation and providing refuge from harsh environmental conditions, including wildfires. In this scenario, termitaria survival, diversity, and availability have several effects on the Cerrado fauna ecology. We present novel insights into the interaction between <i>Actinobolus</i> beetles and epigeous termite mounds in the Cerrado. Our field observations revealed <i>Actinobolus</i> beetles utilizing termite mounds for feeding and reproduction in several localities of Cerrado. These beetles access the inner portion of the termitaria, where the colony nest is located and protected by the termitaria's harder external layer and their larvae consume the termite nest structure. <i>Actinobolus</i> attack leads to partial or complete destruction of the colony and the creation of large hollows inside the mounds, causing deep changes in its structure. Despite the defensive mechanisms of termites, <i>Actinobolus</i> larvae thrive within the nest and likely ingest termites’ eggs, nymphae and adults. Furthermore, we found that the <i>Actinobolus</i> capsule are made of faecal pellets, instead of termitaria debris. We suggest that the interaction between <i>Actinobolus</i> beetles and epigeous termitaria impacts the role of termitaria in providing microclimate regulation, food and shelter for Cerrado fauna, likely having poorly understood effects on the conservation and management of Cerrado ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141245891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Responses of Gross's stinkfish, Callionymus grossi (Ogilby 1910) to perceived threats","authors":"Brendan C. Ebner","doi":"10.1111/aec.13548","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13548","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Predator avoidance is critical to fish survival and yet multiple types of predator response are rarely recorded at the level of individuals let alone studied in detail. Behaviour of an individual adult male dragonet, Gross's stinkfish <i>Callionymus grossi</i> (Ogilby 1910) (Family Callionymidae) was observed over the course of four consecutive daily snorkelling sessions on high tides in the Maroochy River estuary, Queensland, Australia. On two occasions, the dragonet buried in the sand in the presence of a great barracuda, <i>Sphyraena barracuda</i>, whereas, smaller benthic predators or competitors and the observer sometimes provoked dorsal fin raising and fleeing responses of the dragonet. The dragonet, therefore, demonstrates multiple responses to potential predators and competitors seemingly depending on the likely severity of interaction. Further research of dragonet fishes is recommended to disentangle the functionality of fin display in this group, with the anti-predator function of fin displays and honest signalling of chemical defence a promising aspect for investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141245547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial patterns of roadkill within Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar","authors":"Malcolm S. Ramsay,&nbsp;Fernando Mercado Malabet,&nbsp;Hajanirina N. Ravelonjanahary,&nbsp;Andriamahery Razafindrakoto,&nbsp;Shawn M. Lehman","doi":"10.1111/aec.13531","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13531","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Wildlife-vehicle collisions can be a significant cause of mortality for animals with ranges that overlap roads. Not all species are equally affected by roads and thus conservation practitioners need empirical data to determine appropriate mitigation measures. However, there is a lack of data on how tropical animals, in particular those on the island of Madagascar, are affected by roads and vehicular mortality. In order to fill in this gap in the literature we investigated the ecological and spatial factors influencing roadkill observations along Route National 4 in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar. We observed 80 cases of roadkill along the highway belonging to at least 13 species, including the first published record of a lemur as roadkill. We also found that the density of roadkill was lower in the area between two speedbumps, suggesting these are an effective measure to mitigate wildlife-vehicle collisions. These results showcase that even within protected areas of Madagascar animals are at risk of vehicular mortality but mitigation measures are possible. Given the high rates of endemicity coupled with vulnerability to extinction of many Malagasy fauna there is an urgent need for more research on road ecology in Madagascar.