Scheda di dettaglio – i prodotti della ricerca
| Dato | Valore |
|---|---|
| Title | Modelling the future spread of native and alien congeneric species in subterranean habitats - the case of Meta cave-dwelling spiders in Great Britain |
| Abstract | The threshold zones between the epigean and hypogean environments are generally characterized by less harsh ecological conditions than deep subterranean habitats, and usually support a greater abundance of organisms. Transitional habitats such as these should be more easily colonised by alien species, especially by those possessing exaptations suitable for subterranean life. In spite of this, few studies have been conducted to unravel the ecological dynamics between native and alien species in the habitats situated at the epigean/hypogean interface. A unique test case is offered by cave-dwelling Meta orb-weaver spiders in Great Britain (Araneae: Tetragnathidae). One species, M. menardi, is a widespread native, whilst M. bourneti is believed to be a recently introduced (1940s) species, that has since become established in the south-eastern part of the country. Species distribution models (SDM) were used to predict current and future habitat suitability for the two species, generating hypotheses regarding their distribution in different global warming scenarios. Model projections indicate that the two species respond to similar environmental variables. Seasonal temperature variations at the surface and elevation are the main factors explaining the distribution of both species, whereas annual precipitation, daily temperature range and limestone distribution contributed little to the model performance. It is predicted that due to climate change, there will be poleward shifts in the ranges of both species. However, the native species M. menardi will primarily be able to exploit suitable areas which will appear northward to their current distribution, and M. bourneti will colonise empty niches left available by its congeneric. The analytical framework employed in this paper may be easily adapted to other subterranean systems and species, stimulating future studies focusing on the distribution of native and alien species in extreme environments. |
| Source | International Journal of Speleology (Testo stamp.) 46 (3), pp. 427–437 |
| Keywords | global warmingspecies distribution modelscavealien speciesMaxEntsubterranean biology |
| Journal | International Journal of Speleology (Testo stamp.) |
| Editor | Swets and Zeitlinger, Bologna, Italia |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.5038/1827-806X.46.3.2134 |
| Authors | Mammola, Stefano |
| Text | 412040 2017 10.5038/1827 806X.46.3.2134 ISI Web of Science WOS 000413996400008 global warming species distribution models cave alien species MaxEnt subterranean biology Modelling the future spread of native and alien congeneric species in subterranean habitats the case of Meta cave dwelling spiders in Great Britain Mammola, Stefano Univ Torino; IUCN SSC Spider Scorp Specialist Grp The threshold zones between the epigean and hypogean environments are generally characterized by less harsh ecological conditions than deep subterranean habitats, and usually support a greater abundance of organisms. Transitional habitats such as these should be more easily colonised by alien species, especially by those possessing exaptations suitable for subterranean life. In spite of this, few studies have been conducted to unravel the ecological dynamics between native and alien species in the habitats situated at the epigean/hypogean interface. A unique test case is offered by cave dwelling Meta orb weaver spiders in Great Britain Araneae Tetragnathidae . One species, M. menardi, is a widespread native, whilst M. bourneti is believed to be a recently introduced 1940s species, that has since become established in the south eastern part of the country. Species distribution models SDM were used to predict current and future habitat suitability for the two species, generating hypotheses regarding their distribution in different global warming scenarios. Model projections indicate that the two species respond to similar environmental variables. Seasonal temperature variations at the surface and elevation are the main factors explaining the distribution of both species, whereas annual precipitation, daily temperature range and limestone distribution contributed little to the model performance. It is predicted that due to climate change, there will be poleward shifts in the ranges of both species. However, the native species M. menardi will primarily be able to exploit suitable areas which will appear northward to their current distribution, and M. bourneti will colonise empty niches left available by its congeneric. The analytical framework employed in this paper may be easily adapted to other subterranean systems and species, stimulating future studies focusing on the distribution of native and alien species in extreme environments. 46 Published version Articolo in rivista Swets and Zeitlinger 0392 6672 International Journal of Speleology Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology Testo stamp. Int. J. Speleol. Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology. Testo stamp. International Journal of Speleology Lisse Testo stamp. stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO |