1
|
Baker CJ, Class B, Dwyer RG, Franklin CE, Campbell HA, Irwin TR, Frère CH. Active crocodiles are less sociable. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220528. [PMID: 39230456 PMCID: PMC11449168 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
How animals move and associate with conspecifics is rarely random, with a population's spatial structure forming the foundation on which the social behaviours of individuals form. Studies examining the spatial-social interface typically measure averaged behavioural differences between individuals; however, this neglects the inherent variation present within individuals and how it may impact the spatial-social interface. Here, we investigated differences in among-individual (co)variance in sociability, activity and site fidelity in a population of wild estuarine crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus, across a 10-year period. By monitoring 118 crocodiles using coded acoustic transmitters and an array of fixed underwater receivers, we discovered that not only did individual crocodiles repeatably differ (among-individual variation) in each behaviour measured but also in how consistently they expressed these behaviours through time (within-individual variation). As expected, crocodile activity and sociability formed a behavioural syndrome, with more active individuals being less sociable. Interestingly, we also found that individuals that were either more sociable or displayed greater site fidelity were also more specialized (lower within-individual variation) in these behaviours. Together, our results provide important empirical evidence for the interplay between spatial, temporal and social individual-level behavioural variation and how these contribute to forming behavioural niches. This article is part of the theme issue 'The spatial-social interface: a theoretical and empirical integration'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cameron J. Baker
- Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory0815, Australia
- The School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland4072, Australia
| | - Barbara Class
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich80539, Germany
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland4556, Australia
| | - Ross G. Dwyer
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland4556, Australia
| | - Craig E. Franklin
- The School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland4072, Australia
| | - Hamish A. Campbell
- Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory0815, Australia
| | - Terri R. Irwin
- Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, Queensland4519, Australia
| | - Céline H. Frère
- The School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
LaBarge LR, Krofel M, Allen ML, Hill RA, Welch AJ, Allan ATL. Keystone individuals - linking predator traits to community ecology. Trends Ecol Evol 2024:S0169-5347(24)00166-6. [PMID: 39068138 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2024.07.001] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Individual behavioral plasticity enables animals to adjust to different scenarios. Yet, personality traits limit this flexibility, leading to consistent interindividual differences in behavior. These individual behavioral traits have the potential to govern community interactions, although testing this is difficult in complex natural systems. For large predators who often exert strong effects on ecosystem functioning, this behavioral diversity may be especially important and lead to individualized ecosystem roles. We present a framework for quantifying individual behavioral plasticity and personality traits of large wild predators, revealing the extent to which certain natural behaviors are governed by these latent traits. The outcomes will reveal how the innate characteristics of wildlife can scale up to affect community interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura R LaBarge
- Comparative Socioecology Group, Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Miha Krofel
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maximilian L Allen
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Russell A Hill
- Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, UK; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Walker PD, Rodgers AR, Shuter J, Fryxell JM, Merrill EH. Woodland caribou calving fidelity: Spatial location, habitat, or both? Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11480. [PMID: 38826167 PMCID: PMC11139972 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Individuals that isolate themselves to give birth can use more than one strategy in choosing birth sites to maximize reproductive success. Previous research has focused on the consistency in the use of the same birth-site across years (i.e., spatial fidelity), but individuals alternatively may use similar habitat conditions across years (i.e., habitat fidelity). Using GPS telemetry, we determined whether woodland caribou expressed spatial or habitat fidelity during calving, and evaluated intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with expressing either type of fidelity. We identified 56 individuals with ≥2 putative birth events, via a movement-based model, across northern Ontario between 2010 and 2014. Individuals were classified as expressing (1) spatial fidelity by comparing sequential calving locations to a random spatial distribution of available calving locations, (2) habitat fidelity using a logistic use model compared to a null (intercept only) model, (3) no fidelity (neither criterion met), or (4) both spatial and habitat fidelity (both criteria met). Across all individuals, 37% expressed no fidelity (36 of 98), 15% expressed only spatial fidelity (15 of 99), 35% expressed only habitat fidelity (34 of 98), and 14% expressed both spatial and habitat fidelity (14 of 98). Older individuals were more likely to express spatial fidelity, whereas lower availability of upland and lowland conifer forests without linear features increased the probability an individual expressed habitat fidelity. Our results indicate that managing for caribou calving needs to consider protecting both specific, known birthing sites, but also broad-scale areas of preferred habitat for calving. Understanding the mechanisms that influence caribou expressing calving fidelity, and associated fitness costs, is crucial for the conservation of the species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P. D. Walker
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - A. R. Rodgers
- Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem ResearchOntario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryThunder BayOntarioCanada
| | - J. Shuter
- Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem ResearchOntario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryThunder BayOntarioCanada
| | - J. M. Fryxell
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - E. H. Merrill
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Occhiuto F, Vázquez-Diosdado JA, King AJ, Kaler J. Evidence of personality-dependent plasticity in dairy calf movement behaviours derived from automated data collection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18243. [PMID: 37880268 PMCID: PMC10600154 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44957-z] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual consistency in behaviour, known as animal personality, and behavioural plasticity in response to environmental changes are important factors shaping individual behaviour. Correlations between them, called personality-dependent plasticity, indicate that personality can affect individual reactions to the environment. In farm animals this could impact the response to management changes or stressors but has not yet been investigated. Here we use ultra-wideband location sensors to measure personality and plasticity in the movement of 90 dairy calves for up to 56 days starting in small pair-housing enclosures, and subsequently moved to larger social housings. For the first time calves were shown to differ in personality and plasticity of movement when changing housing. There were significant correlations between personality and plasticity for distance travelled (0.57), meaning that individuals that travelled the furthest in the pair housing increased their movement more in the social groups, and for residence time (- 0.65) as those that stayed in the same area more decreased more with the change in housing, demonstrating personality-dependent plasticity. Additionally, calves conformed to their pen-mate's behaviour in pairs, but this did not continue in the groups. Therefore, personality, plasticity and social effects impact how farm animals respond to changes and can inform management decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Occhiuto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Jorge A Vázquez-Diosdado
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Andrew J King
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Singleton Park Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fear generalization and behavioral responses to multiple dangers. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:369-380. [PMID: 36428124 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Animals often exhibit consistent-individual differences (CIDs) in boldness/fearfulness, typically studied in the context of predation risk. We focus here on fear generalization, where fear of one danger (e.g., predators) is correlated with fear of other dangers (e.g., humans, pathogens, moving vehicles, or fire). We discuss why fear generalization should be ecologically important, and why we expect fear to correlate across disparate dangers. CIDs in fear are well studied for some dangers in some taxa (e.g., human fear of pathogens), but not well studied for most dangers. Fear of some dangers has been found to correlate with general fearfulness, but some cases where we might expect correlated fears (e.g., between fear of humans, familiar predators, and exotic predators) are surprisingly understudied.
