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Costa-Pereira R, Shaner PJL. The spatiotemporal context of individual specialization in resource use and environmental associations. J Anim Ecol 2024. [PMID: 38706400 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
1. Individual niche specialization is widespread in natural populations and has key implications for higher levels of biological organization. This phenomenon, however, has been primarily quantified in resource niche axes, overlooking individual variation in environmental associations (i.e. abiotic conditions organisms experience). 2. Here, we explore what we can learn from a multidimensional perspective of individual niche specialization that integrates resource use and environmental associations into a common framework. 3. By combining predictions from theory and simple simulations, we illustrate how (i) multidimensional intraspecific niche variation and (ii) the spatiotemporal context of interactions between conspecifics scale up to shape emergent patterns of the population niche. 4. Contemplating individual specialization as a multidimensional, unifying concept across biotic and abiotic niche axes is a fundamental step towards bringing this concept closer to the n-dimensional niche envisioned by Hutchinson.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Costa-Pereira
- Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Pei-Jen Lee Shaner
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
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2
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Salton M, Raoult V, Jonsen I, Harcourt R. Niche partitioning and individual specialisation in resources and space use of sympatric fur seals at their range margin. Oecologia 2024; 204:815-832. [PMID: 38568471 PMCID: PMC11062968 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05537-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Ecological theory predicts niche partitioning between high-level predators living in sympatry as a mechanism to minimise the selective pressure of competition. Accordingly, male Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus and New Zealand fur seals A. forsteri that live in sympatry should exhibit partitioning in their broad niches (in habitat and trophic dimensions) in order to coexist. However, at the northern end of their distributions in Australia, both are recolonising their historic range after a long absence due to over-exploitation, and their small population sizes suggest competition should be weak and may allow overlap in niche space. We found some niche overlap, yet clear partitioning in diet trophic level (δ15N values from vibrissae), spatial niche space (horizontal and vertical telemetry data) and circadian activity patterns (timing of dives) between males of each species, suggesting competition may remain an active driver of niche partitioning amongst individuals even in small, peripheral populations. Consistent with individual specialisation theory, broad niches of populations were associated with high levels of individual specialisation for both species, despite putative low competition. Specialists in isotopic space were not necessarily specialists in spatial niche space, further emphasising their diverse individual strategies for niche partitioning. Males of each species displayed distinct foraging modes, with Australian fur seals primarily benthic and New Zealand fur seals primarily epipelagic, though unexpectedly high individual specialisation for New Zealand fur seals might suggest marginal populations provide exceptions to the pattern generally observed amongst other fur seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Salton
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, TAS, 7050, Australia.
| | - Vincent Raoult
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, 2258, Australia
| | - Ian Jonsen
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Robert Harcourt
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
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3
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Wang Z, Gong L, Huang Z, Geng Y, Zhang W, Si M, Wu H, Feng J, Jiang T. Linking changes in individual specialization and population niche of space use across seasons in the great evening bat (Ia io). MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2023; 11:32. [PMID: 37287053 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-023-00394-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The niche breadth of an animal population comprises both within-individual and between-individual variation (individual specialization). Both components can be used to explain changes in population niche breadth, and this has been extensively investigated in dietary niche dimension studies. However, little is known about how changes in food resources or environmental factors across seasons affect changes in individual and population space use within the same population. METHODS In this study, we used micro-GPS loggers to capture the space use of individuals and of a population of the great evening bat (Ia io) in summer and autumn. We used I. io as a model to investigate how individual spatial niche breadth and spatial individual specialization affect changes in population niche breadth (home range and core area sizes) across seasons. Additionally, we explored the drivers of individual spatial specialization. RESULTS We found that the population home range and the core area of I. io did not increase in autumn when insect resources were reduced. Moreover, I. io showed different specialization strategies in the two seasons: higher spatial individual specialization in summer and lower individual specialization but broader individual niche breadth in autumn. This trade-off may maintain the dynamic stability of the population spatial niche breadth across seasons and facilitate the population response to changes in food resources and environmental factors. CONCLUSIONS Like diet, spatial niche breadth of a population also may be determined by a combination of individual niche breadth and individual specialization. Our work provides new insights into the evolution of niche breadth from the spatial dimension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Lixin Gong
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Zhenglanyi Huang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Yang Geng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Man Si
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China
| | - Hui Wu
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China.
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China.
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, 130118, China.
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China.
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun, 130117, China.
