1
|
Ganz TR, Bassing SB, DeVivo MT, Gardner B, Kertson BN, Satterfield LC, Shipley LA, Turnock BY, Walker SL, Abrahamson D, Wirsing AJ, Prugh LR. White-tailed deer population dynamics in a multipredator landscape shaped by humans. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e3003. [PMID: 38890813 DOI: 10.1002/eap.3003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Large terrestrial mammals increasingly rely on human-modified landscapes as anthropogenic footprints expand. Land management activities such as timber harvest, agriculture, and roads can influence prey population dynamics by altering forage resources and predation risk via changes in habitat, but these effects are not well understood in regions with diverse and changing predator guilds. In northeastern Washington state, USA, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are vulnerable to multiple carnivores, including recently returned gray wolves (Canis lupus), within a highly human-modified landscape. To understand the factors governing predator-prey dynamics in a human context, we radio-collared 280 white-tailed deer, 33 bobcats (Lynx rufus), 50 cougars (Puma concolor), 28 coyotes (C. latrans), and 14 wolves between 2016 and 2021. We first estimated deer vital rates and used a stage-structured matrix model to estimate their population growth rate. During the study, we observed a stable to declining deer population (lambda = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.88, 1.05), with 74% of Monte Carlo simulations indicating population decrease and 26% of simulations indicating population increase. We then fit Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate how predator exposure, use of human-modified landscapes, and winter severity influenced deer survival and used these relationships to evaluate impacts on overall population growth. We found that the population growth rate was dually influenced by a negative direct effect of apex predators and a positive effect of timber harvest and agricultural areas. Cougars had a stronger effect on deer population dynamics than wolves, and mesopredators had little influence on the deer population growth rate. Areas of recent timber harvest had 55% more forage biomass than older forests, but horizontal visibility did not differ, suggesting that timber harvest did not influence predation risk. Although proximity to roads did not affect the overall population growth rate, vehicle collisions caused a substantial proportion of deer mortalities, and reducing these collisions could be a win-win for deer and humans. The influence of apex predators and forage indicates a dual limitation by top-down and bottom-up factors in this highly human-modified system, suggesting that a reduction in apex predators would intensify density-dependent regulation of the deer population owing to limited forage availability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R Ganz
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sarah B Bassing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Melia T DeVivo
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spokane Valley, Washington, USA
| | - Beth Gardner
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Brian N Kertson
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Snoqualmie, Washington, USA
| | - Lauren C Satterfield
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lisa A Shipley
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | - Aaron J Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laura R Prugh
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pringle RM, Abraham JO, Anderson TM, Coverdale TC, Davies AB, Dutton CL, Gaylard A, Goheen JR, Holdo RM, Hutchinson MC, Kimuyu DM, Long RA, Subalusky AL, Veldhuis MP. Impacts of large herbivores on terrestrial ecosystems. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R584-R610. [PMID: 37279691 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Large herbivores play unique ecological roles and are disproportionately imperiled by human activity. As many wild populations dwindle towards extinction, and as interest grows in restoring lost biodiversity, research on large herbivores and their ecological impacts has intensified. Yet, results are often conflicting or contingent on local conditions, and new findings have challenged conventional wisdom, making it hard to discern general principles. Here, we review what is known about the ecosystem impacts of large herbivores globally, identify key uncertainties, and suggest priorities to guide research. Many findings are generalizable across ecosystems: large herbivores consistently exert top-down control of plant demography, species composition, and biomass, thereby suppressing fires and the abundance of smaller animals. Other general patterns do not have clearly defined impacts: large herbivores respond to predation risk but the strength of trophic cascades is variable; large herbivores move vast quantities of seeds and nutrients but with poorly understood effects on vegetation and biogeochemistry. Questions of the greatest relevance for conservation and management are among the least certain, including effects on carbon storage and other ecosystem functions and the ability to predict outcomes of extinctions and reintroductions. A unifying theme is the role of body size in regulating ecological impact. Small herbivores cannot fully substitute for large ones, and large-herbivore species are not functionally redundant - losing any, especially the largest, will alter net impact, helping to explain why livestock are poor surrogates for wild species. We advocate leveraging a broad spectrum of techniques to mechanistically explain how large-herbivore traits and environmental context interactively govern the ecological impacts of these animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Pringle
