Biology subjects

Gruson, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Gruson, H..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Inferring within-flock transmission dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in France, 2020

Following the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in France in early December 2020, we used duck mortality data of the index case to investigate within-flock transmission dynamics. A stochastic epidemic model was adjusted to the daily mortality data and model parameters were estimated using an approximate Bayesian computation sequential Monte Carlo (ABC-SMC) algorithm. Results suggested that the virus was introduced 4 days (95% credible interval: 3 - 5) prior to the day suspicion was reported and that the transmission rate was 3.7 day-1 (95%CI: 2.6 - 5.3). On average, ducks started being infectious 3.1 hours (95%CI: 0.4 - 8.0) after infection and remained infectious for 4.4 days (95%CI: 3.1 - 5.6). Model outputs also suggested that the number of infectious ducks was already 3239 (95%CI: 26 - 3706) the day before suspicion, emphasising the substantial latent threat this virus could pose to other poultry farms and to neighbouring wildlife. These estimations can be applied to upcoming outbreaks and made available to veterinary services within few hours. This study illustrates how mechanistic models can provide rapid relevant insights to contribute to the management of infectious disease outbreaks of farmed animals.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2019

Hummingbird iridescence: an unsuspected structural diversity influences colouration at multiple scales

AbstractIridescent colours are colours that change depending on the angle of illumination or observation. They are produced when light is reflected by multilayer structures or diffracted by gratings. While this phenomenon is well understood for simple optical systems, it remains unclear how complex biological structures interact with light to produce iridescence. There are very few comparative studies at interspecific level (often focusing on a single colour patch for each species), resulting in an underestimation of structure diversity. Using an interdisciplinary approach combining physics and biology, we here quantify the colour and structure of 36 hummingbirds species evenly distributed across the phylogeny. We explore at least 2 patches per species, which are assumed to be under different selective regimes. For each patch, we measure structural features (number of layers, layer width, irregularity, spacing, etc.) of the feathers at different scales using both optical and electronic microscopy and we measure colour using a novel approach we developed to encompass the full complexity of iridescence, including its angular dependency. We discover an unsuspected diversity of structures producing iridescence in hummingbirds. We also study the effect of several structural features on the colour of the resulting signal, using both an empirical and modelling approach. Our findings demonstrate the need to take into account multiple patches per species and suggest possible evolutionary pressures causing the evolutionary transitions from one melanosome type to another.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Distribution of iridescent colours in hummingbird communities results from the interplay between selection for camouflage and communication

Identification errors between closely related, co-occurring, species may lead to misdirected social interactions such as costly interbreeding or misdirected aggression. This selects for divergence in traits involved in species identification among co-occurring species, resulting from character displacement. On the other hand, predation may select for crypsis, potentially leading co-occurring species that share the same environment and predators to have a similar appearance. However, few studies have explored how these antagonistic processes influence colour at the community level. Here, we assess colour clustering and overdispersion in 189 hummingbird communities, tallying 112 species, across Ecuador and suggest possible evolutionary mechanisms at stake by controlling for species phylogenetic relatedness. In hummingbirds, most colours are iridescent structural colours, defined as colours that change with the illumination or observation angle. Because small variations in the underlying structures can have dramatic effects on the resulting colours and because iridescent structures can produce virtually any hue and brightness, we expect iridescent colours to respond finely to selective pressures. Moreover, we predict that hue angular dependence - a specific aspect of iridescent colours - may be used as an additional channel for species recognition. In our hummingbird assemblages in Ecuador, we find support for colour overdispersion in ventral and facial patches at the community level even after controlling for the phylogeny, especially on iridescence-related traits, suggesting character displacement among co-occurring species. We also find colour clustering at the community level on dorsal patches, suspected to be involved in camouflage, suggesting that the same cryptic colours are selected among co-occurring species. This article has been peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community In Evolutionary Biology

ecology↗

bioRxiv2018

pavo 2.0: new tools for the spectral and spatial analysis of colour in R

O_LIBiological colouration presents a canvas for the study of ecological and evolutionary processes. Enduring interest in colour-based phenotypes has driven, and been driven by, improved techniques for quantifying colour patterns in ever-more relevant ways, yet the need for flexible, open frameworks for data processing and analysis persists.\nC_LIO_LIHere we introduce pavo 2, the latest iteration of the R package pavo. This release represents the extensive refinement and expansion of existing methods, as well as a suite of new tools for the cohesive analysis of the spectral and (now) spatial structure of colour patterns and perception. At its core, the package retains a broad focus on (a) the organisation and processing of spectral and spatial data, and tools for the alternating (b) visualisation, and (c) analysis of data. Significantly, pavo 2 introduces image-analysis capabilities, providing a cohesive workflow for the comprehensive analysis of colour patterns.\nC_LIO_LIWe demonstrate the utility of pavo with a brief example centred on mimicry in Heliconius butterflies. Drawing on visual modelling, adjacency, and boundary strength analyses, we show that the combined spectral (colour and luminance) and spatial (pattern element distribution and boundary salience) features of putative models and mimics are closely aligned.\nC_LIO_LIpavo 2 offers a flexible and reproducible environment for the analysis of colour, with renewed potential to assist researchers in answering fundamental questions in sensory ecology and evolution.\nC_LI

animal behavior and cognition↗