Physiological constraints in insects are related to several large-scale processes such as species distribution and thermal adaptation. Here, we fill an important gap in ecophysiology knowledge by accessing the relationship between temperature and embrionary development time in four dragonfly species. We evaluated two questions (1) what is the effect of temperature on the development time of Odonata eggs, and (2) considering a degree-day relationship, could a simple linear model describe the dependence of embrionary development time on temperature or it is better described by a more complex non-linear relation. Egg development time of Erythrodiplax fusca (Rambur), Micrathyria hesperis Ris, Perithemis mooma Kirby, and Miathyria simplex (Rambur) (Odonata: Libellulidae) were evaluated. We put the eggs at different temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) and counted the number of hatched larvae daily. A nonlinear response of the development to the temperature was found, differing from the expected pattern for standard degree-day analysis. Furthermore, we observed that there is a similar process in the development time and hatching synchronization between species, with all species presenting faster egg development at high temperatures. Species-specific differences are more evident at lower temperatures (15°C), with no egg development in M. simplex. Only E. fusca was relatively insensitive to temperature changes with similar hatching rates in all treatments.
Environmental management is one of the most important activities in ecological conservation at present. Faced with various socioeconomic impacts (e.g., urbanization, agriculture, and logging), practical and effective ways to analyze and determine how biodiversity is affected by these anthropogenic activities are essential. Utilizing niche theory helps to understand how similar groups of organisms respond to environmental changes based on the assumption that organisms with some niche overlap (i.e., similar resources) will respond similarly to these changes. Members of the order Odonata are frequently used as biological indicators due to their low survey costs, relatively easy taxonomic identification, and sensibility to environmental changes. In this study, using the PROTEST method, we analyze the cross-taxon congruence between Odonata and two aquatic organisms in Brazilian savanna streams: Gerromorpha and fishes. Although congruence was found between aquatic insects (~ 45%), this result changed when we only considered the species’ genera: no congruence for the aquatic insects was found, but instead we found a congruence between Odonata and fishes (~ 44%). Since Odonata showed congruence with the other groups in different taxonomical resolutions and it is a relatively easy and cheap group to collect and identify, we suggest that Odonata could be used as an indicator of disturbance for this set of organisms and hence serve as an alternative method to traditional environmental management techniques.
É comum, durante a formação de futuros analistas do comportamento, se ensinar que a definição de reforçamento passa exclusivamente pelo aumento da frequência ou taxa de uma única classe de respostas. Com base em dados disponíveis na literatura discute-se a pertinência da versão padrão da teoria do reforço, bem como busca-se uma descrição mais abrangente das seguintes funções: (1) seleção; (2) indução; (3) ordenação e organização; e (4) expansão do repertório comportamental. A frequência, embora seja uma medida conveniente, não compreende a abrangência de uma teoria plausível do reforçamento, que deve compreender sua relação com filogênese, com outras classes de resposta que não aquela à qual o reforçador é contingente, e com as decorrências da aplicação sistemática do reforçamento no repertório comportamental. Uma teoria restrita à medida da frequência já não se sustenta à luz dos dados operantes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.