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Beauchamp G, Barve S. Gazing Strategies among Sentinels of a Cooperative Breeder Are Repeatable but Unrelated to Survival. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:458. [PMID: 38927338 PMCID: PMC11200772 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Vigilance is a common behavioural adaptation to increase the chances of detecting predators before it is too late to escape. Behavioural traits are often repeatable among individuals over the long term, suggesting differences in personality. Earlier studies have documented individual consistency in the time allocated to vigilance. However, little is known about individual consistency in the ways vigilance is achieved from one moment to another and whether different patterns of vigilance among individuals are associated with survival. We aimed to determine whether sentinels of a cooperative breeder showed individual consistency in their vigilance and if individual variation was related to annual survival. During sentinel bouts from vantage points, Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) turn their heads from side to side to monitor their surroundings. Over three field seasons, we found that the head-turning frequency was repeatable in breeders but not in juveniles or non-breeding helpers. The moderate repeatability in breeders was not related to survival. Our results suggest that the head-turning frequency in sentinels of the Florida scrub-jay is repeatable in breeders but not in less experienced juveniles or helpers and, therefore, likely becomes more repeatable as individuals age. The assumption that individual variation in vigilance is related to survival was unsupported in our study and requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sahas Barve
- Archbold Research Station, 123 Main Dr., Venus, FL 33960, USA;
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Novčić I, Mlakar MM, Vidović Z, Hauber ME. Black‐headed gulls synchronize vigilance with their nearest neighbor irrespective of the neighbor's relative position. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Novčić
- Faculty of Biology University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | | | - Zoran Vidović
- Teacher Education Faculty University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
| | - Mark E. Hauber
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Illinois USA
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OUP accepted manuscript. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Barbary ground squirrels do not have a sentinel system but instead synchronize vigilance. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03094-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Davidson A, Malkinson D, Schonblum A, Koren L, Shanas U. Do boars compensate for hunting with higher reproductive hormones? CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab068. [PMID: 34512990 PMCID: PMC8415534 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The predation-stress hypothesis has been proposed as a general mechanism to explain the negative effect of predation risk on reproduction, through a chronic activation of the stress response. However, in some cases, stress appears to augment the reproductive potential of mammals. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are on a rise worldwide, despite the high hunting pressure that they are exposed to. This hunting pressure instigates, among other effects, earlier sexual maturity in juvenile females, leading to the shortening of wild boars' generation time. The mechanism that underlies this earlier sexual maturity under high hunting pressure has not been examined to date. To explore the physiological effects that hunting has on the reproductive system and whether the stress response is involved, we examined steroid hormone levels in the hair of female wild boars in northern Israel, comparing populations exposed to high and low hunting pressure. Furthermore, we compared steroid levels in the hair of female wild boars that were roaming alone or as a part of a group. We found no hormonal signs of stress in the hunted boars. Cortisol levels were low in both the high and low hunting-pressure groups. Yet, progesterone levels were higher in females that were exposed to high hunting pressure. Females roaming in a group also had higher progesterone levels compared to females that were alone, with no distinguishable differences in cortisol levels. These elevations in reproductive hormones that were associated with hunting may lead to a higher reproductive potential in female wild boars. They further show that high hunting pressure does not necessarily lead to chronic stress that impairs the reproductive potential of female wild boars. This data suggests that a reproductive hormonal response may be one of the factors leading to the rapid wild boars population growth worldwide, despite the high hunting pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achiad Davidson
- Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Dan Malkinson
- Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave.,Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, Qatzrin, 1290000, Israel
| | - Anat Schonblum
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Lee Koren
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 52900, Israel
| | - Uri Shanas
- Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- Biology and Environment, University of Haifa–Oranim,
Tivon, 3600600, Israel
