The ratio between lengths of digit II and IV (digit ratio 2D:4D) is a morphological feature that likely affects tetrapod locomotor performances in different microhabitats. Modifications of this trait may be triggered by changes in steroids concentrations during embryo development, which might reflect direct selection acting on digit ratio or be solely a consequence of hormonal differences relat...

The South African leech Marsupiobdella africana is a temporary ectoparasite of the amphibian Xenopus laevis, has a phoretic association with a freshwater crab Potamonautes perlatus, and exhibits advanced parental care by incubating its offspring in a brood pouch. Because phoretic associations are usually regarded to favor the phoront's dispersion, its occurrence within the biology of a parasiti...

It is widely recognised that microhabitats are important for a variety of marine organisms, yet this knowledge has rarely been applied in the construction of engineered structures as a means of enhancing biodiversity or populations of species at risk. Here we examined the influence of microhabitats on the distribution and survival of the exploited limpet Patella candei on natural shores before ...

The recent uplift of the tropical Andes (since the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene) provided extensive ecological opportunity for evolutionary radiations. We test for phylogenetic and morphological evidence of adaptive radiation and convergent evolution to novel habitats (exposed, high-altitude páramo habitats) in the Andean fern genera Jamesonia and Eriosorus. We construct time-calibrated p...

Studies of habitat use by animals must consider behavioural resource requirements at different scales, which could influence the functional value of different sites. Using Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, we tested the hypotheses that behaviour affected use between and within habitats, hereafter referred to as macro- and microhabitats, respectively. We fitt...

Microorganisms that live inside and around a plant can supply it with essential substances, such as phytohormones and essential nutrients. The present investigation aimed to isolate and characterize the phyllosphere, the endophytic, and the water tank bacteria associated with Vriesea gigantea and Tillandsia aeranthos . The bacteria were tested for siderophore and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) prod...

Global change challenges the adaptive potential of forests. Large-scale alterations forest canopies have been reported across Europe, and further modifications are expected in response to predicted changes drought windstorm regimes. Since dynamic interfaces between atmosphere land surface, communities canopy-dwelling insects at forefront major both direct indirect effects climate change. First,...