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Hori M, Takada H, Nakane Y, Minami M, Inoue E. Genetic Analysis Reveals Dispersal Patterns of Japanese Serow in Two Different Habitats of a Mountainous Region. Zoolog Sci 2024; 41:201-209. [PMID: 38587915 DOI: 10.2108/zs230055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Dispersal increases the costs of feeding and predation risk in the new environment and is reported to be biased toward habitats similar to the natal region in some mammals. The benefits and costs of dispersal often differ between sexes, and most mammals show male-biased dispersal in relation to a polygamous mating system. Japanese serow is generally a solitary and monogamous species. However, recent studies have shown that the sociality of serows on Mt. Asama differs between habitat types. In the mountain forests with low forage availability, solitary habits and social monogamy were observed, while, in alpine grasslands, female grouping and social polygyny were observed, which is probably due to abundant forage availability. We investigated the effects of habitat characteristics and sociality on the dispersal of serows using fecal and tissue samples from two different habitats on Mt. Asama. The Fst value between the two areas was significantly positive, and the mean relatedness within areas was significantly higher than that between areas, which suggests limited gene flow and natal habitat-biased dispersal. Bayesian clustering analysis showed unidirectional gene flow from forest to grassland, which was probably due to the high forage availability of the grassland. Analyses of the assignment index and mean relatedness did not show male-biased dispersal, even in the grassland, where serows were polygynous. Thus, polygyny in the grassland is not linked to male-biased dispersal. In summary, our study suggests that dispersal patterns in Japanese serows are affected by habitat rather than social differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Hori
- Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Hayato Takada
- Wildlife Management Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
- Azabu University, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
- Mount Fuji Research Institute, Yamanashi Prefecture Government, Fijiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0005, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakane
- Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Masato Minami
- Azabu University, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Eiji Inoue
- Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan,
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2
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Torretta E, Brangi A, Meriggi A. Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator-Prey Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:735. [PMID: 38473120 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050735] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The comprehension of the factors that have influenced the recent changes in wolf (Canis lupus) range and diet that have occurred in our study area, characterized by a highly heterogeneous landscape, can shed light on their current process of expansion toward the plain. Wolf presence was monitored using a standardized protocol from 2007 to 2022 by carrying out eight monitoring sessions organized in seasonal surveys, during which, we collected wolf presence data. To model wolf range dynamics, we used dynamic occupancy models considering land cover types and wild ungulate abundances as covariates. Moreover, we studied the wolf diet through scat analysis, identifying the consumed items from undigested remains. Wolf occupancy in the study area progressed from mountains to lower hills gradually; the observed range dynamics were driven by prey abundance and human presence: in particular, the probability of colonization increased with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) abundance, whereas the probability of extinction increased with urban areas. The wolf diet showed a gradual shift from the prevalent consumption of wild boar (2007-2008 and 2011-2012) to the prevalent consumption of roe deer (continuously increasing from 2015 onward). Our results might be related to a specific adaptation of the predator to the local ecology of the most consumed species: the roe deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Torretta
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Brangi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alberto Meriggi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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3
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Preckler-Quisquater S, Kierepka EM, Reding DM, Piaggio AJ, Sacks BN. Can demographic histories explain long-term isolation and recent pulses of asymmetric gene flow between highly divergent grey fox lineages? Mol Ecol 2023; 32:5323-5337. [PMID: 37632719 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Secondary contact zones between deeply divergent, yet interfertile, lineages provide windows into the speciation process. North American grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are divided into western and eastern lineages that diverged approximately 1 million years ago. These ancient lineages currently hybridize in a relatively narrow zone of contact in the southern Great Plains, a pattern more commonly observed in smaller-bodied taxa, which suggests relatively recent contact after a long period of allopatry. Based on local ancestry inference with whole-genome sequencing (n = 43), we identified two distinct Holocene pulses of admixture. The older pulse (500-3500 YBP) reflected unidirectional gene flow from east to west, whereas the more recent pulse (70-200 YBP) of admixture was bi-directional. Augmented with genotyping-by-sequencing data from 216 additional foxes, demographic analyses indicated that the eastern