Biological Reviews最新文献

Recent research has shown that climate change can both induce and modulate the expression of plastic traits but our understanding of the role of phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive response to climate change is limited. In this review, we dissect the mechanisms and impact of phenotypic plasticity as a response to accumulating climatic pressures on the individual, species and community levels. (i) We discuss how plasticity can affect individuals, populations and community dynamics and how climate change can alter the role of plasticity. We hypothesise that some pathways to phenotypic plasticity such as irreversible and anticipatory organismal responses will be reduced under increasing climate change. (ii) We then propose an integrated conceptual framework for studying phenotypic plasticity to advance our understanding of the feedbacks between the different levels of biological organisation. (iii) By formulating as yet unaddressed research questions within and across levels of biological organisation, we aim to instigate new research on phenotypic plasticity and its role in climate change responses.

This review describes variation in modern and fossil occiput–atlas–axis complex anatomy of total group Tetrapoda with the aim of documenting the range of structural variation throughout their evolutionary history to establish grounds for comparison of the complex between tetrapod clades. This review reveals that every modern tetrapod has an atlas with morphology unique to its vertebral column that articulates to the skull, composed, typically, of paired neural arch halves and an intercentrum. Maximally complex tetrapod atlantes articulate to paired proatlas halves and are composed of paired neural arch halves, an intercentrum, and a pleurocentrum. The centra may occur as left and right halves but are most often singular elements in adults. Lissamphibians often have an interglenoid tubercle extending anteriorly from their atlas centrum. Stem tetrapods develop a specialised second cervical vertebra, the axis, most often distinguished from its posterior neighbours by an anteriorly oriented odontoid process contributing to the skull–neck joint. An axis is retained in nearly all subsequently diverging tetrapod clades, except for lissamphibians and their closest relatives. Exemplar fossil taxa reveal patterns of atlas–axis evolution throughout the tetrapod lineage. Here, synthesis of osteological data from extinct and extant taxa provides a basis for hypotheses of skull–neck boundary evolution in tetrapods. For example, convergent trends towards fewer separate components in adult tetrapod atlas–axis complexes, except in crocodylians and rhyncocephalians, are illuminated. Further insights into the development of the atlas and axis may help support or refute these hypotheses and will contribute to a more complete understanding of the origin of observed variation.

Plant–pollinator interactions structure ecological communities and represent a key component of ecosystem functioning. Pollination networks are expected to be more diverse and specialised in the tropics, but pollination ecology in these regions has been understudied in comparison to other areas. We reviewed research on pollination in the tropical Andes, one of the major biodiversity hotspots on Earth, where the uplift of mountains and past climate have resulted in spatiotemporally distinct species interactions. We found 1010 scientific articles on pollination in the Andes, of which 473 included or were carried out in tropical regions. The number of publications on pollination ecology in the tropical Andes has increased exponentially, with Colombia having the most articles, followed by Ecuador and Peru, and with Bolivia and Venezuela having notably fewer studies. More research has been carried out in humid montane forests and agricultural landscapes, and it has predominantly focused on describing diversity of species and interactions while neglecting analyses on the resilience and adaptability of pollinating systems, even though the Andean region is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change and continues to undergo land conversion and degradation. Remarkably few studies have incorporated local knowledge, thus ignoring connections to human livelihoods and communities. A phytocentric perspective has been predominant, with fewer studies focusing directly on pollinators and a notable lack of articles with a holistic approach to the study of pollination across taxonomic groups at the community or ecosystem level. We propose that future research adopts a cross-scale approach that considers the complexity of the ecological contexts in which plant–pollinator interactions occur, and incorporates long-term monitoring with broader multilayer networks and molecular tools, experiments focused on ecophysiology and behaviour, animal telemetry, process-modelling approaches and participatory science. A stronger field driven by interdisciplinary collaborations will contribute to knowledge about pollination at a global scale, as well as increase our understanding of the diversity and resilience of pollination interactions in this region, thus improving our capacity to predict and avoid ecosystem collapses.

This review examines the increasingly prominent role of mechanics within cancer formation and progression. The extremely varied and contradictory genetic landscape of cancer is in stark contrast to the seemingly universal mechanical characteristics of cancer cells and their tumour microenvironment, and mechanics may be a principal unifying trait of this disease. The tight regulation of innate cell mechanical properties raises the possibility that destabilisation of the cell drives tumour formation in an attempt to restore cell mechanical homeostasis. With losses in cell stiffness more pronounced at the cell nucleus, we hypothesise that destabilisation occurs within the nucleus, likely within the nucleosome. Beyond the mechanical properties of the cell, this compromise to the chromatin structure holds significant repercussions for both genetic and epigenetic regulation, providing scope for significant genetic dysregulation and mutation. However, the nature of such genetic events will be dependent upon the region of mechanical destabilisation; thus, introducing greater variability and heterogeneity to genetic changes. We conclude with the hypothesis that cancer has a mechanical genesis, in which cell nuclear destabilisation functions as the enabling hallmark of cancer. It is theorised that both genetic and structural dysfunction stem from this nuclear destabilisation, driving disease pathology and progression.

