The function and conservation of many forest ecosystems depend on the distribution and diversity of the community of rodents that consume and disperse seeds.The habitat preferences and interactions are especially rele...The function and conservation of many forest ecosystems depend on the distribution and diversity of the community of rodents that consume and disperse seeds.The habitat preferences and interactions are especially relevant in alpine systems where such granivorous rodents reach the southernmost limit of their distribution and are especially sensitive to global warming.We analyzed the community of granivorous rodents in the Pyrenees,one of the southernmost mountain ranges of Europe.Rodent species were identified by DNA with particular attention to the Apodemus species,which are prominent seed-dispersing rodents in Europe.We confirmed for the first time the presence of the yellow-necked mouse,Apodemus flavicollis,in central Pyrenees,a typical Eurosiberian species that reaches its southernmost distribution limit in this area.We also found the wood mouse,Apodemus sylvaticus,a related species more tolerant to Mediterranean environments.Both rodents were spatially segregated by altitude.A.sylvaticus was rare at high altitudes,which might cause the genetic differentiation between populations of the different valleys reported here.We also found other seed consumers like dormice,Elyomis quercinus,and voles,Myodes glareolus,with marked habitat preferences.We suggest that population isolation among valleys may increase the genetic diversity of rodents,like A.sylvaticus.We also highlight the potential threat that global warming may represent for species linked to high-altitude refuges at the southern edge of its distribution,like Apodemus flavicollis.Finally,we discuss how this threat may have a dimension in the conservation of alpine forests dispersed by these rodent populations.展开更多
Synchrony between seed growth and oogenesis is suggested to largely shape trophic breadth of seed-feeding insects and ultimately to contribute to their co-existence by means of resource partitioning or in the time whe...Synchrony between seed growth and oogenesis is suggested to largely shape trophic breadth of seed-feeding insects and ultimately to contribute to their co-existence by means of resource partitioning or in the time when infestation occurs.Here we investigated:(i)the role of seed phenology and sexual maturation of females in the host specificity of seed-feeding weevils(Curculio spp.)predating in hazel and oak mixed forests;and(ii)the consequences that trophic breadth and host distribution have in the genetic structure of the weevil populations.DNA analyses were used to establish unequivocally host specificity and to determine the population genetic structure.We identified 4 species with different specificity,namely Curculio nucum females matured earlier and infested a unique host(hazelnuts,Corylus avellana)while 3 species(Curculio venosus,Curculio glandium and Curculio elephas)predated upon the acorns of the 2 oaks(Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens).The high specificity of C.nucum coupled with a more discontinuous distribution of hazel trees resulted in a significant genetic structure among sites.In addition,the presence of an excess of local rare haplotypes indicated that C.nucum populations went through genetic expansion after recent bottlenecks.Conversely,these effects were not observed in the more generalist Curculio glandium predating upon oaks.Ultimately,co-existence of weevil species in this multi-host-parasite system is influenced by both resource and time partitioning.To what extent the restriction in gene flow among C.nucum populations may have negative consequences for their persistence in a time of increasing disturbances(e.g.drought in Mediterranean areas)deserves further research.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the projects IMPACTBOAR(394/2011)and PLAGANADO AGL2014-54739-9R.B.was funded by a contract of the Atracción de Talento Investigador Programme(Gobierno de Extremadura TA13032).
文摘The function and conservation of many forest ecosystems depend on the distribution and diversity of the community of rodents that consume and disperse seeds.The habitat preferences and interactions are especially relevant in alpine systems where such granivorous rodents reach the southernmost limit of their distribution and are especially sensitive to global warming.We analyzed the community of granivorous rodents in the Pyrenees,one of the southernmost mountain ranges of Europe.Rodent species were identified by DNA with particular attention to the Apodemus species,which are prominent seed-dispersing rodents in Europe.We confirmed for the first time the presence of the yellow-necked mouse,Apodemus flavicollis,in central Pyrenees,a typical Eurosiberian species that reaches its southernmost distribution limit in this area.We also found the wood mouse,Apodemus sylvaticus,a related species more tolerant to Mediterranean environments.Both rodents were spatially segregated by altitude.A.sylvaticus was rare at high altitudes,which might cause the genetic differentiation between populations of the different valleys reported here.We also found other seed consumers like dormice,Elyomis quercinus,and voles,Myodes glareolus,with marked habitat preferences.We suggest that population isolation among valleys may increase the genetic diversity of rodents,like A.sylvaticus.We also highlight the potential threat that global warming may represent for species linked to high-altitude refuges at the southern edge of its distribution,like Apodemus flavicollis.Finally,we discuss how this threat may have a dimension in the conservation of alpine forests dispersed by these rodent populations.
基金This research was supported by the projects FORASSEMBLY(CGL2015-70558-P)and PLAGANADO(AGL2014-54739-R)of the Spanish Ministry of Economythe projects BEEMED(SGR913)(Generalitat de Catalunya)and PII1C09-0256-9052(Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha and the European Social Fund)R.B.was funded by a contract of the Program Atracción de Talento Investigador(Gobierno de Extremadura).
文摘Synchrony between seed growth and oogenesis is suggested to largely shape trophic breadth of seed-feeding insects and ultimately to contribute to their co-existence by means of resource partitioning or in the time when infestation occurs.Here we investigated:(i)the role of seed phenology and sexual maturation of females in the host specificity of seed-feeding weevils(Curculio spp.)predating in hazel and oak mixed forests;and(ii)the consequences that trophic breadth and host distribution have in the genetic structure of the weevil populations.DNA analyses were used to establish unequivocally host specificity and to determine the population genetic structure.We identified 4 species with different specificity,namely Curculio nucum females matured earlier and infested a unique host(hazelnuts,Corylus avellana)while 3 species(Curculio venosus,Curculio glandium and Curculio elephas)predated upon the acorns of the 2 oaks(Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens).The high specificity of C.nucum coupled with a more discontinuous distribution of hazel trees resulted in a significant genetic structure among sites.In addition,the presence of an excess of local rare haplotypes indicated that C.nucum populations went through genetic expansion after recent bottlenecks.Conversely,these effects were not observed in the more generalist Curculio glandium predating upon oaks.Ultimately,co-existence of weevil species in this multi-host-parasite system is influenced by both resource and time partitioning.To what extent the restriction in gene flow among C.nucum populations may have negative consequences for their persistence in a time of increasing disturbances(e.g.drought in Mediterranean areas)deserves further research.
