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Merkle JA, Poulin MP, Caldwell MR, Laforge MP, Scholle AE, Verzuh TL, Geremia C. Spatial-social familiarity complements the spatial-social interface: evidence from Yellowstone bison. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220530. [PMID: 39230449 PMCID: PMC11449198 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0530] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Social animals make behavioural decisions based on local habitat and conspecifics, as well as memorized past experience (i.e. 'familiarity') with habitat and conspecifics. Here, we develop a conceptual and empirical understanding of how spatial and social familiarity fit within the spatial-social interface-a novel framework integrating the spatial and social components of animal behaviour. We conducted a multi-scale analysis of the movements of GPS-collared plains bison (Bison bison, n = 66) residing in and around Yellowstone National Park, USA. We found that both spatial and social familiarity mediate how individuals respond to their spatial and social environments. For instance, individuals with high spatial familiarity rely on their own knowledge as opposed to their conspecifics, and individuals with high social familiarity rely more strongly on the movement of conspecifics to guide their own movement. We also found that fine-scale spatial and social phenotypes often scale up to broad-scale phenotypes. For instance, bison that select more strongly to align with their nearest neighbour have larger home ranges. By integrating spatial and social familiarity into the spatial-social interface, we demonstrate the utility of the interface for testing hypotheses, while also highlighting the pervasive importance of cognitive mechanisms in animal behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue 'The spatial-social interface: a theoretical and empirical integration'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerod A Merkle
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Marie-Pier Poulin
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Molly R Caldwell
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
- Program in Ecology and Evolution, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Michel P Laforge
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
- Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University , Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Anne E Scholle
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
- Program in Ecology and Evolution, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Tana L Verzuh
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
- Program in Ecology and Evolution, University of Wyoming , Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Chris Geremia
- Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Hot Springs , Yellowstone, WY, USA
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2
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Webber Q, Prokopenko C, Kingdon K, Turner J, Vander Wal E. Effects of the social environment on movement-integrated habitat selection. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2024; 12:61. [PMID: 39238061 PMCID: PMC11378598 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-024-00502-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Movement links the distribution of habitats with the social environment of animals using those habitats. Despite the links between movement, habitat selection, and socioecology, their integration remains a challenge due to lack of shared vocabulary across fields, methodological gaps, and the implicit (rather than explicit) historical development of theory in the fields of social and spatial ecology. Given these challenges can be addressed, opportunity for further study will provide insight about the links between social, spatial, and movement ecology. Here, our objective was to disentangle the roles of habitat selection and social association as drivers of movement in caribou (Rangifer tarandus). METHODS To accomplish our objective, we modelled the relationship between collective movement and selection of foraging habitats using socially informed integrated step selection function (iSSF). Using iSSF, we modelled the effect of social processes, i.e., nearest neighbour distance and social preference, and movement behaviour on patterns of habitat selection. RESULTS By unifying social network analysis with iSSF, we identified movement-dependent social association, where individuals took shorter steps in lichen habitat and foraged in close proximity to more familiar individuals. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that social preference is context-dependent based on habitat selection and foraging behaviour. We therefore surmise that habitat selection and social association are drivers of collective movement, such that movement is the glue between habitat selection and social association. Here, we put these concepts into practice to demonstrate that movement is the glue connecting individual habitat selection to the social environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn Webber
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Christina Prokopenko
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Katrien Kingdon
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Julie Turner
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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3
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Webber QMR, Laforge MP, Bonar M, Vander Wal E. The adaptive value of density-dependent habitat specialization and social network centrality. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4423. [PMID: 38789438 PMCID: PMC11126670 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48657-8] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Density dependence is a fundamental ecological process. In particular, animal habitat selection and social behavior often affect fitness in a density-dependent manner. The Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) and niche variation hypothesis (NVH) present distinct predictions associated with Optimal Foraging Theory about how the effect of habitat selection on fitness varies with population density. Using caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Canada as a model system, we test competing hypotheses about how habitat specialization, social behavior, and annual reproductive success (co)vary across a population density gradient. Within a behavioral reaction norm framework, we estimate repeatability, behavioral plasticity, and covariance among social behavior and habitat selection to investigate the adaptive value of sociality and habitat selection. In support of NVH, but not the IFD, we find that at high density habitat specialists had higher annual reproductive success than generalists, but were also less social than generalists, suggesting the possibility that specialists were less social to avoid competition. Our study supports niche variation as a mechanism for density-dependent habitat specialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn M R Webber
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, Canada.
