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Schindler AR, Fox AD, Wikle CK, Ballard BM, Walsh AJ, Kelly SBA, Cao L, Griffin LR, Weegman MD. Energetic trade-offs in migration decision-making, reproductive effort and subsequent parental care in a long-distance migratory bird. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232016. [PMID: 38378152 PMCID: PMC10878804 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Migratory species trade-off long-distance movement with survival and reproduction, but the spatio-temporal scales at which these decisions occur are relatively unknown. Technological and statistical advances allow fine-scale study of animal decision-making, improving our understanding of possible causes and therefore conservation management. We quantified effects of reproductive preparation during spring migration on subsequent breeding outcomes, breeding outcomes on autumn migration characteristics and autumn migration characteristics on subsequent parental survival in Greenland white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons flavirostris). These are long-distance migratory birds with an approximately 50% population decline from 1999 to 2022. We deployed GPS-acceleration devices on adult females to quantify up to 5 years of individual decision-making throughout the annual cycle. Weather and habitat-use affected time spent feeding and overall dynamic body acceleration (i.e. energy expenditure) during spring and autumn. Geese that expended less energy and fed longer during spring were more likely to successfully reproduce. Geese with offspring expended more energy and fed for less time during autumn, potentially representing adverse fitness consequences of breeding. These behavioural comparisons among Greenland white-fronted geese improve our understanding of fitness trade-offs underlying abundance. We provide a reproducible framework for full annual cycle modelling using location and behaviour data, applicable to similarly studied migratory animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R. Schindler
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Anthony D. Fox
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 4–8, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Bart M. Ballard
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Alyn J. Walsh
- National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin, D07 N7CV, Ireland
| | | | - Lei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Larry R. Griffin
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucester GL2 7BT, UK
- ECO-LG Limited, Crooks House, Mabie, Dumfries, DG2 8EY, UK
| | - Mitch D. Weegman
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2, Canada
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2
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English HM, Börger L, Kane A, Ciuti S. Advances in biologging can identify nuanced energetic costs and gains in predators. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2024; 12:7. [PMID: 38254232 PMCID: PMC10802026 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-024-00448-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Foraging is a key driver of animal movement patterns, with specific challenges for predators which must search for mobile prey. These patterns are increasingly impacted by global changes, principally in land use and climate. Understanding the degree of flexibility in predator foraging and social strategies is pertinent to wildlife conservation under global change, including potential top-down effects on wider ecosystems. Here we propose key future research directions to better understand foraging strategies and social flexibility in predators. In particular, rapid continued advances in biologging technology are helping to record and understand dynamic behavioural and movement responses of animals to environmental changes, and their energetic consequences. Data collection can be optimised by calibrating behavioural interpretation methods in captive settings and strategic tagging decisions within and between social groups. Importantly, many species' social systems are increasingly being found to be more flexible than originally described in the literature, which may be more readily detectable through biologging approaches than behavioural observation. Integrating the effects of the physical landscape and biotic interactions will be key to explaining and predicting animal movements and energetic balance in a changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M English
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Luca Börger
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Adam Kane
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simone Ciuti
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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3
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Kaidarova A, Geraldi NR, Wilson RP, Kosel J, Meekan MG, Eguíluz VM, Hussain MM, Shamim A, Liao H, Srivastava M, Saha SS, Strano MS, Zhang X, Ooi BS, Holton M, Hopkins LW, Jin X, Gong X, Quintana F, Tovasarov A, Tasmagambetova A, Duarte CM. Wearable sensors for monitoring marine environments and their inhabitants. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:1208-1220. [PMID: 37365259 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01827-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Human societies depend on marine ecosystems, but their degradation continues. Toward mitigating this decline, new and more effective ways to precisely measure the status and condition of marine environments are needed alongside existing rebuilding strategies. Here, we provide an overview of how sensors and wearable technology developed for humans could be adapted to improve marine monitoring. We describe barriers that have slowed the transition of this technology from land to sea, update on the developments in sensors to advance ocean observation and advocate for more widespread use of wearables on marine organisms in the wild and in aquaculture. We propose that large-scale use of wearables could facilitate the concept of an 'internet of marine life' that might contribute to a more robust and effective observation system for the oceans and commercial aquaculture operations. These observations may aid in rationalizing strategies toward conservation and restoration of marine communities and habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altynay Kaidarova
- Red Sea Research Center and Computational Biosciences Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
- Central Asian Institute of Ecological Research, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
| | - Nathan R Geraldi
- Red Sea Research Center and Computational Biosciences Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- NatureMetrics, Guildford, UK