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Kong D, Møller AP, Zhang Y. Disturbance and predation risk influence vigilance synchrony of black-necked cranes Grus nigricollis, but not as strongly as expected. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2289-2298. [PMID: 33717455 PMCID: PMC7920761 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals monitor surrounding dangers independently or cooperatively (synchronized and coordinated vigilance), with independent and synchronized scanning being prevalent. Coordinated vigilance, including unique sentinel behavior, is rare in nature, since it is time-consuming and limited in terms of benefits. No evidence showed animals adopt alternative vigilance strategies during antipredation scanning yet. Considering the nonindependent nature of both synchronization and coordination, we assessed whether group members could keep alert synchronously or in a coordinated fashion under different circumstance. We studied how human behavior and species-specific variables impacted individual and collective vigilance of globally threatened black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) and explored behavior-based wildlife management. We tested both predation risk (number of juveniles in group) and human disturbance (level and distance) effects on individual and collective antipredation vigilance of black-necked crane families. Adults spent significantly more time (proportion and duration) on scanning than juveniles, and parents with juveniles behaved more vigilant. Both adults and juveniles increased time allocation and duration on vigilance with observer proximity. Deviation between observed and expected collective vigilance varied with disturbance and predation risk from zero, but not significantly so, indicating that an independent vigilance strategy was adopted by black-necked crane couples. The birds showed synchronized vigilance in low disturbance areas, with fewer juveniles and far from observers; otherwise, they scanned in coordinated fashion. The collective vigilance, from synchronized to coordinated pattern, varied as a function of observer distance that helped us determine a safe distance of 403.75 m for the most vulnerable family groups with two juveniles. We argue that vigilance could constitute a prime indicator in behavior-based species conservation, and we suggesting a safe distance of at least 400 m should be considered in future tourist management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejun Kong
- Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development and Utilization of Universities in Yunnan ProvinceCollege of Agronomy and Life SciencesKunming UniversityKunmingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological EngineeringCollege of Life SciencesBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological EngineeringCollege of Life SciencesBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
- AgroParisTechEcologie Systématique et EvolutionCNRSUniversité Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
| | - Yanyun Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological EngineeringCollege of Life SciencesBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
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Davidson A, Shanas U, Malkinson D. Age- and sex-dependent vigilance behaviour modifies social structure of hunted wild boar populations. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/wr21017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Dalmau A, Martínez-Macipe M, Manteca X, Mainau E. Sex Differences in Group Composition and Habitat Use of Iberian Free-Range Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:600259. [PMID: 33344534 PMCID: PMC7744786 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.600259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to study group size, group composition and habitat use of Iberian pigs along the year when reared outdoor. This consists of a regimen in which animals are reared free range from 2 months of age until at least 14 months of age. In a first stage, animals are supplemented with concentrates, and in a second, called montanera, pigs eat just natural resources in areas with no more than two pigs per hectare. In these systems, males are castrated to avoid boar taint and females spayed to avoid the attraction and mounting by wild boars. The study was carried out in five different farms allocated in the south-west of Spain during 2 consecutive years, from March 2012 to February 2014, under the montanera regimen, and with a total of 995 animals observed (498 males and 497 females). The data were analyzed with SAS by means of general models and proc mixed. Mean group size along the year was of 17 ± 12.9 individuals, but this was significantly lower (P < 0.05) during the montanera (12 ± 0.8) and at midday (13 ± 0.8). Groups were bigger (P < 0.05) when they were more than 50 m from a tree (23 ± 1.8), or <10 m from the shelter (25 ± 1.5), the feeding area (31 ± 3.1) and the water-bath area (25 ± 1.5). Nine percent of the groups were solitary animals, being higher (P = 0.0286) during the montanera (11%) than the rest of the year (8%) and being formed in 68% by males. Males were less involved in mixed groups than were females (75% vs. 91%), especially in spring, where the largest (P < 0.0001) male groups were found. Female groups were less frequent and smaller (P < 0.0001) than were male and mixed groups. In conclusion, although males were castrated at a very young age, they showed a different behavior than females, forming in bachelor groups during the spring and being less involved in mixed groups and with more solitary animals. During the montanera, when animals were feeding on acorns and other natural resources, groups were smaller and closer to the trees, solitary males reaching a maximum percent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Dalmau
- Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Animal Welfare Program, Girona, Spain
| | - Míriam Martínez-Macipe
- Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Animal Welfare Program, Girona, Spain
| | - Xavier Manteca
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Veterinary School, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Eva Mainau
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Veterinary School, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
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Wang X, Yang L, Zhao Y, Yu C, Li Z. The group size effect and synchronization of vigilance in the Tibetan wild ass. Curr Zool 2020; 67:11-16. [PMID: 33654485 PMCID: PMC7901751 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vigilance behavior is considered as an effective strategy for prey species to detect predators. An individual benefits from living in a group by reducing the time spent being vigilant without affecting the probability of detecting a predator. However, the mechanism producing a decrease in vigilance with increasing group size is unclear. Many models of vigilance assume that group members scan independently of one another. Yet in recent studies, the other 2 patterns of vigilance, coordination and synchronization, were reported in some species. In 2 summers (2018 and 2019), we studied the group-size effect on vigilance and foraging of Tibetan wild ass in Chang Tang Nature Reserve of Tibet. We also tested whether individuals scan the environment independently, tend to coordinate their scans, or tend to synchronize their vigilance. The results showed that individuals decreased the time spent on vigilance with increasing group size, while increased the time spent foraging. Group members scanned the environment at the same time more frequently and there was a positive correlation between group members’ behaviors, indicating that Tibetan wild asses tend to synchronize their vigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Wang
