Preprints
Filtering by Subject: Population Biology
Natural variation in the growth and development of Protopiophila litigata (Diptera: Piophilidae) developing in three moose (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) antlers
Published: 2020-03-17
Subjects: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Entomology, Evolution, Life Sciences, Population Biology
In animals, the early-life environment influences growth and development, which can have lasting effects on life history and fitness into adulthood. We investigated patterns of growth, pupal development time, and their covariation, in wild antler fly larvae (Protopiophila litigata; Diptera: Piophilidae) of both sexes collected from three discarded moose antlers of varying size, chewing damage [...]
Toward a metabolic theory of life history
Published: 2019-09-29
Subjects: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Evolution, Life Sciences, Population Biology
Significance Data and theory reveal how organisms allocate metabolic energy to components of the life history that determine fitness. In each generation animals take up biomass energy from the environment and expended it on survival, growth, and reproduction. Life histories of animals exhibit enormous diversity – from large fish and invertebrates that produce literally millions of tiny eggs and [...]
Evidence synthesis for tackling research waste
Published: 2019-09-21
Subjects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Life Sciences, Population Biology, Research Methods in Life Sciences, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
There is an urgent need for a change in research workflows so that pre-existing knowledge is better utilised in designing new research. A formal assessment of the accumulated knowledge prior to research approval would reduce the waste of already limited resources caused by asking low priority questions.
Survival and migration of rock ptarmigan in central Scandinavia
Published: 2019-09-19
Subjects: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Life Sciences, Population Biology
In a world undergoing massive declines in the distribution and abundance of many wildlife species, documenting basic ecological characteristics is often needed to be able to understand and potentially mitigate current and future pressures. Species living in alpine areas might be particularly vulnerable to climate change, in part because they are less likely to be able to migrate to new suitable [...]
Optimising occupancy models and detection probability for conservation monitoring in a forest-dwelling small mammal
Published: 2019-08-13
Subjects: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Forest Biology, Forest Sciences, Life Sciences, Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Population Biology
The ability to determine the survey effort required to detect species presence is critical for the conservation of populations in order to monitor changes in distribution or abundance, a challenge for rare and elusive species. While designing an effective population survey may be of concern to scientists, it may also be a legal requirement for protected species. We analysed how spatial and [...]
A future without stocking? The importance of harvest and river regulation for long-term population viability of migratory salmonids
Published: 2019-05-29
Subjects: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Life Sciences, Population Biology, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
1. Humans are influencing animal and plant populations both directly (e.g. through harvest) and indirectly by altering environments. For many exploited species, stocking with captive-bred individuals is a common strategy to mitigate negative human impacts and sustain populations over time. However, accumulating knowledge of negative side effects of stocking calls for quantification of [...]
Models of spatiotemporal variation in rabbit abundance reveal management hotspots for an invasive species
Published: 2019-03-27
Subjects: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Life Sciences, Population Biology, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Aim: The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a notorious economic and environmental pest species in its invasive range. To better understand the population and range dynamics of this species, long-term abundance data has been collected across a broad range of climatic and environmental condition in Australia. We analysed this time series data to determine whether inter-annual variation in [...]