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1. The impact of climate change on western Plethodon salamanders’ distribution

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7735  

   Nottingham, Sir; Pelletier, Tara A. (June 2021, Ecology and Evolution)

   Abstract AimGiven that salamanders have experienced large shifts in their distributions over time, we determined how each species ofPlethodonin the Pacific Northwest would respond to climate change. We incorporated several greenhouse scenarios both on a species‐by‐species basis, and also using phylogenetic groups, with the aim to determine the best course of action in managing land area to conserve diversity in this group. LocationPacific Northwest of the United States (northern CA, OR, WA, ID, and MT). Major taxa studiedWesternPlethodonsalamanders. MethodsSpecies distribution models were estimated using MaxEnt for the current time period and for several future climate scenarios using bioclimatic data layers. We used several methods to quantify the change in habitat suitability over time from the models. We explored aspects of the climate layers to determine whether we can expect a concerted response to climate change due to similarity in ecological niche or independent responses that could be harder to manage. ResultsThe distribution of westernPlethodonsalamander species is strongly influenced by precipitation and less so by temperature. Species responses to climate change resulted in both increases and decreases in predicted suitable habitat, though most species ranges do not contract, especially when taken as a phylogenetic group. Main conclusionsWhile some established habitats may become more or less climatically suitable, the overall distribution of species in this group is unlikely to be significantly affected. Clades ofPlethodonspecies are unlikely to be in danger of extirpation despite the possibility that individual species may be threatened as a result of limited distributions. Grouping species into lineages with similar geographic ranges can be a viable method of determining conservation needs. More biotic and dispersal information is needed to determine the true impact that changes in climate will have on the distribution ofPlethodonspecies. 

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2. Predicting the suitable habitat distribution of berry plants under climate change

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-024-01839-7  

   Hamilton, Casey W.; Smithwick, Erica A. H.; Spellman, Katie V.; Baltensperger, Andrew P.; Spellman, Blaine T.; Chi, Guangqing (February 2024, Landscape Ecology)

   Abstract ContextClimate change is altering suitable habitat distributions of many species at high latitudes. Fleshy fruit-producing plants (hereafter, “berry plants”) are important in arctic food webs and as subsistence resources for human communities, but their response to a warming and increasingly variable climate at a landscape scale has not yet been examined. ObjectivesWe aimed to identify environmental determinants of berry plant distribution and predict how climate change might shift these distributions. MethodsWe used species distribution models to identify characteristics and predict the distribution of suitable habitat under current (2006–2013) and future climate conditions (2081–2100; representative concentration pathways 4.5, 6.0, & 8.5) for five berry plant species:Vaccinium uliginosumL.,Empetrum nigrumL.,Rubus chamaemorusL.,Vaccinium vitis-idaeaL., andViburnum edule(Michx.) Raf.. ResultsElevation, soil characteristics, and January and July temperatures were important drivers of habitat distributions. Future suitable habitat predictions showed net declines in suitable habitat area for all species modeled under almost all future climate scenarios tested. ConclusionsOur work contributes to understanding potential geographic shifts in suitable berry plant habitat with climate change at a landscape scale. Shifting and retracting distributions may alter where communities can harvest, suggesting that access to these resources may become restricted in the future. Our prediction maps may help inform climate adaptation planning as communities anticipate shifting access to harvesting locations. 

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3. Convergent niche shifts of endangered parrots (genus Amazona ) during successful establishment in urban southern California

   https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13817  

   Ramirez, Brenda R.; Freeland, Rowdy J.; Muhlheim, Allison; Zellmer, Amanda J.; DeRaad, Devon A.; Kirsch, Eliza J.; Mutchler, Marquette J.; Secor, Maeve B.; Reckling, Kelsey R.; Schedl, Margaret E.; et al (February 2024, Diversity and Distributions)