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Joel O Abraham
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - T Michael Anderson
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Tyler C Coverdale
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Andrew B Davies
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | | | - Jacob R Goheen
- Department of Zoology & Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82072, USA
| | - Ricardo M Holdo
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Matthew C Hutchinson
- Department of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Duncan M Kimuyu
- Department of Natural Resources, Karatina University, Karatina, Kenya
| | - Ryan A Long
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Amanda L Subalusky
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Michiel P Veldhuis
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kessler C, Wootton E, Shafer ABA. Speciation without gene-flow in hybridizing deer. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:1117-1132. [PMID: 36516402 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Under the ecological speciation model, divergent selection acts on ecological differences between populations, gradually creating barriers to gene flow and ultimately leading to reproductive isolation. Hybridisation is part of this continuum and can both promote and inhibit the speciation process. Here, we used white-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O. hemionus) to investigate patterns of speciation in hybridizing sister species. We quantified genome-wide historical introgression and performed genome scans to look for signatures of four different selection scenarios. Despite ample modern evidence of hybridisation, we found negligible patterns of ancestral introgression and no signatures of divergence with gene flow, rather localized patterns of allopatric and balancing selection were detected across the genome. Genes under balancing selection were related to immunity, MHC and sensory perception of smell, the latter of which is consistent with deer biology. The deficiency of historical gene-flow suggests that white-tailed and mule deer were spatially separated during the glaciation cycles of the Pleistocene and genome wide differentiation accrued via genetic drift. Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities and selection against hybrids are hypothesised to be acting, and diversity correlations to recombination rates suggests these sister species are far along the speciation continuum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Kessler
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric Wootton
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron B A Shafer
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Domestic Cattle in a National Park Restricting the Sika Deer Due to Diet Overlap. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040561. [PMID: 36830347 PMCID: PMC9951756 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Managers need to know the extent of the conflict between livestock and wild animals. Although many studies have reported the conflict between livestock and wild animals, few have checked the extent of the conflict. Cattle raising in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park is considered one of the main driving forces behind the restricted distribution of sika deer. To understand whether foraging competition is contributing to avoidance patterns between sika deer and cattle, we investigated their feeding habits using DNA barcoding and high-throughput sequencing. Our study shows that although cattle are grazers in the traditional division of herbivores, their diet shifted to a predominance of dicotyledonous woody plants, and this diet shift resulted in a high degree of dietary overlap between sika deer and cattle. Moreover, compared to sika deer, cattle diets are more diverse at the species level with a wider ecological niche. Our results confirm that overlapping dietary niches and the superior competitive abilities of cattle contribute to the restricted distribution of the sika deer, which has critical implications for the conservation of their predators. Our study suggests that cattle grazing should be prohibited in the Park and effective measures should be taken for the benefit of sika deer.
Collapse
|
5
|
Remmers JJ, Nielsen CK, Lesmeister DB. Anthropogenic and environmental influences on mammalian alpha and beta diversity in a hardwood forest landscape. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
|
6
|
Cunningham CX, Nuñez TA, Hentati Y, Sullender B, Breen C, Ganz TR, Kreling SES, Shively KA, Reese E, Miles J, Prugh LR. Permanent daylight saving time would reduce deer-vehicle collisions. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4982-4988.e4. [PMID: 36327981 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Overlap between wildlife and human activity is key to causing wildlife-vehicle collisions, a globally pervasive and growing source of wildlife mortality.1,2 Policies regarding clock time often involve abrupt seasonal shifts in human activity, potentially influencing rates of human-wildlife conflict. Here, we harness the biannual shift between standard and daylight saving time as a natural experiment to reveal how the timing of human activity influences deer-vehicle collisions. Based on 1,012,465 deer-vehicle collisions and 96 million hourly traffic observations across the United States, we show that collisions are 14 times more frequent 2 hours after sunset than before sunset, highlighting the importance of traffic during dark hours as a key determinant of deer-vehicle collision risk. The switch from daylight saving to standard time in autumn causes peak traffic volumes to shift from before sunset to after sunset, leading to a 16% spike in deer-vehicle collisions. By reducing traffic after dark, our model predicts that year-round daylight saving time would prevent 36,550 deer (Odocoileus sp.) deaths, 33 human deaths, 2,054 human injuries, and US$1.19 billion in collision costs annually. In contrast, permanent standard time is predicted to increase collisions by an even larger magnitude, incurring an additional US$2.39 billion in costs. By targeting the temporal dimension of wildlife-vehicle collisions, strategies such as year-round daylight saving time that reduce traffic during dark hours, especially during the breeding season of abundant ungulates, would yield substantial benefits for wildlife conservation and reduce the social and economic costs of deer-vehicle collisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Calum X Cunningham
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA.
| | - Tristan A Nuñez
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Yasmine Hentati
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Ben Sullender
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Catherine Breen
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Taylor R Ganz
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Samantha E S Kreling
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Kayla A Shively
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Ellie Reese
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Jeff Miles
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Laura R Prugh
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cook RC, Shipley LA, Cook JG, Camp MJ, Monzingo DS, Robatcek SL, Berry SL, Hull IT, Myers WL, Denryter K, Long RA. Sequential detergent fiber assay results used for nutritional ecology research: Evidence of bias since 2012. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C. Cook
- National Council of Air and Stream Improvement 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Lisa A. Shipley
- 1229 Webster Hall, School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman WA 99164‐2812 USA
| | - John G. Cook
- National Council of Air and Stream Improvement 1401 Gekeler Lane La Grande OR 97850 USA
| | - Meghan J. Camp
- Washington State University Vogel Plant Biosciences 136, School of the Environment, Pullman, WA 99164‐2812; Cramer Fish Sciences 1125 12th Ave. NW, Suite B‐1 Issaquah WA 98027 USA
| | - Deborah S. Monzingo
- 1229 Webster Hall, School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman WA 99164‐2812 USA
| | | | | | - Iver T. Hull
- 1229 Webster Hall, School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman WA 99164‐2812 USA
| | - Woodrow L. Myers
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 2315 N Discovery Place Spokane Valley WA 99216 USA
| | - Kristin Denryter
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1010 Riverside Parkway West Sacramento CA 95605 USA
| | - Ryan A. Long
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho Moscow ID 83844 USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dellinger JA, Shores CR, Craig AD, Kachel SM, Heithaus MR, Ripple WJ, Wirsing AJ. Predators reduce niche overlap between sympatric prey. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin A. Dellinger
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Univ. of Washington Seattle WA USA
- Wildlife Investigations Lab, California Dept of Fish and Wildlife Rancho Cordova CA USA
| | - Carolyn R. Shores
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Univ. of Washington Seattle WA USA
- British Columbia Fish and Wildlife, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Williams Lake BC Canada
| | - Apryle D. Craig
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Univ. of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - Shannon M. Kachel
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Univ. of Washington Seattle WA USA
- Panthera New York NY USA
| | - Michael R. Heithaus
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Florida International Univ. North Miami FL USA
- Institute of Environment, Florida International Univ. FL USA
| | - William J. Ripple
- Global Trophic Cascades Program, Dept of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State Univ. Corvallis OR USA
