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Otte PJ, Cromsigt JPGM, Smit C, Hofmeester TR. Snow cover-related camouflage mismatch increases detection by predators. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:327-337. [PMID: 38247310 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Camouflage expressed by animals is an adaptation to local environments that certain animals express to maximize survival and fitness. Animals at higher latitudes change their coat color according to a seasonally changing environment, expressing a white coat in winter and a darker coat in summer. The timing of molting is tightly linked to the appearance and disappearance of snow and is mainly regulated by photoperiod. However, due to climate change, an increasing mismatch is observed between the coat color of these species and their environment. Here, we conducted an experiment in northern Sweden, with white and brown decoys to study how camouflage (mis)-match influenced (1) predator attraction to decoys, and (2) predation events. Using camera trap data, we showed that mismatching decoys attracted more predators and experienced a higher likelihood of predation events in comparison to matching decoys, suggesting that camouflage mismatched animals experience increased detection by predators. These results provide insight into the function of a seasonal color coat and the need for this adaptation to maximize fitness in an environment that is exposed to high seasonality. Thus, our results suggest that, with increasing climate change and reduced snow cover, animals expressing a seasonal color coat will experience a decrease in survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter J Otte
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joris P G M Cromsigt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - Christian Smit
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tim R Hofmeester
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
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2
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Kuntze CC, Pauli JN, Zulla CJ, Keane JJ, Roberts KN, Dotters BP, Sawyer SC, Peery MZ. Landscape heterogeneity provides co-benefits to predator and prey. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2908. [PMID: 37602901 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Predator populations are imperiled globally, due in part to changing habitat and trophic interactions. Theoretical and laboratory studies suggest that heterogeneous landscapes containing prey refuges acting as source habitats can benefit both predator and prey populations, although the importance of heterogeneity in natural systems is uncertain. Here, we tested the hypothesis that landscape heterogeneity mediates predator-prey interactions between the California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis)-a mature forest species-and one of its principal prey, the dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes)-a younger forest species-to the benefit of both. We did so by combining estimates of woodrat density and survival from live trapping and very high frequency tracking with direct observations of prey deliveries to dependent young by owls in both heterogeneous and homogeneous home ranges. Woodrat abundance was ~2.5 times higher in owl home ranges (14.12 km2 ) featuring greater heterogeneity in vegetation types (1805.0 ± 50.2 SE) compared to those dominated by mature forest (727.3 ± 51.9 SE), in large part because of high densities in young forests appearing to act as sources promoting woodrat densities in nearby mature forests. Woodrat mortality rates were low across vegetation types and did not differ between heterogeneous and homogeneous home ranges, yet all observed predation by owls occurred within mature forests, suggesting young forests may act as woodrat refuges. Owls exhibited a type 1 functional response, consuming ~2.5 times more woodrats in heterogeneous (31.1/month ± 5.2 SE) versus homogeneous (12.7/month ± 3.7 SE) home ranges. While consumption of smaller-bodied alternative prey partially compensated for lower woodrat consumption in homogeneous home ranges, owls nevertheless consumed 30% more biomass in heterogeneous home ranges-approximately equivalent to the energetic needs of producing one additional offspring. Thus, a mosaic of vegetation types including young forest patches increased woodrat abundance and availability that, in turn, provided energetic and potentially reproductive benefits to mature forest-associated spotted owls. More broadly, our findings provide strong empirical evidence that heterogeneous landscapes containing prey refuges can benefit both predator and prey populations. As anthropogenic activities continue to homogenize landscapes globally, promoting heterogeneous systems with prey refuges may benefit imperiled predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corbin C Kuntze
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jonathan N Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ceeanna J Zulla
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - John J Keane
- U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Davis, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - M Zachariah Peery
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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3
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Peltier TR, Shiratsuru S, Zuckerberg B, Romanski M, Potvin L, Edwards A, Gilbert JH, Aldred TR, Dassow A, Pauli JN. Phenotypic variation in the molt characteristics of a seasonal coat color-changing species reveals limited resilience to climate change. Oecologia 2023; 202:69-82. [PMID: 37165146 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05371-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) possesses a broad suite of adaptations to winter, including a seasonal coat color molt. Recently, climate change has been implicated in the range contraction of snowshoe hares along the southern range boundary. With shortening snow season duration, snowshoe hares are experiencing increased camouflage mismatch with their environment reducing survival. Phenological variation of hare molt at regional scales could facilitate local adaptation in the face of climate change, but the level of variation, especially along the southern range boundary, is unknown. Using a network of trail cameras and historical museum specimens, we (1) developed contemporary and historical molt phenology curves in the Upper Great Lakes region, USA, (2) calculated molt rate and variability in and among populations, and (3) quantified the relationship of molt characteristics to environmental conditions for snowshoe hares across North America. We found that snowshoe hares across the region exhibited similar fall and spring molt phenologies, rates and variation. Yet, an insular island population of hares on Isle Royale National Park, MI, completed their molt a week earlier in the fall and initiated molt almost 2 weeks later in the spring as well as exhibited slower rates of molting in the fall season compared to the mainland. Over the last 100 years, snowshoe hares across the region have not shifted in fall molt timing; though contemporary spring molt appears to have advanced by 17 days (~ 4 days per decade) compared to historical molt phenology. Our research indicates that some variation in molt phenology exists for snowshoe hares in the Upper Great Lakes region, but whether this variation is enough to offset the consequences of climate change remains to be seen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R Peltier
