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Li P, Zhang H, Yang D, Gong C, Wu D, Sun Y, Liu Y, Tang J, Hu H, Zhaxi Q, Xu W, Su L, Li Y, Wu X. Vigilance behaviour during the calving season in female Tibetan antelopes ( Pantholopshodgsonii). Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e107957. [PMID: 37711367 PMCID: PMC10498271 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e107957] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tibetan antelopes (Pantholopshodgsonii) migrate great distances to specific delivery and calving areas. In the current study, we investigated calving site selection and vigilance behaviour during delivery and nursing in migratory female Tibetan antelopes at Zonag Lake. According to observations and analysis, the females were distributed south of Zonag Lake, where vegetation was abundant. We determined their dates of migration (crossing the Qinghai-Tibet Highway observation site), showing a shift of one month during the period from June in 2008 to May 2021. Results also showed that 81.4% of females expressed high vigilance behaviour during calving and nursing compared to those without calves (7.1%). From delivery until calf standing, females were highly vigilant and spent considerable time scanning, with 96% of females showing vigilance behaviour. Females with calves (average 9.94 ± 0.62 s) spent more time on vigilance behaviour than females without calves (average 6.25 ± 1.38 s). Females with newborns spent the greatest amount of time being vigilant (average 51.63 ± 4.24 s). These results not only identify basic Tibetan antelope calving behaviour, but also provide scientific analysis and evidence for further ethological research on female Tibetan antelopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiwei Li
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Hongfeng Zhang
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Dongdong Yang
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Congran Gong
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Dong Wu
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Yuting Sun
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Yan Liu
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Junqing Tang
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, ChinaSchool of Urban Planning and Design, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Han Hu
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Qiupei Zhaxi
- Hoh Xil Nature Reserve service, Golmud, ChinaHoh Xil Nature Reserve serviceGolmudChina
| | - Wei Xu
- Three-River-Source National Park Service, Xining, ChinaThree-River-Source National Park ServiceXiningChina
| | - Lina Su
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Yinhu Li
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
| | - Xiaomin Wu
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, xi'an, ChinaShaanxi Institute of Zoologyxi'anChina
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2
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Mettke-Hofmann C. Is vigilance a personality trait? Plasticity is key alongside some contextual consistency. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279066. [PMID: 36508445 PMCID: PMC9744299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals regularly scan their environment for predators and to monitor conspecifics. However, individuals in a group seem to differ in their vigilance linked to age, sex or state with recent links made to personality. The aims of the study were to investigate whether a) individuals differ consistently in their vigilance, b) vigilance is linked to other personality traits and c) other factors affect vigilance in the colour polymorphic Gouldian finch. Birds were tested in same (red-headed or black-headed) or mixed head colour morph same sex pairs in four contexts (novel environment, familiar environment, two changed environments). Vigilance was measured as horizontal head movements. Vigilance showed contextual consistency but no long-term temporal consistency over a year. Head movements were only weakly linked to other personality traits indicative of a risk-reward trade-off with more explorative individuals being less vigilant. Vigilance was highly plastic across situations and affected by group composition. Mixed head colour morph pairs made more head movements, potentially linked to higher social vigilance. Results indicate that vigilance is a highly plastic trait affected by personality rather than a personality trait on its own, which allows adapting vigilance to different situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Mettke-Hofmann
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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3
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Chitwood MC, Baruzzi C, Lashley MA. “Ecology of fear” in ungulates: Opportunities for improving conservation. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8657. [PMID: 35261746 PMCID: PMC8888265 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Because ungulates are important contributors to ecosystem function, understanding the “ecology of fear” could be important to the conservation of ecosystems. Although studying ungulate ecology of fear is common, knowledge from ungulate systems is highly contested among ecologists. Here, we review the available literature on the ecology of fear in ungulates to generalize our current knowledge and how we can leverage it for conservation. Four general focus areas emerged from the 275 papers included in our literature search (and some papers were included in multiple categories): behavioral responses to predation risk (79%), physiological responses to predation risk (15%), trophic cascades resulting from ungulate responses to predation risk (20%), and manipulation of predation risk (1%). Of papers focused on behavior, 75% were about movement and habitat selection. Studies were biased toward North America (53%), tended to be focused on elk (Cervus canadensis; 29%), and were dominated by gray wolves (40%) or humans (39%) as predators of interest. Emerging literature suggests that we can utilize predation risk for conservation with top‐down (i.e., increasing predation risk) and bottom‐up (i.e., manipulating landscape characteristics to increase risk or risk perception) approaches. It is less clear whether fear‐related changes in physiology have population‐level fitness consequences or cascading effects, which could be fruitful avenues for future research. Conflicting evidence of trait‐mediated trophic cascades might be improved with better replication across systems and accounting for confounding effects of ungulate density. Improving our understanding of mechanisms modulating the nature of trophic cascades likely is most important to ensure desirable conservation outcomes. We recommend future work embrace the complexity of natural systems by attempting to link together the focal areas of study identified herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Colter Chitwood
