@article{lengyel_gove_latimer_majer_dunn_2009, title={Ants Sow the Seeds of Global Diversification in Flowering Plants}, volume={4}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-66049109836&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0005480}, abstractNote={Background The extraordinary diversification of angiosperm plants in the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods has produced an estimated 250,000–300,000 living angiosperm species and has fundamentally altered terrestrial ecosystems. Interactions with animals as pollinators or seed dispersers have long been suspected as drivers of angiosperm diversification, yet empirical examples remain sparse or inconclusive. Seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) may drive diversification as it can reduce extinction by providing selective advantages to plants and can increase speciation by enhancing geographical isolation by extremely limited dispersal distances. Methodology/Principal Findings Using the most comprehensive sister-group comparison to date, we tested the hypothesis that myrmecochory leads to higher diversification rates in angiosperm plants. As predicted, diversification rates were substantially higher in ant-dispersed plants than in their non-myrmecochorous relatives. Data from 101 angiosperm lineages in 241 genera from all continents except Antarctica revealed that ant-dispersed lineages contained on average more than twice as many species as did their non-myrmecochorous sister groups. Contrasts in species diversity between sister groups demonstrated that diversification rates did not depend on seed dispersal mode in the sister group and were higher in myrmecochorous lineages in most biogeographic regions. Conclusions/Significance Myrmecochory, which has evolved independently at least 100 times in angiosperms and is estimated to be present in at least 77 families and 11 000 species, is a key evolutionary innovation and a globally important driver of plant diversity. Myrmecochory provides the best example to date for a consistent effect of any mutualism on large-scale diversification.}, number={5}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Lengyel, Szabolcs and Gove, Aaron D. and Latimer, Andrew M. and Majer, Jonathan D. and Dunn, Robert R.}, year={2009}, month={May} }
 @misc{lengyel_gove_latimer_majer_dunn_2010, title={Convergent evolution of seed dispersal by ants, and phylogeny and biogeography in flowering plants: A global survey}, volume={12}, ISSN={["1433-8319"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-75849139842&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.ppees.2009.08.001}, abstractNote={Abstract Seed dispersal is a fundamental life history trait in plants. Although the recent surge of interest in seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) has added greatly to knowledge on the ecology of seed dispersal and ant–plant mutualisms, myrmecochory also represents a unique opportunity to examine the links between seed dispersal and evolution in flowering plants. Here we review the taxonomic, phylogenetic and biogeographic distribution of myrmecochory in flowering plants. Myrmecochory is mediated by elaiosomes, i.e., lipid-rich seed appendages that attract ants and serve as rewards for dispersal. We surveyed the literature for evidence of elaiosomes in angiosperm plants to estimate the global prevalence of myrmecochory. We then searched the literature for phylogenetic reconstructions to identify myrmecochorous lineages and to estimate the minimum number of independent evolutionary origins of myrmecochory. We found that myrmecochory is present in at least 11 000 species or 4.5% of all species, in 334 genera or 2.5% of all genera and in 77 families or 17% of all families of angiosperm plants. We identified at least 101, but possibly up to 147, independent origins of myrmecochory. We estimated three or more origins in 13 families and found that at least half the genera are myrmecochorous in 10 families. Most myrmecochorous lineages were Australian, South African or northern temperate (Holarctic). A mapping of families containing myrmecochorous genera on a dated angiosperm supertree showed that myrmecochory has evolved in most of the major angiosperm lineages and that it is more frequent in younger families (crown group age}, number={1}, journal={PERSPECTIVES IN PLANT ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS}, author={Lengyel, Szabolcs and Gove, Aaron D. and Latimer, Andrew M. and Majer, Jonathan D. and Dunn, Robert R.}, year={2010}, pages={43–55} }
 @misc{lengyel_kobler_kutnar_framstad_henry_babij_gruber_schmeller_henle_2008, title={A review and a framework for the integration of biodiversity monitoring at the habitat level}, volume={17}, number={14}, journal={Biodiversity and Conservation}, author={Lengyel, S. and Kobler, A. and Kutnar, L. and Framstad, E. and Henry, P. Y. and Babij, V. and Gruber, B. and Schmeller, D. and Henle, K.}, year={2008}, pages={3341–3356} }