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Shotaro Shiratsuru
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Mark Romanski
- National Park Service, Isle Royale National Park, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA
| | - Lynette Potvin
- National Park Service, Isle Royale National Park, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA
| | - Andrew Edwards
- Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Bayfield, WI, 54814, USA
| | | | - Tanya R Aldred
- Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 54861, USA
| | - Ann Dassow
- United States Forest Service, Medford, WI, 54451, USA
| | - Jonathan N Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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4
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Wilson EC, Cousins S, Etter DR, Humphreys JM, Roloff GJ, Carter NH. Habitat and climatic associations of climate-sensitive species along a southern range boundary. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10083. [PMID: 37214615 PMCID: PMC10191803 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change and habitat loss are recognized as important drivers of shifts in wildlife species' geographic distributions. While often considered independently, there is considerable overlap between these drivers, and understanding how they contribute to range shifts can predict future species assemblages and inform effective management. Our objective was to evaluate the impacts of habitat, climatic, and anthropogenic effects on the distributions of climate-sensitive vertebrates along a southern range boundary in Northern Michigan, USA. We combined multiple sources of occurrence data, including harvest and citizen-science data, then used hierarchical Bayesian spatial models to determine habitat and climatic associations for four climate-sensitive vertebrate species (American marten [Martes americana], snowshoe hare [Lepus americanus], ruffed grouse [Bonasa umbellus] and moose [Alces alces]). We used total basal area of at-risk forest types to represent habitat, and temperature and winter habitat indices to represent climate. Marten associated with upland spruce-fir and lowland riparian forest types, hares with lowland conifer and aspen-birch, grouse with lowland riparian hardwoods, and moose with upland spruce-fir. Species differed in climatic drivers with hares positively associated with cooler annual temperatures, moose with cooler summer temperatures and grouse with colder winter temperatures. Contrary to expectations, temperature variables outperformed winter habitat indices. Model performance varied greatly among species, as did predicted distributions along the southern edge of the Northwoods region. As multiple species were associated with lowland riparian and upland spruce-fir habitats, these results provide potential for efficient prioritization of habitat management. Both direct and indirect effects from climate change are likely to impact the distribution of climate-sensitive species in the future and the use of multiple data types and sources in the modelling of species distributions can result in more accurate predictions resulting in improved management at policy-relevant scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan C. Wilson
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Stella Cousins
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | | | - John M. Humphreys
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceSidneyMontanaUSA
| | - Gary J. Roloff
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Neil H. Carter
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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5
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Oli MK, Kenney AJ, Boonstra R, Boutin S, Murray DL, Peers MJL, Gilbert BS, Jung TS, Chaudhary V, Hines JE, Krebs CJ. Does coat colour influence survival? A test in a cyclic population of snowshoe hares. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221421. [PMID: 37015272 PMCID: PMC10072933 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Some mammal species inhabiting high-latitude biomes have evolved a seasonal moulting pattern that improves camouflage via white coats in winter and brown coats in summer. In many high-latitude and high-altitude areas, the duration and depth of snow cover has been substantially reduced in the last five decades. This reduction in depth and duration of snow cover may create a mismatch between coat colour and colour of the background environment, and potentially reduce the survival rate of species that depend on crypsis. We used long-term (1977-2020) field data and capture-mark-recapture models to test the hypothesis that whiteness of the coat influences winter apparent survival in a cyclic population of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) at Kluane, Yukon, Canada. Whiteness of the snowshoe hare coat in autumn declined during this study, and snowshoe hares with a greater proportion of whiteness in their coats in autumn survived better during winter. However, whiteness of the coat in spring did not affect subsequent summer survival. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the timing of coat colour change in autumn can reduce overwinter survival. Because declines in cyclic snowshoe hare populations are strongly affected by low winter survival, the timing of coat colour change may adversely affect snowshoe hare population dynamics as climate change continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madan K Oli
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - Alice J Kenney
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada M1C 1A4
| | | | - Dennis L Murray
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9L 1Z8
| | | | - B Scott Gilbert
- Renewable Resources Management Program, Yukon University, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Y1A 5K4
| | - Thomas S Jung
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
- Department of Environment, Government of Yukon, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Y1A 2C6
| | - Vratika Chaudhary
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - James E Hines
- U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