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma USA
| | - Carolina Baruzzi
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Starkville Mississippi USA
- School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Marcus A. Lashley
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State University Starkville Mississippi USA
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
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4
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Harrison ND, Maag N, Haverkamp PJ, Ganswindt A, Manser MB, Clutton-Brock TH, Ozgul A, Cozzi G. Behavioural change during dispersal and its relationship to survival and reproduction in a cooperative breeder. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2637-2650. [PMID: 34258771 PMCID: PMC8597146 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The ability of dispersing individuals to adjust their behaviour to changing conditions is instrumental in overcoming challenges and reducing dispersal costs, consequently increasing overall dispersal success. Understanding how dispersers' behaviour and physiology change during the dispersal process, and how they differ from resident individuals, can shed light on the mechanisms by which dispersers increase survival and maximise reproduction. By analysing individual behaviour and concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), a stress‐associated biomarker, we sought to identify the proximate causes behind differences in survival and reproduction between dispersing and resident meerkats Suricata suricatta. We used data collected on 67 dispersing and 108 resident females to investigate (a) which individual, social and environmental factors are correlated to foraging and vigilance, and whether the role of such factors differs among dispersal phases, and between dispersers and residents; (b) how time allocated to either foraging or vigilance correlated to survival in dispersers and residents and (c) the link between aggression and change in fGCM concentration, and their relationship with reproductive rates in dispersing groups and resident groups with either long‐established or newly established dominant females. Time allocated to foraging increased across dispersal phases, whereas time allocated to vigilance decreased. Time allocated to foraging and vigilance correlated positively and negatively, respectively, with dispersers' group size. We did not find a group size effect for residents. High proportions of time allocated to foraging correlated with high survival, and more so in dispersers, suggesting that maintaining good physical condition may reduce mortality during dispersal. Furthermore, while subordinate individuals rarely reproduced in resident groups, the conception rate of subordinates in newly formed dispersing groups was equal to that of their dominant individuals. Mirroring conception rates, in resident groups, fGCM concentrations were lower in subordinates than in dominants, whereas in disperser groups, fGCM concentrations did not differ between subordinates and dominants. Our results, which highlight the relationship between behavioural and physiological factors and demographic rates, provide insights into some of the mechanisms that individuals of a cooperative species can use to increase overall dispersal success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha D Harrison
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| | - Nino Maag
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| | - Paul J Haverkamp
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - André Ganswindt
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Marta B Manser
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| | - Tim H Clutton-Brock
- Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa.,Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa.,Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Arpat Ozgul
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
| | - Gabriele Cozzi
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa
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5
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Vitet C, Duncan P, Gimenez O, Mabika C, Chamaillé‐Jammes S. Plains zebras bring evidence that dilution and detection effects may not always matter behaviorally and demographically. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Vitet
- CEFE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ. Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 Montpellier France
- LTSER France, Zone Atelier “Hwange”, Hwange National Park Bag 62 Dete Zimbabwe
| | - Patrick Duncan
- LTSER France, Zone Atelier “Hwange”, Hwange National Park Bag 62 Dete Zimbabwe
- CNRS‐UMR 7372 Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé Villiers‐en‐Bois France
| | - Olivier Gimenez
- CEFE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ. Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 Montpellier France
| | - Cheryl Mabika
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Scientific Services P.O. Box CY140, Causeway Harare Zimbabwe
| | - Simon Chamaillé‐Jammes
- CEFE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ. Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 Montpellier France
- LTSER France, Zone Atelier “Hwange”, Hwange National Park Bag 62 Dete Zimbabwe
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa
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6
