1
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Fernández-Lázaro G, Latorre R, Fontanillas Pérez JC, Barja I. Reaction to Novel Objects and Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Levels in Two Species of Nocturnal Geckos. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3384. [PMID: 37958139 PMCID: PMC10649715 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213384] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many reptiles are maintained in captivity and heavily traded, although welfare measures for many species are not well established and are under-researched compared to other animals. In this study, we focused on two of these species: crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) and leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). To better interpret their behavior in captivity, the individual reaction to novel objects and the fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels were measured in an attempt to identify the potential correlation between them. Also, we explored if some characteristic of the objects (e.g., color, shape, or smell) resulted in being more attractive to some species and/or individuals. Equivalent responses to different objects were not obtained for all the geckos, the behavioral response being highly individual and context-dependent, although modulated by the species. Individuals which manipulated earlier and interacted longer with novel objects showed lower basal fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) levels. Differences according to the species suggested that crested geckos have significantly greater and more variable FCM levels than leopard geckos. Our results can help to understand the reaction of geckos to novelty and have the potential to serve in their welfare assessment, although more studies are needed to proper establish welfare protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Fernández-Lázaro
- Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Didáctica de las Ciencias Experimentales, Sociales y Matemáticas, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Latorre
- Departamento de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Isabel Barja
- Eco- and Ethophysiology Lab, Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Zoología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C. Darwin 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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2
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Delmé C, Jackson N, Class B, Strickland K, Potvin DA, Frère CH. Adaptive significance of affiliative behaviour differs between sexes in a wild reptile population. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230805. [PMID: 37339740 PMCID: PMC10281801 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0805] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, we have begun to appreciate that social behaviours might exhibit repeatable among-individual variation. Such behavioural traits may even covary and have critical evolutionary implications. Importantly, some social behaviours such as aggressiveness have been shown to provide fitness benefits, including higher reproductive success and survival. However, fitness consequences of affiliative behaviours, especially between or among sexes, can be more challenging to establish. Using a longitudinal behavioural dataset (2014-2021) collected on eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii), we investigated whether various aspects of affiliative behaviour (i) were repeatable across years, (ii) covaried with each other at the among-individual level, and (iii) influenced individuals' fitness. In particular, we considered affiliative behaviours towards opposite-sex and same-sex conspecifics separately. We found that social traits were repeatable and covaried with each other similarly for both sexes. More notably, we found that male reproductive success was positively correlated with the number of female associates and the proportion of time spent with females, while females' reproductive success was not correlated with any of the measured social behaviour metrics. Overall, these findings suggest that selection may be acting differently on social behaviour of male and female eastern water dragons.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Delmé
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - N. Jackson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - B. Class
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - K. Strickland
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - D. A. Potvin
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - C. H. Frère
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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3
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Jackson N, Littleford-Colquhoun BL, Strickland K, Class B, Frere CH. Selection in the city: Rapid and fine-scale evolution of urban eastern water dragons. Evolution 2022; 76:2302-2314. [PMID: 35971751 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14596] [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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Oceanic archipelagos have long been treated as a Petri dish for studies of evolutionary and ecological processes. Like archipelagos, cities exhibit similar patterns and processes, such as the rapid phenotypic divergence of a species between urban and nonurban environments. However, on a local scale, cities can be highly heterogenous, where geographically close populations can experience dramatically different environmental conditions. Nevertheless, we are yet to understand the evolutionary and ecological implications for populations spread across a heterogenous cityscape. To address this, we compared neutral genetic divergence to quantitative trait divergence within three native riparian and four city park populations of an iconic urban adapter, the eastern water dragon. We demonstrated that selection is likely acting to drive divergence of snout-vent length and jaw width across native riparian populations that are geographically isolated and across city park populations that are geographically close yet isolated by urbanization. City park populations as close as 0.9 km exhibited signs of selection-driven divergence to the same extent as native riparian populations isolated by up to 114.5 km. These findings suggest that local adaptation may be occurring over exceptionally small geographic and temporal scales within a single metropolis, demonstrating that city parks can act as archipelagos for the study of rapid evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Jackson
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Bethan L Littleford-Colquhoun
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, US.,Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, US
| | - Kasha Strickland
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.,Department of Aquaculture and Fish Biology, Hólar University, Sauðarkrókur, 550, Iceland
| | - Barbara Class
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Celine H Frere