Collapse
|
6
|
Cerini F, Childs DZ, Clements CF. A predictive timeline of wildlife population collapse. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:320-331. [PMID: 36702859 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-01985-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary rates of biodiversity decline emphasize the need for reliable ecological forecasting, but current methods vary in their ability to predict the declines of real-world populations. Acknowledging that stressor effects start at the individual level, and that it is the sum of these individual-level effects that drives populations to collapse, shifts the focus of predictive ecology away from using predominantly abundance data. Doing so opens new opportunities to develop predictive frameworks that utilize increasingly available multi-dimensional data, which have previously been overlooked for ecological forecasting. Here, we propose that stressed populations will exhibit a predictable sequence of observable changes through time: changes in individuals' behaviour will occur as the first sign of increasing stress, followed by changes in fitness-related morphological traits, shifts in the dynamics (for example, birth rates) of populations and finally abundance declines. We discuss how monitoring the sequential appearance of these signals may allow us to discern whether a population is increasingly at risk of collapse, or is adapting in the face of environmental change, providing a conceptual framework to develop new forecasting methods that combine multi-dimensional (for example, behaviour, morphology, life history and abundance) data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cerini
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Dylan Z Childs
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Montalcini CM, Toscano MJ, Gebhardt-Henrich SG, Petelle MB. Intra-individual variation of hen movements is associated with later keel bone fractures in a quasi-commercial aviary. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2377. [PMID: 36759525 PMCID: PMC9911743 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29587-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Measuring intra- and inter-individual variation in movement can bring important insights into the fundamental ecology of animals and their welfare. Although previous studies identified consistent differences in movements of laying hens within commercial aviaries, the level of consistency was not quantified, limiting our capacity to understand the importance of individual movements for welfare. We aimed to quantify the scope of intra- and inter-individual differences in movements of commercial laying hens and examined their associations with indicators of welfare at the end of production. We quantified individual differences in one composite daily movement score for 80 hens over 54 days post-transfer to a quasi-commercial aviary. Results showed consistent inter-individual differences in movement averages, explaining 44% of the variation, as well as individual variation in predictability and temporal plasticity (at the population-level, hens increased their movements for 39 days). Hens that were more predictable in their daily movements had more severe keel bone fractures at the end of production while we found no such correlation between daily movement averages (individual intercept) and welfare indicators. Our findings highlight the importance of inter-individual difference in intra-individual variation of movements to improve poultry welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camille M Montalcini
- ZTHZ, Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3052, Zollikofen, Switzerland.,Graduate School of Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Toscano
- ZTHZ, Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3052, Zollikofen, Switzerland
| | | | - Matthew B Petelle
- ZTHZ, Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, 3052, Zollikofen, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cain S, Solomon T, Leshem Y, Toledo S, Arnon E, Roulin A, Spiegel O. Movement predictability of individual barn owls facilitates estimation of home range size and survival. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2023; 11:10. [PMID: 36750910 PMCID: PMC9906850 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-022-00366-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing attention to individuality in movement, its causes and consequences. Similarly to other well-established personality traits (e.g., boldness or sociability), conspecifics also differ repeatedly in their spatial behaviors, forming behavioral types ("spatial-BTs"). These spatial-BTs are typically described as the difference in the mean-level among individuals, and the intra-individual variation (IIV, i.e., predictability) is only rarely considered. Furthermore, the factors determining predictability or its ecological consequences for broader space-use patterns are largely unknown, in part because predictability was mostly tested in captivity (e.g., with repeated boldness assays). Here we test if (i) individuals differ in their movement and specifically in their predictability. We then investigate (ii) the consequences of this variation for home-range size and survival estimates, and (iii) the factors that affect individual predictability. METHODS We tracked 92 barn owls (Tyto alba) with an ATLAS system and monitored their survival. From these high-resolution (every few seconds) and extensive trajectories (115.2 ± 112.1 nights; X̅ ± SD) we calculated movement and space-use indices (e.g., max-displacement and home-range size, respectively). We then used double-hierarchical and generalized linear mix-models to assess spatial-BTs, individual predictability in nightly max-displacement, and its consistency across time. Finally, we explored if predictability levels were associated with home-range size and survival, as well as the seasonal, geographical, and demographic factors affecting it (e.g., age, sex, and owls' density). RESULTS Our dataset (with 74 individuals after filtering) revealed clear patterns of individualism in owls' movement. Individuals differed consistently both in their mean movement (e.g., max-displacement) and their IIV around it (i.e., predictability). More predictable individuals had smaller home-ranges and lower survival rates, on top and beyond the expected effects of their spatial-BT (max-displacement), sex, age and ecological environments. Juveniles were less predictable than adults, but the sexes did not differ in their predictability. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that individual predictability may act as an overlooked axis of spatial-BT with potential implications for relevant ecological processes at the population level and individual fitness. Considering how individuals differ in their IIV of movement beyond the mean-effect can facilitate understanding the intraspecific diversity, predicting their responses to changing ecological conditions and their population management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shlomo Cain
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tovale Solomon
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yossi Leshem
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sivan Toledo
- Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eitam Arnon
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Building Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Orr Spiegel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Stiegler J, Lins A, Dammhahn M, Kramer-Schadt S, Ortmann S, Blaum N. Personality drives activity and space use in a mammalian herbivore. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2022; 10:33. [PMID: 35964147 PMCID: PMC9375925 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-022-00333-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal personality has emerged as a key concept in behavioral ecology. While many studies have demonstrated the influence of personality traits on behavioral patterns, its quantification, especially in wild animal populations, remains a challenge. Only a few studies have established a link between personality and recurring movements within home ranges, although these small-scale movements are of key importance for identifying ecological interactions and forming individual niches. In this regard, differences in space use among individuals might reflect different exploration styles between behavioral types along the shy-bold continuum. METHODS We assessed among-individual differences in behavior in the European hare (Lepus europaeus), a characteristic mammalian herbivore in agricultural landscapes using a standardized box emergence test for captive and wild hares. We determined an individuals' degree of boldness by measuring the latencies of behavioral responses in repeated emergence tests in captivity. During capture events of wild hares, we conducted a single emergence test and recorded behavioral responses proven to be stable over time in captive hares. Applying repeated novel environment tests in a near-natural enclosure, we further quantified aspects of exploration and activity in captive hares. Finally, we investigated whether and how this among-individual behavioral variation is related to general activity and space use in a wild hare population. Wild and captive hares were treated similarly and GPS-collared with internal accelerometers prior to release to the wild or the outdoor enclosure, respectively. General activity was quantified as overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) obtained from accelerometers. Finally, we tested whether boldness explained variation in (i) ODBA in both settings and (ii) variation in home ranges and core areas across different time scales of GPS-collared hares in a wild population. RESULTS We found three behavioral responses to be consistent over time in captive hares. ODBA was positively related to boldness (i.e., short latencies to make first contact with the new environment) in both captive and wild hares. Space use in wild hares also varied with boldness, with shy individuals having smaller core areas and larger home ranges than bold conspecifics (yet in some of the parameter space, this association was just marginally significant). CONCLUSIONS Against our prediction, shy individuals occupied relatively large home ranges but with small core areas. We suggest that this space use pattern is due to them avoiding risky, and energy-demanding competition for valuable resources. Carefully validated, activity measurements (ODBA) from accelerometers provide a valuable tool to quantify aspects of animal personality along the shy-bold continuum remotely. Without directly observing-and possibly disturbing-focal individuals, this approach allows measuring variability in animal personality, especially in species that are difficult to assess with experiments. Considering that accelerometers are often already built into GPS units, we recommend activating them at least during the initial days of tracking to estimate individual variation in general activity and, if possible, match them with a simple novelty experiment. Furthermore, information on individual behavioral types will help to facilitate mechanistic understanding of processes that drive spatial and ecological dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Stiegler
