Simon P. Blomberg
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View article: The breakdown of functional uniformity at fine spatial scales in an intertidal seagrass macrobenthic community
The breakdown of functional uniformity at fine spatial scales in an intertidal seagrass macrobenthic community Open
We investigated the scale-dependent distribution of macrobenthic functional groups in Zostera-dominated seagrass beds, focusing on fine spatial scales (0.014 m2, 0.09 m2, 0.8 m2, and 4.4 m2). We examined how functional group metrics, inclu…
View article: Using a null hypothesis framework to test expectations of disparity in an adaptive radiation
Using a null hypothesis framework to test expectations of disparity in an adaptive radiation Open
Adaptive radiations are expected to generate striking differences in species and morphological diversity between closely related groups. Not all hypotheses in evolutionary biology, including these observed disparities, are amenable to expe…
View article: Multivariate trait evolution: models for the evolution of the quantitative genetic <i>G</i> -matrix on phylogenies
Multivariate trait evolution: models for the evolution of the quantitative genetic <i>G</i> -matrix on phylogenies Open
Genetic covariance matrices (G-matrices) are a key focus for research and predictions from quantitative genetic evolutionary models of multiple traits. There is a consensus among quantitative geneticists that the G-matrix can evolve throug…
View article: Several candidate size metrics explain vital rates across multiple populations throughout a widespread species' range
Several candidate size metrics explain vital rates across multiple populations throughout a widespread species' range Open
Individual plant size often determines the vital rates of growth, survival and reproduction. However, size can be measured in several ways (e.g. height, biomass, leaf length). There is no consensus on the best size metric for modelling vit…
View article: Artificial light influences urban habitat use by insectivorous bats
Artificial light influences urban habitat use by insectivorous bats Open
Context Artificial light at night (ALAN) threatens nocturnal wildlife by fragmenting the nocturnal landscape. ALAN affects the commuting and foraging behaviour of insectivorous bats, but responses are species-specific and few studies have …
View article: Synergistic and Additive Effects of Multiple Threats Erode Phylogenetic and Life History Strategy Diversity in Testudines and Crocodilia
Synergistic and Additive Effects of Multiple Threats Erode Phylogenetic and Life History Strategy Diversity in Testudines and Crocodilia Open
Understanding how multiple threats interact is crucial for the prioritisation of conservation measures. Here, we investigate how interactions between six common threats (climate change, habitat disturbance, global trade, overconsumption, p…
View article: Diel activity correlates with colour pattern morphology of heterobranch sea slugs
Diel activity correlates with colour pattern morphology of heterobranch sea slugs Open
Visually hunting predators drive the evolution and maintenance of bold visual defences, including aposematic signalling. Such visual signals must be encountered by predators in lighting conditions where the perception of colour patterns is…
View article: The fallacy of single imputation for trait databases: Use multiple imputation instead
The fallacy of single imputation for trait databases: Use multiple imputation instead Open
The past few years have seen the publication of many new trait databases. A common problem with large databases is a lack of completeness, or inversely, the high prevalence of missing values. Biologists have developed several methods to im…
View article: Multivariate Trait Evolution: Models for the Evolution of the Quantitative Genetic G-Matrix on Phylogenies
Multivariate Trait Evolution: Models for the Evolution of the Quantitative Genetic G-Matrix on Phylogenies Open
Genetic covariance matrices (G-matrices) are a key focus for research and predictions from quantitative genetic evolutionary models of multiple traits. There is a consensus among quantitative geneticists that the G-matrix can evolve throug…
View article: Parental care reduces parasite-induced mortality in a coral reef fish
Parental care reduces parasite-induced mortality in a coral reef fish Open
Settlement patterns of juvenile fish shape coral reef communities. During the recruitment process, predation rates are extremely high. However, the role that parental care plays in reducing mortality, especially by cryptic natural enemies …
View article: Diseases and invasive species have synergistic effects with other anthropogenic threats on the functional and phylogenetic diversity in Testudines and Crocodilia
Diseases and invasive species have synergistic effects with other anthropogenic threats on the functional and phylogenetic diversity in Testudines and Crocodilia Open
Understanding how multiple threats interact is crucial for the prioritization of conservation measures. Here, we investigate how interactions between six common threats (climate change, habitat disturbance, global trade, overconsumption, p…
View article: Potential for host-symbiont communication via neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in an aneural animal, the marine sponge Amphimedon queenslandica
Potential for host-symbiont communication via neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in an aneural animal, the marine sponge Amphimedon queenslandica Open
Interkingdom signalling within a holobiont allows host and symbionts to communicate and to regulate each other’s physiological and developmental states. Here we show that a suite of signalling molecules that function as neurotransmitters a…
View article: Is Mushy Tuna Syndrome a Growing Problem for the Tuna Industry?
