Rolling with the punches—How competition shapes the morphology of small passerines on small islands David J. Kelly, Darren P. O'Connell, Fionn Ó Marcaigh, Seán B. A. Kelly, Adi Karya, et al. Journal of Biogeography, 2024 AimWallacea is a global biodiversity hotspot and Sulawesi is the largest island in this region, notable for a high proportion of endemic species. The Wakatobi archipelago, off the southeastern peninsular arm of Sulawesi, is home to several endemic bird species. Although islands are known to influence the morphology of their resident species, competitive interactions also exert strong influences on morphology. Here, we consider the contributions of both islands and competitors on two morphological traits of two bird species in a small passerine guild found on the Wakatobi islands.LocationWakatobi archipelago, Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia.TaxonWakatobi White‐eye (Zosterops flavissimus) and Wakatobi Sunbird (Cinnyris infrenatus).MethodsWorking with morphological measures (from netting studies), population density metrics (from transect surveys) and fundamental data from islands (area, distance from mainland and elevation), we investigated (by means of multiple linear regression) which terms best explained variation in the body size and bill size of two small passerine birds endemic to the Wakatobi islands.ResultsBoth island metrics and competitor presence/density were useful in describing the variation in body size of both bird species. However, only competitor presence/density was useful in describing variation in bill size of the birds. The best models describing variation in these traits included terms representing both interspecific and intraspecific competition.Main ConclusionsOur findings indicate that simple island metrics may be useful in predicting some of the variation in some functional traits of island species. However, in this example, simple island metrics were insufficient to explain the full variation in body size of endemic birds across the Wakatobi archipelago and were of no use in predicting the variation in their bill size. As bill morphology frequently dictates diet and feeding niche, it is a trait which may determine population divergence and speciation. If simple island metrics fail to describe such diversification, it is surely important to capture that information in other ways.
Spatial phenotypic variability is higher between island populations than between mainland populations worldwide Anna M. Csergő, Kevin Healy, Darren P. O'Connell, Maude E. A. Baudraz, David J. Kelly, et al. Ecography, 2024 Spatial isolation is a key driver of population‐level variability in traits and genotypes worldwide. Geographical distance between populations typically increases isolation, but organisms face additional environmental barriers when dispersing between suitable habitat patches. Despite the predicted universal nature of the causes of isolation, global comparisons of isolation effects across taxa and geographic systems are few. We assessed the strength of isolation due to geographic and macroclimatic distance for paired marine island and paired mainland populations within the same species. Our meta‐analysis included published measurements of phenotypic traits and neutral genetic diversity from 1608 populations of 108 plant and animal species at a global scale. As expected, phenotypic differentiation was higher between marine islands than between populations on the mainland, but we found no consistent signal for differences in spatial patterns of neutral genetic diversity between the two systems. Geographic distance had comparatively weak effects on the spatial patterns of phenotypes and neutral genetic diversity. These results suggest that spatial patterns of phenotypic variation are determined by eco‐evolutionary pressures that differ more between islands than between mainland populations, while the spatial variability of neutral genetic diversity might be shaped by rather similar processes in the two systems. Our approach demonstrates that global biodiversity models that include island biology studies may progress our understanding of the interacting effects of spatial habitat structure, geographic‐ and environmental distances on biological processes underlying spatial population variability. We formulate future research directions for empirical tests and global syntheses in the field.
Point of (no) return? Vegetation structure and diversity of restored mangroves in Sulawesi, Indonesia, 14–16 years on Rignolda Djamaluddin, Marco Fusi, Brama Djabar, Darren Evans, Rachael Holmes, et al. Restoration Ecology, 2023 Mangrove forests, benefitting millions of people, experience significant degradation. Global recognition of the urgency of halting and reversing this trend have initiated numerous restoration activities. Restoration success is typically evaluated by estimating mangrove survival and area restored, while diversity and structure of vegetation, as proxies for functional forests, are rarely considered. Here we assess mangrove species richness along sea‐landward transects and evaluate restoration outcomes by comparing number of mangrove species, relative species abundance, biomass, diameter, and canopy cover in “Monoculture Reforestation”, “Mixed Species Regeneration” and adjacent “Reference” forest stands, 14 (Tiwoho site) and 16 years (Likupang site) after restoration activities took place. In the “Monoculture Reforestation” plots, mangrove diversity and structure still closely reflected the original restoration actions, with only one and two “new” species having established among the originally densely planted “foundation” species. In contrast, the “Mixed Species Regeneration” plots were more similar to the “Reference” plots in terms of tree diameter and canopy coverage, but species number, abundance and biomass were still lower. The trajectory of the “Mixed Species Regeneration” plots suggests their similarity with the “Reference” stands will increase over time, whereas such “smooth” transition is unlikely to happen in the planted “Monoculture Reforestation” stands, in the foreseeable future. Implementing frequent small‐scale disturbances in restored forest management would increase stand structure and diversity, accelerating the establishment of a more natural, and likely more functional and resilient forest.
A distinct new species of Zosterops white-eye from the Sulawesi region, Indonesia Mohammad Irham, Dewi M. Prawiradilaga, Jochen K. Menner, Darren P. O'Connell, David J. Kelly, et al. Ibis, 2023 We describe a new species ofZosteropswhite‐eye, which is restricted to Wangi‐wangi, a single island of roughly 155 km2in the Wakatobi Archipelago, Indonesia. Informally known as the Wangi‐wangi White‐eye, the new species is highly distinct both morphologically and genetically. It is considerably larger in body and bill size compared with other regionalZosteropsspecies. The Wangi‐wangi White‐eye remains locally common but its habitat is dwindling. Given its minute area of occupancy and the threat from the bird trade, we recommend the IUCN status Endangered.
Passive acoustic monitoring provides a fresh perspective on fundamental ecological questions Samuel R. P.‐J. Ross, Darren P. O'Connell, Jessica L. Deichmann, Camille Desjonquères, Amandine Gasc, et al. Functional Ecology, 2023 Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has emerged as a transformative tool for applied ecology, conservation and biodiversity monitoring, but its potential contribution to fundamental ecology is less often discussed, and fundamental PAM studies tend to be descriptive, rather than mechanistic. Here, we chart the most promising directions for ecologists wishing to use the suite of currently available acoustic methods to address long‐standing fundamental questions in ecology and explore new avenues of research. In both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, PAM provides an opportunity to ask questions across multiple spatial scales and at fine temporal resolution, and to capture phenomena or species that are difficult to observe. In combination with traditional approaches to data collection, PAM could release ecologists from myriad limitations that have, at times, precluded mechanistic understanding. We discuss several case studies to demonstrate the potential contribution of PAM to biodiversity estimation, population trend analysis, assessing climate change impacts on phenology and distribution, and understanding disturbance and recovery dynamics. We also highlight what is on the horizon for PAM, in terms of near‐future technological and methodological developments that have the potential to provide advances in coming years. Overall, we illustrate how ecologists can harness the power of PAM to address fundamental ecological questions in an era of ecology no longer characterised by data limitation. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Safeguarding Imperiled Biodiversity and Evolutionary Processes in the Wallacea Center of Endemism M. Struebig, S. G. Aninta, M. Beger, A. Bani, H. Barus, et al. Bioscience, 2022 Wallacea—the meeting point between the Asian and Australian fauna—is one of the world's largest centers of endemism. Twenty-three million years of complex geological history have given rise to a living laboratory for the study of evolution and biodiversity, highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. In the present article, we review the historic and contemporary processes shaping Wallacea's biodiversity and explore ways to conserve its unique ecosystems. Although remoteness has spared many Wallacean islands from the severe overexploitation that characterizes many tropical regions, industrial-scale expansion of agriculture, mining, aquaculture and fisheries is damaging terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, denuding endemics from communities, and threatening a long-term legacy of impoverished human populations. An impending biodiversity catastrophe demands collaborative actions to improve community-based management, minimize environmental impacts, monitor threatened species, and reduce wildlife trade. Securing a positive future for Wallacea's imperiled ecosystems requires a fundamental shift away from managing marine and terrestrial realms independently.
Breeding records of the birds of south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia: a collation of observations encompassing nearly 20 years of research in Wallacea Darren P. O'Connell, David J. Kelly, Panji G. Akbar, Joseph Monkhouse, Seán B. A. Kelly, et al. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club, 2022 Summary. The islands of the Wallacean biodiversity hotspot support diverse and highly endemic bird communities, yet remain ornithologically poorly studied. There is a particular paucity of data regarding breeding biology for the region's birds. Here, we help to address this research gap by collating observations of breeding evidence made during nearly 20 years of field work between 1999 and 2018 in south-east Sulawesi and its offshore islands. Data were collected between April and September, with a special focus on July and August, which is the dry season across the southern half of Sulawesi. In total, we summarise 1,064 observations of potential breeding in 66 species, of which 27 are Wallacean endemics (including the Critically Endangered Maleo Macrocephalon maleo), and 39 species of wider range (including the Endangered Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea). Records include species with little or no previously published information on their breeding biology, such as Pygmy Hanging Parrot Loriculus exilis, Sulawesi Pitta Erythropitta celebensis and an undescribed Zosterops species, provisionally referred to as Wangi-wangi White-eye.
Nestboxes augment seabird breeding performance in a high-density colony: Insight from 15 years of monitoring data Brian Burke, Darren P. O'Connell, David Kinchin‐Smith, Síofra Sealy, Stephen F. Newton Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 2022 The provision of artificial nest structures is used in the conservation of a broad range of bird groups including raptors, owls, ducks, passerines and seabirds, with varying degrees of success.Artificial nestboxes have been provided to increase the density and breeding success of Roseate Tern pairs at colonies in north‐west Europe and the eastern seaboard of the USA and Canada, but their effect on breeding productivity has never been comprehensively quantified.Using 15 years of monitoring data, based on daily nest monitoring visits, we carried out a comparative analysis of the breeding performance of Roseate Tern pairs utilizing artificial nestboxes with those in open nests, on Rockabill Island (Ireland), to evaluate the effectiveness of nestbox installation as a conservation measure.Nestboxes were used ahead of open sites early in the season, likely by the experienced breeding pairs. Hatching success and fledging success were higher for pairs in nestboxes compared with those in open nest sites. Earlier clutches were more successful than later ones, independent of the effects of nest site type.The results of this study show definitively that Roseate Terns nesting in nestboxes perform better than those using open nest sites at their largest European colony and that nestboxes are chosen ahead of other sites, likely by the experienced breeding pairs. We recommend the continued and expanded use of nestboxes to help maximize the densities and breeding performance of the Roseate Tern.
A systematic meta-analysis of the efficacy of treatments for a global honey bee pathogen-the Varroa mite DP O'Connell, K Healy, J Wilton, C Botías, JC Jones Science of the Total Environment 963, 178228 , 2025 2025 Citations: 15
Rolling with the punches—How competition shapes the morphology of small passerines on small islands DJ Kelly, DP O'Connell, F Ó Marcaigh, SBA Kelly, A Karya, K Analuddin, ... Journal of Biogeography 51 (9), 1734-1742 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
A dataset of acoustic measurements from soundscapes collected worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic S Challéat, N Farrugia, JSP Froidevaux, A Gasc, N Pajusco Scientific Data 11 (1), 928 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Increasing temperature and time in glasshouses increases honey bee activity and affects internal brood conditions DP O'Connell, BM Baker, D Atauri, JC Jones Journal of Insect Physiology 155, 104635 , 2024 2024 Citations: 21
Follow-On Survey of the Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) in the East Coast of Ireland, Autumn 2023 FLW Ratnieks, M Kirwan, D O’Connell, JM Willans, JC Jones The Irish Naturalists' Journal 41, 1-6 , 2024 2024