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Alisa Lins
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Melanie Dammhahn
- Department for Behavioral Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kramer-Schadt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sylvia Ortmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Niels Blaum
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Occhiuto F, Vázquez-Diosdado JA, Carslake C, Kaler J. Personality and predictability in farmed calves using movement and space-use behaviours quantified by ultra-wideband sensors. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:212019. [PMID: 35706665 PMCID: PMC9174733 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.212019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Individuals within a population often show consistent between individual differences in their average behavioural expression (personality), and consistent differences in their within individual variability of behaviour around the mean (predictability). Where correlations between different personality traits and/or the predictability of traits exist, these represent behavioural or predictability syndromes. In wild populations, behavioural syndromes have consequences for individuals' survival and reproduction and affect the structure and functioning of groups and populations. The consequences of behavioural syndromes for farm animals are less well explored, partly due to the challenges in quantifying behaviour of many individuals across time and context in a farm setting. Here, we use ultra-wideband location sensors to provide precise measures of movement and space use for 60 calves over 40-48 days. We are the first livestock study to demonstrate consistent within and between individual variation in movement and space use with repeatability values of up to 0.80 and CVp values up to 0.49. Our results show correlations in personality and predictability, indicating the existence of 'exploratory' and 'active' personality traits in farmed calves. We consider the consequences of such individual variability for cattle behaviour and welfare and how such data may be used to inform management decisions in farm animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Occhiuto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jorge A. Vázquez-Diosdado
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Charles Carslake
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dammhahn M, Lange P, Eccard JA. The landscape of fear has individual layers: an experimental test of among‐individual differences in perceived predation risk during foraging. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Dammhahn
- Animal Ecology, Inst. for Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Univ. of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Pauline Lange
- Animal Ecology, Inst. for Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Univ. of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| | - Jana A. Eccard
- Animal Ecology, Inst. for Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Univ. of Potsdam Potsdam Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Thompson PR, Lewis MA, Edwards MA, Derocher AE. Time-dependent memory and individual variation in Arctic brown bears (Ursus arctos). MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2022; 10:18. [PMID: 35410401 PMCID: PMC8996616 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-022-00319-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal movement modelling provides unique insight about how animals perceive their landscape and how this perception may influence space use. When coupled with data describing an animal's environment, ecologists can fit statistical models to location data to describe how spatial memory informs movement. METHODS We performed such an analysis on a population of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the Canadian Arctic using a model incorporating time-dependent spatial memory patterns. Brown bear populations in the Arctic lie on the periphery of the species' range, and as a result endure harsh environmental conditions. In this kind of environment, effective use of memory to inform movement strategies could spell the difference between survival and mortality. RESULTS The model we fit tests four alternate hypotheses (some incorporating memory; some not) against each other, and we found a high degree of individual variation in how brown bears used memory. We found that 71% (15 of 21) of the bears used complex, time-dependent spatial memory to inform their movement decisions. CONCLUSIONS These results, coupled with existing knowledge on individual variation in the population, highlight the diversity of foraging strategies for Arctic brown bears while also displaying the inference that can be drawn from this innovative movement model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter R Thompson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Mark A Lewis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mark A Edwards
- Mammalogy Department, Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Andrew E Derocher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Draper JP, Young JK, Schupp EW, Beckman NG, Atwood TB. Frugivory and Seed Dispersal by Carnivorans. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.864864] [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
Seed dispersal is critical to the ecological performance of sexually reproducing plant species and the communities that they form. The Mammalian order Carnivora provide valuable and effective seed dispersal services but tend to be overlooked in much of the seed dispersal literature. Here we review the literature on the role of Carnivorans in seed dispersal, with a literature search in the Scopus reference database. Overall, we found that Carnivorans are prolific seed dispersers. Carnivorans’ diverse and plastic diets allow them to consume large volumes of over a hundred families of fruit and disperse large quantities of seeds across landscapes. Gut passage by these taxa generally has a neutral effect on seed viability. While the overall effect of Carnivorans on seed dispersal quality is complex, Carnivorans likely increase long-distance dispersal services that may aid the ability of some plant species to persist in the face of climate change.
Collapse
|
14
|
Payne E, Spiegel O, Sinn DL, Leu ST, Gardner MG, Godfrey SS, Wohlfeil C, Sih A. Intrinsic traits, social context, and local environment shape home range size and fidelity of sleepy lizards. ECOL MONOGR 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Payne
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy University of California Davis Davis USA
| | - O. Spiegel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - D. L. Sinn
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy University of California Davis Davis USA
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania, Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - S. T. Leu
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - M. G. Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University Adelaide Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace Adelaide Australia
| | - S. S. Godfrey
- Department of Zoology University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | - C. Wohlfeil
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University Adelaide Australia
| | - A. Sih
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy University of California Davis Davis USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Habitat modeling is one of the most common practices in ecology today, aimed at understanding complex associations between species and an array of environmental, bioclimatic, and anthropogenic factors. This review of studies of seven species of terrestrial bears (Ursidae) occupying four continents examines how habitat models have been employed, and the functionality of their predictions for management and conservation. Bear occurrence data have been obtained at the population level, as presence points (e.g., sign surveys or camera trapping), or as locations of individual radio-collared animals. Radio-collars provide greater insights into how bears interact with their environment and variability within populations; they are more commonly used in North America and Europe than in South America and Asia. Salient problematic issues apparent from this review included: biases in presence data; predictor variables being poor surrogates of actual behavioral drivers; predictor variables applied at a biologically inappropriate scale; and over-use of data repositories that tend to detach investigators from the species. In several cases, multiple models in the same area yielded different predictions; new presence data occurred outside the range of predicted suitable habitat; and future range projections, based on where bears presently exist, underestimated their adaptability. Findings here are likely relevant to other taxa.
