A5081932441- Avian ecology and behavior
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Language and cultural evolution
- Health Sciences Research and Education
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Health and Medical Research Impacts
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Educational Strategies and Epistemologies
- Linguistic Variation and Morphology
- Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
- Academic Writing and Publishing
- Linguistics and language evolution
- Lexicography and Language Studies
- Aviation Industry Analysis and Trends
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
University of Bristol
2016-2025
University of Aberdeen
2023-2025
University of St Andrews
2018-2023
At Bristol
2023
University of Oxford
2014-2022
Louisiana State University
1987-1988
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
1987
Abstract An organism’s ability to disperse influences many fundamental processes, from speciation and geographical range expansion community assembly. However, the patterns underlying drivers of variation in dispersal across species remain unclear, partly because standardised estimates are rarely available. Here we present a global dataset avian hand-wing index (HWI), an estimate wing shape widely adopted as proxy for birds. We show that HWI is correlated with geography ecology 10,338...
The influence of flying Although birds' eggs are generally ovoid in shape, there is considerable variation the degree to which they symmetrical, round, or bottom-heavy. Many hypotheses have been put forward explain what has driven this variation, with many accepting life history nesting explanations. Stoddard et al. looked at nearly 50,000 from more than 1400 species morphological, biophysical, and evolutionary perspectives found little support for previous (see Perspective by Spottiswoode)....
THE PURPOSE of this study was to examine sixth-grade students' awareness four expository text structures (collection, comparison/contrast, causation, and problem/solution) their recall texts written in those structures. Three measures with different cognitive demands (use organization recall, use composition, response interviews) were employed provide a deeper probing than previous research had yielded. Two used that have been found be sensitive differences readers' structure: subjects' main...
Communal signalling—wherein males and females collaborate to produce joint visual or acoustic displays—is perhaps the most complex least understood form of communication in social animals. Although many communal signals appear mediate competitive interactions within between coalitions individuals, previous studies have highlighted a confusing array environmental factors that may explain evolution these displays, we still lack global synthesis needed understand why are distributed so unevenly...
Quantifying the role of biodiversity in ecosystems not only requires understanding links between species and ecological functions services they provide, but also how these factors relate to measurable indices, such as functional traits phylogenetic diversity. However, relationships remain poorly understood, especially for heterotrophic organisms within complex networks. Here, we assemble data on avian across a global sample mutualistic plant–frugivore networks critically assess roles...
Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential refuelling requirements simulate number stopovers required duration current 77 bird species breeding in Europe. Using tracking data, show that our estimates accord with recorded journey times most species. We then projections altered under climate...
Abstract The duration of the developmental period represents a fundamental axis life-history variation, yet broad insights regarding drivers this diversity are currently lacking. Here, we test mechanistic and ecological explanations for evolution using embryological data information on incubation fledging 3096 avian species. Developmental phases associated primarily with growth longest most variable, consistent role allometric constraint in determining development. In addition, durations...
Abstract Aim Whether entire communities of organisms converge towards predictable structural properties in similar environmental conditions remains controversial. We tested for community convergence birds by comparing the structure oceanic archipelago assemblages with their respective regional species pools. Location Eighteen major archipelagos volcanic origin global distribution. Major taxa studied Terrestrial birds. Methods compiled a comprehensive database morphological trait and...
Abstract Natal dispersal—the movement from birthplace to breeding location—is often considered the most significant dispersal event in an animal's lifetime. distances may be shaped by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, remain poorly quantified groups, highlighting need for indices that capture variation among species. In birds, it is hypothesized distance can predicted flight efficiency, which estimated using wing morphology. However, use morphological predict remains contentious...
The evolution of behaviour can both influence, and be influenced by, morphology. Recent advances in methods data availability have facilitated broad-scale investigations physical form behavioural function many contexts, but the relationship between animal morphology object manipulation-particularly objects used construction-remains largely unknown. Here, we employ a new global database nest materials by 5924 species birds together with phylogenetically informed random forest models to...