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Allan ATL, Bailey AL, Hill RA. Habituation is not neutral or equal: Individual differences in tolerance suggest an overlooked personality trait. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz0870. [PMID: 32685676 PMCID: PMC7343399 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz0870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In behavioral studies, observer effects can be substantial, even for habituated animals, but few studies account for potential observer-related phenomenon empirically. We used wild, habituated chacma baboons to explore two key assumptions of behavioral ecology (i) that observers become a "neutral" stimulus and (ii) that habituation is "equal" across group members. Using flight initiation distance (FID) methods within a personality paradigm, the behavioral responses of baboons suggested that observers were not perceived as neutral but instead viewed as a high-ranking social threat. Habituation was also not equal across group members, with repeatable individual differences more important than contextual factors (e.g., habitat) in determining the distance at which baboons visually oriented or displaced from observers. A strong correlation between individual visual tolerance and displacement tolerance (i.e., convergent validity) indicated a personality trait. We offer several suggestions for how to account for these factors and minimize potential bias in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T. L. Allan
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, PO Box 522, Louis Trichardt 0920, South Africa
| | - Annie L. Bailey
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, PO Box 522, Louis Trichardt 0920, South Africa
| | - Russell A. Hill
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Dawson Building, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
- Primate and Predator Project, Lajuma Research Centre, PO Box 522, Louis Trichardt 0920, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
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7
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Seeber PA, Franz M, Greenwood AD, East ML. Life history stage and extrinsic factors affect behavioural time allocation in plains zebras (Equus quagga) in the Serengeti ecosystem. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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8
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Are there different vigilance strategies between types of social units in Lama guanicoe? Behav Processes 2019; 167:103914. [PMID: 31349023 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Group vigilance is a cooperative behaviour in social species that reduces individual risk of predation. Lama guanicoe is a social species of camelid performing cooperative vigilance, but little is known about the vigilance behaviour of different social units. We analysed the vigilance behaviour in different types of social units of L. guanicoe, to better understand the complexity of this behaviour. The best supported models for both the frequency of vigilance and the proportion of time vigilant included the type and size of social units as the most important predictors that affect the vigilance behaviour. Solitary males devoted proportionally more time in vigilance behaviour than family, mixed or bachelor groups, whereas females in female groups spent more time vigilant than guanacos in mixed groups. Frequency of vigilance was higher in family individuals and solitary males than in bachelor or mixed groups. It is likely that that in family and females groups, the presence of offspring would increase the vigilance behaviour to detect possible predators. Topography and habitat characteristics that determine the predation risk, affected vigilance behaviour of mixed groups and solitary males. Our results suggest that vigilance behaviour should not be generalized for this species, since there are differences between the types of social units, probably related to intrinsic characteristics of each one and the perception of risk.
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9
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Beauchamp G. On how risk and group size interact to influence vigilance. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1918-1934. [PMID: 31270943 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Vigilance allows animals to monitor their surroundings for signs of danger associated with predators or rivals. As vigilance is costly, models predict that it should increase when the risk posed by predators or rivals increases. In addition, vigilance is expected to decrease in larger groups that provide more safety against predators. Risk and group size are thus two key determinants of vigilance. Together, they could have additive or interactive effects. If risk and group size interacted, the magnitude of the group-size effect on vigilance would vary depending on the level of risk experienced, implying that the benefits of sociality in terms of vigilance vary with risk. Depending on the model, vigilance is predicted to decrease more rapidly with group size at low risk or at high risk. Little work has focused directly on the interaction between risk and group size, making it difficult to understand under which conditions particular interactive effects arise and whether interactive effects are common in natural systems. I review the vast literature on vigilance in birds and mammals to assess whether interactive effects between risk and group size are common, and if present, which pattern occurs more frequently. In studies involving predation risk, the greatest proportion reported no statistically significant interactive effects. In other cases, vigilance decreased with group size more rapidly at low or high risk in a similar proportion of studies. In studies involving risk posed by rivals (social risk), most documented a more rapid decrease in vigilance with group size at low than at high risk, as predicted if the need to monitor rivals increases in larger groups. Low statistical power to detect interactive effects might have been an issue in several studies. The absence of interactive effects, on the other hand, might suggest constraints or limits on the ability of animals to adjust vigilance to current risk or group sizes. Interactive effects on vigilance have implications for the evolution of sociality and for our understanding of the phenotypic plasticity of predator- and competitor-induced defences and deserve more attention in future studies.
