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Smith JB, Keiter DA, Sweeney SJ, Miller RS, Schlichting PE, Beasley JC. Habitat quality influences trade-offs in animal movement along the exploration-exploitation continuum. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4814. [PMID: 36964167 PMCID: PMC10039022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31457-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
To successfully establish itself in a novel environment, an animal must make an inherent trade-off between knowledge accumulation and exploitation of knowledge gained (i.e., the exploration-exploitation dilemma). To evaluate how habitat quality affects the spatio-temporal scale of switching between exploration and exploitation during home range establishment, we conducted experimental trials comparing resource selection and space-use of translocated animals to those of reference individuals using reciprocal translocations between habitat types of differing quality. We selected wild pigs (Sus scrofa) as a model species to investigate hypotheses related to the movement behavior of translocated individuals because they are globally distributed large mammals that are often translocated within their introduced range to facilitate recreational hunting. Individuals translocated to higher quality habitat (i.e. higher proportions of bottomland hardwood habitats) exhibited smaller exploratory movements and began exploiting resources more quickly than those introduced to lower quality areas, although those in lower-quality areas demonstrated an increased rate of selection for preferred habitat as they gained knowledge of the landscape. Our data demonstrate that habitat quality mediates the spatial and temporal scale at which animals respond behaviorally to novel environments, and how these processes may determine the success of population establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Smith
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E., Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1401 Gekeler Ln, La Grande, OR, 97850, USA
| | - David A Keiter
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E., Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Steven J Sweeney
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, 2150 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA
| | - Ryan S Miller
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, 2150 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA
| | - Peter E Schlichting
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E., Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, P.O. Drawer E., Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.
- D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green St., Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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2
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Chinn SM, Schlichting PE, Smyser TJ, Bowden CF, Beasley JC. Factors influencing pregnancy, litter size, and reproductive parameters of invasive wild pigs. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Chinn
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and Warnell Scholl of Forestry and Natural Resources Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | | | - Timothy J. Smyser
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Courtney F. Bowden
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and Warnell Scholl of Forestry and Natural Resources Aiken SC 29802 USA
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3
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Genomic tools reveal complex social organization of an invasive large mammal (Sus scrofa). Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02840-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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4
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Gray SM, Humphreys JM, Montgomery RA, Etter DR, VerCauteren KC, Kramer DB, Roloff GJ. Behavioral states in space and time: understanding landscape use by an invasive mammal. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven M. Gray
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University 480 Wilson Road, 13 Natural Resources Building East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | - John M. Humphreys
- Pest Management Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Sidney MT 59270 USA
| | - Robert A. Montgomery
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney House, Abingdon Road Tubney Oxon OX13 5QL United Kingdom
| | - Dwayne R. Etter
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources–Wildlife Division Lansing MI 48911 USA
| | - Kurt C. VerCauteren
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Daniel B. Kramer
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University 480 Wilson Road, 13 Natural Resources Building East Lansing MI 48824 USA
- James Madison College Michigan State University East Lansing MI 48824 USA
| | - Gary J. Roloff
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University 480 Wilson Road, 13 Natural Resources Building East Lansing MI 48824 USA
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5
