Species responses to climate change depend on environment, genetics, and interactions among these factors. Intraspecific cytotype (ploidy level) variation is a common type of genetic variation in many species. However, the importance of intraspecific cytotype variation in determining demography across environments is poorly known. We studied quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), which occurs in diploid and triploid cytotypes. This widespread tree species is experiencing contractions in its western range, which could potentially be linked to cytotype‐dependent drought tolerance. We found that interactions between cytotype and environment drive mortality and recruitment across 503 plots in Colorado. Triploids were more vulnerable to mortality relative to diploids and had reduced recruitment on more drought‐prone and disturbed plots relative to diploids. Furthermore, there was substantial genotype‐dependent variation in demography. Thus, cytotype and genotype variation are associated with decline in this foundation species. Future assessment of demographic responses to climate change will benefit from knowledge of how genetic and environmental mosaics interact to determine species’ ecophysiology and demography.
Model organisms such as Danio rerio are used to explore physiological reactions to stress and disease. Immune response is measured by quantifying lymphocyte presence and the production of mRNA encoding different immunoglobulin proteins. Since the method through which D. rerio is exposed to an antigen affects its immune response and the degree to which immunity is developed, we will compare the immune response after visceral or mucosal introduction of dinitrophenol hapten conjugated to Keyhole Limpet hemocyanin (DNP-KLH) in D. rerio, for which there is no published data. We will either combine DNP-KLH with Freund’s incomplete adjuvant and inject the mixture into the fish (100 uL at 1 mg/mL) or combine DNP-KLH with cholera toxin and introduce the mixture to their water (35 mg/L). Tissue samples will be collected from the immunized fish and two control groups of fish at weekly points throughout the experiment and will be analyzed for lymphocyte versus granulocyte ratios and expression of IgM, IgZ-1, and IgZ-2 levels via qPCR. We expect an increase in lymphocyte percentages for both immunized groups compared to the control groups, with a higher lymphocyte ratio in the mucosal group than the visceral group. Furthermore, we expect more mucosal IgZ isotypes in the mucosal group and higher levels of the IgM, IgZ-1, and IgZ-2 antibodies in the visceral group than in the mucosal group. For future experiments, we intend to test broader data sets, including exposure to multiple antigens.
Conservation breeding programs are an increasingly important tool to help supplement declining wild populations, but captive‐bred animals generally do not survive well post‐release. Early life in captivity has the potential to influence growth and development, with impacts carrying over to affect survival. Understanding carry‐over effects of captivity and consequences on survival is critically important for conservation efforts globally but remains poorly understood. We examined the relationship between early‐life environment, physical condition, and juvenile survival of wild and captive‐bred critically endangered orange‐bellied parrots (Neophema chrysogaster). Using nestling growth models, we calculated a body condition index for 1,039 wild and captive‐bred orange‐bellied parrots hatched over six breeding seasons. Nestling body condition varied with year, provenance, and brood position. Wild nestlings had consistently higher body condition than captive‐bred nestlings, and first‐hatched nestlings were typically heavier than later hatched siblings. We then investigated first‐year survival for 298 wild‐born and captive‐bred released parrots in the wild. Overall, first‐year survival was 27.5%, and individual body condition was more influential than provenance in predicting survival. Our findings could be used to aid the selection of individuals for release that have the best prospects of surviving in the wild. This study addresses important questions about the post‐release fitness of captive‐bred animals, and our metric of assessing physical condition provides a straightforward tool for other conservation breeding programs to adapt management techniques to improve survival outcomes.
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