   Abstract AimIntroduced species offer insight on whether and how organisms can shift their ecological niches during translocation. The genusAmazonaoffers a clear test case, where sister species Red‐crowned (A. viridigenalis) and Lilac‐crowned Parrots (A. finschi) have established breeding populations in southern California following introduction via the pet trade from Mexico where they do not coexist. After establishment in the 1980s, introduced population sizes have increased, with mixed species flocks found throughout urban Los Angeles. Here, we investigate the differences between the environmental conditions of the native and introduced ranges of these now co‐occurring species. LocationSouthern California and Mexico. MethodsUsing environmental data on climate and habitat from their native and introduced ranges, we tested whether Red‐crowned and Lilac‐crowned Parrots have divergent realized niches between their native ranges, and whether each species has significantly shifted its realized niche to inhabit urban southern California. We also analysed data from Texas and Florida introductions of Red‐crowned Parrots for comparative analysis. ResultsThere are significant differences in the native‐range niches of both parrot species, but a convergence into a novel, shared environmental niche into urban southern California, characterized by colder temperatures, less tree cover and lower rainfall. Texas and Florida Red‐crowned Parrots also show evidence for niche shifts with varying levels of niche conservatism through the establishment of somewhat different realized niches. Main ConclusionsDespite significant niche shifts, introduced parrots are thriving, suggesting a broad fundamental niche and an ability to exploit urban resources. Unique niche shifts in different U.S. introductions indicate thatAmazonaparrots can adapt to diverse environmental conditions, with cities offering a resource niche and the timing of introduction playing a crucial role. Cities can potentially serve as refugia for threatened parrot species, but the risk of hybridization between species emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and genetic investigations. 

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4. From past habitats to present threats: tracing North American weasel distributions through a century of climate and land use change

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-024-01902-3  

   Cheeseman, Amanda E; Jachowski, David S; Kays, Roland (May 2024, Landscape Ecology)

   Abstract ContextShifts in climate and land use have dramatically reshaped ecosystems, impacting the distribution and status of wildlife populations. For many species, data gaps limit inference regarding population trends and links to environmental change. This deficiency hinders our ability to enact meaningful conservation measures to protect at risk species. ObjectivesWe investigated historical drivers of environmental niche change for three North American weasel species (American ermine, least weasel, and long-tailed weasel) to understand their response to environmental change. MethodsUsing species occurrence records and corresponding environmental data, we developed species-specific environmental niche models for the contiguous United States (1938–2021). We generated annual hindcasted predictions of the species’ environmental niche, assessing changes in distribution, area, and fragmentation in response to environmental change. ResultsWe identified a 54% decline in suitable habitat alongside high levels of fragmentation for least weasels and region-specific trends for American ermine and long-tailed weasels; declines in the West and increased suitability in the East. Climate and land use were important predictors of the environmental niche for all species. Changes in habitat amount and distribution reflected widespread land use changes over the past century while declines in southern and low-elevation areas are consistent with impacts from climatic change. ConclusionsOur models uncovered land use and climatic change as potential historic drivers of population change for North American weasels and provide a basis for management recommendations and targeted survey efforts. We identified potentially at-risk populations and a need for landscape-level planning to support weasel populations amid ongoing environmental changes. 

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5. The period gene alters daily and seasonal timing in Ostrinia nubilalis

   https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.02.621642  

   Dayton, Jacob N; Dopman, Erik B (November 2024, bioRxiv)

   Summary The timing of insects’ daily (feeding, movement) and seasonal (diapause, migration) rhythms affects their population dynamics and distribution. Yet, despite their implications for insect conservation and pest management, the genetic mechanisms underlying variation in timing are poorly understood. Prior research in the European corn borer moth (Ostrinia nubilalis) associated ecotype differences in seasonal diapause and daily activity with genetic variation at the circadian clock geneperiod(per). Here, we demonstrate that populations with divergent allele frequencies atperexhibit differences in daily behavior, seasonal development, and the expression of circadian clock genes. Specifically, later daily activity and shortened diapause were associated with a reduction and delay in the abundance of cyclingpermRNA. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis revealed thatperand/or an intact circadian clock network were essential for the appropriate timing of daily behavior and seasonal responsiveness. Furthermore, a reduction ofpergene dosage inperheterozygous mutants (per^-/+) pleiotropically decreased the diapause incidence, shortened post-diapause development, and delayed the timing of daily behavior, in a manner phenotypically reminiscent of wild-type individuals. Altogether, this combination of observational and experimental research strongly suggests thatperis a master regulator of biological rhythms and may contribute to the observed life cycle differences between bivoltine (two generation) and univoltine (one generation)O. nubilalis. HighlightsNatural ecotypes with divergentperiod(per) genotypes differ in their daily and seasonal responses to photoperiodLater daily activity, reduced diapause incidence, and shorter post-diapause development is associated with reducedpermRNA abundanceperis essential for short-day recognition and daily timingReducedpergene dosage shortened post-diapause development and delayed locomotor activity 

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