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Clontz LM, Pepin KM, VerCauteren KC, Beasley JC. Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on home range size and shape of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:914-928. [PMID: 34719092 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Determining factors influencing animal movements at a temporal scale that is similar to that at which management actions are conducted (e.g. weekly) is crucial for identifying efficient methods of wildlife conservation and management. Using global positioning system (GPS) data from 49 wild pigs in the southeast United States, we constructed weekly 50% and 95% utilization distributions to quantify the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on weekly core area and home range size, as well as home range shape. RESULTS We found vegetative composition (i.e. proportion of bottomland hardwoods), season (based on forage availability), meteorological conditions (i.e. temperature and pressure), and sex influenced wild pig weekly home range and core area size, while vegetative composition (i.e. proportion of upland pines) and landscape features (i.e. distance to streams) also were important factors influencing home range shape. At close distances to streams, wild pigs had more elongate home ranges when their home ranges comprised less upland pine habitat; however, farther from streams, there was no change in home range shape across fluctuating proportions of upland pines. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that fine-scale wild pig home ranges and movements are pliable from week to week and influenced by several habitat, landscape, and meteorological attributes that can easily be quantified from available land use and meteorological databases. These findings are important for designing monitoring studies, identifying high risk zones for disease transmission, planning response to disease emergence events, and allowing more effective and efficient short-term management planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Clontz
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
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6
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Beasley JC, Clontz LM, Rakowski A, Snow NP, VerCauteren KC. Evaluation of a warfarin bait for controlling invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:3057-3067. [PMID: 33644948 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) cause widespread environmental and economic damage, and as a result are subjected to extensive control. Current management strategies have proven insufficient, and there is growing interest in use of toxicants to control invasive populations of this species. In 2017 a low-dose warfarin bait was federally approved for use in controlling wild pigs in the United States. However, no states have allowed use of this bait due to unanswered questions regarding welfare concerns, field efficacy, and non-target impacts. RESULTS All captive wild pigs fed 0.005% warfarin baits in no choice feeding trials succumbed in an average of 8 days from exposure. Behavioral symptoms of warfarin exposure included vomiting, external bleeding, abnormal breathing, incoordination, and limping. Postmortem examinations revealed hemorrhaging in organs and muscles, particularly the legs, gastrointestinal tract, and abdomen. Warfarin residues in tissues averaged 1.0 mg kg-1 for muscle, 3.9 mg kg-1 for liver, and 2.8 mg kg-1 for small intestines. Field testing revealed wild pigs required extensive training to access bait within pig-specific bait stations, and once acclimated, exhibited reluctance to consume toxic baits, resulting in no mortalities across two separate field deployments of toxic bait. CONCLUSION Our results suggest wild pigs are susceptible to low-dose warfarin, and warfarin residues in pig tissues postmortem are generally low. However, although warfarin-based baits are currently approved for use by the US Environmental Protection Agency, further improvements to pig-specific bait delivery systems and bait palatability are needed, as well as additional research to quantify efficacy, cost, and non-target impacts prior to widespread implementation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Lindsay M Clontz
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Allison Rakowski
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Nathan P Snow
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Mayer JJ, Edwards TB, Garabedian JE, Kilgo JC. Sanitary Waste Landfill Effects on an Invasive Wild Pig Population. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John J. Mayer
- Savannah River National Laboratory Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC, Savannah River Site Bldg. 999‐W Aiken SC 29808 USA
| | - Thomas B. Edwards
- Savannah River National Laboratory Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC, Savannah River Site Bldg. 999‐W Aiken SC 29808 USA
| | - James E. Garabedian
- USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station P.O. Box 700 New Ellenton SC 29809 USA
| | - John C. Kilgo
- USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station P.O. Box 700 New Ellenton SC 29809 USA
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8
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McRae JE, Schlichting PE, Snow NP, Davis AJ, VerCauteren KC, Kilgo JC, Keiter DA, Beasley JC, Pepin KM. Factors Affecting Bait Site Visitation: Area of Influence of Baits. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn E. McRae
- U.S. Department of Agriculture—Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center 4101 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Peter E. Schlichting
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia P.O. Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Nathan P. Snow
- U.S. Department of Agriculture—Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center 4101 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Amy J. Davis
- U.S. Department of Agriculture—Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center 4101 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Kurt C. VerCauteren
- U.S. Department of Agriculture—Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center 4101 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - John C. Kilgo
- U.S. Department of Agriculture—Forest Service Southern Research Station P.O. Box 700 New Ellenton SC 29809 USA
| | - David A. Keiter
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia P.O. Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia P.O. Drawer E Aiken SC 29802 USA
| | - Kim M. Pepin
- U.S. Department of Agriculture—Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center 4101 Laporte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