| | - Aaron J. Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Univ. of Washington Seattle WA USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Staudenmaier AR, Shipley LA, Camp MJ, Forbey JS, Hagerman AE, Brandt AE, Thornton DH. Mule deer do more with less: comparing their nutritional requirements and tolerances with white-tailed deer. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Congeneric species often share ecological niche space resulting in competitive interactions that either limit co-occurrence or lead to niche partitioning. Differences in fundamental nutritional niches mediated through character displacement or isolation during evolution are potential mechanisms that could explain overlapping distribution patterns of congenerics. We directly compared nutritional requirements and tolerances that influence the fundamental niche of mule (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus), which occur in allopatry and sympatry in similar realized ecological niches across their ranges in North America. Digestible energy and protein requirements and tolerances for plant fiber and plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) of both deer species were quantified using in vivo digestion and intake tolerance trials with six diets ranging in content of fiber, protein, and PSMs using tractable deer raised under identical conditions in captivity. We found that compared with white-tailed deer, mule deer required 54% less digestible protein and 21% less digestible energy intake per day to maintain body mass and nitrogen balance. In addition, they had higher fiber, energy, and dry matter digestibility and produced glucuronic acid (a byproduct of PSM detoxification) at a slower rate when consuming the monoterpene α-pinene. The mule deers’ enhanced physiological abilities to cope with low-quality, chemically defended forages relative to white-tailed deer might minimize potential competitive interactions in shared landscapes and provide a modest advantage to mule deer in habitats dominated by low-quality forages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa A Shipley
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Meghan J Camp
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer S Forbey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Ann E Hagerman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Abigail E Brandt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Daniel H Thornton
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Staudenmaier AR, Shipley LA, Bibelnieks AJ, Camp MJ, Thornton DH. Habitat use and spatio‐temporal interactions of mule and white‐tailed deer in an area of sympatry in NE Washington. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna R. Staudenmaier
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington 99164 USA
| | - Lisa A. Shipley
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington 99164 USA
| | - Andris J. Bibelnieks
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics Washington State University Pullman Washington 99164 USA
| | - Meghan J. Camp
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington 99164 USA
| | - Daniel H. Thornton
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman Washington 99164 USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Becker JA, Hutchinson MC, Potter AB, Park S, Guyton JA, Abernathy K, Americo VF, Conceiçāo A, Kartzinel TR, Kuziel L, Leonard NE, Lorenzi E, Martins NC, Pansu J, Scott WL, Stahl MK, Torrens KR, Stalmans ME, Long RA, Pringle RM. Ecological and behavioral mechanisms of density‐dependent habitat expansion in a recovering African ungulate population. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justine A. Becker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 82072, USA
| | - Matthew C. Hutchinson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Arjun B. Potter
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Shinkyu Park
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Jennifer A. Guyton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Kyler Abernathy
- Exploration Technology Lab National Geographic Society Washington D.C. 20036 USA
| | - Victor F. Americo
- Department of Scientific Services Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Sofala Mozambique
| | - Anagledis Conceiçāo
- Department of Scientific Services Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Sofala Mozambique
| | - Tyler R. Kartzinel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Brown University Providence Rhode Island 02912 USA
- Institute at Brown for Environment and Society Brown University Providence Rhode Island 02912 USA
| | - Luca Kuziel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Naomi E. Leonard
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Eli Lorenzi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742 USA
| | - Nuno C. Martins
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742 USA
| | - Johan Pansu
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
- Station Biologique de Roscoff UMR 7144 CNRS‐Sorbonne Université Roscoff France
- CSIRO Ocean & Atmosphere Lucas Heights New South Wales Australia
| | - William L. Scott
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Bucknell University Lewisburg Pennsylvania 17837 USA
| | - Maria K. Stahl
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Kai R. Torrens
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| | - Marc E. Stalmans
- Department of Scientific Services Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Sofala Mozambique
| | - Ryan A. Long
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho Moscow Idaho 83844 USA
