Phylogenetics of the skyhoppers (Kosciuscola) of the Australian Alps : evolutionary and conservation implications

The true biodiversity of Australia's alpine and subalpine endemics is unknown. Genetic studies to date have focused on sub-regions and restricted taxa, but even so, indicate deep divergences across small geographic scales and therefore that the bulk of biodiversity remains to be discovered. We aimed to study the phylogeography of the Australian Alps by focusing on the skyhoppers (Kosciuscola), a genus of five species of flightless grasshoppers whose combined distributions both span the region and are almost exclusively contained within it. Our sampling covered 650 km on the mainland and several sites in Tasmania with total of 260 specimens used to reconstruct a robust phylogeny of Koscisucola. Phylogenies were based on single nucleotide polymorphism data generated from double-digested restriction-associated DNA sequencing. Skyhoppers diverged around 2 million years ago and have since undergone complex diversification seemingly driven by climatic oscillations throughout the Pleistocene. We recovered not 5 but 14 clades indicating the presence of many unknown species. Our results support conspicuous geographic features as genetic breaks; e.g. the Murray Valley, and inconspicuous ones; e.g. between the Bogong High Plains and Mt Hotham. Climate change is progressing quickly in the region and its impact, particularly on snow, could have severe consequences for the skyhoppers' overwinter survival. The true diversity of skyhoppers highlights that biodiversity loss in the Alps as a result of climate change is likely to be far greater than what can be estimated based on current species numbers and that management including small geographical scales is key

Monitoreo de visitas florales mediante el Conteo Cronometrado de Visitantes Florales (FIT Count)

El Conteo Cronometrado de Visitantes Florales (de aquí en adelante denominado como FIT Count) es un sencillo protocolo de ciencia ciudadana que tiene como objetivo colectar datos sobre eventos de visita en flores por una amplia gama de polinizadores, incluyendo abejorros, abejas sin aguijón, abejas melíferas, moscas y picaflores. Cada FIT Count está estandarizado a una duración de 10 minutos y se realiza en un parche floral determinado, usando un cuadrante de 50 x 50 cm. Dado que la polinización depende de las interacciones de los insectos (u otros visitantes florales) con las flores, es importante para un programa de ciencia ciudadana de largo plazo el poder evaluar cómo estas interacciones cambian en el tiempo y el espacio. El protocolo FIT Count nos permite afrontar este desafío mediante la obtención de datos de abundancia de visitantes florales en distintos hábitats y lugares. ¡También ofrece una excelente oportunidad de aprendizaje y de acercar a las personas a los polinizadores y las flores, dado que cualquier persona puede participar!Fil: Carvell, Claire. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Reino UnidoFil: Chiazzese, Jim. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Reino UnidoFil: Zattara, Eduardo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Fontúrbel, Francisco E.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Muschett Rivera, Giselle. Instituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad; ChileFil: Pirani Ghilardi Lopes, Natalia. Universidad Federal Do Abc; BrasilFil: Miranda Soares, Filipi. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Using Ecological Modelling to Assess the Long-Term Survival of the West-Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the Panama Canal

There is evidence of a thriving population of West-Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the Panama Canal, although it is not clear if they are descendants of a small group of introduced manatees or if manatees have entered the Canal from the Caribbean through the Canal locks. This study describes the development and application of an individual-based model to assess the survival of a population of West-Indian manatees in the Panama Canal. In addition, we seek to determine the effects of isolation, predation, and mortality on long term survival. The model was parameterized using empirical data collected from the literature to every extent possible. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the model’s sensitivity to changes in the used parameters. Four scenarios were modeled to understand under which conditions the original population could have been maintained over time. Our results show that the manatee population would have collapsed quite quickly after its initial introduction and that only through the addition of several individuals into the lake over the years could the population have survived until the present day. Our results have important implications for the long-term conservation of this endangered species

Male mate choice in the chameleon grasshopper (Kosciuscola tristis)

In many species, males can increase their fitness by mating with the highest quality females. Female quality can be indicated by cues, such as body size, age and mating status. In the alpine grasshopper Kosciuscola tristis, males can be found riding on subadult females early in the season, and as the season progresses, males engage in fights over ovipositing females. These observations suggest that males may be competing for females that are either unmated (early season) or sperm-depleted (late season). We thus hypothesised that male K. tristis may be choosy in relation to female mating status, and specifically, we predicted that males prefer females that are unmated. We conducted behavioural experiments in which males were given the choice of two females, one mated and one unmated. Contrary to our prediction, males did not mate preferentially with unmated females. However, copulation duration with unmated females was, on average, 24 times the length of copulation with mated females. While female K. tristis can reject mates, we did not observe any evidence of overt female choice during our trials. Females may gain additional benefits from mating multiply and may therefore not readily reject males. While our experiment cannot definitively disentangle female from male control over copulation duration, we suggest that males choose to invest more time in copula with unmated females, perhaps for paternity assurance, and that male mate assessment occurs during copulation rather than beforehand

Within-season variability of fighting behaviour in an Australian alpine grasshopper

<div><p>Throughout the breeding season, changing environmental and biological conditions can lead to variation in the reproductive landscape of many species. In alpine environments temperature is a key driver of behaviour for small ectotherms such as insects, but variable biotic factors such as mate quality and availability can also influence behaviour. <i>Kosicuscola tristis</i> is a small semelparous grasshopper of the Australian alpine region. In a rare behaviour among grasshoppers, <i>K</i>. <i>tristis</i> males engage in vigorous fights over access to females, involving mandible displays, kicking, biting and grappling. In this study we describe the variation in fighting behaviour of <i>K</i>. <i>tristis</i> throughout the breeding season and test several hypotheses related to temperature, body size, mating behaviour, and female quality. We show that <i>K</i>. <i>tristis</i> males are more aggressive toward each other at the end of the breeding season than at the beginning. This increased aggression is associated with decreased daily average temperatures (from ~20°C to ~9°C), decreased mating activity, increased female fecundity, and an unexpected trend toward an increase in female-to-male aggression. These results suggest that <i>K</i>. <i>tristis</i> is likely under increased selective pressure to time key life cycle events with favourable biological and climatic conditions. The stochastic nature of alpine environments combined with a relatively short life span and breeding season, as well as limited mating opportunities toward the end of the season may have contributed to the evolution of this extraordinary mating system.</p></div

Mean monthly minimum and maximum temperatures for the 2013–2014 Australian Spring, Summer and Autumn.

<p>Mean monthly minimum and maximum temperatures for the 2013–2014 Australian Spring, Summer and Autumn.</p

Principal component analysis (PCA).

<p>PCA of temperature (days above 13°C), average male size, male and female aggression, mating behaviour (latency to mate and mating duration), and female fecundity (egg weight). The plot shows each trial per month of the season as a coloured dot and each variable as a vector. Vectors that are close together are highly correlated, while vectors that are orthogonal are poorly correlated. Length and direction of arrows show the strength and direction of correlation, respectively.</p

Aggressive behaviours in grasshopper behavioural trials

<p>Aggressive behaviours in grasshopper behavioural trials</p

Estimates for GLM models describing the relationship between male aggression and temperature (Days above 13°C), female egg weight and female-male aggression in <i>Kosciuscola tristis</i>.

<p>Estimates for GLM models describing the relationship between male aggression and temperature (Days above 13°C), female egg weight and female-male aggression in <i>Kosciuscola tristis</i>.</p

Pearson correlation between <i>K</i>. <i>tristis</i> femur and pronotum length.

<p>Pearson correlation between male (open circles) and female (open squares) pronotum and femur length.</p