lineage declined precipitously after divergence, remaining small throughout most of the late Pleistocene, and expanding only during the Holocene. Genetic diversity in the eastern lineage was highest in the southeast and lowest near the contact zone, consistent with a westward expansion. Concordantly, distribution modelling indicated that during their isolation, the most suitable habitat occurred far east of today's contact zone or west of the Great Plains. Thus, long-term isolation was likely caused by the small, distant location of the eastern refugium, with recent contact reflecting a large increase in suitable habitat and corresponding demographic expansion from the eastern refugium. Ultimately, long-term isolation in grey foxes may reflect their specialized bio-climatic niche. This system presents an opportunity for future investigation of potential pre- and post-zygotic isolating mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Preckler-Quisquater
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Kierepka
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dawn M Reding
- Department of Biology, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, USA
| | - Antoinette J Piaggio
- USDA, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Genetics Lab, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Benjamin N Sacks
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Hooven ND, Springer MT, Nielsen CK, Schauber EM. Influence of natal habitat preference on habitat selection during extra-home range movements in a large ungulate. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9794. [PMID: 36760707 PMCID: PMC9897958 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) occurs when animals exhibit a preference for new habitat that is similar to that which they experienced in their natal environment, potentially leading to post-dispersal success. While the study of NHPI is typically focused on post-settlement home ranges, we investigated how this behavior may manifest during extra-home range movements (EHRMs), both to identify exploratory prospecting behavior and assess how natal habitat cues may influence path selection before settlement. We analyzed GPS collar relocation data collected during 79 EHRMs made by 34 juvenile and subadult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) across an agricultural landscape with highly fragmented forests in Illinois, USA. We developed a workflow to measure multidimensional natal habitat dissimilarity for each EHRM relocation and fit step-selection functions to evaluate whether natal habitat similarity explained habitat selection along movement paths. Across seasons, selection for natal habitat similarity was generally weak during excursive movements, but strong during dispersals, indicating that NHPI is manifested in dispersal habitat selection in this study system and bolstering the hypothesis that excursive movements differ functionally from dispersal. Our approach for extending the NHPI hypothesis to behavior during EHRMs can be applied to a variety of taxa and can expand our understanding of how individual behavioral variation and early life experience may shape connectivity and resistance across landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D. Hooven
- School of the EnvironmentWashington State UniversityPullmanWashingtonUSA
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Matthew T. Springer
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Clayton K. Nielsen
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and Department of ForestrySouthern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
| | - Eric M. Schauber
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
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Wolf Dispersal Patterns in the Italian Alps and Implications for Wildlife Diseases Spreading. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12101260. [PMID: 35625106 PMCID: PMC9137635 DOI: 10.3390/ani12101260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Wildlife dispersal directly influences population expansion patterns, and may have indirect effects on the spread of wildlife diseases. For many species, little is known about dispersal, despite its importance to conservation. We documented the natural dispersal processes of an expanding wolf (Canis lupus) population in the Italian Alps to understand the dynamics of the recolonization pattern and identify diseases that might be connected with the process through the use of non-invasive genetic sampling over a 20-year period. By documenting 55 dispersal events, with an average minimum straight dispersal distance of 65.8 km (±67.7 km), from 7.7 km to 517.2 km, we discussed the potential implications for maintaining genetic diversity of the population and for wildlife diseases spreading. Abstract Wildlife dispersal directly influences population expansion patterns, and may have indirect effects on the spread of wildlife diseases. Despite its importance to conservation, little is known about dispersal for several species. Dispersal processes in expanding wolf (Canis lupus) populations in Europe is not well documented. Documenting the natural dispersal pattern of the expanding wolf population in the Alps might help understanding the overall population dynamics and identifying diseases that might be connected with the process. We documented 55 natural dispersal events of the expanding Italian wolf alpine population over a 20-year period through the use of non-invasive genetic sampling. We examined a 16-locus microsatellite DNA dataset of 2857 wolf samples mainly collected in the Western Alps. From this, we identified 915 individuals, recaptured 387 (42.3%) of individuals, documenting 55 dispersal events. On average, the minimum straight dispersal distance was 65.8 km (±67.7 km), from 7.7 km to 517.2 km. We discussed the potential implications for maintaining genetic diversity of the population and for wildlife diseases spreading.
