Biotropica最新文献

{"title":"Successional Growth Dynamics of Woody Saplings in Tropical Dry Forest Understory","authors":"Rodrigo Díaz-Talamantes,&nbsp;Edgar J. González,&nbsp;Rodrigo Muñoz,&nbsp;Moisés Enríquez,&nbsp;Gerardo Dávila-Hernández,&nbsp;Valentina Sandoval-Granillo,&nbsp;Edwin Lebrija-Trejos,&nbsp;Jorge A. Meave","doi":"10.1111/btp.70046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70046","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Thoroughly understanding tropical forest secondary succession requires insights into the processes occurring in the forest understory, the vegetation component where the regenerating community develops. Although sapling growth is essential to this process, information on how it changes along succession is scarce. Here, we examine relative growth rates (RGR) of woody species saplings along a broad successional gradient in a tropical dry forest based on height and basal area data gathered over 15 years of vegetation monitoring in permanent plots differing in successional age (1–73 years) plus a mature forest plot. We used mixed-effects models to examine the link between individual size, fallow age, and plant traits, and from this link model their relationship with sapling RGR. Despite sizable RGR variability, growth was generally slow over the successional gradient, except in the first 10 years of succession, when growth rates were highest for most groups. Species' successional guild and their identity as members of the Leguminosae family were the main factors responsible for growth in basal area, while for growth in height, the main factors involved were successional guild and growth form. A generalized decrease in sapling growth rates in the understory suggests that this process is increasingly limited by light rather than by water towards later successional stages. Enhanced knowledge of the dynamics of the regenerating community in tropical dry forests is fundamental for gaining a comprehensive view of their recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/btp.70046","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143949952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Invasive Big-Headed Ants and Black Rats Are Dominant Arthropod Predators Across Opposing Habitats of a Degraded Oceanic Island","authors":"Adam Sharp,&nbsp;Weng Yuen Chin,&nbsp;Noel Tawatao","doi":"10.1111/btp.70044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Invasive animals threaten island-native arthropods with predation. We found that introduced ants and rats conducted 77% of experimental arthropod live bait predations on Ascension Island. Predation was mostly by big-headed ants <i>Pheidole megacephala</i> inland and around non-native vegetation, and by black rats <i>Rattus rattus</i> in coastal lowland habitats and caves.</p>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/btp.70044","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143909356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Cattle Disperse Seeds and Aquatic Plants in Neotropical Wetlands","authors":"Milena Rosa Pereira,&nbsp;Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Hoffmann,&nbsp;Andressa Adolfo,&nbsp;Daniel Antunes Mendonça,&nbsp;Sônia Marisa Hefler,&nbsp;Andy J. Green,&nbsp;Leonardo Maltchik,&nbsp;Cristina Stenert","doi":"10.1111/btp.70043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Dispersal by waterbirds and wild mammals is known to be important for maintaining biodiversity among wetlands. Cattle are known to be important seed dispersers in terrestrial habitats; however, the role of cattle in plant dispersal among wetlands is poorly known. We analyzed the potential for the dispersal of aquatic plants (seeds, diaspores and whole plants) by cattle (<i>Bos taurus</i>) through endozoochory in Neotropical wetlands. Ten fresh fecal samples per site (total 30 samples) were collected in three farms of the Pampa region, southern Brazil, between September and November of 2023. A total of 982 propagules and whole plants from 37 wetland plant taxa, belonging to 14 angiosperm and two fern families, were reported. Ten of these taxa are aquatic, seven terrestrial, and 19 grow both in water and on land. Viability was confirmed for seeds from 10 angiosperm families and for 26% of all seeds tested. Our results suggest cattle provide an important ecosystem service for wetland biodiversity in grassland areas through seed dispersal.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143909357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Anomalous Gular Pouch Displays in Female Lesser (Fregata ariel) and Christmas Island Frigatebirds (F. andrewsi)","authors":"Christopher W. Jones,&nbsp;Antony W. Diamond,&nbsp;Martin C. van Rooyen,&nbsp;Janos C. Hennicke","doi":"10.1111/btp.70038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sexual dimorphism defines frigatebird (Fregatidae) courtship, with males inflating bright red gular pouches to attract mates. We document rare cases of female gular pouch inflation in Lesser (<i>Fregata ariel</i>) and Christmas Island Frigatebirds (<i>F. andrewsi</i>). This previously undocumented behavior likely does not serve an adaptive function but may reflect physiological anomalies (hyperandrogenism) or endocrine-disrupting chemicals, warranting further investigation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Large Yearly Fluctuations in Congregation Sizes of Migratory Danainae Butterflies in the Western Ghats, India","authors":"P. A. Vinayan,&nbsp;M. A. Yathumon,&nbsp;Shivani Jadeja","doi":"10.1111/btp.70040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70040","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We documented the overwintering congregations of migratory Danainae butterflies (Nymphalidae) over six migratory seasons in the threatened tropical forests of the Western Ghats, India. Congregation sizes fluctuated drastically (&gt; 90%), indicating vulnerability to chance events. Continued monitoring is needed to explain these fluctuations and identify declining trends for timely conservation action.