Collapse
|
16
|
Stuber EF, Carlson BS, Jesmer BR. Spatial personalities: a meta-analysis of consistent individual differences in spatial behavior. Behav Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Individual variation in behavior, particularly consistent among-individual differences (i.e., personality), has important ecological and evolutionary implications for population and community dynamics, trait divergence, and patterns of speciation. Nevertheless, individual variation in spatial behaviors, such as home range behavior, movement characteristics, or habitat use has yet to be incorporated into the concepts or methodologies of ecology and evolutionary biology. To evaluate evidence for the existence of consistent among-individual differences in spatial behavior – which we refer to as “spatial personality” – we performed a meta-analysis of 200 repeatability estimates of home range size, movement metrics, and habitat use. We found that the existence of spatial personality is a general phenomenon, with consistently high repeatability (r) across classes of spatial behavior (r = 0.67–0.82), taxa (r = 0.31–0.79), and time between repeated measurements (r = 0.54–0.74). These results suggest: 1) repeatable spatial behavior may either be a cause or consequence of the environment experienced and lead to spatial personalities that may limit the ability of individuals to behaviorally adapt to changing landscapes; 2) interactions between spatial phenotypes and environmental conditions could result in differential reproduction, survival, and dispersal, suggesting that among-individual variation may facilitate population-level adaptation; 3) spatial patterns of species' distributions and spatial population dynamics may be better understood by shifting from a mean field analytical approach towards methods that account for spatial personalities and their associated fitness and ecological dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica F Stuber
- U.S. Geological Survey Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Wildland Resources, 5230 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ben S Carlson
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brett R Jesmer
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 310 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Northrup JM, Vander Wal E, Bonar M, Fieberg J, Laforge MP, Leclerc M, Prokopenko CM, Gerber BD. Conceptual and methodological advances in habitat-selection modeling: guidelines for ecology and evolution. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e02470. [PMID: 34626518 PMCID: PMC9285351 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Habitat selection is a fundamental animal behavior that shapes a wide range of ecological processes, including animal movement, nutrient transfer, trophic dynamics and population distribution. Although habitat selection has been a focus of ecological studies for decades, technological, conceptual and methodological advances over the last 20 yr have led to a surge in studies addressing this process. Despite the substantial literature focused on quantifying the habitat-selection patterns of animals, there is a marked lack of guidance on best analytical practices. The conceptual foundations of the most commonly applied modeling frameworks can be confusing even to those well versed in their application. Furthermore, there has yet to be a synthesis of the advances made over the last 20 yr. Therefore, there is a need for both synthesis of the current state of knowledge on habitat selection, and guidance for those seeking to study this process. Here, we provide an approachable overview and synthesis of the literature on habitat-selection analyses (HSAs) conducted using selection functions, which are by far the most applied modeling framework for understanding the habitat-selection process. This review is purposefully non-technical and focused on understanding without heavy mathematical and statistical notation, which can confuse many practitioners. We offer an overview and history of HSAs, describing the tortuous conceptual path to our current understanding. Through this overview, we also aim to address the areas of greatest confusion in the literature. We synthesize the literature outlining the most exciting conceptual advances in the field of habitat-selection modeling, discussing the substantial ecological and evolutionary inference that can be made using contemporary techniques. We aim for this paper to provide clarity for those navigating the complex literature on HSAs while acting as a reference and best practices guide for practitioners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Northrup
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8, Canada
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Maegwin Bonar
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8, Canada
| | - John Fieberg
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michel P Laforge
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Martin Leclerc
- Département de Biologie, Caribou Ungava and Centre d'études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Christina M Prokopenko
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Brian D Gerber
- Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lamont MM, Mollenhauer R, Foley AM. Capture vulnerability of sea turtles on recreational fishing piers. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8473. [PMID: 35127015 PMCID: PMC8796914 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Capture vulnerability of commercial and recreational fishes has been associated with behavioral, morphological, and life-history traits; however, relationships with non-target species, such as sea turtles, have not been adequately studied. We examined species composition, timing of captures, morphological variables including body size and head width, and body condition of sea turtles captured from a recreational fishing pier in the northern Gulf of Mexico and of sea turtles captured in the waters adjacent to the pier. From 2014 to 2019, 148 net captures and 112 pier captures of three sea turtle species were documented. Green turtles were captured most frequently in the net and on the pier. Turtles captured from the pier were larger than those captured in the net. There was no difference in head width between net-caught and pier-caught turtles; however, small sample sizes limited those comparisons. The body condition index was lower for pier-caught than net-caught Kemp';s ridleys but did not differ with green turtles or loggerheads. Differences were also observed in the timing of capture on the pier as compared to in the net. Finally, the relationship between size, body condition, and pier-capture vulnerability suggests these are complex interactions. Mortality of sea turtles captured from fishing piers could be selecting against bolder individuals, which may result in changes in sea turtle population demographics over a long time period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Lamont
- U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Robert Mollenhauer
- U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Allen M Foley
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Jacksonville Field Laboratory Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Jacksonville Florida USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hahn NR, Wall J, Denninger-Snyder K, Goss M, Sairowua W, Mbise N, Estes AB, Ndambuki S, Mjingo EE, Douglas-Hamiliton I, Wittemyer G. Risk perception and tolerance shape variation in agricultural use for a transboundary elephant population. J Anim Ecol 2021; 91:112-123. [PMID: 34726278 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
To conserve wide-ranging species in human-modified landscapes, it is essential to understand how animals selectively use or avoid cultivated areas. Use of agriculture leads to human-wildlife conflict, but evidence suggests that individuals may differ in their tendency to be involved in conflict. This is particularly relevant to wild elephant populations. We analysed GPS data of 66 free-ranging elephants in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem to quantify their use of agriculture. We then examined factors influencing the level of agricultural use, individual change in use across years and differences in activity budgets associated with use. Using clustering methods, our data grouped into four agricultural use tactics: rare (<0.6% time in agriculture; 26% of population), sporadic (0.6%-3.8%; 34%), seasonal (3.9%-12.8%; 31%) and habitual (>12.8%; 9%). Sporadic and seasonal individuals represented two-thirds (67%) of recorded GPS fixes in agriculture, compared to 32% from habitual individuals. Increased agricultural use was associated with higher daily distance travelled and larger home range size, but not with age or sex. Individual tactic change was prevalent and the habitual tactic was maintained in consecutive years by only five elephants. Across tactics, individuals switched from diurnal to nocturnal activity during agricultural use, interpreted as representing similar risk perception of cultivated areas. Conversely, tactic choice appeared to be associated with differences in risk tolerance between individuals. Together, our results suggest that elephants are balancing the costs and benefits of crop usage at both fine (e.g. crop raid events) and long (e.g. yearly tactic change) temporal scales. The high proportion of sporadic and seasonal tactics also highlights the importance of mitigation strategies that address conflict arising from many animals, rather than targeted management of habitual crop raiders. Our approach can be applied to other species and systems to characterize individual variation in human resource use and inform mitigations for human-wildlife coexistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R Hahn
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jake Wall
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Mara Elephant Project, Narok, Kenya
| | - Kristen Denninger-Snyder
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Grumeti Fund, Mugumu-Serengeti, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Noel Mbise
- Grumeti Fund, Mugumu-Serengeti, Tanzania
| | - Anna Bond Estes
- Department of Environmental Studies, Carleton College, Northfield, MN, USA.,School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Stephen Ndambuki
- Biodiversity Research and Monitoring, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Iain Douglas-Hamiliton