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
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4
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Riley JL, Noble DWA, Stow AJ, Bolton PE, While GM, Dennison S, Byrne RW, Whiting MJ. Socioecology of the Australian Tree Skink (Egernia striolata). Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.722455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is great diversity in social behavior across the animal kingdom. Understanding the factors responsible for this diversity can help inform theory about how sociality evolves and is maintained. The Australian Tree Skink (Egernia striolata) exhibits inter- and intra-population variability in sociality and is therefore a good system for informing models of social evolution. Here, we conducted a multi-year study of a Tree Skink population to describe intra-population variation in the social organization and mating system of this species. Skinks aggregated in small groups of 2–5 individuals, and these aggregations were typically associated with shared shelter sites (crevices and hollows within rocks and trees). Aggregations were typically made up of one or more adult females and, often, one male and/or juvenile(s). Social network and spatial overlap analyses showed that social associations were strongly biased toward kin. Tree skinks also exhibited high site fidelity regardless of age or sex. There were high levels of genetic monogamy observed with most females (87%) and males (68%) only breeding with a single partner. Our results indicate that Tree Skinks reside in small family groups and are monogamous, which corresponds with existing research across populations. Similar to previous work, our study area consisted of discrete habitat patches (i.e., rock outcrops, trees, or both), which likely limits offspring dispersal and promotes social tolerance between parents and their offspring. Our study clearly demonstrates that there is intra-population variability in Tree Skink social behavior, but it also provides evidence that there is a high degree of inter-population consistency in sociality across their geographic range. We also highlight promising possible avenues for future research, specifically discussing the importance of studying the nature and extent of Tree Skink parental care and quantifying the fitness outcomes of kin-based sociality in this species, which are topics that will further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying variation in vertebrate social behavior.
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5
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Peterson NR, Rose K, Shaw S, Hyndman TH, Sigler L, Kurtböke Dİ, Llinas J, Littleford-Colquhoun BL, Cristescu R, Frère C. Cross-continental emergence of Nannizziopsis barbatae disease may threaten wild Australian lizards. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20976. [PMID: 33262365 PMCID: PMC7708475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77865-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Nannizziopsis are emerging fungal pathogens of reptiles that have been documented as the cause of fatal mycoses in a wide range of reptiles in captivity. Cases of severe, proliferative dermatitis, debility and death have been detected in multiple free-living lizard species from locations across Australia, including a substantial outbreak among Eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) in Brisbane, Queensland. We investigated this disease in a subset of severely affected lizards and identified a clinically consistent syndrome characterized by hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia, dermal inflammation, necrosis, ulceration, and emaciation. Using a novel fungal isolation method, histopathology, and molecular techniques, we identified the etiologic agent as Nannizziopsis barbatae, a species reported only once previously from captive lizards in Australia. Here we report severe dermatomycosis caused by N. barbatae in five species of Australian lizard, representing the first cases of Nannizziopsis infection among free-living reptiles, globally. Further, we evaluate key pathogen and host characteristics that indicate N. barbatae-associated dermatomycosis may pose a concerning threat to Australian lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola R Peterson
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia.
| | - Karrie Rose
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| | - Stephanie Shaw
- University of Queensland, Avian and Exotic Pet Service, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia
| | - Tim H Hyndman
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Lynne Sigler
- Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - D İpek Kurtböke
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Josh Llinas
- The Unusual Pet Vets, Jindalee, QLD, 4074, Australia
| | | | - Romane Cristescu
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Celine Frère
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
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6
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Tomke SA, Kellner CJ. Genotyping validates the efficacy of photographic identification in a capture-mark-recapture study based on the head scale patterns of the prairie lizard ( Sceloporus consobrinus). Ecol Evol 2020; 10:14309-14319. [PMID: 33391717 PMCID: PMC7771144 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Population studies often incorporate capture-mark-recapture (CMR) techniques to gather information on long-term biological and demographic characteristics. A fundamental requirement for CMR studies is that an individual must be uniquely and permanently marked to ensure reliable reidentification throughout its lifespan. Photographic identification involving automated photographic identification software has become a popular and efficient noninvasive method for identifying individuals based on natural markings. However, few studies have (a) robustly assessed the performance of automated programs by using a double-marking system or (b) determined their efficacy for long-term studies by incorporating multi-year data. Here, we evaluated the performance of the program Interactive Individual Identification System (I3S) by cross-validating photographic identifications based on the head scale pattern of the prairie lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus) with individual microsatellite genotyping (N = 863). Further, we assessed the efficacy of the program to identify individuals over time by comparing error rates between within-year and between-year recaptures. Recaptured lizards were correctly identified by I3S in 94.1% of cases. We estimated a false rejection rate (FRR) of 5.9% and a false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0%. By using I3S, we correctly identified 97.8% of within-year recaptures (FRR = 2.2%; FAR = 0%) and 91.1% of between-year recaptures (FRR = 8.9%; FAR = 0%). Misidentifications were primarily due to poor photograph quality (N = 4). However, two misidentifications were caused by indistinct scale configuration due to scale damage (N = 1) and ontogenetic changes in head scalation between capture events (N = 1). We conclude that automated photographic identification based on head scale patterns is a reliable and accurate method for identifying individuals over time. Because many lizard or reptilian species possess variable head squamation, this method has potential for successful application in many species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Tomke
