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1. Revealing genetic patterns across ecoregions in the northeastern Pacific of California and Baja California

   https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14988  

   Ferrera‐Rodríguez, Mariana Ronalda; Malpica‐Cruz, Luis; Munguía‐Vega, Adrián; Beas‐Luna, Rodrigo; Flores‐Morales, Ana Laura; Abadía‐Cardoso, Alicia (August 2024, Journal of Biogeography)

   Abstract AimWe reconstructed the genetic patterns and identified the main genetic breaks of several taxa across California and Baja California coast. Additionally, we evaluated the contribution of different variables to the level of structure. LocationCalifornia and Baja California coast. TaxonFish, invertebrates, algae, seagrass and mammals. MethodsWe generated a map to reconstruct the genetic patterns using genetic information (Fst index and phylogenetic clades distribution) from a literature review of population genetics publications from 2000 to 2023. For the analysis of genetic connectivity drivers, we explored the effect of different variables representing life history traits, reproductive strategies and biogeographic variables and generated five working hypotheses which were evaluated with generalized linear models (GLMs). ResultsWe identified 42 genetic breaks from 63 species across our study area. The largest number of breaks occurs from 27° N to 29° N and from 31° N to 35° N. This range includes transition zones between ecoregions such as Punta Eugenia, Baja California, Mexico and Point Conception, California, USA. We also identified Ensenada, Baja California region as a barrier to gene flow. From a transboundary perspective, we found 40 species with connectivity between California and Baja California, including 14 commercial and or recreational species. We found none of the variables explored had a clear effect on the level of genetic differentiation of the species assessed in the region. Main ConclusionGenetic breaks among different taxa do not distribute randomly across the latitudinal range from California and Baja California coastal area, rather they are mainly located in transition zones between marine ecoregions. The challenge to identify specific variables that explain general genetic patterns highlights the complexity that drives population connectivity processes in marine species. 

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2. Border Interceptions Reveal Variable Bridgehead Use in the Global Dispersal of Insects

   https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13924  

   Worm, Thom; Saffer, Ariel; Takeuchi, Yu; Walden‐Schreiner, Chelsey; Jones, Chris; Meentemeyer, Ross (December 2024, Global Ecology and Biogeography)

   ABSTRACT AimThe global, human‐mediated dispersal of invasive insects is a major driver of ecosystem change, biodiversity loss, crop damage and other effects. Trade flows and invasive species propagule pressure are correlated, and their relationship is essential for predicting and managing future invasions. Invaders do not disperse exclusively from the species' native range. Instead, the bridgehead effect, where established, non‐native populations act as secondary sources of propagule, is recognised as a major driver of global invasion. The resulting pattern of global spread arises from a mixture of global interactions between invasive species, their vectors and, their invaded ranges, which has yet to be fully characterised. LocationGlobal. Time Period1997–2020. Major Taxa StudiedInsects. MethodsWe analysed 319,283 border interception records of 514 insect species from a broad range of taxa from four national‐level phytosanitary organisations. We classified interceptions as coming from species native range or from bridgehead countries and examined taxonomic autocorrelation of global movement patterns between species. ResultsWhile 65% of interceptions originated from bridgehead countries, highlighting the importance of the bridgehead effect across taxa, patterns among individual species were highly variable and taxonomically correlated. Forty per cent of species originated almost exclusively from their native range, 28% almost exclusively from their non‐native range and 32% from a mix of source locations. These patterns of global dispersal were geographically widespread, temporally consistent, and taxonomically correlated. ConclusionsDispersal exclusively from bridgeheads represents an unrecognised pattern of global insect movement; these patterns emphasise the importance of the bridgehead effect and suggest that bridgeheads provide unique local conditions that allow invaders to proliferate differently than in their native range. We connect these patterns of global dispersal to the conditions during the human driven global dispersal of insects and provide recommendations for modellers and policymakers wishing to control the spread of future invasions. 