| | - Rory P Wilson
- Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Jürgen Kosel
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Sensors Systems Division, Silicon Austria Labs, High Tech Campus, Villach, Austria
| | - Mark G Meekan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Oceans Institute, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Víctor M Eguíluz
- Instituto de Física Interdisciplinary Sistemas Complejos IFISC (CSIC-UIB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | | | - Atif Shamim
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanguang Liao
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mani Srivastava
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Swapnil Sayan Saha
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Strano
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xiangliang Zhang
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Boon S Ooi
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mark Holton
- Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Lloyd W Hopkins
- Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Xiaojia Jin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xun Gong
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Flavio Quintana
- Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos (IBIOMAR), CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | | | | | - Carlos M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Center and Computational Biosciences Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Couzin ID, Heins C. Emerging technologies for behavioral research in changing environments. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:346-354. [PMID: 36509561 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The first response exhibited by animals to changing environments is typically behavioral. Behavior is thus central to predicting, and mitigating, the impacts that natural and anthropogenic environmental changes will have on populations and, consequently, ecosystems. Yet the inherently multiscale nature of behavior, as well as the complexities associated with inferring how animals perceive their world, and make decisions, has constrained the scope of behavioral research. Major technological advances in electronics and in machine learning, however, provide increasingly powerful means to see, analyze, and interpret behavior in its natural complexity. We argue that these disruptive technologies will foster new approaches that will allow us to move beyond quantitative descriptions and reveal the underlying generative processes that give rise to behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain D Couzin
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany; Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour & Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Conor Heins
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany; Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour & Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany
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5
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Wiley DN, Zadra CJ, Friedlaender AS, Parks SE, Pensarosa A, Rogan A, Alex Shorter K, Urbán J, Kerr I. Deployment of biologging tags on free swimming large whales using uncrewed aerial systems. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:221376. [PMID: 37090967 PMCID: PMC10113809 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Suction-cup-attached biologging tags have led to major advances in our understanding of large whale behaviour. Getting close enough to a whale at sea to safely attach a tag is a major limiting factor when deploying these systems. Here we present an uncrewed aerial system (UAS)-based tagging technique for free-swimming large whales and provide data on efficacy from field testing on blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and fin (B. physalus) whales. Rapid transit speed and the bird's-eye view of the animal during UAS tagging contributed to the technique's success. During 8 days of field testing, we had 29 occasions when a focal animal was identified for attempted tagging and tags were successfully attached 21 times. The technique was efficient, with mean flight time of 2 min 45 s from launch to deployment and a mean distance of 490 m from the launch vessel to tagged animal, reducing potential adverse effects resulting from close approaches for tagging. These data indicate that UAS are capable of attaching biologging tags to free-swimming large whales quickly and from large distances, potentially increasing success rates, decreasing attempt times, and reducing animal disruption during tagging.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N. Wiley
- Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Services, 175 Edward Foster Road, Scituate, MA 02066, USA
| | | | - Ari S. Friedlaender
- Institute for Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz 95064, CA, USA
| | - Susan E. Parks
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 114 Life Science Complex, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Alicia Pensarosa
- Ocean Alliance, Inc., 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
| | - Andy Rogan
- Ocean Alliance, Inc., 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
| | - K. Alex Shorter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jorge Urbán
- Department of the Coastal and Marine Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz 23084, Mexico
| | - Iain Kerr
- Ocean Alliance, Inc., 32 Horton Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
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6
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Wilson RP, Rose KA, Gunner R, Holton MD, Marks NJ, Bennett NC, Bell SH, Twining JP, Hesketh J, Duarte CM, Bezodis N, Jezek M, Painter M, Silovsky V, Crofoot MC, Harel R, Arnould JPY, Allan BM, Whisson DA, Alagaili A, Scantlebury DM. Animal lifestyle affects acceptable mass limits for attached tags. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20212005. [PMID: 34702077 PMCID: PMC8548787 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal-attached devices have transformed our understanding of vertebrate ecology. To minimize any associated harm, researchers have long advocated that tag masses should not exceed 3% of carrier body mass. However, this ignores tag forces resulting from animal movement. Using data from collar-attached accelerometers on 10 diverse free-ranging terrestrial species from koalas to cheetahs, we detail a tag-based acceleration method to clarify acceptable tag mass limits. We quantify animal athleticism in terms of fractions of animal movement time devoted to different collar-recorded accelerations and convert those accelerations to forces (acceleration × tag mass) to allow derivation of any defined force limits for specified fractions of any animal's active time. Specifying that tags should exert forces that are less than 3% of the gravitational force exerted on the animal's body for 95% of the time led to corrected tag masses that should constitute between 1.6% and 2.98% of carrier mass, depending on athleticism. Strikingly, in four carnivore species encompassing two orders of magnitude in mass (ca 2–200 kg), forces exerted by ‘3%' tags were equivalent to 4–19% of carrier body mass during moving, with a maximum of 54% in a hunting cheetah. This fundamentally changes how acceptable tag mass limits should be determined by ethics bodies, irrespective of the force and time limits specified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory P Wilson