- Department of Forestry & Natural ResourcesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKYUSA
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7
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Goulet CT, Hart W, Phillips BL, Llewelyn J, Wong BBM, Chapple DG. No behavioral syndromes or sex‐specific personality differences in the southern rainforest sunskink (
Lampropholis similis
). Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Celine T. Goulet
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
| | - Wes Hart
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
| | - Ben L. Phillips
- School of Biosciences University of Melbourne Parkville Vic. Australia
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - John Llewelyn
- Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- Global Ecology Lab College of Science and Engineering Flinders University Adelaide SA Australia
| | - Bob B. M. Wong
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
| | - David G. Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
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8
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Baxter-Gilbert J, Riley JL, Frère CH, Whiting MJ. Shrinking into the big city: influence of genetic and environmental factors on urban dragon lizard morphology and performance capacity. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01065-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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9
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Genetic relatedness cannot explain social preferences in black-and-white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Piza-Roca C, Schoeman D, Frere C. Fitness benefits of male dominance behaviours depend on the degree of individual inbreeding in a polyandrous lizard. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200097. [PMID: 32429806 PMCID: PMC7287366 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In polyandrous species, sexual selection extends beyond mating competition to selection for egg fertilization. As a result, the degree to which factors influencing mating success impact overall reproductive success becomes variable. Here, we used a longitudinal behavioural and genetic dataset for a population of eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) to investigate the degree to which male dominance, a pre-mating selection trait, influences overall reproductive success, measured as the number of surviving offspring. Moreover, we examine the interactive effects with a genetic trait, individual inbreeding, known to influence the reproductive success of males in this species. We found fitness benefits of male dominance, measured as body size and frequency of dominance behaviours displayed. However, individuals' propensity to display dominance behaviours had mixed effects, depending on the degree of inbreeding. While inbred males benefited from frequent displays, highly outbred males exhibited better reproductive outputs when displaying to a lesser extent. Given that outbred males have enhanced reproductive success in this species, the costs of displaying dominance behaviours may outweigh the benefits. Overall, our results demonstrate the fitness benefits of dominance in a polyandrous lizard, and suggest that these are modulated by an independent genetic trait. Our results may contribute to explaining the presence of alternative mating tactics in this species, owing to the variability in net fitness benefits of dominance. Our findings also reveal the challenges associated with investigating fitness traits in isolation, which may undermine the validity of results when important interactions are ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Piza-Roca
- Global-Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Schoeman
- Global-Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Celine Frere
- Global-Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Littleford-Colquhoun BL, Weyrich LS, Kent N, Frere CH. City life alters the gut microbiome and stable isotope profiling of the eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii). Mol Ecol 2019; 28:4592-4607. [PMID: 31495003 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Urbanisation is one of the most significant threats to biodiversity, due to the rapid and large-scale environmental alterations it imposes on the natural landscape. It is, therefore, imperative that we understand the consequences of and mechanisms by which, species can respond to it. In recent years, research has shown that plasticity of the gut microbiome may be an important mechanism by which animals can adapt to environmental change, yet empirical evidence of this in wild non-model species remains sparse. Using an empirical replicated study system, we show that city life alters the gut microbiome and stable isotope profiling of a wild native non-model species - the eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) in Queensland, Australia. City dragons exhibit a more diverse gut microbiome than their native habitat counterparts and show gut microbial signatures of a high fat and plant rich diet. Additionally, we also show that city dragons have elevated levels of the Nitrogen-15 isotope in their blood suggesting that a city diet, which incorporates novel anthropogenic food sources, may also be richer in protein. These results highlight the role that gut microbial plasticity plays in an animals' response to human-altered landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethan L Littleford-Colquhoun
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, Australia
| | - Laura S Weyrich
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Centre for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola Kent
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, Australia
| | - Celine H Frere
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, Australia
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12
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Strickland K, Frère CH. Individual Variation in the Social Plasticity of Water Dragons. Am Nat 2019; 194:194-206. [DOI: 10.1086/704089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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13