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Beaudin-Judd J, Weladji RB, Lazure L, Paré P. Activity budget and spatial distribution of Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) in open versus closed exhibit designs. Zoo Biol 2019; 38:258-265. [PMID: 30997695 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Although many studies investigating the impacts of zoo exhibit designs on captive animals exist, none have been performed on how they influence the behavior and welfare of captive Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus). Here, we assess the impact of exhibit design on the activity budget and spatial distribution of Bennett's wallabies. We compared animal behavior in two open exhibits (i.e. physical interaction between animals and visitors permitted) to two closed exhibits (i.e. physical interaction between animals and visitors prohibited). Behavioral data were collected using focal sampling, and spatial distribution was recorded on exhibit maps at regular time intervals. We found a significant increase in feeding and interactive behaviors in closed exhibits in comparison to open exhibits. However, other behaviors such as resting, locomotion, and vigilance did not vary with design. Functional use of space was similar between both designs; however, the effect of habituation may be relevant to consider in future studies. Although some support for visitor effects were present, our study provided no evidence for strong impacts of exhibit design on Bennett's wallaby welfare. Our study emphasizes the need for additional research into the impacts of how zoo environments affect Bennett's wallaby behavior and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert B Weladji
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis Lazure
- Department of Conservation and Research, Zoo de Granby, Granby, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patrick Paré
- Department of Conservation and Research, Zoo de Granby, Granby, Quebec, Canada
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11
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Costelloe BR, Rubenstein DI. Temporal structuring of vigilance behaviour by female Thomson's gazelles with hidden fawns. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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12
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Blank DA. Vigilance, staring and escape running in antipredator behavior of goitered gazelle. Behav Processes 2018; 157:408-416. [PMID: 30036640 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Predation is a very powerful force that shapes many ungulate traits. It is widely known that increasing vigilance intensity is costly and leads to a decline of forage intake. Consequently, ungulates gather into larger groups to reduce an individual vigilance burden by using the "many eyes" effect and to enhance their survival through the "safety in numbers" effect. Vigilance rate and related aggregation changes are two of the most discussed antipredator responses of ungulates to predation risk, but less considered factors also have a significant impact. To enhance our knowledge on these impact factors, I investigated the antipredator responses (vigilance, staring, and escape running) of goitered gazelles. I found that: a) adult females demonstrated vigilance, staring and escape running significantly more often than adult males, sub-adults and fawns; b) adult gazelles (females and males), having more experience in responding to threats, were more vigilant than young individuals (sub-adults and fawns), having likely more involvement in finding food; c) during the birthing and hiding periods, mothers displayed higher rates of vigilance than in other seasons, while staring and escape running were observed most often at the end of the hiding period, when fawns altering their hiding strategy to following one, started to walk a lot in the absence of mothers, as well; and d) goitered gazelles changed their vigilance rate in response to predation risks before changing group size. The events of the yearly biological cycle (birthing/rearing young for females; rutting for males) also had significant impacts on the antipredator responses (vigilance rate and aggregation) in adult gazelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Blank
- Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresources in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China.
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13
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Food supply fluctuations constrain group sizes of kangaroos and in turn shape their vigilance and feeding strategies. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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14
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McQueen A, Naimo AC, Teunissen N, Magrath RD, Delhey K, Peters A. Bright birds are cautious: seasonally conspicuous plumage prompts risk avoidance by male superb fairy-wrens. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:rspb.2017.0446. [PMID: 28659448 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased predation risk is considered a cost of having conspicuous colours, affecting the anti-predator behaviour of colourful animals. However, this is difficult to test, as individual factors often covary with colour and behaviour. We used alarm call playback and behavioural observations to assess whether individual birds adjust their response to risk according to their plumage colour. Male superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus) change from a dull brown to conspicuous blue plumage each year, allowing the behaviour of different coloured birds to be compared while controlling for within-individual effects. Because the timing of colour change varies among males, blue and brown birds can also be compared at the same time of year, controlling for seasonal effects on behaviour. While blue, fairy-wrens fled more often in response to alarm calls, and took longer to emerge from cover. Blue fairy-wrens also spent more time foraging in cover and being vigilant. Group members appeared to benefit from the presence of blue males, as they reduced their response to alarms, and allocated less time to sentinel behaviour when a blue male was close by. We suggest that fairy-wrens perceive themselves to be at a higher risk of predation while in conspicuous plumage and adjust their behaviour accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra McQueen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Annalise C Naimo
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Niki Teunissen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Robert D Magrath
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Kaspar Delhey
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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