Editorial Report 2008

in Amphibia-Reptilia (2010), 31(1), 151-152

To keep or not to keep gills: Ecology of developmental alternatives in caudate amphibians

Scientific conference (2010)

Facultative paedomorphosis in newts and salamanders: from evolutionary to conservation biology

Scientific conference (2010)

A multi-scale approach to facultative paedomorphosis of European newts (Salamandridae) in the Montenegrin karst: Distribution pattern, environmental variables, and conservation

in Biological Conservation (2009), 142(3), 509-517

Facultative paedomorphosis, a process in which newt larvae can opt for reproduction before or after metamorphosis, is geographically heterogeneous. Despite numerous ecological studies and recent evidence ... [more ▼]

Facultative paedomorphosis, a process in which newt larvae can opt for reproduction before or after metamorphosis, is geographically heterogeneous. Despite numerous ecological studies and recent evidence of declines in paedomorphic populations, however, no attempt to model environmental variables that explain the presence of paedomorphs has been made at a multi-scale level. Our aim was to fill this gap in studying three newt species (Lissotriton vulgaris, Mesotriton alpestris, and Triturus macedonicus) of the Montenegrin karst as model species. To this end, we used multivariate analysis on three scales of habitat: the breeding pond, the land use and the climatologic features. Results show that the study area is both an important hotspot for paedomorphosis and where intraspecific diversity is quickly disappearing (20-47% extirpation) because of fish introductions. Other habitat variables (water permanency, PH or the habitat origin) were shown to act on paedomorphosis but not consistently across species, confirming complexity of the evolutionary and ecological processes. This study appeals for more long-term and detailed landscape studies of polyphenisms, a neglected but promising topic, to better understand and protect alternative modes of development. Particularly, measures should be taken to identify hotspots of intraspecific diversity at a global scale and stop fish introductions before we reach a point of no-return. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Ecological thresholds: an assessment of methods to identify abrupt changes in species-habitat relationships

in Ecography (2009), 32(6), 1075-1084

Habitat thresholds are usually defined as "points of abrupt change" in the species–habitat relationships. Habitat thresholds can be a key tool for understanding species requirements, and provide an ... [more ▼]

Habitat thresholds are usually defined as "points of abrupt change" in the species–habitat relationships. Habitat thresholds can be a key tool for understanding species requirements, and provide an objective definition of conservation targets, by identifying when habitat loss leads to a rapid loss of species, and the minimum amount of habitat necessary for species persistence. However, a large variety of statistical methods have been used to analyse them. In this context, we reviewed these methods and, using simulated data sets, we tested the main models to compare their performance on the identification of thresholds. We show that researchers use very different analytical tools, corresponding to different operational definitions of habitat thresholds, which can considerably affect their detection. Piecewise regression and generalized additive models allow both the distinction between linear and nonlinear dynamics, and the correct identification of break point position. In contrast, other methods such as logistic regression fail because they may incorrectly detect thresholds in gradual patterns, or they may over or underestimate the threshold position. In conservation or habitat modelling, it is important to focus efforts efficiently and the inappropriate choice of statistical methods may have detrimental consequences. [less ▲]

The benefits of heterospecific oophagy in a top predator

in Acta Oecologica: International Journal of Ecology (2008), 34(1), 74-79

Oophagy is a behavioural pattern that has been found in a large variety of predator species in the animal kingdom. In contrast to other modes of feeding, it is peculiar in that it involves the detection ... [more ▼]

Oophagy is a behavioural pattern that has been found in a large variety of predator species in the animal kingdom. In contrast to other modes of feeding, it is peculiar in that it involves the detection, capture and ingestion of immobile prey. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolutionary origin and persistence of this pattern, but they have rarely been tested. The aim of this study was to compare the benefits of a heterospecific oophagous tactic over a non-oophageous diet in terms of biomass intake. To this end, stomach contents were gathered by flushing the stomachs of male and female Alpine newts (Mesotriton alpestris) found in forestry ruts (i.e. pools caused by traffic) during their reproductive period. Prey items were identified, classified into functional categories and their dry mass determined. Frog (Rana temporaria) eggs are valuable prey items that give a higher biomass intake to individuals foraging on them than on those relying on invertebrates. Both sexes of newts practice oophagy but frog eggs are a transient resource that is only available during a part of their aquatic phase. Consequently, the newts adjust their diet to invertebrate predation later in the season after the peak of the frogs' breeding season. Oophagy is thus facultative and not obligate in the study species. The correlated occurrence of prey and predator, similarities between frog eggs and mobile potential prey (tadpoles), and high resource intake are all in favour of the occurrence and persistence of an oophagous feeding tactic. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Editorial Report 2007

in Amphibia-Reptilia (2008), 29(3), 455-456

Effect of temperature increase on the courtship behavior and the fitness in the Palmate newt

Poster (2008)

A trend in global warming is now undeniable. Increases of global temperatures have resulted in measurable shifts in the distribution, phenology and survival of some plant and animal species. However, the ... [more ▼]

A trend in global warming is now undeniable. Increases of global temperatures have resulted in measurable shifts in the distribution, phenology and survival of some plant and animal species. However, the mechanisms showing the link between global warming and declines remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether courtship displays and fitness could be affected by a temperature increase. To this end, we compared the sexual behavior and egg-laying traits at naturally occurring temperatures (14 C, 18 C and 22 C) in palmate newts (Triturus helveticus). First, our results underline the importance of female role in the male courtships. The majority of male behaviors are affected by the female responsiveness, which is temperature dependent. They also show that water temperature increase has a negative effect on the fecundity of female newts. Females lay half as many eggs at high temperatures as they do at low temperatures and of these only one third hatch. The demonstration of such a detrimental effect shows that more experimental studies are required to understand the proximate mechanisms of global warming. [less ▲]

Costs and benefits of facultative paedomorphosis in newts and salamanders across varied environments

Conference (2008)

Distribution and decline of an endangered amphibian species (Triturus cristatus): Effect of pond characteristics and landscape matrix

Poster (2008)