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.13531","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141245540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the dominant predator of lizard models in a semi-arid landscape, and predation risk is reduced by vegetation cover","authors":"Shannon Braun,&nbsp;Euan G. Ritchie,&nbsp;Tim S. Doherty,&nbsp;Dale G. Nimmo","doi":"10.1111/aec.13530","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13530","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Vegetation structure affects predation risk in ecosystems around the world. Spinifex (<i>Triodia</i> spp.) is a foundation species in fire-prone grasslands and woodlands that cover more than a third of Australia's land surface. Spinifex habitats are known for their high reptile diversity, and it has long been hypothesized that the spiky structure of spinifex dissuades predators, thereby providing a haven for prey. We investigated predation risk to small lizards in semi-arid Australia by identifying teeth marks on replica model plasticine lizards, in combination with remote camera surveillance, to quantify and verify predation risk across several microhabitats, including spinifex. The introduced red fox (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>) was identified as the main predator of lizard models, constituting 43.9% of all predation attempts. Lizard models placed at the base of spinifex plants (<i>Triodia scariosa</i>) were significantly less likely to be attacked than all other microhabitat types (bare ground, leaf litter, burrows), confirming the hypothesis that spinifex reduces predation risk. Our results support recent work that has highlighted foxes as a significant predator of Australian reptiles. Given that fire is a driver of spinifex cover in arid ecosystems, our findings have implications for interactions between fire and invasive predators in Australian ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.13530","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141078957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response of endophyte-infected and endophyte-free tall fescue plants to partial submergence at two developmental stages","authors":"Lucas R. Petigrosso,&nbsp;Osvaldo R. Vignolio,&nbsp;Pedro E. Gundel,&nbsp;María G. Monterubbianesi,&nbsp;Silvia G. Assuero","doi":"10.1111/aec.13545","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13545","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Tall fescue (<i>Festuca arundinacea</i> Schreb.) is a perennial C₃ grass species usually associated with the endophyte fungus <i>Epichloë coenophiala</i> that enhances tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Given that the proportion of infected tall fescue plants in the grasslands of the Flooding Pampa (Argentina) has been progressively increasing, it is proposed that endophytes confer tolerance to the stresses characteristic of that environment, especially flooding. Plants from a naturalized population and a commercial cultivar were grown, both with and without endophyte (wild type and AR584 respectively). The plants were subjected to two submergence treatments (i.e., control and partial submergence) in two development stages (5-leaf stage and beginning of the elongation of internodes). Plant performance (aerial and root biomass, root aerenchyma formation, total root length and root diameter, proportion of reproductive tillers, number of panicles and seeds produced) and endophyte transmission to progeny were evaluated. Endophytes did not alter the ecological fitness of plants under partial submergence. Independently of the water condition, the symbiosis was linked to low biomass in plants from the naturalized population, while the opposite occurred in plants from the cultivar. Partial submergence did not affect the germination of the seeds produced, nor the transmission of the endophyte to the seedlings that originated from them. Our work suggests that the invasion ability of tall fescue in the Flooding Pampa grasslands is not related to an endophyte-mediated improvement of plants to tolerate water excess.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141078959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thermal scanners versus spotlighting: New opportunities for monitoring threatened small endotherms","authors":"Finella M. E. Dawlings,&nbsp;Morgan Humphrey,&nbsp;Daniel T. Nugent,&nbsp;Rohan H. Clarke","doi":"10.1111/aec.13544","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13544","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Threatened species monitoring is challenging for small, cryptic endotherms that are most effectively detected at night. Low detectability is a challenge for monitoring programmes, resulting in low statistical power and sparse or zero-inflated datasets. To advance conservation management programmes, efforts to address this are required. In recent years thermal scanners have emerged as an effective tool for detecting small endotherms, but the diversity of available thermal tools, focal habitats and target species mean that their applicability in many key scenarios remain untested. We directly compared vehicle-mounted thermal surveys with vehicle-based spotlighting targeting small endotherms in Australian native grasslands. Our targets included both common species that occur at high densities, and species that are notoriously difficult to detect with spotlights, which may occur at very low densities. We completed paired surveys of roosting grassland birds, and nocturnally active small mammals at 22 sites, once using thermal scanners and once using spotlights. Ultimately, distance sampling was conducted across 136 km of transects. Thermal scanners facilitated greater detection distances and higher total detections for small endotherms when compared with spotlighting. Species of greatest conservation concern, the Plains-wanderer (<i>Pedionomus torquatus</i>—Pedionomidae) and Fat-tailed Dunnart (<i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i>—Dasyuridae) were only detected using thermal scanners. Detection distances generated for thermal scanners were reduced by higher vegetation density; however, thermal scanners continued to outperform spotlights under this scenario. Observers also detected more stationary animals and fewer birds were flushed upon detection using thermal scanners when compared with spotlighting. Thermal scanners have the potential to improve the quality of monitoring datasets by increasing detection probabilities for small endotherms. We recommend the adoption of thermal scanners as a best-practice tool for monitoring small endotherms in open grassland habitats at night, offering new opportunities to monitor endotherms where monitoring has historically been challenging, inadequate or impossible.