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9
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Davis AJ, Keiter DA, Kierepka EM, Slootmaker C, Piaggio AJ, Beasley JC, Pepin KM. A comparison of cost and quality of three methods for estimating density for wild pig (Sus scrofa). Sci Rep 2020; 10:2047. [PMID: 32029837 PMCID: PMC7004977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58937-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical element in effective wildlife management is monitoring the status of wildlife populations; however, resources to monitor wildlife populations are typically limited. We compared cost effectiveness of three common population estimation methods (i.e. non-invasive DNA sampling, camera sampling, and sampling from trapping) by applying them to wild pigs (Sus scrofa) across three habitats in South Carolina, U.S.A where they are invasive. We used mark-recapture analyses for fecal DNA sampling data, spatially-explicit capture-recapture analyses for camera sampling data, and a removal analysis for removal sampling from trap data. Density estimates were similar across methods. Camera sampling was the least expensive, but had large variances. Fecal DNA sampling was the most expensive, although this technique generally performed well. We examined how reductions in effort by method related to increases in relative bias or imprecision. For removal sampling, the largest cost savings while maintaining unbiased density estimates was from reducing the number of traps. For fecal DNA sampling, a reduction in effort only minimally reduced costs due to the need for increased lab replicates while maintaining high quality estimates. For camera sampling, effort could only be marginally reduced before inducing bias. We provide a decision tree for researchers to help make monitoring decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Davis
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
| | - David A Keiter
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
- University of Nebraska, School of Natural Resources, Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege St., Lincoln, NE, 68583-0961, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Kierepka
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
- Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Chris Slootmaker
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
- Mountain Data Group, 115 N. College Ave. Suite 220, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA
| | - Antoinette J Piaggio
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
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Hegel CGZ, Santos LRD, Pichorim M, Marini MÂ. Wild pig (Sus scrofa L.) occupancy patterns in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2018-0719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Despite the great impacts of invasive wild pig (Sus scrofa) to natural ecosystems, habitat use by this species in the neotropics remains poorly studied. Here, we investigated the effects of local habitat and landscape covariates (vegetation types, running watercourses and roads) on occupancy patterns of wild pig in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil. We used single season occupancy modeling to estimate detection (p) and occupancy (ψ) probabilities, using 8-day camera-trap monitoring of 100 sampled sites. The cameras detected wild pig in 64 sites (naïve occupancy = 64 %). The four best models explained 72.7 % of the occupancy patterns, and the top model (with "water" variable) had a weight of 28.5 %. Even though none of the tested variables had high explanatory power of wild pig occupancy, the water variable had a negative effect trend (β = -1.124; SE = 0.734), with 59 % of occupancy when water was present and 82 % when it was absent around the sampling sites. Vestiges of the presence of wild pig in different vegetation types revealed that they used plantations of Pinus sp., native forests, and corn and oat crops. The occupation pattern shows that wild pig are generalist at our study site at the Atlantic Forest being found everywhere, raising ecological and economic concerns about the high potential negative effects of its invasion.
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11
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Roads do not increase carrion use by a vertebrate scavenging community. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16331. [PMID: 30397216 PMCID: PMC6218489 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34224-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife-vehicle collisions introduce a considerable amount of carrion into the environment, but scavenger use of this resource has not been extensively investigated. Scavengers may use roads for reliable foraging opportunities, but might also use roads for other purposes and encounter carrion opportunistically. We examined scavenging of carrion along linear features by placing 52 rabbit carcasses in each of three treatments in forested habitat during winter (Dec 2016-Mar 2017) in South Carolina, USA: roads, power line clearings (linear feature with fewer carcasses than roads due to lack of road kill), and forest interior. We used motion-activated cameras to compare arrival times and presence of vertebrate scavengers among treatments. There was no difference in proportion of carcasses scavenged or scavenger arrival time across treatments. No species arrived at roads quicker than other treatments. Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) and coyotes (Canis latrans) scavenged equally across treatments, whereas gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) scavenged along roads and power lines, but not in forests. We suggest that scavenger use of carrion near roads at this location during winter relates to factors other than carrion availability. Because some scavengers readily consumed carrion on roads, this resource has the potential to influence the ecology of these species.