Spatial phenotypic variability is higher between island populations than between mainland populations worldwide AM Csergő, K Healy, DP O'Connell, MEA Baudraz, DJ Kelly, ... Ecography 2024 (1), e06787 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Point of (no) return? Vegetation structure and diversity of restored mangroves in Sulawesi, Indonesia, 14–16 years on R Djamaluddin, M Fusi, B Djabar, D Evans, R Holmes, M Huxham, ... Restoration Ecology 31 (7), e13963 , 2023 2023 Citations: 16
Analysis of pesticide levels in honey and Pollen from Irish honey bee colonies using a modified Dutch mini-luke method with gas and liquid chromatography–Tandem mass … MA Díaz, DP O’Connell, S Jordan, C O’Connor, P Martin, JC Jones, ... Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 71 (34), 12657-12667 , 2023 2023 Citations: 25
A distinct new species of Zosterops white‐eye from the Sulawesi region, Indonesia M Irham, DM Prawiradilaga, JK Menner, DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, ... Ibis 165 (3), 808-816 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Small islands and large biogeographic barriers have driven contrasting speciation patterns in Indo-Pacific sunbirds (Aves: Nectariniidae) F Ó Marcaigh, DJ Kelly, DP O’connell, K Analuddin, A Karya, ... Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 198 (1), 72-92 , 2023 2023 Citations: 4
Passive acoustic monitoring provides a fresh perspective on fundamental ecological questions SRPJ Ross, DP O'Connell, JL Deichmann, C Desjonquères, A Gasc, ... Functional Ecology 37 (4), 959-975 , 2023 2023 Citations: 263
Safeguarding imperiled biodiversity and evolutionary processes in the Wallacea center of endemism MJ Struebig, SG Aninta, M Beger, A Bani, H Barus, S Brace, ZG Davies, ... BioScience 72 (11), 1118-1130 , 2022 2022 Citations: 54
Breeding records of the birds of south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia: a collation of observations encompassing nearly 20 years of research in Wallacea DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, PG Akbar, J Monkhouse, SBA Kelly, W Simcox, ... Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 142 (3), 278-301 , 2022 2022 Citations: 4
Nestboxes augment seabird breeding performance in a high‐density colony: Insight from 15 years of monitoring data B Burke, DP O'Connell, D Kinchin‐Smith, S Sealy, SF Newton Ecological Solutions and Evidence 3 (3), e12171 , 2022 2022 Citations: 5
Assessing mangrove restoration practices using species‐interaction networks DP O'Connell, M Fusi, R Djamaluddin, BB Rajagukguk, F Bachmid, ... Restoration Ecology 30 (4), e13546 , 2022 2022 Citations: 30
Tramps in transition: genetic differentiation between populations of an iconic" supertramp" taxon in the Central Indo-Pacific F Ó Marcaigh, DP O'Connell, K Analuddin, A Karya, N Lawless, ... Frontiers of Biogeography 14 (2) , 2022 2022 Citations: 4
Evolution in the understorey: the Sulawesi babbler Pellorneum celebense (Passeriformes: Pellorneidae) has diverged rapidly on land-bridge islands in the Wallacean biodiversity … FO Marcaigh, DJ Kelly, DP O'Connell, D Dunleavy, A Clark, N Lawless, ... Zoologischer Anzeiger 293, 314-325 , 2021 2021 Citations: 4
Threats to an undescribed songbird species in Indonesia DP O'Connell, TE Martin, DJ Kelly, NM Marples, K Analuddin, A Karya Oryx 55 (1), 10-10 , 2021 2021 Citations: 5
Adapt taxonomy to conservation goals DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, K Analuddin, A Karya, NM Marples, TE Martin Science 369 (6508), 1172-1172 , 2020 2020 Citations: 12
An assessment of the avifauna of the Wakatobi Islands, south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia: species recorded and taxonomic considerations DP O’Connell, DJ Kelly, SBA Kelly, K Analuddin, A Karya, NM Marples, ... Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68, 574-587 , 2020 2020 Citations: 10
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Passive acoustic monitoring provides a fresh perspective on fundamental ecological questions SRPJ Ross, DP O'Connell, JL Deichmann, C Desjonquères, A Gasc, ... Functional Ecology 37 (4), 959-975 , 2023 2023 Citations: 263
Safeguarding imperiled biodiversity and evolutionary processes in the Wallacea center of endemism MJ Struebig, SG Aninta, M Beger, A Bani, H Barus, S Brace, ZG Davies, ... BioScience 72 (11), 1118-1130 , 2022 2022 Citations: 54