 @article{lengyel_kiss_tracy_2009, title={Clutch size determination in shorebirds: revisiting incubation limitation in the pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)}, volume={78}, ISSN={["1365-2656"]}, DOI={10.1111/j.1365-2656.2008.01486.x}, abstractNote={1. Traits strongly related to fitness, such as offspring number, are expected to show intraspecific variation among individuals. However, offspring number is invariant in several reptiles, birds, and mammals. Most shorebirds (210+ species), for example, have an invariant clutch size of four eggs, which is unexpected in such an ecologically, behaviourally and socially diverse group. 2. The incubation-limitation hypothesis (ILH) suggests that shorebird clutch size is limited by the inability of adults to incubate clutches larger than four eggs. Several recent studies reported no overall costs of incubating experimentally enlarged clutches and concluded no support for the traditional ILH. However, most studies have not measured all potential costs, and none has quantified costs beyond egg hatching. We conducted a clutch-enlargement experiment and measured potential costs both during incubation and chick rearing in pied avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta L.). 3. Hatching was more asynchronous and egg hatchability was marginally lower in enlarged clutches than in controls. Nonetheless, more young hatched from enlarged clutches (mean: 4.2 +/- 0.17 SE) than from controls (3.4 +/- 0.09), and the two groups did not differ in incubation period, complete or partial clutch failure, or hatchling body size, apparently refuting the ILH. 4. However, pairs incubating enlarged clutches occupied poorer feeding territories during chick rearing, experienced higher chick mortality, and eventually raised fewer young to independence (mean adjusted for season: 0.7 +/- 0.16 SE juveniles) than did control pairs (1.2 +/- 0.13). Chick survival was primarily associated with prey availability, and predation risks were not higher in larger broods. 5. Our results provide evidence that incubating unusually large clutches can affect post-hatching performance and lead to lower annual reproductive success in shorebirds. This study, therefore, supports the ILH and points to the importance of monitoring reproductive success beyond the hatching of the chicks.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY}, author={Lengyel, Szabolcs and Kiss, Bela and Tracy, C. Richard}, year={2009}, month={Mar}, pages={396–405} }
 @article{lengyel_deri_varga_horvath_tothmeresz_henry_kobler_kutnar_babij_seliskar_et al._2008, title={Habitat monitoring in Europe: a description of current practices}, volume={17}, ISSN={["1572-9710"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10531-008-9395-3}, abstractNote={Monitoring of biodiversity at the level of habitats is becoming increasingly common. Here we describe current practices in habitat monitoring based on 150 schemes in Europe. Most schemes were initiated after 1990 in response to EU nature directives or habitat management/restoration actions, with funding mostly from European or national sources. Schemes usually monitor both the spatial distribution and the quality of the habitats, and they frequently collect data on environmental parameters and potential causes of changes. Many schemes are local or regional rather than national or international in scope, and sampling effort varies greatly across spatial and temporal scales. Experimental design is used in half of the schemes, however, data are rarely analysed by advanced statistics. Most schemes require two months or less per year in manpower and are typically run by professionals rather than by volunteers. Estimated salaries plus equipment costs average 650,000 Euro per year per scheme, and add up to 80 million Euros annually. Costs are particularly high for schemes based on European or international law and for schemes funded by European or national sources. Costs are also high in schemes in which sampling sites are selected subjectively rather than based on sampling theory, and in schemes that do not use field mapping or remote sensing to document spatial variation in habitats. Our survey demonstrates promising developments in European habitat monitoring but also underlines the need for better spatial coverage, documentation of spatial variaton, improved sampling design and advanced data analysis. Such improvements are essential if we are to judge progress towards the 2010 biodiversity targets.}, number={14}, journal={BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION}, author={Lengyel, Szabolcs and Deri, Eszter and Varga, Zoltan and Horvath, Roland and Tothmeresz, Bela and Henry, Pierre-Yves and Kobler, Andrej and Kutnar, Lado and Babij, Valerija and Seliskar, Andrej and et al.}, year={2008}, month={Dec}, pages={3327–3339} }