The Metatron: an experimental system to study dispersal and metaecosystems for terrestrial organisms.
Nat Methods
; 9(8): 828-33, 2012 Jul 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22796664
ABSTRACT
Dispersal of organisms generates gene flow between populations. Identifying factors that influence dispersal will help predict how species will cope with rapid environmental change. We developed an innovative infrastructure, the Metatron, composed of 48 interconnected patches, designed for the study of terrestrial organism movement as a model for dispersal. Corridors between patches can be flexibly open or closed. Temperature, humidity and illuminance can be independently controlled within each patch. The modularity and adaptability of the Metatron provide the opportunity for robust experimental design for the study of 'meta-systems'. We describe a pilot experiment on populations of the butterfly Pieris brassicae and the lizard Zootoca vivipara in the Metatron. Both species survived and showed both disperser and resident phenotypes. The Metatron offers the opportunity to test theoretical models in spatial ecology.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ecossistema
/
Migração Animal
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Methods
Assunto da revista:
TECNICAS E PROCEDIMENTOS DE LABORATORIO
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
França