A sympatric pair of undescribed white-eye species (Aves: Zosteropidae: Zosterops ) with different origins DP O’Connell, DJ Kelly, N Lawless, K O’Brien, FÓ Marcaigh, A Karya, ... Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 186 (3), 701-724 , 2019 2019 Citations: 39
Assessing mangrove restoration practices using species‐interaction networks DP O'Connell, M Fusi, R Djamaluddin, BB Rajagukguk, F Bachmid, ... Restoration Ecology 30 (4), e13546 , 2022 2022 Citations: 30
Analysis of pesticide levels in honey and Pollen from Irish honey bee colonies using a modified Dutch mini-luke method with gas and liquid chromatography–Tandem mass … MA Díaz, DP O’Connell, S Jordan, C O’Connor, P Martin, JC Jones, ... Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 71 (34), 12657-12667 , 2023 2023 Citations: 25
Increasing temperature and time in glasshouses increases honey bee activity and affects internal brood conditions DP O'Connell, BM Baker, D Atauri, JC Jones Journal of Insect Physiology 155, 104635 , 2024 2024 Citations: 21
Diversification of a ‘great speciator’in the Wallacea region: differing responses of closely related resident and migratory kingfisher species (Aves: Alcedinidae: Todiramphus) DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, N Lawless, A Karya, K Analuddin, NM Marples Ibis 161 (4), 806-823 , 2019 2019 Citations: 20
Distribution and status of threatened and endemic marsupials on the offshore islands of south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia TE Martin, J Monkhouse, DP O’Connell, K Analuddin, A Karya, ... Australian Mammalogy 41 (1), 76-81 , 2019 2019 Citations: 19
Point of (no) return? Vegetation structure and diversity of restored mangroves in Sulawesi, Indonesia, 14–16 years on R Djamaluddin, M Fusi, B Djabar, D Evans, R Holmes, M Huxham, ... Restoration Ecology 31 (7), e13963 , 2023 2023 Citations: 16
A systematic meta-analysis of the efficacy of treatments for a global honey bee pathogen-the Varroa mite DP O'Connell, K Healy, J Wilton, C Botías, JC Jones Science of the Total Environment 963, 178228 , 2025 2025 Citations: 15
A dataset of acoustic measurements from soundscapes collected worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic S Challéat, N Farrugia, JSP Froidevaux, A Gasc, N Pajusco Scientific Data 11 (1), 928 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Adapt taxonomy to conservation goals DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, K Analuddin, A Karya, NM Marples, TE Martin Science 369 (6508), 1172-1172 , 2020 2020 Citations: 12
Increased sexual dimorphism in dense populations of Olive-backed Sunbirds on small islands: morphological niche contraction in females but not males DP O’Connell, DJ Kelly, SBA Kelly, S Sealy, A Karya, K Analuddin, ... Emu-Austral Ornithology 119 (3), 296-307 , 2019 2019 Citations: 12
A distinct new species of Zosterops white‐eye from the Sulawesi region, Indonesia M Irham, DM Prawiradilaga, JK Menner, DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, ... Ibis 165 (3), 808-816 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
An assessment of the avifauna of the Wakatobi Islands, south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia: species recorded and taxonomic considerations DP O’Connell, DJ Kelly, SBA Kelly, K Analuddin, A Karya, NM Marples, ... Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68, 574-587 , 2020 2020 Citations: 10
The avifauna of Menui Island, south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia J Monkhouse, DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, K Analuddin, A Karya, N Marples, ... Forktail 34, 42-47 , 2018 2018 Citations: 7
The avifauna of Kabaena Island, south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia DP O'Connell, S Sealy, Ó Marcaigh, Fionn, A Karya, A Bahrun, ... Forktail 33, 40-45 , 2017 2017 Citations: 7
Nest movement by Little Terns Sternula albifrons and Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula in response to inundation by high tides DP O’Connell, A Power, S Doyle, SF Newton Irish Birds 10 (1), 19-22 , 2014 2014 Citations: 7
Avian speciation and biodiversity in South-east Sulawesi, Indonesia: drivers of diversification DP O’Connell The University of Dublin , 2018 2018 Citations: 6
A new record of Dwarf Sparrowhawk Accipiter nanus in south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia: is it only restricted to upland forests? TE Martin, DP O'Connell, DJ Kelly, A Karya, K Analuddin, NM Marples BirdingASIA 29, 103-104 , 2018 2018 Citations: 6