- Save the Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Zoology, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.,Save the Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Michelangeli M, Payne E, Spiegel O, Sinn DL, Leu ST, Gardner MG, Sih A. Personality, spatiotemporal ecological variation and resident/explorer movement syndromes in the sleepy lizard. J Anim Ecol 2021; 91:210-223. [PMID: 34679184 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Individual variation in movement is profoundly important for fitness and offers key insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of populations and communities. Nonetheless, individual variation in fine-scale movement behaviours is rarely examined even though animal tracking devices offer the long-term, high-resolution, repeatable data in natural conditions that are ideal for studying this variation. Furthermore, of the few studies that consider individual variation in movement, even fewer also consider the internal traits and environmental factors that drive movement behaviour which are necessary for contextualising individual differences in movement patterns. In this study, we GPS tracked a free-ranging population of sleepy lizards Tiliqua rugosa, each Austral spring over 5 years to examine consistent among-individual variation in movement patterns, as well as how these differences were mediated by key internal and ecological factors. We found that individuals consistently differed in a suite of weekly movement traits, and that these traits strongly covaried among-individuals, forming movement syndromes. Lizards fell on a primary movement continuum, from 'residents' that spent extended periods of time residing within smaller core areas of their home range, to 'explorers' that moved greater distances and explored vaster areas of the environment. Importantly, we also found that these consistent differences in lizard movement were related to two ecologically important animal personality traits (boldness and aggression), their sex, key features of the environment (including food availability, and a key water resource), habitat type and seasonal variation (cool/moist vs. hot/drier) in environmental conditions. Broadly, these movement specialisations likely reflect variation in life-history tactics including foraging and mating tactics that ultimately underlie key differences in space use. Such information can be used to connect phenotypic population structure to key ecological and evolutionary processes, for example social networks and disease-transmission pathways, further highlighting the value of examining individual variation in movement behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Michelangeli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eric Payne
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Orr Spiegel
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David L Sinn
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Stephan T Leu
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michael G Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Andrew Sih
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bridging animal personality with space use and resource use in a free-ranging population of an asocial ground squirrel. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
22
|
Le Balle R, Cote J, Fernandez FAS. Evidence for animal personalities in two Brazilian tortoises (Chelonoidis denticulatus and Chelonoidis carbonarius) and insights for their conservation. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
23
|
Carlson BS, Rotics S, Nathan R, Wikelski M, Jetz W. Individual environmental niches in mobile organisms. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4572. [PMID: 34315894 PMCID: PMC8316569 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24826-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Individual variation is increasingly recognized as a central component of ecological processes, but its role in structuring environmental niche associations remains largely unknown. Species' responses to environmental conditions are ultimately determined by the niches of single individuals, yet environmental associations are typically captured only at the level of species. Here, we develop scenarios for how individual variation may combine to define the compound environmental niche of populations, use extensive movement data to document individual environmental niche variation, test associated hypotheses of niche configuration, and examine the consistency of individual niches over time. For 45 individual white storks (Ciconia ciconia; 116 individual-year combinations), we uncover high variability in individual environmental associations, consistency of individual niches over time, and moderate to strong niche specialization. Within populations, environmental niches follow a nested pattern, with individuals arranged along a specialist-to-generalist gradient. These results reject common assumptions of individual niche equivalency among conspecifics, as well as the separation of individual niches into disparate parts of environmental space. These findings underscore the need for a more thorough consideration of individualistic environmental responses in global change research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ben S Carlson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Shay Rotics
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ran Nathan
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
African forest elephant movements depend on time scale and individual behavior. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12634. [PMID: 34135350 PMCID: PMC8208977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91627-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The critically endangered African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) plays a vital role in maintaining the structure and composition of Afrotropical forests, but basic information is lacking regarding the drivers of elephant movement and behavior at landscape scales. We use GPS location data from 96 individuals throughout Gabon to determine how five movement behaviors vary at different scales, how they are influenced by anthropogenic and environmental covariates, and to assess evidence for behavioral syndromes-elephants which share suites of similar movement traits. Elephants show some evidence of behavioral syndromes along an 'idler' to 'explorer' axis-individuals that move more have larger home ranges and engage in more 'exploratory' movements. However, within these groups, forest elephants express remarkable inter-individual variation in movement behaviours. This variation highlights that no two elephants are the same and creates challenges for practitioners aiming to design conservation initiatives.
Collapse
|
25
|
Bailey JD, King AJ, Codling EA, Short AM, Johns GI, Fürtbauer I. "Micropersonality" traits and their implications for behavioral and movement ecology research. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:3264-3273. [PMID: 33841782 PMCID: PMC8019044 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Many animal personality traits have implicit movement-based definitions and can directly or indirectly influence ecological and evolutionary processes. It has therefore been proposed that animal movement studies could benefit from acknowledging and studying consistent interindividual differences (personality), and, conversely, animal personality studies could adopt a more quantitative representation of movement patterns.Using high-resolution tracking data of three-spined stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus), we examined the repeatability of four movement parameters commonly used in the analysis of discrete time series movement data (time stationary, step length, turning angle, burst frequency) and four behavioral parameters commonly used in animal personality studies (distance travelled, space use, time in free water, and time near objects).Fish showed repeatable interindividual differences in both movement and behavioral parameters when observed in a simple environment with two, three, or five shelters present. Moreover, individuals that spent less time stationary, took more direct paths, and less commonly burst travelled (movement parameters), were found to travel farther, explored more of the tank, and spent more time in open water (behavioral parameters).Our case study indicates that the two approaches-quantifying movement and behavioral parameters-are broadly equivalent, and we suggest that movement parameters can be viewed as "micropersonality" traits that give rise to broad-scale consistent interindividual differences in behavior. This finding has implications for both personality and movement ecology research areas. For example, the study of movement parameters may provide a robust way to analyze individual personalities in species that are difficult or impossible to study using standardized behavioral assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D. Bailey
- Department of Mathematical SciencesUniversity of EssexColchesterUK
| | - Andrew J. King
- Department of BiosciencesCollege of ScienceSwansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| | | | - Ashley M. Short
- Department of BiosciencesCollege of ScienceSwansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| | - Gemma I. Johns
- Department of BiosciencesCollege of ScienceSwansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| | - Ines Fürtbauer
- Department of BiosciencesCollege of ScienceSwansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Payne E, Sinn D, Spiegel O, Leu S, Gardner M, Godfrey S, Wohlfeil C, Sih A. Consistent after all: behavioural repeatability in a long-lived lizard across a 6-year field study. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
27
|
Wauters LA, Mazzamuto MV, Santicchia F, Martinoli A, Preatoni DG, Lurz PWW, Bertolino S, Romeo C. Personality traits, sex and food abundance shape space use in an arboreal mammal. Oecologia 2021; 196:65-76. [PMID: 33796927 PMCID: PMC8139925 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04901-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Animal space use is affected by spatio-temporal variation in food availability and/or population density and varies among individuals. This inter-individual variation in spacing behaviour can be further influenced by sex, body condition, social dominance, and by the animal's personality. We used capture-mark-recapture and radio-tracking to examine the relationship between space use and personality in Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in three conifer forests in the Italian Alps. We further explored to what extent this was influenced by changes in food abundance and/or population density. Measures of an individual's trappability and trap diversity had high repeatability and were used in a Principal Component Analysis to obtain a single personality score representing a boldness-exploration tendency. Males increased home-range size with low food abundance and low female density, independent of their personality. However, bolder males used larger core-areas that overlapped less with other males than shy ones, suggesting different resource (food, partners) utilization strategies among personality types. For females, space use-personality relationships varied with food abundance, and bolder females used larger home ranges than shy ones at low female density, but the trend was opposite at high female density. Females' intrasexual core-area overlap was negatively related to body mass, with no effect of personality. We conclude that relationships between personality traits and space use in free-ranging squirrels varied with sex, and were further influenced by spatio-temporal fluctuations in food availability. Moreover, different personality types (bold-explorative vs. shy) seemed to adopt different space-use strategies to increase access to food and/or partners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A Wauters
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100, Varese, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100, Varese, Italy.,School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
| | - Francesca Santicchia
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100, Varese, Italy.