| | - Robert M. Pringle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton New Jersey 08544 USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wolf JF, Kriss KD, MacAulay KM, Munro K, Patterson BR, Shafer ABA. Gut microbiome composition predicts summer core range size in two divergent ungulates. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6174673. [PMID: 33729507 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiome of animals vary by age, diet, and habitat, and directly influences an individual's health. Similarly, variation in home ranges is linked to feeding strategies and fitness. Ungulates (hooved mammals) exhibit species-specific microbiomes and habitat use patterns. We combined gut microbiome and movement data to assess relationships between space use and the gut microbiome in a specialist and a generalist ungulate. We GPS radiocollared 24 mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and 34 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), collected fecal samples, and conducted high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We generated gut diversity metrics and key bacterial ratios. Our research question centred around the idea that larger Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios confer body size or fat advantages that allow for larger home ranges, and relationships of disproportionate habitat use are stronger in the habitat specialist mountain goat. Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios were positively correlated with core range area in both species. Mountain goats exhibited a negative relationship between gut diversity and proportional use of treed areas and escape terrain, and no relationships were detected in the habitat generalist white-tailed deer. This is the first study to relate range size to the gut microbiome in wild ungulates and is an important proof of concept that advances the information that can be gleaned from non-invasive sampling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse F Wolf
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Krystal D Kriss
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, 3726 Alfred Avenue, Smithers, British Columbia V0J 2N0, Canada
| | - Kara M MacAulay
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, 3726 Alfred Avenue, Smithers, British Columbia V0J 2N0, Canada
| | - Keith Munro
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada.,Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, 4601 Guthrie Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8L5, Canada
| | - Brent R Patterson
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada.,Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Aaron B A Shafer
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada.,Forensic Science Program, Trent University, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
DePasquale AN, Webb SE, Williamson RE, Fedigan LM, Melin AD. Testing the niche differentiation hypothesis in wild capuchin monkeys with polymorphic color vision. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The polymorphic color vision system present in most North, Central, and South American monkeys is a textbook case of balancing selection, yet the mechanism behind it remains poorly understood. Previous work has established task-specific foraging advantages to different color vision phenotypes: dichromats (red-green colorblind) are more efficient foraging for invertebrates, while trichromats (color “normal” relative to humans) are more efficient foraging for “reddish” ripe fruit, suggesting that niche differentiation may underlie the maintenance of color vision variation. We explore a prediction of the niche differentiation hypothesis by asking whether dichromatic and trichromatic capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator) diverge in their foraging activity budget, specifically testing whether dichromats forage more frequently for invertebrates and trichromats forage more frequently for “reddish” ripe fruit. To assess this, we analyze a large data set of behavioral scan samples (n = 21 984) from 48 wild adult female capuchins of known color vision genotype, dominance rank, and reproductive status, together with models of food conspicuity. We find no significant differences between dichromats and trichromats in the frequency of scans spent foraging for different food types but do find that nursing females forage less overall than cycling females. Our results suggest that the potential for color-vision-based niche differentiation in foraging time may be curtailed by the energetic requirements of reproduction, behavioral synchrony caused by group living, and/or individual preferences. While niche differentiation in activity budgets by color vision type is not apparent, fine-scale niche differentiation may be occurring. This research enhances our understanding of the evolutionary processes maintaining sensory polymorphisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allegra N DePasquale
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Shasta E Webb
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Rachel E Williamson
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Linda M Fedigan
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Amanda D Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Davies C, Wright W, Hogan F, Visintin C. Predicting deer–vehicle collision risk across Victoria, Australia. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/am19042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The risk of deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs) is increasing in south-east Australia as populations of introduced deer expand rapidly. There are no investigations of the spatial and temporal patterns of DVC or predictions of where such collisions are most likely to occur. Here, we use an analytical framework to model deer distribution and vehicle movements in order to predict DVC risk across the State of Victoria. We modelled the occurrence of deer using existing occurrence records and geographic climatic variables. We estimated patterns of vehicular movements from records of average annual daily traffic and speeds. Given the low number of DVCs reported in Victoria, we used a generalised linear regression model fitted to DVCs in California, USA. The fitted model coefficients suggested high collision risk on road segments with high predicted deer occurrence, moderate traffic volume and high traffic speed. We used the California deer model to predict collision risk on Victorian roads and validated the predictions with two independent datasets of DVC records from Victoria. The California deer model performed well when comparing predictions of collision risk to the independent DVC datasets and generated plausible DVC risk predictions across the State of Victoria.
Collapse
|