| | - Charles J Krebs
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z4
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6
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Ferreira MS, Thurman TJ, Jones MR, Farelo L, Kumar AV, Mortimer SME, Demboski JR, Mills LS, Alves PC, Melo-Ferreira J, Good JM. The evolution of white-tailed jackrabbit camouflage in response to past and future seasonal climates. Science 2023; 379:1238-1242. [PMID: 36952420 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade3984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The genetic basis of adaptive traits has rarely been used to predict future vulnerability of populations to climate change. We show that light versus dark seasonal pelage in white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) tracks snow cover and is primarily determined by genetic variation at endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), corin serine peptidase (CORIN), and agouti signaling protein (ASIP). Winter color variation was associated with deeply divergent alleles at these genes, reflecting selection on both ancestral and introgressed variation. Forecasted reductions in snow cover are likely to induce widespread camouflage mismatch. However, simulated populations with variation for darker winter pelage are predicted to adapt rapidly, providing a trait-based genetic framework to facilitate evolutionary rescue. These discoveries demonstrate how the genetic basis of climate change adaptation can inform conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda S Ferreira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Timothy J Thurman
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Matthew R Jones
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Liliana Farelo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Alexander V Kumar
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - John R Demboski
- Zoology Department, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, USA
| | - L Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Paulo C Alves
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - José Melo-Ferreira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Jeffrey M Good
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
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7
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Kumar AV, Zimova M, Martin TE, Mills LS. Contrasting seasonal effects of climate change influence density in a cold-adapted species. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:6228-6238. [PMID: 35899554 PMCID: PMC9804553 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Many ecological processes are profoundly influenced by abiotic factors, such as temperature and snow. However, despite strong evidence linking shifts in these ecological processes to corresponding shifts in abiotic factors driven by climate change, the mechanisms connecting population size to season-specific climate drivers are little understood. Using a 21-year dataset and a Bayesian state space model, we identified biologically informed seasonal climate covariates that influenced densities of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), a cold-adapted boreal herbivore. We found that snow and temperature had strong but conflicting season-dependent effects. Reduced snow duration in spring and fall and warmer summers were associated with lowered hare density, whereas warmer winters were associated with increased density. When modeled simultaneously and under two climate change scenarios, the negative effects of reduced fall and spring snow duration and warmer summers overwhelm the positive effect of warmer winters, producing projected population declines. Ultimately, the contrasting population-level impacts of climate change across seasons emphasize the critical need to examine the entire annual climate cycle to understand potential long-term population consequences of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Kumar
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Wildlife Biology ProgramUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
| | - Marketa Zimova
- Department of BiologyAppalachian State UniversityBooneNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Thomas E. Martin
- U. S. Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research UnitUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
| | - L. Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology ProgramUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
- Wildlife Biology Program and Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative ScholarshipUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
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8
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Zimova M, Moberg D, Mills LS, Dietz AJ, Angerbjörn A. Colour moult phenology and camouflage mismatch in polymorphic populations of Arctic foxes. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220334. [PMID: 36382371 PMCID: PMC9667137 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Species that seasonally moult from brown to white to match snowy backgrounds become conspicuous and experience increased predation risk as snow cover duration declines. Long-term adaptation to camouflage mismatch in a changing climate might occur through phenotypic plasticity in colour moult phenology and or evolutionary shifts in moult rate or timing. Also, adaptation may include evolutionary shifts towards winter brown phenotypes that forgo the winter white moult. Most studies of these processes have occurred in winter white populations, with little attention to polymorphic populations with sympatric winter brown and winter white morphs. Here, we used remote camera traps to record moult phenology and mismatch in two polymorphic populations of Arctic foxes in Sweden over 2 years. We found that the colder, more northern population moulted earlier in the autumn and later in the spring. Next, foxes moulted earlier in the autumn and later in the spring during colder and snowier years. Finally, white foxes experienced relatively low camouflage mismatch while blue foxes were mismatched against snowy backgrounds most of the autumn through the spring. Because the brown-on-white mismatch imposes no evident costs, we predict that as snow duration decreases, increasing blue morph frequencies might help facilitate species persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Zimova
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Dick Moberg
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
| | - L. Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences - Evenstad, 2418 Elverum, Norway
| | - Andreas J. Dietz
- German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD), German Aerospace Center (DLR), 82234 Wessling, Germany
| | - Anders Angerbjörn
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
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9