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Michel P Laforge
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, Canada
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Maegwin Bonar
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, Canada
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, Canada
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NF, Canada
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4
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Jory C, Lesage V, Leclerc A, Giard J, Iverson S, Bérubé M, Michaud R, Nozais C. Individual and population dietary specialization decline in fin whales during a period of ecosystem shift. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17181. [PMID: 34433851 PMCID: PMC8387503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96283-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study sought to estimate the effect of an anthropogenic and climate-driven change in prey availability on the degree of individual and population specialization of a large marine predator, the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). We examined skin biopsies from 99 fin whales sampled in the St. Lawrence Estuary (Canada) over a nine year period (1998–2006) during which environmental change was documented. We analyzed stable isotope ratios in skin and fatty acid signatures in blubber samples of whales, as well as in seven potential prey species, and diet was quantitatively assessed using Bayesian isotopic models. An abrupt change in fin whale dietary niche coincided with a decrease in biomass of their predominant prey, Arctic krill (Thysanoessa spp.). This dietary niche widening toward generalist diets occurred in nearly 60% of sampled individuals. The fin whale population, typically composed of specialists of either krill or lipid-rich pelagic fishes, shifted toward one composed either of krill specialists or true generalists feeding on various zooplankton and fish prey. This change likely reduced intraspecific competition. In the context of the current “Atlantification” of northern water masses, our findings emphasize the importance of considering individual-specific foraging tactics and not only population or group average responses when assessing population resilience or when implementing conservation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cabrol Jory
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Mont-Joli, QC, Canada.
| | - Véronique Lesage
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Mont-Joli, QC, Canada.,Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Québec-Océan, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandra Leclerc
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Mont-Joli, QC, Canada.,Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Québec-Océan, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
| | - Janie Giard
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Éducation sur les Mammifères Marins, Tadoussac, QC, Canada
| | - Sara Iverson
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Martine Bérubé
- Marine Evolution and Conservation, Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Centre for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA, USA
| | - Robert Michaud
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Éducation sur les Mammifères Marins, Tadoussac, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Nozais
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Québec-Océan, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada
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5
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Webber QMR, Vander Wal E. Context-dependent group size: effects of population density, habitat, and season. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Group size can vary in relation to population density, habitat, and season. Habitat and season may also interact with population density and affect group size through varying foraging benefits of social aggregation in different ecological contexts. We tested the hypothesis that group size varies across ecological contexts, including population density, habitat type, and season, for woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in ten herds over 25 years in Newfoundland, Canada. We predicted that group size would increase as a function of population density. Based on the foraging benefits of social aggregation, we predicted larger groups as habitat openness increased because open areas tend to have higher quality foraging resources. We predicted larger groups during winter when foraging resources are covered in snow because caribou and other social animals exploit social information about the location of foraging resources. In contrast to our prediction, group size decreased as a function of population density. In support of our prediction, group size was larger in winter than calving and summer, and we found that group size increased with habitat openness in some, but not all, cases. Patterns of animal grouping are context-dependent and the additive effect of different ecological contexts on variation in group size informs our understanding of the implicit trade-offs between competition, predation risk, and profitability of forage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn M R Webber
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Ave, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9,Canada
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6
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Robitaille AL, Webber QMR, Turner JW, Vander Wal E. The problem and promise of scale in multilayer animal social networks. Curr Zool 2021; 67:113-123. [PMID: 33654495 PMCID: PMC7901766 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Scale remains a foundational concept in ecology. Spatial scale, for instance, has become a central consideration in the way we understand landscape ecology and animal space use. Meanwhile, scale-dependent social processes can range from fine-scale interactions to co-occurrence and overlapping home ranges. Furthermore, sociality can vary within and across seasons. Multilayer networks promise the explicit integration of the social, spatial, and temporal contexts. Given the complex interplay of sociality and animal space use in heterogeneous landscapes, there remains an important gap in our understanding of the influence of scale on animal social networks. Using an empirical case study, we discuss ways of considering social, spatial, and temporal scale in the context of multilayer caribou social networks. Effective integration of social and spatial processes, including biologically meaningful scales, within the context of animal social networks is an emerging area of research. We incorporate perspectives that link the social environment to spatial processes across scales in a multilayer context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec L Robitaille