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12
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Webster SC, Cunningham FL, Kilgo JC, Vukovich M, Rhodes OE, Beasley JC. Effective dose and persistence of Rhodamine‐B in wild pig Vibrissae. WILDLIFE SOC B 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Webster
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryWarnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaP.O. Drawer EAikenSC29802USA
| | - Fred L. Cunningham
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceWildlife ServicesNational Wildlife Research Center125 Stone Boulevard, Scales BuildingMississippi StateMS39762USA
| | - John C. Kilgo
- United States Department of AgricultureUnited States Forest Service Southern Research StationP.O. Box 700, New EllentonSC29809USA
| | - Mark Vukovich
- United States Department of AgricultureUnited States Forest Service Southern Research StationP.O. Box 700, New EllentonSC29809USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryOdum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaP.O. Drawer EAikenSC29802USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryWarnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaP.O. Drawer EAikenSC29802USA
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13
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Smith JB, Laatsch LJ, Beasley JC. Spatial complexity of carcass location influences vertebrate scavenger efficiency and species composition. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10250. [PMID: 28860543 PMCID: PMC5578956 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10046-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Scavenging plays an important role in shaping communities through inter- and intra-specific interactions. Although vertebrate scavenger efficiency and species composition is likely influenced by the spatial complexity of environments, heterogeneity in carrion distribution has largely been disregarded in scavenging studies. We tested this hypothesis by experimentally placing juvenile bird carcasses on the ground and in nests in trees to simulate scenarios of nestling bird carrion availability. We used cameras to record scavengers removing carcasses and elapsed time to removal. Carrion placed on the ground was scavenged by a greater diversity of vertebrates and at > 2 times the rate of arboreal carcasses, suggesting arboreal carrion may represent an important resource to invertebrate scavengers, particularly in landscapes with efficient vertebrate scavenging communities. Nonetheless, six vertebrate species scavenged arboreal carcasses. Rat snakes (Elaphe obsolete), which exclusively scavenged from trees, and turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) were the primary scavengers of arboreal carrion, suggesting such resources are potentially an important pathway of nutrient acquisition for some volant and scansorial vertebrates. Our results highlight the intricacy of carrion-derived food web linkages, and how consideration of spatial complexity in carcass distribution (i.e., arboreal) may reveal important pathways of nutrient acquisition by invertebrate and vertebrate scavenging guilds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Smith
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Lab, PO Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.
| | - Lauren J Laatsch
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Lab, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Lab, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
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14
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Keiter DA, Davis AJ, Rhodes OE, Cunningham FL, Kilgo JC, Pepin KM, Beasley JC. Effects of scale of movement, detection probability, and true population density on common methods of estimating population density. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9446. [PMID: 28842589 PMCID: PMC5573344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09746-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of population density is necessary for effective management and conservation of wildlife, yet rarely are estimators compared in their robustness to effects of ecological and observational processes, which can greatly influence accuracy and precision of density estimates. In this study, we simulate biological and observational processes using empirical data to assess effects of animal scale of movement, true population density, and probability of detection on common density estimators. We also apply common data collection and analytical techniques in the field and evaluate their ability to estimate density of a globally widespread species. We find that animal scale of movement had the greatest impact on accuracy of estimators, although all estimators suffered reduced performance when detection probability was low, and we provide recommendations as to when each field and analytical technique is most appropriately employed. The large influence of scale of movement on estimator accuracy emphasizes the importance of effective post-hoc calculation of area sampled or use of methods that implicitly account for spatial variation. In particular, scale of movement impacted estimators substantially, such that area covered and spacing of detectors (e.g. cameras, traps, etc.) must reflect movement characteristics of the focal species to reduce bias in estimates of movement and thus density.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Keiter
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.