Brood (social) parasites and their hosts exhibit a wide range of adaptations counter-adaptations as part ongoing coevolutionary arms races. Obligate avian brood are expected to use potential host species with more easily accessible nests, while evade parasitism by building concealed nests that difficult for enter in which lay eggs. We used phylogenetically informed comparative analyses, global database the world's parasites, species, design non-host (approx. 6200 bird species) examine first,...
The widespread destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats around the world creates a strong incentive to understand how species communities respond such pressures. vast majority research into habitat has focused solely on presence or absence. However, analyses using innovative functional methodologies offer prospect providing new insights key questions surrounding community structure in fragmented systems. A topic is nestedness (i.e. ordered composition assemblages involving...
Abstract Language is one of the most complex human traits. There are many hypotheses about how it originated, what factors shaped its diversity, and ongoing processes drive changes. We present Causal Hypotheses in Evolutionary Linguistics Database (CHIELD, https://chield.excd.org/), a tool for expressing, exploring, evaluating hypotheses. It allows researchers to integrate multiple theories into coherent narrative, helping design future research. goals, formal specification, an...
Abstract The size of a bird's nest can play key role in ensuring reproductive success and is determined by variety factors. primary function the to protect offspring from environment predators. Field studies number passerine species have indicated that higher‐latitude populations colder habitats build larger nests with thicker walls compared lower‐latitude populations, but these are more vulnerable predation. Increases also be driven sexual selection, as act signal parental quality prompt...
As humans increasingly modify the natural world, many animals have responded by changing their behaviour. Understanding and predicting extent of these responses is a key step in conserving species. For example, tendency for some species birds to incorporate anthropogenic items-particularly plastic material-into nests increasing concern, as cases, this behaviour has harmful effects on adults, young eggs. Studies phenomenon, however, date been largely limited geographic taxonomic scope. To...
ABSTRACT Aim The tendency for animals in warmer climates to be longer‐limbed (Allen's Rule) is widely attributed the demands of thermoregulation. role thermoregulation structuring bird wings, however, has been overshadowed by selective placed on wings flight. We test whether occurrence associated with longer wing bones. Location Global. Time Period Current. Major Taxa Studied Aves: Passeriformes. Methods Using computer vision, we measure wing‐bone length from photographs museum skeletal...
Animals communicate using multiple sensory channels, including via vision. The colourful plumage of birds is a model system to study visual communication, having evolved through complex interplay processes, acting not only on the ability patch convey information, but also in response physiological and environmental factors. Although much research inter-specific variation bird has concentrated sexual selection, less considered role non-sexual selection how it affected by joint effects avian...
AbstractWe compare the etymologies of ethnobiological nomenclature in 130 hunter-gatherer and agriculturist languages Australia, North America, Amazonia. Previous work has identified correlations between systems terminology dominant means community subsistence, relating stability to "salience" items. However, relevance subsistence patterns development requires further investigation, as does notion how it might relate etymological stability. The current study probes relationship salience...
Abstract Motivation A well‐constructed nest is a key element of successful reproduction in most species birds, and morphology varies widely across the class. Macroecological macroevolutionary studies tend to group design into small number discrete categories, often based on taxonomic inference. In reality, however, many display considerable intraspecific variation their nest‐building behaviour, broad‐level categories may include several functionally distinct types. To address this...
According to classic models of lineage diversification and adaptive radiation, phenotypic evolution should accelerate in the context ecological opportunity slow down when niches become saturated.1Etienne R.S. Cabral J.S. Hagen O. Hartig F. Hurlbert A.H. Pellissier L. Pontarp M. Storch D. A minimal model for latitudinal diversity gradient suggests a dominant role limits.Am. Nat. 2019; 194: E122-E133Crossref PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar,2Rabosky D.L. Species richness at continental Scales...
Diversity in the shapes of avian eggs has intrigued biologists for centuries, and recent studies at a range taxonomic scales suggest that egg shape can be powerful lens through which to view morphological adaptation. At broad level, we previously examined 1400 species (Stoddard et al. 2017). Our study, contained detailed analysis morphospace new biophysical model formation, included broad-scale phylogenetic comparative across more than 1200 representing 34 orders 143 families. We found that,...