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3. Training the Future: Themes From a Content Analysis of Psychology Research Lab Manuals

   https://doi.org/10.1177/00986283241283057  

   Lilley, Malin_K; Castellanos, Isabella; Wicks, Anastacia; Raya, Alena; Weatherford, Dawn_R; Huynh, Ho_Phi (October 2024, Teaching of Psychology)

   BackgroundLab manuals help researchers and students share a common understanding of the rules, guidelines, and expectations related to being involved with a research laboratory. However, no formal guidelines direct the creation of lab manuals in psychology. ObjectiveIn this study, we conducted qualitative analyses of 10 psychology lab manuals to provide some broad guidelines for crafting a lab manual that would improve the research experience for undergraduate students. MethodTaking an inductive approach, a team of researchers created codes from the contents of the manuals, and then derived themes from those codes. ResultsThemes included lab philosophy and direction, expectations and roles in the lab, communication inside and outside the lab, ethics, preparing for research, conducting research, presenting research, networking, and benefits of undergraduate research. ConclusionWe defined and provided specific examples of each theme for consideration by educators and discussed limitations of our approach. Teaching ImplicationsUltimately, these themes could serve as a modest outline from which teacher-scholars can create their lab manuals from scratch or to revise/expand current manuals. 

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4. Redefining temperate forest responses to climate and disturbance in the eastern United States: New insights at the mesoscale

   https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12876  

   Druckenbrod, Daniel L.; Martin‐Benito, Dario; Orwig, David A.; Pederson, Neil; Poulter, Benjamin; Renwick, Katherine M.; Shugart, Herman H.; Mayfield, ed., Margaret (January 2019, Global Ecology and Biogeography)

   Abstract AimClimate and disturbance alter forest dynamics, from individual trees to biomes and from years to millennia, leaving legacies that vary with local, meso‐ and macroscales. Motivated by recent insights in temperate forests, we argue that temporal and spatial extents equivalent to that of the underlying drivers are necessary to characterize forest dynamics across scales. We focus specifically on characterizing mesoscale forest dynamics because they bridge fine‐scale (local) processes and the continental scale (macrosystems) in ways that are highly relevant for climate change science and ecosystem management. We revisit ecological concepts related to spatial and temporal scales and discuss approaches to gain a better understanding of climate–forest dynamics across scales. LocationEastern USA. Time periodLast century to present. Major taxa studiedTemperate broadleaf forests. MethodsWe review regional literature of past tree mortality studies associated with climate to identify mesoscale climate‐driven disturbance events. Using a dynamic vegetation model, we then simulate how these forests respond to a typical climate‐driven disturbance. ResultsBy identifying compound disturbance events from both a literature review and simulation modelling, we find that synchronous patterns of drought‐driven mortality at mesoscales have been overlooked within these forests. Main conclusionsAs ecologists, land managers and policy‐makers consider the intertwined drivers of climate and disturbance, a focus on spatio‐temporal scales equivalent to those of the drivers will provide insight into long‐term forest change, such as drought impacts. Spatially extensive studies should also have a long temporal scale to provide insight into pathways for forest change, evaluate predictions from dynamic forest models and inform development of global vegetation models. We recommend integrating data collected from spatially well‐replicated networks (e.g., archaeological, historical or palaeoecological data), consisting of centuries‐long, high‐resolution records, with models to characterize better the mesoscale response of forests to climate change in the past and in the future. 

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5. Regional species gains outpace losses across North American continental shelf regions

   https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13681  

   Kitchel, Zoë J.; Pinsky, Malin L. (April 2023, Global Ecology and Biogeography)

   Abstract AimAlthough species richness globally is likely to be declining, patterns in diversity at the regional scale depend on species gains within new habitats and species losses from previously inhabited areas. Our understanding of the processes associated with gains or losses remains poor, including whether these events exhibit immediate or delayed responses to environmental change. LocationThe study focuses on nine temperate marine ecosystems in North America. Time periodThe study period varies by region, but overall encompasses observations from 1970 to 2014. Major taxa studiedWe identified regional gains and losses for 577 marine fish and invertebrate species. MethodsFrom a total of 166,213 sampling events from bottom trawls across North America that informed 17,997 independent observations of species gains and losses, we built generalized linear mixed effects models to test whether lagged temperature can explain instances of gains and losses of marine fishes and invertebrates in North American continental shelf habitats. ResultsWe found that gains were less likely in years with high seasonality, consistent with seasonal extremes as a strong constraint on species occurrence. Losses were also negatively associated with high seasonality, but the response was delayed by 3 years. Main conclusionsEnvironmental conditions play a role in species occupancy across diverse temperate marine ecosystems. Immediate gains paired with delayed losses can drive transient increases in species richness during times of environmental change. Identifying the dynamics behind regional species gains and losses is an important step towards prediction of biodiversity changes across ecosystems. 

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