A multivariate approach reveals diversity of ontogenetic niche shifts across taxonomic and functional groups

Rudolf, Volker H. W.

doi:10.1111/fwb.13463

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 60 publications

(107 reference statements)

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“…At the population scale, diversity is driven by trait variation across individuals within species. Although ontogenetic niche shifts are ubiquitous key drivers of individual variation in natural populations (De Roos & Persson, 2013; Miller & Rudolf, 2011; Nakazawa, 2015; Rudolf, 2020; Rudolf & Lafferty, 2011; Werner & Gilliam, 1984), we still have a limited understanding of how they scale up to influence the functional roles of species, especially when stages co‐occur. We found that species identity and ontogenetic diversity within populations jointly determined the ecological impact of a predator species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Anax junius tends to be most efficient tadpole predator, followed by C. fimbriolatus and then B. lutarium (Gunzburger & Travis, 2004; Relyea, 2001), but all three predators are known to elicit anti‐predator behaviour and morphological changes in tadpoles (Relyea, 2003). Stable isotope suggest that B. lutarium seems to have a wider diet range than C. fimbriolatus (Rudolf, 2020), but none of the three species are likely to consume zooplankton given the size ranges used in this experiment (Klecka & Boukal, 2012). Furthermore, experiments and field observations indicate that each species exhibit clear ontogenetic niche shifts, that is, the interactions and resource use of individuals change during development (Rudolf, 2020; Rudolf & Rasmussen, 2013b).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stable isotope suggest that B. lutarium seems to have a wider diet range than C. fimbriolatus (Rudolf, 2020), but none of the three species are likely to consume zooplankton given the size ranges used in this experiment (Klecka & Boukal, 2012). Furthermore, experiments and field observations indicate that each species exhibit clear ontogenetic niche shifts, that is, the interactions and resource use of individuals change during development (Rudolf, 2020; Rudolf & Rasmussen, 2013b). Smaller stages in each species generally prefer smaller prey and tend to use different microhabitats than larger conspecifics.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The greatest source of intraspecific variation stems from differences in ontogenetic stage (De Roos & Persson, 2013; Nakazawa, 2015; Rudolf, 2020; Zhao et al., 2014). Fundamental traits such as size, behaviour, resource use and defence against consumers vary considerably between ontogenetic stages (Werner & Gilliam, 1984; Yang & Rudolf, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ontogenetic diversity buffers communities against consequences of species loss

Rudolf

Eveland

2021

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Biodiversity can be measured at multiple organizational scales. While traditional studies have focused at taxonomic diversity, recent studies have emphasized the ecological importance of diversity within populations. However, it is unclear how these different scales of diversity interact to determine the consequence of species loss. Here we asked how predator diversity and presence of ontogenetic diversity within predator populations influences community structure. Ontogenetic diversity arises from shifts in the traits and ecology of individuals during ontogeny and it is one of the biggest sources of intraspecific diversity. However, whether it dampens or strengthens the negative consequences of with species loss is poorly understood. To study the interaction of species diversity and ontogenetic diversity, we experimentally manipulated predator species diversity and diversity of developmental stages within focal predator species and analysed their joint effect on predator and prey survival, biomass and prey community structure in experimental pond systems. While individual effects of ontogenetic diversity were often species specific, losing predator species from the community often had a much smaller or no effect on prey survival, biomass or community structure when all predator populations had high ontogenetic diversity. Thus, ontogenetic diversity within populations buffered against some of the consequences of biodiversity loss at higher organizational levels. Because the experiment controlled mean per capita size and biomass across structured versus unstructured populations, this pattern was not driven by differences in biomass of predators. Instead, results suggest that effects were driven by changes in the functional roles and indirect interactions across and within species. This indicates that even if all environmental conditions are similar, differences in the intrinsic structure of populations can modify the consequences of biodiversity loss. Together, these results revealed the importance of ontogenetic diversity within species for strengthening the resilience of natural communities to consequences of biodiversity loss and emphasize the need to integrate biodiversity patterns across organizational scales.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ontogenetic diversity buffers communities against consequences of species loss

Rudolf

Eveland

2021

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…Then, K‐means cluster analysis was used to put close individuals into the same functional group based on the PC1 and PC2 values. Each functional group is considered a distinct functional entity, which is typically used to incorporate intraspecific variability in functional ecological studies (e.g., Rudolf, 2020). Scatterplots were utilized to reflect the relationships of the relative skeletal dimensions versus stage to present the subtle changes during development.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Osteological development of a small and fast metamorphic frog, Microhyla fissipes (Anura, Neobatrachia, Microhylidae)

et al. 2021

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Describing osteological development is of great importance for understanding vertebrate phenotypic variations, form‐functional transitions and ecological adaptations. Anurans exhibit dramatic changes in their morphology, habitat preferences, diet and behaviour between the tadpole and frog stages. However, the anatomical details of their cranial and postcranial development have not been extensively studied, especially in Microhylidae. In this work, we studied the microhylid Microhyla fissipes, commonly known as the ornamented pygmy frog, a small‐sized frog with fast metamorphosis. Its osteological development was comprehensively described based on 120 cleared and stained specimens, including six tadpoles for each stage between 28 and 45, six juveniles and six adults. Additionally, 22 osteological traits of these specimens involved in food acquisition, respiration, audition and locomotion were selected and measured to reflect the changes in tadpole ecological functions during metamorphosis. Our study provides the first detailed qualitative and quantitative developmental information about these structures. Our results have confirmed that skeletal elements (viz., neopalatines, omosternum, clavicles and procoracoids) absent in adults are not detected during development. Our data reveal that morphologically, radical transformations of the cranial structures related to feeding and breathing are completed within stages 42–45 (72 h), but the relative length and width of these skeletons have changed in earlier stages. The postcranial skeletons correlated with locomotion are well developed before stage 42 and approach the adult morphology at stage 45. Indeed, the relative length of the pectoral girdle and forelimb reaches the adult level at stage 42 and stage 45, respectively, whereas that of the vertebral column, pelvic girdle and hind limbs increases from their appearance until reaching adulthood. Based on published accounts of 19 species from Neobatrachia, Mesobatrachia and Archaeobatrachia, cranial elements are among the first ossified skeletons in most studied species, whereas sphenethmoids, neopalatines, quadratojugals, mentomeckelians, carpals and tarsals tend to ossify after metamorphosis. These results will help us to better understand the ecomorphological transformations of anurans from aquatic to terrestrial life. Meanwhile, detailed morphological and quantitative accounts of the osteological development of Microhyla fissipes will provide a foundation for further study.

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