| | - Adriano Martinoli
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Damiano G Preatoni
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Peter W W Lurz
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK
| | - Sandro Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bombieri G, Penteriani V, Delgado MDM, Groff C, Pedrotti L, Jerina K. Towards understanding bold behaviour of large carnivores: the case of brown bears in human‐modified landscapes. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Bombieri
- MUSE ‐ Museo delle Scienze Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati Trento Italy
| | - V Penteriani
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC‐UO‐PA) Oviedo University ‐ Campus Mieres Mieres Spain
| | - M. del Mar Delgado
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, CSIC‐UO‐PA) Oviedo University ‐ Campus Mieres Mieres Spain
| | - C. Groff
- Forest and Wildlife Service Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Italy
| | - L. Pedrotti
- Forest and Wildlife Service Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento Italy
| | - K. Jerina
- University of Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty Ljubljana Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Rotics S, Turjeman S, Kaatz M, Zurell D, Wikelski M, Sapir N, Fiedler W, Eggers U, Resheff YS, Jeltsch F, Nathan R. Early-life behaviour predicts first-year survival in a long-distance avian migrant. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202670. [PMID: 33434462 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life conditions have critical, long-lasting effects on the fate of individuals, yet early-life activity has rarely been linked to subsequent survival of animals in the wild. Using high-resolution GPS and body-acceleration data of 93 juvenile white storks (Ciconia ciconia), we examined the links between behaviour during both pre-fledging and post-fledging (fledging-to-migration) periods and subsequent first-year survival. Juvenile daily activity (based on overall dynamic body acceleration) showed repeatable between-individual variation, the juveniles' pre- and post-fledging activity levels were correlated and both were positively associated with subsequent survival. Daily activity increased gradually throughout the post-fledging period, and the relationship between post-fledging activity and survival was stronger in individuals who increased their daily activity level faster (an interaction effect). We suggest that high activity profiles signified individuals with increased pre-migratory experience, higher individual quality and perhaps more proactive personality, which could underlie their superior survival rates. The duration of individuals' fledging-to-migration periods had a hump-shaped relationship with survival: higher survival was associated with intermediate rather than short or long durations. Short durations reflect lower pre-migratory experience, whereas very long ones were associated with slower increases in daily activity level which possibly reflects slow behavioural development. In accordance with previous studies, heavier nestlings and those that hatched and migrated earlier had increased survival. Using extensive tracking data, our study exposed new links between early-life attributes and survival, suggesting that early activity profiles in migrating birds can explain variation in first-year survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shay Rotics
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sondra Turjeman
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Kaatz
- Vogelschutzwarte Storchenhof Loburg e.V., Chausseestrasse 18, 39279 Loburg, Germany
| | - Damaris Zurell
- Ecology and Macroecology, University of Potsdam, Am Mühlenberg 3, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Nir Sapir
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology and Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
| | - Wolfgang Fiedler
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany.,Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78468 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ute Eggers
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Am Mühlenberg 3, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Yehezkel S Resheff
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Florian Jeltsch
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Am Mühlenberg 3, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ran Nathan
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Personality and behavioral syndromes in two Peromyscus species: presence, lack of state dependence, and lack of association with home range size. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02951-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
31
|
Hertel AG, Royauté R, Zedrosser A, Mueller T. Biologging reveals individual variation in behavioural predictability in the wild. J Anim Ecol 2020; 90:723-737. [PMID: 33301175 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent research highlights the ecological importance of individual variation in behavioural predictability. Individuals may not only differ in their average expression of a behavioural trait (their behavioural type) and in their ability to adjust behaviour to changing environmental conditions (individual plasticity), but also in their variability around their average behaviour (predictability). However, quantifying behavioural predictability in the wild has been challenging due to limitations of acquiring sufficient repeated behavioural measures. We here demonstrate how common biologging data can be used to detect individual variation in behavioural predictability in the wild and reveal the coexistence of highly predictable individuals along with unpredictable individuals within the same population. We repeatedly quantified two behaviours-daily movement distance and diurnal activity-in 62 female brown bears Ursus arctos tracked across 187 monitoring years. We calculated behavioural predictability over the short term (50 consecutive monitoring days within 1 year) and long term (across monitoring years) as the residual intra-individual variability (rIIV) of behaviour around the behavioural reaction norm. We tested whether predictability varies systematically across average behavioural types and whether it is correlated across functionally distinct behaviours, that is, daily movement distance and amount of diurnal activity. Brown bears showed individual variation in behavioural predictability from predictable to unpredictable individuals. For example, the standard deviation around the average daily movement distance within one monitoring year varied up to fivefold from 1.1 to 5.5 km across individuals. Individual predictability for both daily movement distance and diurnality was conserved across monitoring years. Individual predictability was correlated with behavioural type where individuals which were on average more diurnal and mobile were also more unpredictable in their behaviour. In contrast, more nocturnal individuals moved less and were more predictable in their behaviour. Finally, individual predictability in daily movement distance and diurnality was positively correlated, suggesting that individual predictability may be a quantitative trait in its own regard that could evolve and is underpinned by genetic variation. Unpredictable individuals may cope better with stochastic events and unpredictability may hence be an adaptive behavioural response to increased predation risk. Coexistence of predictable and unpredictable individuals may therefore ensure adaptable and resilient populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne G Hertel
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Frankfurt (Main), Germany.,Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bø, Norway
| | - Raphaël Royauté
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bø, Norway.,Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Frankfurt (Main), Germany.,Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Wright SJ, Heurich M, Buchmann CM, Böcker R, Schurr FM. The importance of individual movement and feeding behaviour for long-distance seed dispersal by red deer: a data-driven model. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2020; 8:44. [PMID: 33133610 PMCID: PMC7594291 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-020-00227-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-distance seed dispersal (LDD) has strong impacts on the spatiotemporal dynamics of plants. Large animals are important LDD vectors because they regularly transport seeds of many plant species over long distances. While there is now ample evidence that behaviour varies considerably between individual animals, it is not clear to what extent inter-individual variation in behaviour alters seed dispersal by animals. METHODS We study how inter-individual variation in the movement and feeding behaviour of one of Europe's largest herbivores (the red deer, Cervus elaphus) affects internal seed dispersal (endozoochory) of multiple plant species. We combine movement data of 21 individual deer with measurements of seed loads in the dung of the same individuals and with data on gut passage time. These data serve to parameterize a model of passive dispersal that predicts LDD in three orientations (horizontal as well as upward and downward in elevation).With this model we investigate to what extent per-seed probabilities of LDD and seed load vary between individuals and throughout the vegetation period (May-December). Subsequently, we test whether per-seed LDD probability and seed load are positively (or negatively) correlated so that more mobile animals disperse more (or less) seeds. Finally, we examine whether non-random associations between per-seed LDD probability and seed load affect the LDD of individual plant species. RESULTS The studied deer dispersed viable seeds of at least 62 plant species. Deer individuals varied significantly in per-seed LDD probability and seed loads. However, more mobile animals did not disperse more or less seeds than less mobile ones. Plant species also did not differ significantly in the relationship between per-seed LDD probability and seed load. Yet plant species differed in how their seed load was distributed across deer individuals and in time, and this caused their LDD potential to differ more than twofold. For several plant species, we detected non-random associations between per-seed LDD probability and seed load that generally increased LDD potential. CONCLUSIONS Inter-individual variation in movement and feeding behaviour means that certain deer are substantially more effective LDD vectors than others. This inter-individual variation reduces the reliability of LDD and increases the sensitivity of LDD to the decline of deer populations. Variation in the dispersal services of individual animals should thus be taken into account in models in order to improve LDD projections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Wright
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
- Frankfurt Zoological Society, Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marco Heurich
- Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Carsten M. Buchmann
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Reinhard Böcker
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Frank M. Schurr
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Reliable information about wildlife is absolutely important for making informed management decisions. The issues with the effectiveness of the control and monitoring of both large and small wild animals are relevant to assess and protect the world’s biodiversity. Monitoring becomes part of the methods in wildlife ecology for observation, assessment, and forecasting of the human environment. World practice reveals the potential of the joint application of both proven traditional and modern technologies using specialized equipment to organize environmental control and management processes. Monitoring large terrestrial animals require an individual approach due to their low density and larger habitat. Elk/moose are such animals. This work aims to evaluate the methods for monitoring large wild animals, suitable for controlling the number of elk/moose in the framework of nature conservation activities. Using different models allows determining the population size without affecting the animals and without significant financial costs. Although, the accuracy of each model is determined by its postulates implementation and initial conditions that need statistical data. Depending on the geographical, climatic, and economic conditions in each territory, it is possible to use different tools and equipment (e.g., cameras, GPS sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles), a flexible variation of which will allow reaching the golden mean between the desires and capabilities of researchers.
Collapse
|
34
|
Hart EE, Fennessy J, Rasmussen HB, Butler-Brown M, Muneza AB, Ciuti S. Precision and performance of an 180g solar-powered GPS device for tracking medium to large-bodied terrestrial mammals. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Hart
- E. E. Hart (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5622-2089) ✉ , Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Univ. College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julian Fennessy
- J. Fennessy, Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | - Michael Butler-Brown
- M. Butler-Brown, Dept of Biological Sciences Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution Ecosystems and Society, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Arthur B. Muneza
- A. B. Muneza, Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Simone Ciuti
- S. Ciuti, Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Univ. College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hertel AG, Niemelä PT, Dingemanse NJ, Mueller T. A guide for studying among-individual behavioral variation from movement data in the wild. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2020; 8:30. [PMID: 32612837 PMCID: PMC7325061 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-020-00216-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Animal tracking and biologging devices record large amounts of data on individual movement behaviors in natural environments. In these data, movement ecologists often view unexplained variation around the mean as "noise" when studying patterns at the population level. In the field of behavioral ecology, however, focus has shifted from population means to the biological underpinnings of variation around means. Specifically, behavioral ecologists use repeated measures of individual behavior to partition behavioral variability into intrinsic among-individual variation and reversible behavioral plasticity and to quantify: a) individual variation in behavioral types (i.e. different average behavioral expression), b) individual variation in behavioral plasticity (i.e. different responsiveness of individuals to environmental gradients), c) individual variation in behavioral predictability (i.e. different residual within-individual variability of behavior around the mean), and d) correlations among these components and correlations in suites of behaviors, called 'behavioral syndromes'. We here suggest that partitioning behavioral variability in animal movements will further the integration of movement ecology with other fields of behavioral ecology. We provide a literature review illustrating that individual differences in movement behaviors are insightful for wildlife and conservation studies and give recommendations regarding the data required for addressing such questions. In the accompanying R tutorial we provide a guide to the statistical approaches quantifying the different aspects of among-individual variation. We use movement data from 35 African elephants and show that elephants differ in a) their average behavior for three common movement behaviors, b) the rate at which they adjusted movement over a temporal gradient, and c) their behavioral predictability (ranging from more to less predictable individuals). Finally, two of the three movement behaviors were correlated into a behavioral syndrome (d), with farther moving individuals having shorter mean residence times. Though not explicitly tested here, individual differences in movement and predictability can affect an individual's risk to be hunted or poached and could therefore open new avenues for conservation biologists to assess population viability. We hope that this review, tutorial, and worked example will encourage movement ecologists to examine the biology of individual variation in animal movements hidden behind the population mean.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne G. Hertel
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
| | - Petri T. Niemelä
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Niels J. Dingemanse
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt (Main), Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
This study evaluated the design of an energy-efficient ad-hoc network used for wildlife observations, particularly in order to understand the social relationships in an animal group, where the distance between individuals, i.e., proximity, can be used to measure a relationship. Our proposed network consists of a full mesh topology and contains nodes that communicate via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in advertisement mode. The initial hardware configuration and software algorithm duty cycles the BLE communication to on and off states using a parameter called the BLE active triggering interval. The algorithm is improved by placing the BLE subsystem and CPU in deep sleep when there are no BLE or CPU tasks to process. This improves the power performance by up to 94.48%. To scale up power optimization and track the trade-off between power and throughput, we created a simulator that modeled our network with dynamic wireless sensor nodes. The simulator verified the base case hardware results. It also showed a median power performance increase of 97.79% in comparison to the base case, yet throughput decreased by 66.65%. The highest power performance increased by 98.89% when a wireless sensor node was configured with a BLE active triggering interval of 50 s and its CPU was set to 14 MHz; however, the simulator showed a throughput drop of 79.97%. Depending on the application, a design may tolerate the decline in throughput to achieve higher power performance.