| | - Amy J Davis
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Olin E Rhodes
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Odum School of Ecology, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
| | - Fred L Cunningham
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi Field Station, PO Box 6099, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA
| | - John C Kilgo
- United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station, PO Box 700, New Ellenton, SC, 29809, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
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15
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Kay SL, Fischer JW, Monaghan AJ, Beasley JC, Boughton R, Campbell TA, Cooper SM, Ditchkoff SS, Hartley SB, Kilgo JC, Wisely SM, Wyckoff AC, VerCauteren KC, Pepin KM. Quantifying drivers of wild pig movement across multiple spatial and temporal scales. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2017; 5:14. [PMID: 28630712 PMCID: PMC5471724 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-017-0105-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The movement behavior of an animal is determined by extrinsic and intrinsic factors that operate at multiple spatio-temporal scales, yet much of our knowledge of animal movement comes from studies that examine only one or two scales concurrently. Understanding the drivers of animal movement across multiple scales is crucial for understanding the fundamentals of movement ecology, predicting changes in distribution, describing disease dynamics, and identifying efficient methods of wildlife conservation and management. METHODS We obtained over 400,000 GPS locations of wild pigs from 13 different studies spanning six states in southern U.S.A., and quantified movement rates and home range size within a single analytical framework. We used a generalized additive mixed model framework to quantify the effects of five broad predictor categories on movement: individual-level attributes, geographic factors, landscape attributes, meteorological conditions, and temporal variables. We examined effects of predictors across three temporal scales: daily, monthly, and using all data during the study period. We considered both local environmental factors such as daily weather data and distance to various resources on the landscape, as well as factors acting at a broader spatial scale such as ecoregion and season. RESULTS We found meteorological variables (temperature and pressure), landscape features (distance to water sources), a broad-scale geographic factor (ecoregion), and individual-level characteristics (sex-age class), drove wild pig movement across all scales, but both the magnitude and shape of covariate relationships to movement differed across temporal scales. CONCLUSIONS The analytical framework we present can be used to assess movement patterns arising from multiple data sources for a range of species while accounting for spatio-temporal correlations. Our analyses show the magnitude by which reaction norms can change based on the temporal scale of response data, illustrating the importance of appropriately defining temporal scales of both the movement response and covariates depending on the intended implications of research (e.g., predicting effects of movement due to climate change versus planning local-scale management). We argue that consideration of multiple spatial scales within the same framework (rather than comparing across separate studies post-hoc) gives a more accurate quantification of cross-scale spatial effects by appropriately accounting for error correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L. Kay
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154 USA
| | - Justin W. Fischer
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154 USA
| | - Andrew J. Monaghan
- Research Applications Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO 80305 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802 USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA 30602 USA
| | - Raoul Boughton
- Range Cattle Research and Education Center, 3401 Experiment Station, Ona, FL 33865 USA
| | - Tyler A. Campbell
- East Foundation, 200 Concord Plaza Drive, Suite 410, San Antonio, TX 78216 USA
| | - Susan M. Cooper
- Texas AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University System, 1619 Garner Field Road, Uvalde, TX 78801 USA
| | - Stephen S. Ditchkoff
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, 3301 Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
| | - Steve B. Hartley
- United States Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70506 USA
| | - John C. Kilgo
- United State Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station, P.O. Box 700, New Ellenton, SC 29809 USA
| | - Samantha M. Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0430 USA
| | - A. Christy Wyckoff
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363 USA
- Santa Lucia Conservancy, 26700 Rancho San Carlos Rd, Carmel, CA 93923 USA
| | - Kurt C. VerCauteren
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154 USA
| | - Kim M. Pepin
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154 USA
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16
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Baruzzi C, Coats J, Callaby R, Cowan DP, Massei G. Rhodamine B as a long-term semi-quantitative bait marker for wild boar. WILDLIFE SOC B 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Baruzzi
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture; Mississippi State University; PO Box 9690 Mississippi State MS 39762 USA
| | - Julia Coats
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
| | - Rebecca Callaby
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
| | - Dave P. Cowan
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
| | - Giovanna Massei
- National Wildlife Management Centre; Animal and Plant Health Agency; Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZ UK
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17
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18
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Keiter DA, Kilgo JC, Vukovich MA, Cunningham FL, Beasley JC. Development of known-fate survival monitoring techniques for juvenile wild pigs (Sus scrofa). WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/wr16204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Wild pigs are an invasive species linked to numerous negative impacts on natural and anthropogenic ecosystems in many regions of the world. Robust estimates of juvenile wild pig survival are needed to improve population dynamics models to facilitate management of this economically and ecologically important invasive species. Despite this critical knowledge gap, to date no successful known-fate study of wild piglet survival (<5 months of age) has been conducted, due to a lack of appropriate method for this species.