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Tallian A, Ordiz A, Metz MC, Zimmermann B, Wikenros C, Smith DW, Stahler DR, Wabakken P, Swenson JE, Sand H, Kindberg J. Of wolves and bears: Seasonal drivers of interference and exploitation competition between apex predators. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aimee Tallian
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research NO‐7485 Trondheim Norway
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Postbox 5003, NO‐1432 Ås Norway
- Dpto. de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental Área de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales Universidad de León Campus de Vegazana s/n 24071 León Spain
| | - Matthew C. Metz
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Douglas W. Smith
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Daniel R. Stahler
- Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park Box 168, Mammoth Hot Springs WY 82190 USA
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Evenstad NO‐2480 Koppang Norway
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Postbox 5003, NO‐1432 Ås Norway
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐739 93 Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research NO‐7485 Trondheim Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE‐901 83 Umeå Sweden
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Lugli F, Caniglia R, Mattioli L, Fabbri E, Mencucci M, Cappai N, Mucci N, Apollonio M, Scandura M. Lifelong non-invasive genetic monitoring of a philopatric female wolf in the Tuscan Apennines, Italy. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01548-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Morales-González A, Fernández-Gil A, Quevedo M, Revilla E. Patterns and determinants of dispersal in grey wolves (Canis lupus). Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:466-480. [PMID: 34664396 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Dispersal is a key demographic process involving three stages: emigration, transience and settlement; each of which is influenced by individual, social and environmental determinants. An integrated understanding of species dispersal is essential for demographic modelling and conservation planning. Here, we review the dispersal patterns and determinants documented in the scientific literature for the grey wolf (Canis lupus) across its distribution range. We showed a surprisingly high variability within and among study areas on all dispersal parameters - dispersal rate, direction, distance, duration and success. We found that such large variability is due to multiple individual, social and environmental determinants, but also due to previously overlooked methodological research issues. We revealed a potential non-linear relationship between dispersal rate and population density, with dispersal rate higher at both ends of the gradient of population density. We found that human-caused mortality reduces distance, duration and success of dispersal events. Furthermore, dispersers avoid interaction with humans, and highly exposed areas like agricultural lands hamper population connectivity in many cases. We identified numerous methodological research problems that make it difficult to obtain robust estimates of dispersal parameters and robust inferences on dispersal patterns and their determinants. In particular, analyses where confounding factors were not accounted for led to substantial knowledge gaps on all aspects of dispersal in an otherwise much-studied species. Our understanding of wolf biology and management would significantly benefit if wolf dispersal studies reported the results and possible factors affecting wolf dispersal more transparently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Morales-González
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avd. Americo Vespucio 26, Sevilla, 41092, Spain
| | - Alberto Fernández-Gil
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avd. Americo Vespucio 26, Sevilla, 41092, Spain
| | - Mario Quevedo
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, and Research Institute of Biodiversity (IMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eloy Revilla
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avd. Americo Vespucio 26, Sevilla, 41092, Spain
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9
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Zepeda E, Payne E, Wurth A, Sih A, Gehrt S. Early life experience influences dispersal in coyotes ( Canis latrans). Behav Ecol 2021; 32:728-737. [PMID: 34421364 PMCID: PMC8374878 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab027] [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: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Natal dispersal plays an important role in connecting individual animal behavior with ecological processes at all levels of biological organization. As urban environments are rapidly increasing in extent and intensity, understanding how urbanization influences these long distance movements is critical for predicting the persistence of species and communities. There is considerable variation in the movement responses of individuals within a species, some of which is attributed to behavioral plasticity which interacts with experience to produce interindividual differences in behavior. For natal dispersers, much of this experience occurs in the natal home range. Using data collected from VHF collared coyotes (Canis latrans) in the Chicago Metropolitan Area we explored the relationship between early life experience with urbanization and departure, transience, and settlement behavior. Additionally, we looked at how early life experience with urbanization influenced survival to adulthood and the likelihood of experiencing a vehicle related mortality. We found that coyotes with more developed habitat in their natal home range were more likely to disperse and tended to disperse farther than individuals with more natural habitat in their natal home range. Interestingly, our analysis produced mixed results for the relationship between natal habitat and habitat selection during settlement. Finally, we found no evidence that early life experience with urbanization influenced survival to adulthood or the likelihood of experiencing vehicular mortality. Our study provides evidence that early life exposure influences dispersal behavior; however, it remains unclear how these differences ultimately affect fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Zepeda
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Eric Payne
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ashley Wurth
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Andrew Sih
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Stanley Gehrt
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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10
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Individual Variation in Predatory Behavior, Scavenging and Seasonal Prey Availability as Potential Drivers of Coexistence between Wolves and Bears. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12090356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Several large carnivore populations are recovering former ranges, and it is important to understand interspecific interactions between overlapping species. In Scandinavia, recent research has reported that brown bear presence influences gray wolf habitat selection and kill rates. Here, we characterized the temporal use of a common prey resource by sympatric wolves and bears and described individual and seasonal variation in their direct and/or indirect interactions. Most bear–wolf interactions were indirect, via bear scavenging of wolf kills. Bears used >50% of wolf kills, whereas we did not record any wolf visit at bear kills. Adult and subadult bears visited wolf kills, but female bears with cubs of the year, the most vulnerable age class to conspecifics and other predators, did not. Wolf and bear kill rates peaked in early summer, when both targeted neonate moose calves, which coincided with a reduction in bear scavenging rate. Some bears were highly predatory and some did not kill any calf. Individual and age-class variation (in bear predation and scavenging patterns) and seasonality (in bear scavenging patterns and main prey availability of both wolves and bears) could mediate coexistence of these apex predators. Similar processes likely occur in other ecosystems with varying carnivore assemblages.