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143897127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Population Estimate and Spatial Distribution of Capybaras in Lake Paranoá, Brasília, Brazil","authors":"Eduardo Guimarães Santos,&nbsp;José Roberto Moreira,&nbsp;Emanuelle Cristina Benvenutti Rodrigues,&nbsp;Filipe Vieira Ataídes,&nbsp;Rodrigo Lima Martins de Oliveira,&nbsp;Helga Correa Wiederhecker","doi":"10.1111/btp.70039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70039","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The capybara is the largest living rodent, attracting attention due to its large size, its formation of large herds, and because it is commonly seen in urban environments. Thus, understanding the dynamics of capybara populations living in urban environments is relevant, especially given the conflicts observed between the species and humans in these environments. Here, we investigated the hypothesis of overpopulation of the capybara in Lago Paranoá, a lake in a large neotropical city, Brasília, Brazil. To do this, we investigated their spatial distribution at the site and estimated the capybara population using a variation of the mark-recapture method and compared it to known population estimates for the species. We found that the capybaras in our study area mainly form small flocks of 1 to 9 animals and occupy almost the entire shore of Lake Paranoá. We estimated the occurrence of 0.30 to 0.52 ind./ha (average = 0.41 ind./ha), demonstrating that the number of capybaras in our region is small when compared to capybara counts in other regions (range 0.075–6.44 ind./ha). Furthermore, we found that although the capybara population fluctuates throughout the year, it appears to be stable, not supporting our initial hypothesis. Urban areas can provide habitat for some species, which may help offset negative effects of losses of unmanaged habitats; however, this raises the possibility of wildlife–human conflicts.</p>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/btp.70039","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143896851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Anisophylly Is Associated With Climate in the Neotropical Genus Triolena (Melastomataceae)","authors":"Kate E. Samra,&nbsp;Fabián A. Michelangeli,&nbsp;Eve J. Lucas","doi":"10.1111/btp.70041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70041","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Anisophylly is a peculiar leaf trait in some opposite-leaved taxa where opposing leaves are distinctly unequal. This study uses an expert-curated specimen dataset to explore relationships of canopy cover and climate with the presence and intraspecific variation of anisophylly in the genus <i>Triolena.</i> Canopy and climate conditions are investigated between species and within a single species through beta regression models. No relationship was found between canopy cover and anisophylly. However, anisophylly is associated with conditions of high precipitation and high isothermality, which is evident across <i>Triolena</i> and within a single species. In addition, partitioned ecoregion analyses illustrate that different types of anisophyllous leaf states occur in distinct ranges of precipitation and isothermality. Results suggest that anisophylly is associated with climate in <i>Triolena</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/btp.70041","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143897126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"ATBC 2024 Student and Early Career Awards","authors":"Imma Oliveras,&nbsp;Meghna Krisnadas,&nbsp;Lúcia G. Lohmann,&nbsp;Jennifer S. Powers","doi":"10.1111/btp.70031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70031","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC) recognizes the exceptional research of students and early career scientists through awards presented at the ATBC annual conferences. The ATBC is pleased to announce the 2024 winners of these awards:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The &lt;b&gt;Luis F. Bacardi Award for Advances in Tropical Conservation&lt;/b&gt; is awarded to the best conservation talk presented during the ATBC Annual Conference by an early career scientist (i.e., a researcher who received his/her Ph.D. no more than 5 years before the meeting date). This award was established in 2005 with an endowment from the Lubee Bat Conservancy, an international nonprofit organization based in Gainesville, Florida, USA. The Lubee Bat Conservancy was founded in 1989 by the late Luis F. Bacardi and is dedicated to protecting biological diversity through the conservation of fruit- and nectar-feeding bats. At the 2024 ATBC Annual Meeting, &lt;b&gt;Meghna Bandyopadhyay&lt;/b&gt; from Wildlife Trust of India was awarded the Luis F. Bacardi Award for her presentation entitled “What decides coexistence of carnivores; size or behavior?”