Oriol Lapiedra
Behaviour & Evolution
Comparative
Phylogenetics
"Over thousands of years, human influence has transformed ecosystems, driving many species to extinction and reshaping biodiversity worldwide. Understanding these patterns reveals how species have responded to environmental pressures, helping us trace pathways of adaptation, survival, and loss across the tree of life."
01. Find out how organisms adapt to environmental changes
02. Deciphering the role of animal behavior in evolution
03. Investigate how organisms successfully cope with rapid environmental changes induced by human actions.
What
happened?
Since the expansion of humans across the globe, species extinctions have occurred at an unprecedented rate. However, these extinctions have not been uniform across taxa or regions. Island species, in particular, have experienced the highest extinction rates due to their evolutionary isolation. Many island taxa exhibit traits such as reduced anti-predator defenses, specialized ecological roles, and limited dispersal ability, making them especially vulnerable to habitat destruction, invasive species, and other anthropogenic pressures.
Major Questions
01. How does the lack of comprehensive trait data, especially for prehistoric extinctions, impact our understanding of extinction patterns and the drivers of biodiversity loss over time?
02. What are the evolutionary consequences of changes in behavior?
03. What are the ecological consequences of extinctions?
Major Findings
1. Columbiformes endemic to islands face greater extinction vulnerability, highlighting the importance of island-specific conservation efforts.
2. Birds with ground-foraging habits are more prone to extinction, likely due to increased exposure to predators and human activities.
3. Species with weak flying abilities and migratory behaviors show higher extinction risk, suggesting the need for habitat connectivity and protection along migration routes.
4. Larger-bodied Columbiformes are more susceptible to extinction, possibly due to slower reproductive rates and increased resource requirements.
5. Excluding recently extinct species from analyses can lead to misidentification of extinction drivers, emphasizing the importance of including historical data in conservation assessments-
Why this works
matters?
Understanding extinction patterns through a comparative phylogenetic approach helps identify the traits and evolutionary histories that make species vulnerable to extinction. This knowledge is essential for predicting future biodiversity loss and guiding conservation efforts. By recognizing which lineages are at higher risk, we can develop more effective strategies to protect species before they disappear.
People involved
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