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.13544","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141069152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential role of damselflies in the pollination of Callitriche rimosa Fasset","authors":"Francielle Paulina de Araújo-Hoffmann,&nbsp;Diego Hoffmann,&nbsp;Ângela Pelissari da Silva,&nbsp;Léo Correia da Rocha-Filho","doi":"10.1111/aec.13529","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13529","url":null,"abstract":"<p>While most flowering plant species rely on animal pollinators, approximately 10% of angiosperms utilize wind or water for pollination. Moreover, certain species can have mixed pollination system—ambophily—wherein both biotic and abiotic agents contribute to pollen transport. Upon frequent observation of damselflies (Coenagrionidae) perching on <i>Callitriche rimosa</i> Fassetv (Plantaginaceae), an aquatic herb with small flowers protruding above the water's surface, we hypothesized their potential contribution to the pollination of this primarily abiotically pollinated plant. Observations were conducted along the shores of a pond in southern Brazil. Damselflies were seen carrying pollen grains on their legs from <i>C. rimosa</i> leaves, where pollen falls from the anthers and remains exposed. Given damselflies' activity levels during summer, incidental contact with <i>C. rimosa</i> reproductive structures facilitates cross-pollination. This interaction may facilitate both plants and insects, considering damselflies' dependence on freshwater bodies and use of <i>C. rimosa</i> leaves for perching. Accessory pollen presentation on leaves may convert occasional visitors into pollinators, expanding the pollination niche of <i>C. rimosa</i>. Recognizing lesser-known pollinators like damselflies is crucial for understanding plant reproduction in diverse ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140953157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seed banks and post-fire recovery of invasive alien Metrosideros excelsa in South Africa: Implications for control","authors":"Tineke Kraaij,&nbsp;Sjirk Geerts,&nbsp;Nicole Malan","doi":"10.1111/aec.13524","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13524","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The New Zealand bottlebrush, <i>Metrosideros excelsa</i> (Myrtaceae), was introduced into South Africa in the 1940s as an ornamental plant and subsequently naturalized in coastal parts of the Cape Floristic Region. Knowledge of <i>M. excelsa</i>'s propagule pressure and response to fire in South Africa can inform evaluation of the species' invasion potential and management. We assessed <i>M. excelsa</i>'s canopy and soil seed banks in burnt and unburnt stands; and post-fire regeneration via reseeding and resprouting in relation to fire severity and tree size. Soil seed banks were assessed using an emergence technique, but no seedlings emerged from soil collected under burnt or unburnt plants suggesting that the species does not maintain a viable soil-stored seed bank or germination triggers were not met (though unlikely). The annual seed crop in the canopies of unburnt trees was approximately 0.5–23 million seeds per tree. Viability, assessed through tetrazolium stain testing, of canopy-borne seeds on unburnt trees was 18%, whereas a canopy fire, ranging in severity from low to extreme, killed all canopy-borne seeds. Fifteen months post-fire, the seedling to pre-fire (live) tree ratio was 0.01, whereas 43% of burnt trees survived via basal resprouting. Fire severity had a non-linear effect on tree survival (survival was highest after medium and high fire severity and lowest after low and extreme fire severity), while larger trees were more likely to survive fire. These results suggest that even low-severity (safe) burning may be a useful control measure as it kills canopy-borne seeds and causes substantial mortality, particularly of smaller trees. An opportunistic evaluation of an uncontrolled (no comparison with untreated individuals) foliar herbicide application to post-fire resprouting individuals also showed considerable (91%) mortality. However, rigorous herbicide trials (also with herbicide in conjunction with burning) are required to inform the management of <i>M. excelsa</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":8663,"journal":{"name":"Austral Ecology","volume":"49 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aec.13524","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140924807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}