Collapse
|
37
|
Gervais L, Hewison AJM, Morellet N, Bernard M, Merlet J, Cargnelutti B, Chaval Y, Pujol B, Quéméré E. Pedigree-free quantitative genetic approach provides evidence for heritability of movement tactics in wild roe deer. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:595-607. [PMID: 31985133 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Assessing the evolutionary potential of animal populations in the wild is crucial to understanding how they may respond to selection mediated by rapid environmental change (e.g. habitat loss and fragmentation). A growing number of studies have investigated the adaptive role of behaviour, but assessments of its genetic basis in a natural setting remain scarce. We combined intensive biologging technology with genome-wide data and a pedigree-free quantitative genetic approach to quantify repeatability, heritability and evolvability for a suite of behaviours related to the risk avoidance-resource acquisition trade-off in a wild roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population inhabiting a heterogeneous, human-dominated landscape. These traits, linked to the stress response, movement and space-use behaviour, were all moderately to highly repeatable. Furthermore, the repeatable among-individual component of variation in these traits was partly due to additive genetic variance, with heritability estimates ranging from 0.21 ± 0.08 to 0.70 ± 0.11 and evolvability ranging from 1.1% to 4.3%. Changes in the trait mean can therefore occur under hypothetical directional selection over just a few generations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical demonstration of additive genetic variation in space-use behaviour in a free-ranging population based on genomic relatedness data. We conclude that wild animal populations may have the potential to adjust their spatial behaviour to human-driven environmental modifications through microevolutionary change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gervais
- CEFS, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France.,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France.,Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, UPS, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
| | - Aidan J M Hewison
- CEFS, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France.,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Nicolas Morellet
- CEFS, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France.,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Maria Bernard
- INRAE, GABI, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France.,INRAE, SIGENAE, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Joël Merlet
- CEFS, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France.,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Bruno Cargnelutti
- CEFS, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France.,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Yannick Chaval
- CEFS, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France.,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Benoit Pujol
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, UPS, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France.,USR 3278 CRIOBE, PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan Cedex, France
| | - Erwan Quéméré
- CEFS, INRAE, Université de Toulouse, Castanet-Tolosan, France.,LTSER ZA PYRénées GARonne, Auzeville-Tolosane, France.,ESE, Ecology and Ecosystems Health, Ouest, INRAE, Rennes, France
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Moore HA, Champney JL, Dunlop JA, Valentine LE, Nimmo DG. Spot on: using camera traps to individually monitor one of the world’s largest lizards. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr19159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextEstimating animal abundance often relies on being able to identify individuals; however, this can be challenging, especially when applied to large animals that are difficult to trap and handle. Camera traps have provided a non-invasive alternative by using natural markings to individually identify animals within image data. Although camera traps have been used to individually identify mammals, they are yet to be widely applied to other taxa, such as reptiles.
AimsWe assessed the capacity of camera traps to provide images that allow for individual identification of the world’s fourth-largest lizard species, the perentie (Varanus giganteus), and demonstrate other basic morphological and behavioural data that can be gleaned from camera-trap images.
MethodsVertically orientated cameras were deployed at 115 sites across a 10000km2 area in north-western Australia for an average of 216 days. We used spot patterning located on the dorsal surface of perenties to identify individuals from camera-trap imagery, with the assistance of freely available spot ID software. We also measured snout-to-vent length (SVL) by using image-analysis software, and collected image time-stamp data to analyse temporal activity patterns.
ResultsNinety-two individuals were identified, and individuals were recorded moving distances of up to 1975m. Confidence in identification accuracy was generally high (91%), and estimated SVL measurements varied by an average of 6.7% (min=1.8%, max=21.3%) of individual SVL averages. Larger perenties (SVL of >45cm) were detected mostly between dawn and noon, and in the late afternoon and early evening, whereas small perenties (SVL of <30cm) were rarely recorded in the evening.
ConclusionsCamera traps can be used to individually identify large reptiles with unique markings, and can also provide data on movement, morphology and temporal activity. Accounting for uneven substrates under cameras could improve the accuracy of morphological estimates. Given that camera traps struggle to detect small, nocturnal reptiles, further research is required to examine whether cameras miss smaller individuals in the late afternoon and evening.
ImplicationsCamera traps are increasingly being used to monitor reptile species. The ability to individually identify animals provides another tool for herpetological research worldwide.
Collapse
|
39
|
Proximity to humans is associated with longer maternal care in brown bears. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2764-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
40
|
Leclerc M, Zedrosser A, Swenson JE, Pelletier F. Hunters select for behavioral traits in a large carnivore. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12371. [PMID: 31451727 PMCID: PMC6710287 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48853-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Human harvest can induce selection on life history and morphological traits, leading to ecological and evolutionary responses. Our understanding of harvest-induced selection on behavioral traits is, however, very limited. Here, we assessed whether hunters harvest, consciously or not, individuals with specific behavioral traits. We used long-term, detailed behavioral and survival data of a heavily harvested brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Sweden. We found that hunters harvested male bears that were less active during legal hunting hours and had lower movement rates. Also, hunters harvested male and female bears that used habitats closer to roads. We provide an empirical example that individual behavior can modulate vulnerability to hunting and that hunters could exert a selective pressure on wildlife behaviors. This study increases our understanding of the complex interactions between harvest method, human behavior, and animal behavior that are at play in harvest-induced selection and provides better insight into the full effects of human harvest on wild populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Leclerc
- Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Demography and Conservation & Centre for Northern Studies, Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, J1K2R1, Canada.
| | - A Zedrosser
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, N-3800 Bø i, Telemark, Norway. .,Department of Integrative Biology, Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendel Str. 33, A - 1180, Vienna, Austria.
| | - J E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, NO - 1432 Ås, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - F Pelletier
- Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Demography and Conservation & Centre for Northern Studies, Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, J1K2R1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Bastille-Rousseau G, Wittemyer G. Leveraging multidimensional heterogeneity in resource selection to define movement tactics of animals. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:1417-1427. [PMID: 31240840 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Increasing interest in the complexity, variation and drivers of movement-related behaviours promise new insight into fundamental components of ecology. Resolving the multidimensionality of spatially explicit behaviour remains a challenge for investigating tactics and their relation to niche construction, but high-resolution movement data are providing unprecedented understanding of the diversity of spatially explicit behaviours. We introduce a framework for investigating individual variation in movement-defined resource selection that integrates the behavioural and ecological niche concepts. We apply it to long-term tracking data of 115 African elephants (Loxodonta africana), illustrating how a behavioural hypervolume can be defined based on differences between individuals and their ecological settings, and applied to explore population heterogeneity. While normative movement behaviour is frequently used to characterise population behaviour, we demonstrate the value of leveraging heterogeneity in the behaviour to gain greater insight into population structure and the mechanisms driving space-use tactics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.,Save the Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.,Save the Elephants, Nairobi, Kenya
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
McInturf AG, Pollack L, Yang LH, Spiegel O. Vectors with autonomy: what distinguishes animal‐mediated nutrient transport from abiotic vectors? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1761-1773. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra G. McInturf
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology University of California One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 U.S.A
| | - Lea Pollack
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy University of California One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 U.S.A
| | - Louie H. Yang
- Department of Entomology and Nematology University of California, Davis One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616 U.S.A
| | - Orr Spiegel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences Sherman Building, Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel
| |
Collapse
|