A5075519167- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Language and cultural evolution
- Bamboo properties and applications
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Environmental Changes in China
- Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Marine and fisheries research
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Career Development and Diversity
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Agricultural Innovations and Practices
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
University of Maine
2018-2025
Colby College
2022-2023
University of Maine System
2021
Dartmouth College
2015-2018
The integration of environmental DNA (eDNA) within management strategies for lotic organisms requires translating eDNA detection and quantification data into inferences the locations abundances target species. Understanding how is distributed in space time complex environments rivers streams a major factor achieving this translation. Here we study bidimensional signals to predict position abundance Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) juveniles. We use from sentinel cages with range (3–63...
Abstract Designing eDNA tools to detect and quantify rare species includes inherent assumptions about the spatial distribution of organism, nature dynamics, real‐world performance alternate assays under field conditions. Here, we use cage experiments with small numbers Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ), reveal that detection rates quantities follow a predictable, but nonlinear relationship distance from point source. In contrast common assumption consistent degradation moving away source,...
Populations must continuously respond to environmental change or risk extinction. These responses can be measured as phenotypic rates of change, which allow researchers predict their contemporary evolutionary responses. In 1999, a database in wild populations was compiled. Since then, have used (and expanded) this examine the function features study system (i.e., population set populations, given species, that experienced specific driver disturbance), traits, and methodological approaches....
Wild populations must continuously respond to environmental changes or they risk extinction. Those responses can be measured as phenotypic rates of change, which allow us predict contemporary adaptive responses, some are evolutionary. About two decades ago, a database change in wild was compiled. Since then, researchers have used (and expanded) this examine specific types human disturbance. Here, we update the by adding 5675 new estimates change. Using newer version data base, now containing...
Evolution in harvested species has become a major concern for its potential to affect yield, sustainability, and recovery. However, the current singular focus on harvest-mediated evolution target overlooks non-target members of communities. Here we use an individual-based model explore scope pattern at trophic levels feedbacks abundance yield species. The reveals eco-evolutionary cascade, which harvest top drives greater defense or competitiveness subsequently lower levels, resulting...
Abstract The COVID‐19 pandemic and its related human activity shutdowns provide unique opportunities for biodiversity monitoring through what has been termed the “anthropause” or “great confinement experiment.” caused immense disruption to in northeastern United States spring of 2020, with notable reductions traffic levels. These coincided seasonal migration adult amphibians, which are typically subject intense vehicle‐impact mortality. Using data collected as part an annual community...
Cyanobacteria and their toxins have received significant attention in eutrophic temperate tropical systems where conspicuous blooms of certain planktonic taxa release into fresh water, threatening its potability safe use for recreation. Although toxigenic cyanobacteria are not confined to high nutrient environments, bloom-forming species, or taxa, these other situations studied les often studied. For example, toxin production picoplankton benthic cyanobacteria—the predominant photoautotrophs...
Abstract Collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) as a nonlethal sampling approach has been valuable in detecting the presence/absence of many imperiled taxa; however, its application to indicate species abundance poses challenges. A deeper understanding eDNA dynamics aquatic systems is required better interpret substantial variability often associated with samples. Our design took advantage natural variation juvenile Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) distribution and along 9 km single river...
Abstract Humans are dominant global drivers of ecological and evolutionary change, rearranging ecosystems natural selection. In the present article, we show increasing evidence that human activity also plays a disproportionate role in shaping eco-evolutionary potential systems—the likelihood change generating vice versa. We suggest net outcome influences on trait ecology, feedback loops link them will often (but not always) be to increase potential, with important consequences for stability...
Eco-evolutionary feedbacks may determine the outcome of predator–prey interactions in nature, but little work has been done to quantify feedback effect short-term prey adaptation on predator performance. We tested effects availability and recent (less than 100 years) feeding growth rate largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), foraging western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis ). Field surveys showed higher densities larger average body sizes recently introduced populations without bass. Over...