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Ordiz A, Uzal A, Milleret C, Sanz-Pérez A, Zimmermann B, Wikenros C, Wabakken P, Kindberg J, Swenson JE, Sand H. Wolf habitat selection when sympatric or allopatric with brown bears in Scandinavia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9941. [PMID: 32555291 PMCID: PMC7303184 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66626-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat selection of animals depends on factors such as food availability, landscape features, and intra- and interspecific interactions. Individuals can show several behavioral responses to reduce competition for habitat, yet the mechanisms that drive them are poorly understood. This is particularly true for large carnivores, whose fine-scale monitoring is logistically complex and expensive. In Scandinavia, the home-range establishment and kill rates of gray wolves (Canis lupus) are affected by the coexistence with brown bears (Ursus arctos). Here, we applied resource selection functions and a multivariate approach to compare wolf habitat selection within home ranges of wolves that were either sympatric or allopatric with bears. Wolves selected for lower altitudes in winter, particularly in the area where bears and wolves are sympatric, where altitude is generally higher than where they are allopatric. Wolves may follow the winter migration of their staple prey, moose (Alces alces), to lower altitudes. Otherwise, we did not find any effect of bear presence on wolf habitat selection, in contrast with our previous studies. Our new results indicate that the manifestation of a specific driver of habitat selection, namely interspecific competition, can vary at different spatial-temporal scales. This is important to understand the structure of ecological communities and the varying mechanisms underlying interspecific interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Ordiz
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, NO-2480, Koppang, Norway. .,Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Post box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway. .,School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0FQ, UK.
| | - Antonio Uzal
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0FQ, UK
| | - Cyril Milleret
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Post box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Ana Sanz-Pérez
- Biodiversity and Animal Conservation Lab, Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), 25280, Solsona, Spain
| | - Barbara Zimmermann
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, NO-2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Petter Wabakken
- Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Evenstad, NO-2480, Koppang, Norway
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umea, Sweden
| | - Jon E Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Post box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsӧ Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- L. David Mech
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Jamestown ND 58401USA
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13
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Adducci A, Jasperse J, Riley S, Brown J, Honeycutt R, Monzón J. Urban coyotes are genetically distinct from coyotes in natural habitats. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractUrbanization is increasing throughout the world, transforming natural habitats. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are found in highly urban, suburban, rural and undeveloped mountainous habitats, making them an exemplary model organism to investigate the effects of urbanization on animals. We hypothesized that coyotes in natural habitats are more genetically related to distant coyotes in similar natural habitats and less related to coyotes in urban areas due to natal habitat-biased dispersal. We also hypothesized that increasing urbanization would result in decreased genetic diversity due to habitat fragmentation, dispersal barriers and genetic drift. We analyzed 10 microsatellite genetic markers from 125 individual coyotes sampled across a spectrum of highly urban to highly natural areas in southern California. Most coyotes clustered into four distinct genetic populations, whereas others appeared to have admixed ancestry. Three genetic populations were associated primarily with urban habitats in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. In contrast, the remaining population was associated with more naturally vegetated land near the surrounding mountains. Coyotes living in natural areas formed a genetically distinct cluster despite long geographic distances separating them. Genetic diversity was negatively associated with urban/suburban land cover and local road density, and positively associated with the relative amount of natural vegetation. These results indicate that genetic differentiation and loss of genetic diversity coincided with the extremely rapid expansion of Greater Los Angeles throughout the 1900s. Thus, urbanization reduces gene flow and erodes genetic diversity even in a habitat generalist thought to be minimally impacted by land development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Adducci
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263, USA
| | - Jeremy Jasperse
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263, USA
| | - Seth Riley
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, National Park Service, 401 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA
| | - Justin Brown
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, National Park Service, 401 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA
| | - Rodney Honeycutt
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263, USA
| | - Javier Monzón
- Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263, USA
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14
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Testing the influence of habitat experienced during the natal phase on habitat selection later in life in Scandinavian wolves. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6526. [PMID: 31024020 PMCID: PMC6484024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42835-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) occurs when characteristics of the natal habitat influence the future habitat selection of an animal. However, the influence of NHPI after the dispersal phase has received remarkably little attention. We tested whether exposure to humans in the natal habitat helps understand why some adult wolves Canis lupus may approach human settlements more than other conspecifics, a question of both ecological and management interest. We quantified habitat selection patterns within home ranges using resource selection functions and GPS data from 21 wolf pairs in Scandinavia. We identified the natal territory of each wolf with genetic parental assignment, and we used human-related characteristics within the natal territory to estimate the degree of anthropogenic influence in the early life of each wolf. When the female of the adult wolf pair was born in an area with a high degree of anthropogenic influence, the wolf pair tended to select areas further away from humans, compared to wolf pairs from natal territories with a low degree of anthropogenic influence. Yet the pattern was statistically weak, we suggest that our methodological approach can be useful in other systems to better understand NHPI and to inform management about human-wildlife interactions.
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