- Lab of Animal Behavior and Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Le Yang
- Tibet Plateau Institute of Biology, 19 Beijing West Road, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Yumeng Zhao
- Lab of Animal Behavior and Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Cong Yu
- Lab of Animal Behavior and Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhongqiu Li
- Lab of Animal Behavior and Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Luo Y, Wang L, Yang L, Wang X, Tian X, Li Z. Unpredictability of vigilance in two sympatric Tibetan ungulates. Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunchao Luo
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior and Conservation School of Life Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering Qinghai University Xining China
| | - Lin Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior and Conservation School of Life Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing China
| | - Le Yang
- Tibet Plateau Institute of Biology Lhasa China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior and Conservation School of Life Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing China
| | - Xingjun Tian
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior and Conservation School of Life Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering Qinghai University Xining China
| | - Zhongqiu Li
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior and Conservation School of Life Sciences Nanjing University Nanjing China
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering Qinghai University Xining China
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Environmental and Management Factors Affecting the Time Budgets of Free-Ranging Iberian Pigs Reared in Spain. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10050798. [PMID: 32380690 PMCID: PMC7278481 DOI: 10.3390/ani10050798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Understanding the natural behaviour of pigs in free-range conditions facilitates the interpretation of their behaviour in intensive conditions. The present study aims to study behavioural indicators of activity in the domestic pig, reared free-range and under two feeding regimes, with some help from humans with concentrates and without help, just eating natural resources. Results confirmed that exploratory behaviour was an important behaviour for pigs, but the same animals that dedicated 50% of their time to this activity when they were not fed by humans reduced this activity to 17.8% when they were fed with concentrates. In addition, few social contacts between animals were seen in extensive conditions, with a higher incidence of negative rather than positive social behaviour. It was concluded that: (1) the need for exploring the surroundings in natural environments is of less importance for pigs when they are fed by humans, and (2) bathing areas in outdoor conditions are important for pigs in the event of warm conditions. Overall, it is concluded that natural behaviour of pigs in free-range conditions, such as a reduced foraging behaviour when pigs are fed with concentrates, should be considered when interpreting behavioural needs in intensive conditions. Abstract Understanding the natural behaviour of pigs in free-range conditions facilitates interpretation of their behaviour in intensive conditions. Studying six different farms over two years at different seasons, with climatic and management variations, allowed for a general description of Iberian pig behaviour and which factors have an influence on it. The main activity found was resting (56.5% of the time observed), followed by exploratory behaviour. However, this exploratory behaviour was higher when animals were fed only with natural resources than when fed with concentrates (50% versus 17.8%, respectively). In addition, pigs used bathing areas in summer that were not visited in winter. Negative social behaviour was seen more frequently than positive social behaviour, accounting, in total, for 1% of the total activity of animals. Pigs situated at the centre of the groups tended to remain more relaxed, while the peripheral animals remained more alert and vigilant. Our results indicate that foraging behaviour accounts for a significant proportion of pigs’ active time, but this proportion is much more reduced when pigs are fed concentrates. Therefore, behavioural needs in pigs reared in intensive conditions should consider that exploratory behaviour is reduced when pigs are fed with concentrates.
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Vigilance behaviour is more contagious when chewing stops: examining the characteristics of contagious vigilance in bighorn sheep. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2536-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Beauchamp G. Difficulties in Monitoring Conspecifics Mediate the Effects of Visual Obstruction on the Level and Synchronization of Vigilance. Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2017.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Li C, Beauchamp G, Wang Z, Cui P. Collective Vigilance in the Wintering Hooded Crane: The Role of Flock Size and Anthropogenic Disturbances in a Human-Dominated Landscape. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chunlin Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering; Anhui University; Hefei China
- Anhui Biodiversity Information Center; Hefei China
| | - Guy Beauchamp
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Montréal; St-Hyacinthe QC Canada
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering; Anhui University; Hefei China
| | - Peng Cui
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences; Ministry of Environmental Protection; Nanjing China
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