Abstract Captive propagation can lead to phenotypic change in fish populations, but the broader community‐level consequences of captive phenotypes remain largely unknown. We investigate degree which alters and ecological roles stocked into wild communities. focus on western mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis ) for biocontrol, represents one largest scale production efforts any released wild. consistently generated novel mixtures morphological behavioural traits that deviate from those...
Phenotypic trait differences among populations can shape ecological outcomes for communities and ecosystems. However, few studies have mechanistically linked heritable plastic components of variation to generalizable processes ecology, such as trophic cascades. Here, we assess morphological behavioral in nine common garden–reared western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) from three distinct ancestral predator environments (three per environment), each reared the presence absence cues. We then...
Linking genotype to phenotype is a primary goal for understanding the genomic underpinnings of evolution. However, little work has explored whether patterns linked and phenotypic differentiation are congruent across natural study systems traits. Here, we investigate such with meta-analysis studies examining population-level at subsets loci traits putatively responding divergent selection. We show that 31 (88 comparisons) examined, there was moderate (
Abstract Warming temperatures from climate change are altering the distributions and abundances of many species. Aquatic organisms, however, may be buffered immediate impacts air temperature due to thermal inertia water. The extent this buffering in freshwater ecosystems will determine fate possible management strategies for ecologically economically important Using 11 years stream data collected an uninhabited New Hampshire watershed, we investigated relationship between water throughout...
Many invasive species may be constrained in their ability to invade high latitude or elevation habitats due limits of cold tolerance. However, isolated populations at the edge these species' geographic ranges face a combination strong selection and lack maladaptive gene flow that allows them adapt further. Here we show an population Gambusia affinis (on Cape Cod, MA, USA), one most fish world, can survive temperatures lower than any reported tolerances for other populations, with large,...
Growth-survival tradeoffs may be a generalizable mechanism influencing trajectories of prey evolution. Here, we investigate evolutionary contributions to growth and survival in western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) from 10 populations high- low-predation ancestral environments. We assess (i) the degree which components are consistent or inconsistent across within predation environments, (ii) whether trade off at population level. measure on groups common-reared pond mesocosms. find that...
While many species distributions are shifting poleward or up in elevation response to a changing climate, others their habitats along localized gradients environmental conditions as abiotic become more stressful. Whether moving across regional local climate change, range-shifting embedded established communities of competitors and predators. The consequences these shifts for both resident often unknown, it can be difficult isolate the effects multiple interactions. Using model system insects...
Summary There is a lack of consensus in theoretical and empirical literature on whether height–diameter (H:D) relationships canopy trees are asymptotic. To investigate H:D allometry, particularly the transition to canopy, we focused shade‐tolerant A bies balsamea , across steep physical gradients associated with elevation, correlated biotically generated stem density, height species composition. We addressed these questions: A. What relation between allometric form emergence into canopy? B....
We propose that the global environmental crises of Anthropocene are outcome a ratcheting process in long-term human evolution which has favored groups increased size and greater exploitation. To explore this hypothesis, we review changes ecological niche. Evidence indicates growth niche been facilitated by group-level cultural traits for control. Following logic, sustaining biosphere under intense use will likely require traits, including legal technical systems. investigate conditions...
Abstract Ecology lags among STEM disciplines in terms of recruiting and retaining undergraduate students from marginalized groups. A keystone element many ecologists' training is an emphasis on field experiences at the level, such as research courses (FRCs), which involve undergraduates research. FRCs similar common ecology (e.g., technician position, thesis research) have been shown to increase feelings self‐efficacy belonging who engage with them, including However, design implementation...
An evolutionary transition in individuality (ETI) is the emergence of a new level biological complexity, such as multicellular life or eusocial insects. There disagreement on degree to which human species undergoing transition. Here, we advance theory long-term evolution driven by an underlying inheritance from DNA cultural signals. We argue that could be three features culture. First, provides greater capacity for rapid adaptation than genetic inheritance. Second, culture constitutes...