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Quinn M R Webber
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Julie W Turner
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
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7
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Koda H, Arai Z, Matsuda I. Agent-based simulation for reconstructing social structure by observing collective movements with special reference to single-file movement. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243173. [PMID: 33270712 PMCID: PMC7714185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding social organization is fundamental for the analysis of animal societies. In this study, animal single-file movement data-serialized order movements generated by simple bottom-up rules of collective movements-are informative and effective observations for the reconstruction of animal social structures using agent-based models. For simulation, artificial 2-dimensional spatial distributions were prepared with the simple assumption of clustered structures of a group. Animals in the group are either independent or dependent agents. Independent agents distribute spatially independently each one another, while dependent agents distribute depending on the distribution of independent agents. Artificial agent spatial distributions aim to represent clustered structures of agent locations-a coupling of "core" or "keystone" subjects and "subordinate" or "follower" subjects. Collective movements were simulated following two simple rules, 1) initiators of the movement are randomly chosen, and 2) the next moving agent is always the nearest neighbor of the last moving agents, generating "single-file movement" data. Finally, social networks were visualized, and clustered structures reconstructed using a recent major social network analysis (SNA) algorithm, the Louvain algorithm, for rapid unfolding of communities in large networks. Simulations revealed possible reconstruction of clustered social structures using relatively minor observations of single-file movement, suggesting possible application of single-file movement observations for SNA use in field investigations of wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Koda
- Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | - Zin Arai
- Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ikki Matsuda
- Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
- Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Japan Monkey Centre, Inuyama, Japan
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
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8
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Wielgus E, Cornélis D, de Garine‐Wichatitsky M, Cain B, Fritz H, Miguel E, Valls‐Fox H, Caron A, Chamaillé‐Jammes S. Are fission-fusion dynamics consistent among populations? A large-scale study with Cape buffalo. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:9240-9256. [PMID: 32953058 PMCID: PMC7487245 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fission-fusion dynamics allow animals to manage costs and benefits of group living by adjusting group size. The degree of intraspecific variation in fission-fusion dynamics across the geographical range is poorly known. During 2008-2016, 38 adult female Cape buffalo were equipped with GPS collars in three populations located in different protected areas (Gonarezhou National Park and Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe; Kruger National Park, South Africa) to investigate the patterns and environmental drivers of fission-fusion dynamics among populations. We estimated home range overlap and fission and fusion events between Cape buffalo dyads. We investigated the temporal dynamics of both events at daily and seasonal scales and examined the influence of habitat and distance to water on event location. Fission-fusion dynamics were generally consistent across populations: Fission and fusion periods lasted on average between less than one day and three days. However, we found seasonal differences in the underlying patterns of fission and fusion, which point out the likely influence of resource availability and distribution in time on group dynamics: During the wet season, Cape buffalo split and associated more frequently and were in the same or in a different subgroup for shorter periods. Cape buffalo subgroups were more likely to merge than to split in open areas located near water, but overall vegetation and distance to water were very poor predictors of where fission and fusion events occurred. This study is one of the first to quantify fission-fusion dynamics in a single species across several populations with a common methodology, thus robustly questioning the behavioral flexibility of fission-fusion dynamics among environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Wielgus
- Division of Biology and Conservation EcologyManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
- LTSER FranceZone Atelier “Hwange,” Hwange National Park, Bag 62, DeteZimbabwe ‐ CNRS HERD (Hwange Environmental Research Development) ProgramDeteZimbabwe
- CEFECNRSUniv. MontpellierUniv. Paul Valéry Montpellier 3EPHEIRDMontpellierFrance
- ASTRECIRADINRAUniversité de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Daniel Cornélis
- Forêts et SociétésCIRADMontpellierFrance
- Forêts et SociétésUniversité de MontpellierCIRADMontpellierFrance
| | - Michel de Garine‐Wichatitsky
- ASTRECIRADINRAUniversité de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- CIRADUMR ASTREBangkokThailand
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineKasetsart UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Bradley Cain
- Division of Biology and Conservation EcologyManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | - Hervé Fritz
- LTSER FranceZone Atelier “Hwange,” Hwange National Park, Bag 62, DeteZimbabwe ‐ CNRS HERD (Hwange Environmental Research Development) ProgramDeteZimbabwe
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie EvolutiveUMR 5558Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1Villeurbanne CedexFrance
| | - Eve Miguel