- Swansea Laboratory for Animal Movement, Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Kayleigh A Rose
- Swansea Laboratory for Animal Movement, Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Richard Gunner
- Swansea Laboratory for Animal Movement, Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Mark D Holton
- College of Science, Swansea University, Fabian Way, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
| | - Nikki J Marks
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Stephen H Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Joshua P Twining
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Jamie Hesketh
- Swansea Laboratory for Animal Movement, Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Centre, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Neil Bezodis
- Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Bay Campus, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
| | - Milos Jezek
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Painter
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Silovsky
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Margaret C Crofoot
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Bücklestraβe 5, Konstanz D-78467, Germany
| | - Roi Harel
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Bücklestraβe 5, Konstanz D-78467, Germany.,Germany and Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz 78457, Germany
| | - John P Y Arnould
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VC 3125, Victoria, Australia
| | - Blake M Allan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VC 3125, Victoria, Australia
| | - Desley A Whisson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VC 3125, Victoria, Australia
| | - Abdulaziz Alagaili
- KSU Mammals Research Chair, Zoology Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Williams HJ, Shipley JR, Rutz C, Wikelski M, Wilkes M, Hawkes LA. Future trends in measuring physiology in free-living animals. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200230. [PMID: 34176330 PMCID: PMC8237165 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Thus far, ecophysiology research has predominantly been conducted within controlled laboratory-based environments, owing to a mismatch between the recording technologies available for physiological monitoring in wild animals and the suite of behaviours and environments they need to withstand, without unduly affecting subjects. While it is possible to record some physiological variables for free-living animals using animal-attached logging devices, including inertial-measurement, heart-rate and temperature loggers, the field is still in its infancy. In this opinion piece, we review the most important future research directions for advancing the field of 'physiologging' in wild animals, including the technological development that we anticipate will be required, and the fiscal and ethical challenges that must be overcome. Non-invasive, multi-sensor miniature devices are ubiquitous in the world of human health and fitness monitoring, creating invaluable opportunities for animal and human physiologging to drive synergistic advances. We argue that by capitalizing on the research efforts and advancements made in the development of human wearables, it will be possible to design the non-invasive loggers needed by ecophysiologists to collect accurate physiological data from free-ranging animals ethically and with an absolute minimum of impact. In turn, findings have the capacity to foster transformative advances in human health monitoring. Thus, we invite biomedical engineers and researchers to collaborate with the animal-tagging community to drive forward the advancements necessary to realize the full potential of both fields. This article is part of the theme issue 'Measuring physiology in free-living animals (Part II)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. J. Williams
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - J. Ryan Shipley
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - C. Rutz
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - M. Wikelski
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - M. Wilkes
- Extreme Environments Research Group, University of Portsmouth, Spinnaker Building, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth PO1 2EF, UK
| | - L. A. Hawkes
- Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
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8
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Wascher CAF. Heart rate as a measure of emotional arousal in evolutionary biology. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2021; 376:20200479. [PMID: 34176323 PMCID: PMC8237168 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
How individuals interact with their environment and respond to changes is a key area of research in evolutionary biology. A physiological parameter that provides an instant proxy for the activation of the automatic nervous system, and can be measured relatively easily, is modulation of heart rate. Over the past four decades, heart rate has been used to assess emotional arousal in non-human animals in a variety of contexts, including social behaviour, animal cognition, animal welfare and animal personality. In this review, I summarize how measuring heart rate has provided new insights into how social animals cope with challenges in their environment. I assess the advantages and limitations of different technologies used to measure heart rate in this context, including wearable heart rate belts and implantable transmitters, and provide an overview of prospective research avenues using established and new technologies, with a special focus on implications for applied research on animal welfare. This article is part of the theme issue 'Measuring physiology in free-living animals (Part II)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia A. F. Wascher
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT, United Kingdom
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