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Piza-Roca C, Strickland K, Kent N, Frere CH. Presence of kin-biased social associations in a lizard with no parental care: the eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii). Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Numerous studies have observed kin-biased social associations in a variety of species. Many of these studies have focused on species exhibiting parental care, which may facilitate the transmission of the social environment from parents to offspring. This becomes problematic when disentangling whether kin-biased associations are driven by kin recognition, or are a product of transmission of the social environment during ontogeny, or a combination of both. Studying kin-biased associations in systems that lack parental care may aid in addressing this issue. Furthermore, when studying kin-biased social associations, it is important to differentiate whether these originate from preferential choice or occur randomly as a result of habitat use or limited dispersal. Here, we combined high-resolution single-nucleotide polymorphism data with a long-term behavioral data set of a reptile with no parental care to demonstrate that eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii) bias their nonrandom social associations toward their kin. In particular, we found that although the overall social network was not linked to genetic relatedness, individuals associated with kin more than expected given availability in space and also biased social preferences toward kin. This result opens important opportunities for the study of kinship-driven associations without the confounding effect of vertical transmission of social environments. Furthermore, we present a robust multiple-step approach for determining whether kin-biased social associations are a result of active social decisions or random encounters resulting from habitat use and dispersal patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Piza-Roca
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Kasha Strickland
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicola Kent
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Celine H Frere
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
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14
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Kent N, Cristescu RH, Piza-Roca C, Littleford-Colquhoun BL, Strickland K, Frère CH. Maternal nesting behaviour in city dragons: a species with temperature-dependent sex determination. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Kent
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Romane H Cristescu
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carme Piza-Roca
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Kasha Strickland
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Céline H Frère
- Global Change Ecology Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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15
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Littleford‐Colquhoun BL, Clemente C, Thompson G, Cristescu RH, Peterson N, Strickland K, Stuart‐Fox D, Frere CH. How sexual and natural selection shape sexual size dimorphism: Evidence from multiple evolutionary scales. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christofer Clemente
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Graham Thompson
- Terrestrial Ecosystems Mount Claremont Western Australia Australia
| | - Romane H. Cristescu
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Nicola Peterson
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Kasha Strickland
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
| | - Devi Stuart‐Fox
- School of Biosciences The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Celine H. Frere
- School of Science and Engineering University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs Queensland Australia
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16
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Baxter-Gilbert JH, Whiting MJ. Street fighters: Bite force, injury rates, and density of urban Australian water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii
). AUSTRAL ECOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James H. Baxter-Gilbert
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales 2109 Australia
| | - Martin J. Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney New South Wales 2109 Australia
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17
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Eastern water dragons modify their social tactics with respect to the location within their home range. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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18
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19
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Huguin M, Arechiga-Ceballos N, Delaval M, Guidez A, de Castro IJ, Lacoste V, Salmier A, Setién AA, Silva CR, Lavergne A, de Thoisy B. How Social Structure Drives the Population Dynamics of the Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus, Phyllostomidae). J Hered 2017; 109:393-404. [DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esx111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maïlis Huguin
- Kwata NGO, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Nidia Arechiga-Ceballos
- Laboratorio de Rabia, Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos. Mexico DF, Mexico
| | | | - Amandine Guidez
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Isaï Jorge de Castro
- Laboratório de Mamíferos, Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Estado do Amapá, Macapá, Amapá, Brazil
| | - Vincent Lacoste
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Arielle Salmier
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Alvaro Aguilar Setién
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunología, Coordinación de Investigación, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México DF, Mexico
| | - Claudia Regina Silva
- Laboratório de Mamíferos, Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Estado do Amapá, Macapá, Amapá, Brazil
| | - Anne Lavergne
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Benoit de Thoisy
- Kwata NGO, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Laboratoire des Interactions Virus Hôtes, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
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Strickland K, Levengood A, Foroughirad V, Mann J, Krzyszczyk E, Frère CH. A framework for the identification of long-term social avoidance in longitudinal datasets. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170641. [PMID: 28879006 PMCID: PMC5579122 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Animal sociality is of significant interest to evolutionary and behavioural ecologists, with efforts focused on the patterns, causes and fitness outcomes of social preference. However, individual social patterns are the consequence of both attraction to (preference for) and avoidance of conspecifics. Despite this, social avoidance has received far less attention than social preference. Here, we detail the necessary steps to generate a spatially explicit, iterative null model which can be used to identify non-random social avoidance in longitudinal studies of social animals. We specifically identify and detail parameters which will influence the validity of the model. To test the usability of this model, we applied it to two longitudinal studies of social animals (Eastern water dragons (Intellegama lesueurii) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)) to identify the presence of social avoidances. Using this model allowed us to identify the presence of social avoidances in both species. We hope that the framework presented here inspires interest in addressing this critical gap in our understanding of animal sociality, in turn allowing for a more holistic understanding of social interactions, relationships and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasha Strickland