Aims
To aid in locating and tagging neonates, we piloted the use of vaginal implant transmitters (VITs) in adult wild pigs and evaluated average retention times of stud ear-tag transmitters, clip ear-tag transmitters, sutured and epoxied transmitters, harness transmitters, and surgically implanted transmitters to monitor known-fate survival of piglets.
Methods
We captured pregnant female pigs and implanted them with VITs. We tagged subsequently located neonates and piglets captured in traps with the aforementioned transmitters and monitored them to determine retention times and feasibility of each method.
Key results
VITs were effectively used to determine the location and time of wild pig parturition, allowing counting and tagging of neonate wild pigs. Stud ear-tag and abdominal implant transmitters were well retained by piglets weighing ≥3kg, in contrast to the other tested transmitters.
Conclusions
Stud ear-tag and abdominal implant transmitters allowed known-fate monitoring of juvenile wild pigs, although, of these, stud ear-tag transmitters may be more practical as they do not require field surgery on piglets. Due to their relatively large size, the stud ear tag transmitters were infeasible for monitoring of true neonates (~1kg); however, this application method may be suitable for neonates upon development of lighter-weight transmitters. The other transmitter attachment methods we tested were ineffective for monitoring of piglet survival, due to poor retention of transmitters.
Implications
The techniques piloted in this study will facilitate research into the reproductive ecology of wild pigs and known-fate studies of piglet mortality to aid in population modelling and evaluation of cause-specific mortality and factors affecting survival of these often-invasive animals.
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Kierepka EM, Unger SD, Keiter DA, Beasley JC, Rhodes OE, Cunningham FL, Piaggio AJ. Identification of robust microsatellite markers for wild pig fecal DNA. J Wildl Manage 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shem D. Unger
- University of GeorgiaSavannah River Ecology LaboratoryAikenSC29802USA
| | - David A. Keiter
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryWarnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesAikenSC29802USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryWarnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesAikenSC29802USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- University of GeorgiaSavannah River Ecology LaboratoryAikenSC29802USA
| | - Fred L. Cunningham
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mississippi Field Station, National Wildlife Research CenterWildlife ServicesPO Box 6099Mississippi StateMS39762USA
| | - Antoinette J. Piaggio
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Wildlife Research CenterWildlife Services4101 LaPorte AvenueFort CollinsCO80521USA
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20
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Siers SR, Reed RN, Savidge JA. To cross or not to cross: modeling wildlife road crossings as a binary response variable with contextual predictors. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shane R. Siers
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Robert N. Reed
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado 80526 USA
| | - Julie A. Savidge
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
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21
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Beasley J, Webster SC, Rhodes OE, Cunningham FL. Evaluation of Rhodamine B as a biomarker for assessing bait acceptance in wild pigs. WILDLIFE SOC B 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaP.O. Drawer EAikenSC29802USA
| | - Sarah C. Webster
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaP.O. Drawer EAikenSC29802USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryUniversity of GeorgiaP.O. Drawer EAikenSC29802USA
| | - Fred L. Cunningham
- United States Department of AgricultureAnimal Plant Health Inspection ServiceWildlife ServicesNational Wildlife Research Center125 Stone BoulevardScales BuildingMississippi StateMS39762USA
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