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1. Putting the leaf-nosed bats in context: a geometric morphometric analysis of three of the largest families of bats

   https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyy101  

   Hedrick, Brandon P; Dumont, Elizabeth R (September 2018, Journal of Mammalogy)

   null (Ed.)
2. Plausible Optima

   Plumlee, M. Nelson (December 2018, Proceedings of the 2018 Winter Simulation Conference)

   We propose a framework and specific algorithms for screening a large (perhaps countably infinite) spaceof feasible solutions to generate a subset containing the optimal solution with high confidence. We attainthis goal even when only a small fraction of the feasible solutions are simulated. To accomplish it weexploit structural information about the space of functions within which the true objective function lies, andthen assess how compatible optimality is for each feasible solution with respect to the observed simulation outputs and the assumed function space. The result is a set of plausible optima. This approach can be viewed as a way to avoid slow simulation by leveraging fast optimization. Explicit formulations of the general approach are provided when the space of functions is either Lipschitz or convex. We establish both small- and large-sample properties of the approach, and provide two numerical examples. 

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3. Ecological and evolutionary characteristics of anthropogenic roosting ability in bats of the world

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110369  

   Betke, Briana A; Gottdenker, Nicole L; Meyers, Lauren Ancel; Becker, Daniel J (July 2024, iScience)

   Although the global conversion of wildlife habitat to built environments often has negative impacts on biodiversity, some wildlife species have the ability to cope by living in human-made structures. However, the determinants of this adaptation on a global scale are not well understood and may signify species with unique conservation needs at the human–wildlife interface. Here, we identify the trait profile associated with anthropogenic roosting in bats globally and characterize the evolution of this phenotype using an original dataset of roosting behavior developed across 1,279 extant species. Trait-based analyses showed that anthropogenic roosting is predictable across bats and is associated with larger geographic ranges, habitat generalism, temperate zone distributions, small litter and body size, and insectivory.Weidentified moderate phylogenetic signal in this complex trait profile, which has undergone both gains and losses across bat evolution and for which speciation rates are lower compared to natural roosting bats. 

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4. Molecular adaptation and convergent evolution of frugivory in Old World and neotropical fruit bats

   https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15542  

   Wang, Kai; Tian, Shilin; Galindo‐González, Jorge; Dávalos, Liliana_M; Zhang, Yuzhi; Zhao, Huabin (July 2020, Molecular Ecology)

   Abstract Although cases of independent adaptation to the same dietary niche have been documented in mammalian ecology, the molecular correlates of such shifts are seldom known. Here, we used genomewide analyses of molecular evolution to examine two lineages of bats that, from an insectivorous ancestor, have both independently evolved obligate frugivory: the Old World family Pteropodidae and the neotropical subfamily Stenodermatinae. New genome assemblies from two neotropical fruit bats (Artibeus jamaicensisandSturnira hondurensis) provide a framework for comparisons with Old World fruit bats. Comparative genomics of 10 bat species encompassing dietary diversity across the phylogeny revealed convergent molecular signatures of frugivory in both multigene family evolution and single‐copy genes. Evidence for convergent molecular adaptations associated with frugivorous diets includes the composition of three subfamilies of olfactory receptor genes, losses of three bitter taste receptor genes, losses of two digestive enzyme genes and convergent amino acid substitutions in several metabolic genes. By identifying suites of adaptations associated with the convergent evolution of frugivory, our analyses both reveal the extent of molecular mechanisms under selection in dietary shifts and will facilitate future studies of molecular ecology in mammals. 

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5. Leaf angle as a leaf and canopy trait: Rejuvenating its role in ecology with new technology

   https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14215  

   Yang, Xi; Li, Rong; Jablonski, Andrew; Stovall, Atticus; Kim, Jongmin; Yi, Koong; Ma, Yixin; Beverly, Daniel; Phillips, Richard; Novick, Kim; et al (April 2023, Ecology Letters)

   Abstract Life on Earth depends on the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy by plants through photosynthesis. A fundamental challenge in optimizing photosynthesis is to adjust leaf angles to efficiently use the intercepted sunlight under the constraints of heat stress, water loss and competition. Despite the importance of leaf angle, until recently, we have lacked data and frameworks to describe and predict leaf angle dynamics and their impacts on leaves to the globe. We review the role of leaf angle in studies of ecophysiology, ecosystem ecology and earth system science, and highlight the essential yet understudied role of leaf angle as an ecological strategy to regulate plant carbon–water–energy nexus and to bridge leaf, canopy and earth system processes. Using two models, we show that leaf angle variations have significant impacts on not only canopy‐scale photosynthesis, energy balance and water use efficiency but also light competition within the forest canopy. New techniques to measure leaf angles are emerging, opening opportunities to understand the rarely‐measured intraspecific, interspecific, seasonal and interannual variations of leaf angles and their implications to plant biology and earth system science. We conclude by proposing three directions for future research. 

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