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4
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Occhiuto F, Vázquez-Diosdado JA, Carslake C, Kaler J. Personality and predictability in farmed calves using movement and space-use behaviours quantified by ultra-wideband sensors. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:212019. [PMID: 35706665 PMCID: PMC9174733 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.212019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Individuals within a population often show consistent between individual differences in their average behavioural expression (personality), and consistent differences in their within individual variability of behaviour around the mean (predictability). Where correlations between different personality traits and/or the predictability of traits exist, these represent behavioural or predictability syndromes. In wild populations, behavioural syndromes have consequences for individuals' survival and reproduction and affect the structure and functioning of groups and populations. The consequences of behavioural syndromes for farm animals are less well explored, partly due to the challenges in quantifying behaviour of many individuals across time and context in a farm setting. Here, we use ultra-wideband location sensors to provide precise measures of movement and space use for 60 calves over 40-48 days. We are the first livestock study to demonstrate consistent within and between individual variation in movement and space use with repeatability values of up to 0.80 and CVp values up to 0.49. Our results show correlations in personality and predictability, indicating the existence of 'exploratory' and 'active' personality traits in farmed calves. We consider the consequences of such individual variability for cattle behaviour and welfare and how such data may be used to inform management decisions in farm animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Occhiuto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jorge A. Vázquez-Diosdado
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Charles Carslake
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
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Bonnet-Lebrun AS, Collet J, Phillips RA. A test of the win-stay–lose-shift foraging strategy and its adaptive value in albatrosses. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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6
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Trevail AM, Green JA, Bolton M, Daunt F, Harris SM, Miller PI, Newton S, Owen E, Polton JA, Robertson G, Sharples J, Patrick SC. Environmental heterogeneity promotes individual specialisation in habitat selection in a widely distributed seabird. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2875-2887. [PMID: 34492121 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Individual specialisations in behaviour are predicted to arise where divergence benefits fitness. Such specialisations are more likely in heterogeneous environments where there is both greater ecological opportunity and competition-driven frequency dependent selection. Such an effect could explain observed differences in rates of individual specialisation in habitat selection, as it offers individuals an opportunity to select for habitat types that maximise resource gain while minimising competition; however, this mechanism has not been tested before. Here, we use habitat selection functions to quantify individual specialisations while foraging by black-legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla, a marine top predator, at 15 colonies around the United Kingdom and Ireland, along a gradient of environmental heterogeneity. We find support for the hypothesis that individual specialisations in habitat selection while foraging are more prevalent in heterogeneous environments. This trend was significant across multiple dynamic habitat variables that change over short time-scales and did not arise through site fidelity, which highlights the importance of environmental processes in facilitating behavioural adaptation by predators. Individual differences may drive evolutionary processes, and therefore these results suggest that there is broad scope for the degree of environmental heterogeneity to determine current and future population, species and community dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M Trevail
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Jonathan A Green
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark Bolton
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy, UK
| | - Francis Daunt
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Edinburgh, Penicuik, UK
| | | | - Peter I Miller
- Remote Sensing Group, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Ellie Owen
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy, UK
| | | | - Gail Robertson
- School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jonathan Sharples
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Samantha C Patrick
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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7
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Kerches-Rogeri P, Niebuhr BB, Muylaert RL, Mello MAR. Individual specialization in the use of space by frugivorous bats. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:2584-2595. [PMID: 32895967 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Natural populations are not homogenous systems but sets of individuals that occupy subsets of the species' niche. This phenomenon is known as individual specialization. Recently, several studies found evidence of individual specialization in animal diets. Diet is a critical dimension of a species' niche that affects several other dimensions, including space use, which has been poorly studied under the light of individual specialization. In this study, which harnesses the framework of the movement ecology paradigm and uses yellow-shouldered bats Sturnira lilium as a model, we ask how food preferences lead individual bats of the same population to forage mainly in different locations and habitats. Ten individual bats were radiotracked in a heterogeneous Brazilian savanna. First, we modelled intraspecific variation in space use as a network of individual bats and the landscape elements visited by them. Second, we developed two novel metrics, the spatial individual specialization index (SpatIS) and the spatial individual complementary specialization index (SpatICS). Additionally, we tested food-plant availability as a driver of interindividual differences in space use. There was large interindividual variation in space use not explained by sex or weight. Our results point to individual specialization in space use in the studied population of S. lilium, most probably linked to food-plant distribution. Individual specialization affects not only which plant species frugivores consume, but also the way they move in space, ultimately with consequences for seed dispersal and landscape connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernardo Brandão Niebuhr
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Rio Claro, Brazil.,Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros (CENAP), Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Atibaia, Brazil.,Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, Brazil.,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Renata Lara Muylaert
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Rio Claro, Brazil.,Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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8
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Habitat, trophic levels and migration patterns of the short-finned squid Illex argentinus from stable isotope analysis of beak regions. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02598-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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9
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Dehnhard N, Achurch H, Clarke J, Michel LN, Southwell C, Sumner MD, Eens M, Emmerson L. High inter‐ and intraspecific niche overlap among three sympatrically breeding, closely related seabird species: Generalist foraging as an adaptation to a highly variable environment? J Anim Ecol 2019; 89:104-119. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Dehnhard
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group University of Antwerp Antwerp (Wilrijk) Belgium
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment and Energy Kingston Tas. Australia
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research – NINA Trondheim Norway
| | - Helen Achurch
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment and Energy Kingston Tas. Australia
| | - Judy Clarke
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment and Energy Kingston Tas. Australia
| | - Loïc N. Michel
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of reSearch (FOCUS), Laboratory of Oceanology University of Liège Liège Belgium
| | - Colin Southwell
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment and Energy Kingston Tas. Australia
| | - Michael D. Sumner
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment and Energy Kingston Tas. Australia
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group University of Antwerp Antwerp (Wilrijk) Belgium
| | - Louise Emmerson
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment and Energy Kingston Tas. Australia
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