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The &lt;b&gt;Alwyn Gentry Presentation Awards&lt;/b&gt; were established to recognize outstanding oral and poster presentations given by students at the ATBC Annual Conference. Alwyn Gentry (1945–1993) was a prominent botanist who made exceptional contributions to the study of the diversity and conservation of tropical plants and to the training of students from the Americas. These awards are in remembrance and recognition of the contributions of this singular scientist, colleague, supportive mentor, and friend. At the 2024 ATBC Annual Meeting, &lt;b&gt;Liam Jasperse-Sjolander&lt;/b&gt; from the University of Colorado Boulder, United States, was awarded the Alwyn Gentry Award for the Best Oral Presentation for his talk entitled “Habitat and fruit availability drive forest elephant fission-fusion dynamics in a forest-savannah mosaic.” The awardees for the &lt;b&gt;Alwyn Gentry Award for the Best Poster Presentation&lt;/b&gt; were &lt;b&gt;Simran Prasad&lt;/b&gt; from the Centre for Wildlife Studies, India, for her presentation entitled “An elephantine problem in the Nilgiris: Examining household wealth inequities and community attitudes towards elephants” and &lt;b&gt;Katherine Culbertson&lt;/b&gt; from the University of California, Berkeley, United States, for her presentation entitled “Arrested rainforest regeneration? Changing disturbance regimes and non-forest vegetation impair natural recovery in a hyperdiverse, endangered rainforest landscape.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The New Phytologist Trust graciously funds annual awards to recognize achievements in Plant Biology by student authors presenting at the ATBC Annual Meeting. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, the &lt;b&gt;New Phytologist Prize for Best Poster in Plant Biology&lt;/b&gt; was awarded to &lt;b&gt;Sarafina Masanja&lt;/b&gt; from the Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, for her poster entitled “Impact of agricultural expansion on tree species composition and diversity along elevation ","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/btp.70031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143871579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"2024 ATBC Honorary Fellows","authors":"Norbert Cordeiro,&nbsp;Jennifer S. Powers,&nbsp;Lúcia G. Lohmann","doi":"10.1111/btp.70032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In 1963, the Council of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation established the election of Honorary Fellows as ‘persons of long distinguished service to tropical biology.’ This is the highest award given by the Association. To date, we have selected more than 100 Honorary Fellows from over 20 countries. This year, we celebrate two more outstanding Honorary Fellows who are both widely recognized for their scholarship and mentorship. On behalf of the Honorary Fellow Nomination Committee, we present the 2024 Honorary Fellows, Dr. Miguel Martínez-Ramos and Dr. Pantaleo K. T. Munishi.</p><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest.</p>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/btp.70032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143861874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Periodic Mangrove Growth Induced by Water Salinity Fluctuations Under Tropical Monsoon Climate, Thailand","authors":"Sasitorn Poungparn,&nbsp;Chadtip Rodtassana,&nbsp;Suthathip Umnouysin,&nbsp;Piyapon Kankong,&nbsp;Akira Komiyama,&nbsp;Vilanee Suchewaboripont,&nbsp;Tamanai Pravinvongvuthi","doi":"10.1111/btp.70037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Mangrove tree growth is crucially affected by water salinity in tropical monsoon areas having distinct seasonal rainfall. However, the seasonal growth pattern of mangroves in these areas remains insufficiently understood. We investigated stem growth and leaf phenology of mangroves and inundation water salinity over 2 years in an estuarine mangrove forest in Trat with clear seasonality and abundant rainfall (2938 mm), and in a shoreline fringe forest at Bangpu with moderate rainfall (764 mm) in Thailand. Salinity fluctuations at both sites were regulated by the monthly rainfall and the geographical location. All studied mangroves showed a seasonal stem-growth pattern, with higher growth rates in the wet seasons due to lower water salinity. The varied rates of seasonal stem growth among species at Trat corresponded with their zonation. The leaf emergence rates were also high in the wet season for <i>Rhizophora apiculata</i> at Trat and <i>Avicennia alba</i> at both sites. Salinity fluctuation driven by the seasonal rainfall directly affected leaf emergence of <i>R. apiculata</i> and both leaf emergence and stem growth of <i>A. alba</i> at Trat. However, at Bangpu, leaf phenology of <i>A. alba</i> responded to the temperature and decoupled from stem growth, which is directly influenced by monthly rainfall. <i>Rhizophora apiculata</i> stem growth was associated with the variation in leaf emergence. Thus, seasonal changes in the saline environments induced the periodic growth pattern of mangroves. Interestingly, the growth pattern of <i>A. alba</i> growing under different rainfall intensities responds to different triggers and indicates its high ecophysiological plasticity, enabling it to thrive across tropical mangrove forests.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8982,"journal":{"name":"Biotropica","volume":"57 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143852959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}