Metabolic rates, climate and macroevolution: a case study using Neogene molluscs

Abstract

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is posited to be a fundamental control on the structure and dynamics of ecological networks, influencing organism resource use and rates of senescence. Differences in the maintenance energy requirements of individual species therefore potentially predict extinction likelihood. If validated, this would comprise an important link between organismic ecology and macroevolutionary dynamics. To test this hypothesis, the BMRs of organisms within fossil species were determined using body size and temperature data, and considered in the light of species' survival and extinction through time. Our analysis focused on the high-resolution record of Pliocene to recent molluscs (bivalves and gastropods) from the Western Atlantic. Species-specific BMRs were calculated by measuring the size range of specimens from museum collections, determining ocean temperature using the HadCM3 global climate model, and deriving values based on relevant equations. Intriguingly, a statistically significant difference in metabolic rate exists between those bivalve and gastropod taxa that went extinct and those that survived throughout the course of the Neogene. This indicates that there is a scaling up from organismic properties to species survival for these communities. Metabolic rate could therefore represent an important metric for predicting future extinction patterns, with changes in global climate potentially affecting the lifespan of individuals, ultimately leading to the extinction of the species they are contained within. We also find that, at the assemblage level, there are no significant differences in metabolic rates for different time intervals throughout the entire study period. This may suggest that Neogene mollusc communities have remained energetically stable, despite many extinctions.

A cross-species neural integration of gravity for motor optimisation

“…This cross-species neural strategy may underline the fundamental influence of gravity on the evolution, development, and function of motor systems. The metabolic rate was shown to influence body size, resource use, rate of senescence and survival probability (Berghänel et al, 2015; Brown et al, 2004; DeLong et al, 2010; Munch and Salinas, 2009; Strotz et al, 2018; Voorhies and Ward, 1999). Preserving muscle effort may thus represent an essential pursuit for the brain (Baraduc et al, 2013; Bramble and Lieberman, 2004; Carrier et al, 2011; Cheval et al, 2018a, 2018b; Farshchiansadegh et al, 2016; Huang et al, 2012; Inzlicht et al, 2018; Kurzban et al, 2013; Lee et al, 2016; Lieberman, 2015; Mazzoni et al, 2007; Morel et al, 2017; Pageaux, 2016; Pageaux and Gaveau, 2016; Selinger et al, 2015; Shadmehr et al, 2016; Walton et al, 2006; Wang and Dounskaia, 2012).…”

Immigration and extirpation selectivity patterns of brachiopods and bivalves across a Carboniferous glacial to non-glacial transition (Pennsylvanian, central western Argentina) and their influence in building the biotic bathymetric gradient

“…A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T extinction (Strotz et al, 2018). In any case, such a scenario can be ruled out because our results…”

“…A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T probability (Strotz et al, 2018). Considering that brachiopods and bivalves differ in their metabolic rates (Payne et al, 2014), it could be expected that their differential survivorship (Balseiro and Halpern, 2016) was actually a consequence of selectivity based on metabolic rates.…”

“…The geometric mean of longitudinal (x) and transverse (y) measurements was used as a proxy for body size (BZ). Geometric mean has proven to be a good proxy for more complex estimators of body size (Kosnik et al, 2006 (Strotz et al, 2018). Metabolic rate per individual genus was calculated as (Gillooly et al, 2001),…”

“…Metabolic rates could also be important drivers of extinction (Strotz et al, 2018). Facing climate warming more active taxa (i.e.…”