Is Mushy Tuna Syndrome a Growing Problem for the Tuna Industry? Open
Reducing food loss and waste is crucial for a sustainable global food system and an efficient use of natural resources. Fast-growing tuna provides a key contribution to global nutrition targets; however, reports suggest that an appreciable…
View article: Manganese Exacerbates Seasonal Health Declines in a Suicidally Breeding Mammal
Manganese Exacerbates Seasonal Health Declines in a Suicidally Breeding Mammal Open
Reproductive costs must be balanced with survival to maximize lifetime reproductive rates; however, some organisms invest in a single, suicidal bout of breeding known as semelparity. The northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) is an endangere…
View article: The relative performance of geometric morphometrics and linear‐based methods in the taxonomic resolution of a mammalian species complex
The relative performance of geometric morphometrics and linear‐based methods in the taxonomic resolution of a mammalian species complex Open
Morphology‐based taxonomic research frequently applies linear morphometrics (LMM) in skulls to quantify species distinctions. The choice of which measurements to collect generally relies on the expertise of the investigators or a set of st…
View article: Down a Rabbit Hole: Burrowing Behaviour and Larger Home Ranges are Related to Larger Brains in Leporids
Down a Rabbit Hole: Burrowing Behaviour and Larger Home Ranges are Related to Larger Brains in Leporids Open
Studies on the evolution of brain size variation usually focus on large clades encompassing broad phylogenetic groups. This risks introducing ‘noise’ in the results, often obscuring effects that might be detected in less inclusive clades. …
View article: Geometric morphometrics out-perform linear-based methods in the taxonomic resolution of a mammalian species complex
Geometric morphometrics out-perform linear-based methods in the taxonomic resolution of a mammalian species complex Open
Morphology-based taxonomic research frequently applies linear morphometrics (LMM) in skulls to quantify species distinctions. The choice of which measurements to collect generally relies on the expertise of the investigators or a set of st…
View article: Anthropogenic impacts on threatened species erode functional diversity in turtles and crocodilians
Anthropogenic impacts on threatened species erode functional diversity in turtles and crocodilians Open
The Anthropocene is tightly associated with a drastic loss of species worldwide and the disappearance of their key ecosystem functions. The on-going reduction in ecosystem functionality is driven by global and local threats. The orders Tes…
View article: Peer Review #2 of "A variable-rate quantitative trait evolution model using penalized-likelihood (v0.1)"
Peer Review #2 of "A variable-rate quantitative trait evolution model using penalized-likelihood (v0.1)" Open
In recent years it has become increasingly popular to use phylogenetic comparative methods to investigate heterogeneity in the rate or process of quantitative trait evolution across the branches or clades of a phylogenetic tree.Here, I pre…
View article: Using 3D geometric morphometrics to aid taxonomic and ecological understanding of a recent speciation event within a small Australian marsupial ( <i>Antechinus</i> : Dasyuridae)
Using 3D geometric morphometrics to aid taxonomic and ecological understanding of a recent speciation event within a small Australian marsupial ( <i>Antechinus</i> : Dasyuridae) Open
Taxonomic distinction of species forms the foundation of biodiversity assessments and conservation priorities. However, traditional morphological and/or genetics-based taxonomic assessments frequently miss the opportunity of elaborating on…
View article: Using 3D geometric morphometrics to aid taxonomic and ecological understanding of a recent speciation event within a small Australian marsupial (genus<i>Antechinus</i>)
Using 3D geometric morphometrics to aid taxonomic and ecological understanding of a recent speciation event within a small Australian marsupial (genus<i>Antechinus</i>) Open
Taxonomic distinction of species forms the foundation of biodiversity assessments and conservation priorities. However, traditional morphological and/or genetics-based taxonomic assessments frequently miss the opportunity of elaborating on…
View article: Testing hypotheses of marsupial brain size variation using phylogenetic multiple imputations and a Bayesian comparative framework
Testing hypotheses of marsupial brain size variation using phylogenetic multiple imputations and a Bayesian comparative framework Open
Considerable controversy exists about which hypotheses and variables best explain mammalian brain size variation. We use a new, high-coverage dataset of marsupial brain and body sizes, and the first phylogenetically imputed full datasets o…
View article: Testing hypotheses of marsupial brain size variation using phylogenetic multiple imputations and a Bayesian comparative framework
Testing hypotheses of marsupial brain size variation using phylogenetic multiple imputations and a Bayesian comparative framework Open
Considerable controversy exists about which hypotheses and variables best explain mammalian brain size variation. We use a new, high-coverage dataset of marsupial brain and body sizes, and the first phylogenetically imputed full datasets o…
View article: Skull shape of a widely distributed, endangered marsupial reveals little evidence of local adaptation between fragmented populations
Skull shape of a widely distributed, endangered marsupial reveals little evidence of local adaptation between fragmented populations Open
The biogeographic distribution of diversity among populations of threatened mammalian species is generally investigated using population genetics. However, intraspecific phenotypic diversity is rarely assessed beyond taxonomy‐focused linea…
View article: Higher sociability leads to lower reproductive success in female kangaroos
Higher sociability leads to lower reproductive success in female kangaroos Open
In social mammals, social integration is generally assumed to improve females' reproductive success. Most species demonstrating this relationship exhibit complex forms of social bonds and interactions. However, female eastern grey kangaroo…
View article: Longevity, body dimension and reproductive mode drive differences in aquatic versus terrestrial life‐history strategies
Longevity, body dimension and reproductive mode drive differences in aquatic versus terrestrial life‐history strategies Open
Aquatic and terrestrial environments display stark differences in key environmental factors and phylogenetic composition but their consequences for the evolution of species' life‐history strategies remain poorly understood. Here, we examin…
View article: Skin hydrophobicity as an adaptation for self‐cleaning in geckos
Skin hydrophobicity as an adaptation for self‐cleaning in geckos Open
Hydrophobicity is common in plants and animals, typically caused by high relief microtexture functioning to keep the surface clean. Although the occurrence and physical causes of hydrophobicity are well understood, ecological factors promo…