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Alexis Levengood
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Vivienne Foroughirad
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
- Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Janet Mann
- Department of Biology and Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Ewa Krzyszczyk
- Department of Biology and Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Celine H. Frère
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
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21
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Mejía-Salazar MF, Goldizen AW, Menz CS, Dwyer RG, Blomberg SP, Waldner CL, Cullingham CI, Bollinger TK. Mule deer spatial association patterns and potential implications for transmission of an epizootic disease. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175385. [PMID: 28388681 PMCID: PMC5384682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal social behaviour can have important effects on the long-term dynamics of diseases. In particular, preferential spatial relationships between individuals can lead to differences in the rates of disease spread within a population. We examined the concurrent influence of genetic relatedness, sex, age, home range overlap, time of year, and prion disease status on proximal associations of adult Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) in a chronic wasting disease endemic area. We also quantified the temporal stability of these associations across different sex, age, and disease status classes. We used three years of high frequency telemetry data from 74 individuals to record encounters within 25 m of each other, and to calculate seasonal home range overlap measured by volume of intersection (VI). The strength of pairwise spatial association between adult mule deer was independent of genetic relatedness, age and disease status. Seasonal variation in association strength was not consistent across years, perhaps due to annual changes in weather conditions. The influence of home range overlap on association strength varied seasonally, whereby associations were stronger in pre-rut and fawning than in the rest of the seasons. The sexes of individuals also interacted with both VI and season. At increasing levels of VI, associations were stronger between females than between males and between females and males. The strongest associations in pre-rut were between males, while the strongest in rut were between females and males. The temporal stability of associations was markedly dependant on the sex and the diagnosis of the associating pair. Our findings highlight the importance of considering concurrent effects of biological and environmental factors when seeking to understand the role of social preference in behavioural ecology and disease spread. Applying this knowledge in epidemiological modelling will shed light on the dynamics of disease transmission among mule deer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne W. Goldizen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Clementine S. Menz
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ross G. Dwyer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon P. Blomberg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cheryl L. Waldner
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | | | - Trent K. Bollinger
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Littleford-Colquhoun BL, Clemente C, Whiting MJ, Ortiz-Barrientos D, Frère CH. Archipelagos of the Anthropocene: rapid and extensive differentiation of native terrestrial vertebrates in a single metropolis. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:2466-2481. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christofer Clemente
- School of Science and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast; Maroochydore DC Qld 4556 Australia
| | - Martin J. Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences; Macquarie University; Sydney NSW 2109 Australia
| | | | - Celine H. Frère
- School of Science and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast; Maroochydore DC Qld 4556 Australia
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23
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Michelangeli M, Chapple DG, Wong BBM. Are behavioural syndromes sex specific? Personality in a widespread lizard species. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2197-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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24
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Frère CH, Chandrasoma D, Whiting MJ. Polyandry in dragon lizards: inbred paternal genotypes sire fewer offspring. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:1686-92. [PMID: 25937911 PMCID: PMC4409416 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple mating in female animals is something of a paradox because it can either be risky (e.g., higher probability of disease transmission, social costs) or provide substantial fitness benefits (e.g., genetic bet hedging whereby the likelihood of reproductive failure is lowered). The genetic relatedness of parental units, particularly in lizards, has rarely been studied in the wild. Here, we examined levels of multiple paternity in Australia's largest agamid lizard, the eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii), and determined whether male reproductive success is best explained by its heterozygosity coefficient or the extent to which it is related to the mother. Female polyandry was the norm: 2/22 clutches (9.2%) were sired by three or more fathers, 17/22 (77.2%) were sired by two fathers, and only 3/22 (13.6%) clutches were sired by one father. Moreover, we reconstructed the paternal genotypes for 18 known mother–offspring clutches and found no evidence that females were favoring less related males or that less related males had higher fitness. However, males with greater heterozygosity sired more offspring. While the postcopulatory mechanisms underlying this pattern are not understood, female water dragons likely represent another example of reproduction through cryptic means (sperm selection/sperm competition) in a lizard, and through which they may ameliorate the effects of male-driven precopulatory sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine H Frère
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast Maroochydore DC, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 4558, Australia
| | - Dani Chandrasoma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Martin J Whiting
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
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