While intergroup conflict features prominently in the behavioural ecology literature, its antonym, intergroup peace, has been a rather neglected phenomenon until recently. Neighbourly relations and affiliative interactions are far from uncommon. We provide a comprehensive synthesis of the empirical evidence of peaceful between-group interactions in primates which take various forms that vary along two continua: intensity and duration. These include intergroup tolerance, intergroup affiliation, visits, mingling, intergroup coalitions and mergers between groups. We propose that an analysis of intergroup peace would benefit from distinguishing between facilitating factors (facilitators), active drivers and stabilizing forces (stabilizers). A prime example of a facilitator is resource heterogeneity in the landscape which can make resource defence logistically impractical and make initially independent groups more interdependent. While this often suffices for tolerant associations to emerge, for full-blown intergroup peace with sporadic or frequent intergroup affiliation and/or cooperation to arise, motivations or adaptive benefits (drivers) need to be present. Some of the adaptive benefits that can trigger a switch from tolerance to peace between groups include dispersal facilitation, information gathering, predation protection, extra-group mating, communal defence, and reciprocal resource access. Lastly, a further mediator of xenophobia and intergroup agonism is the degree of relatedness and familiarity between interacting groups (stabilizers). Finally, we propose several ways to move this research forward. We hope that this review will stimulate empirical and theoretical studies and encourage field researchers to pay more attention to hitherto rather neglected forms of between-group contact. An understanding of the functional correlates of peaceful between-group relationships in primates also holds promise for making inferences about the human social system where intergroup peace has enabled cooperation and cultural diffusion on an unprecedented scale.

Following Ramón y Cajal's groundbreaking contributions to the identification of synapses, research in neuroscience predominantly focused on their pivotal role in neural communication (the neuron doctrine), overlooking an intriguing possibility suggested by Golgi of non-synaptic interactions among neural cells. Recent studies across species have unveiled the existence of direct cellular communication through modalities such as intercellular bridges (IBs) formed during incomplete cytokinesis, de novo tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs), and cytoplasmic connections arising from cell–cell fusion. In this review, we delve into these non-synaptic modes of communication between neural cells, describing their morphological features and functional significance. Notably, we discuss recent in vivo findings in ctenophores and in mice which offer fresh insights into the evolutionary functions of these intercellular connections. These findings underscore the need to consider the roles of cytoplasmic connections in neural cell communication during brain development and in pathophysiological conditions. This review highlights the importance of investigating these non-synaptic communication pathways to improve our understanding of neural communication and evolution in metazoans.

Lateral lines are placodally derived mechanosensory systems on the heads and trunks of many aquatic vertebrates. There is evidence of lateral lines in the earliest known vertebrate fossils, and they exist in organisms with widely different craniofacial morphologies – including the presence or absence of jaws, external or internal nostrils, and variable positions of the cranial cartilages with respect to eyes and braincase. Consequently, the lateral lines make an ideal study system to understand how morphological variation in a deeply conserved sensory system responds to overall evolution of the head. However, palaeontological and developmental data have not been integrated to elucidate the history of this system in the context of evolving vertebrate crania. The emergence of new imaging techniques and molecular methods to study ontogeny in non-model systems provides unique opportunities for such a study. This review examines open questions in light of new fossil discoveries that have altered our understanding of vertebrate evolution as well as new insights on the development of non-model taxa. We find that the diversity of lateral lines is not the result of simplification from a complex ancestral condition as previously supposed. Rather, the anterior lateral line systems of living gnathostomes result from an evolutionary episode of reduction and reassembly, both preceding and overlapping the origin of jawed vertebrates. This event is coupled to a marked postorbital to orbital–preorbital shift in the territorial elaboration of the lateral line systems, and we argue that this spatial move likely signals functional change, coinciding with a major enhancement of the gnathostome vestibular system.

Spiders, ubiquitous and abundant predators in terrestrial ecosystems, often are the subjects of an unjust negative perception. However, these remarkable creatures stand as unsung heroes within our ecosystems, contributing a multitude of ecosystem services critical to human well-being. Here, we describe the diverse spectrum of ecosystem services offered by spiders and their potential to inspire or directly provide nature-based solutions. Provisioning services include the versatile uses of silk-like and other materials, inspiration for biomimetic technology, medicines derived from venom, hemolymph and silk, bio-insecticides that offer eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic chemicals, food sources for various human communities worldwide, and unconventional yet increasingly valued pets. Regulating services provided by spiders extend to vital roles in pest suppression across diverse agricultural settings, mitigating diseases by curbing insect-mediated pathogen dispersal, and controlling invasive species. Supporting services offered by spiders are equally extensive, involving nutrient cycling through the breakdown of organic matter, acting as food sources for predators, or creating habitats for other organisms. Beyond their tangible contributions, spiders hold a significant cultural and spiritual heritage globally and are integral to many traditional medicine practices. They inspire contemporary culture, provide educational value, contribute to mental health improvement, evoke a sense of place, offer models for scientific discovery, and are commonly employed for monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem health. To pave the way for future research, we present suggestions for exploring and quantifying the economic value of ecosystem services by spiders. While many of these services are well established and studied from various perspectives, others harbour untapped potential. Leveraging what nature inherently provides, these nature-based solutions offer avenues to address challenges such as biodiversity erosion and societal needs. By restoring, preserving, or mimicking natural processes of spiders, we can enhance or provide essential ecosystem services, harnessing the full potential of spiders and the web of benefits they bring us.