- MIVEGEC, IRDCNRSUniversité de MontpellierCNRSMontpellierFrance
| | - Hugo Valls‐Fox
- LTSER FranceZone Atelier “Hwange,” Hwange National Park, Bag 62, DeteZimbabwe ‐ CNRS HERD (Hwange Environmental Research Development) ProgramDeteZimbabwe
- SELMETUniversité de MontpellierCIRADINRAMontpellier Sup. AgroMontpellierFrance
| | - Alexandre Caron
- ASTRECIRADINRAUniversité de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- Faculdade de VeterináriaUniversidade Eduardo MondlaneMaputoMozambique
| | - Simon Chamaillé‐Jammes
- LTSER FranceZone Atelier “Hwange,” Hwange National Park, Bag 62, DeteZimbabwe ‐ CNRS HERD (Hwange Environmental Research Development) ProgramDeteZimbabwe
- CEFECNRSUniv. MontpellierUniv. Paul Valéry Montpellier 3EPHEIRDMontpellierFrance
- Department of Zoology & EntomologyMammal Research InstituteUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
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9
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Merrill E, Killeen J, Pettit J, Trottier M, Martin H, Berg J, Bohm H, Eggeman S, Hebblewhite M. Density-Dependent Foraging Behaviors on Sympatric Winter Ranges in a Partially Migratory Elk Population. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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10
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Weckerly FW. Frequency and Density Associated Grouping Patterns of Male Roosevelt Elk. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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11
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Lesmerises F, Johnson CJ, St‐Laurent M. Effect of behavioral marginality on survival of an alpine ungulate. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Lesmerises
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie Centre for Northern Studies Université du Québec à Rimouski 300 Allée des Ursulines Rimouski G5L 3A1 Québec Canada
| | - Chris J. Johnson
- Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute University of Northern British Columbia 3333 University Way Prince George British Columbia V2N 4Z9 Canada
| | - Martin‐Hugues St‐Laurent
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie Centre for Northern Studies & Centre for Forest Research Université du Québec à Rimouski 300 Allée des Ursulines Rimouski Québec G5L 3A1 Canada
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12
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Robitaille AL, Webber QMR, Vander Wal E. Conducting social network analysis with animal telemetry data: Applications and methods using spatsoc. Methods Ecol Evol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alec L. Robitaille
- Department of Biology Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador Canada
| | - Quinn M. R. Webber
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador Canada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of Biology Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador Canada
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary Program Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador Canada
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13
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Peignier M, Webber QMR, Koen EL, Laforge MP, Robitaille AL, Vander Wal E. Space use and social association in a gregarious ungulate: Testing the conspecific attraction and resource dispersion hypotheses. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:5133-5145. [PMID: 31110667 PMCID: PMC6509382 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals use a variety of proximate cues to assess habitat quality when resources vary spatiotemporally. Two nonmutually exclusive strategies to assess habitat quality involve either direct assessment of landscape features or observation of social cues from conspecifics as a form of information transfer about forage resources. The conspecific attraction hypothesis proposes that individual space use is dependent on the distribution of conspecifics rather than the location of resource patches, whereas the resource dispersion hypothesis proposes that individual space use and social association are driven by the abundance and distribution of resources. We tested the conspecific attraction and the resource dispersion hypotheses as two nonmutually exclusive hypotheses explaining social association and of adult female caribou (Rangifer tarandus). We used location data from GPS collars to estimate interannual site fidelity and networks representing home range overlap and social associations among individual caribou. We found that home range overlap and social associations were correlated with resource distribution in summer and conspecific attraction in winter. In summer, when resources were distributed relatively homogeneously, interannual site fidelity was high and home range overlap and social associations were low. Conversely, in winter when resources were distributed relatively heterogeneously, interannual site fidelity was low and home range overlap and social associations were high. As access to resources changes across seasons, caribou appear to alter social behavior and space use. In summer, caribou may use cues associated with the distribution of forage, and in winter caribou may use cues from conspecifics to access forage. Our results have broad implications for our understanding of caribou socioecology, suggesting that caribou use season-specific strategies to locate forage. Caribou populations continue to decline globally, and our finding that conspecific attraction is likely related to access to forage suggests that further fragmentation of caribou habitat could limit social association among caribou, particularly in winter when access to resources may be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélissa Peignier
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundlandCanada
| | - Quinn M. R. Webber
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary ProgramMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundlandCanada
| | - Erin L. Koen
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundlandCanada
| | - Michel P. Laforge
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundlandCanada
| | - Alec L. Robitaille
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundlandCanada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundlandCanada
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Interdisciplinary ProgramMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John'sNewfoundlandCanada
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