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Smith MM, Erb JD, Pauli JN. Seasonality drives the survival landscape of a recovering forest carnivore in a changing world. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220833. [PMID: 35892213 PMCID: PMC9326265 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological heterogeneity promotes species persistence and diversity. Environmental change has, however, eroded patterns of heterogeneity globally, stifling species recovery. To test the effects of seasonal heterogeneity on a reintroduced carnivore, American martens (Martes americana), we compared metrics of local and season-specific heterogeneity to traditional forest metrics on the survival of 242 individuals across 8 years and predicted a survival landscape for 13 reintroduction sites. We found that heterogeneity-created by forest structure in the growing season and snow in the winter-improved survival and outperformed traditional forest metrics. Spatial variation in heterogeneity created a distinct survival landscape, but seasonal change in heterogeneity generated temporal discordance. All translocation sites possessed high forest heterogeneity but there were greater differences in winter heterogeneity; recovery sites with the poorest snow conditions had the lowest viability. Our work links heterogeneity across seasons to fitness and suggests that management strategies that increase seasonal aspects of heterogeneity may help to recover other sensitive species to continuing environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M. Smith
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - John D. Erb
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA
| | - Jonathan N. Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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10
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Rudolf MF, Wilson EC, Pauli JN. Anomalous snow events increase mortality for a winter-adapted species. CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2022-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Winter is a costly time for animals, requiring individuals to adapt to increased energetic costs, and reduced resources. Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum Linnaeus, 1758) confront winter by storing and catabolizing somatic stores. Increasing temperatures and attenuated snow conditions due to climate change increase porcupine survival, but impacts of greater weather variability has not been explored. In April of 2018, an anomalously heavy and late snowstorm occurred at our long-term study site in central Wisconsin followed by multiple mortalities among adult porcupines. We assessed cause of mortality and determined nutritional condition by extracting bone marrow, and quantifying lipid content. Porcupines that died following the snow event had lower fat stores than the fall 2019 group, and likely died of starvation. We estimated survival of female porcupines during the winters 2012 & 2015-2018 to assess the effects of snow conditions and nutritional condition on survival. Survival declined with increased snow depth but increased with improved nutritional condition. The mass starvation event we observed in 2018 appeared to have resulted from deep snow increasing locomotive costs and reducing nutritional condition. As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, including extreme snowfalls, we predict that the frequency of such clustered mortalities will increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Floren Rudolf
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Evan Costello Wilson
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
- University of Michigan, 1259, School of Environment and Sustainability, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States,
| | - Jonathan N Pauli
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
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11
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Wilson EC, Zuckerberg B, Peery MZ, Pauli JN. Experimental repatriation of snowshoe hares along a southern range boundary reveals historical community interactions. ECOL MONOGR 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evan C. Wilson
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - M. Zachariah Peery
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Jonathan N. Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin Madison Wisconsin USA
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12
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Wuthrich KL, Nagel A, Swierk L. Rapid Body Color Change Provides Lizards with Facultative Crypsis in the Eyes of Their Avian Predators. Am Nat 2021; 199:277-290. [DOI: 10.1086/717678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Lin Wuthrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902
| | - Amber Nagel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019
| | - Lindsey Swierk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511; and Amazon Conservatory for Tropical Studies, Iquitos, Loreto 16001, Perú
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13
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Townsend PA, Clare JDJ, Liu N, Stenglein JL, Anhalt‐Depies C, Van Deelen TR, Gilbert NA, Singh A, Martin KJ, Zuckerberg B. Snapshot Wisconsin: networking community scientists and remote sensing to improve ecological monitoring and management. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02436. [PMID: 34374154 PMCID: PMC9286556 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biological data collection is entering a new era. Community science, satellite remote sensing (SRS), and local forms of remote sensing (e.g., camera traps and acoustic recordings) have enabled biological data to be collected at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales and resolution. There is growing interest in developing observation networks to collect and synthesize data to improve broad-scale ecological monitoring, but no examples of such networks have emerged to inform decision-making by agencies. Here, we present the implementation of one such jurisdictional observation network (JON), Snapshot Wisconsin, which links synoptic environmental data derived from SRS to biodiversity observations collected continuously from a trail camera network to support management decision-making. We use several examples to illustrate that Snapshot Wisconsin improves the spatial, temporal, and biological resolution and extent of information available to support management, filling gaps associated with traditional monitoring and enabling consideration of new management strategies. JONs like Snapshot Wisconsin further strengthen monitoring inference by contributing novel lines of evidence useful for corroboration or integration. SRS provides environmental context that facilitates inference, prediction, and forecasting, and ultimately helps managers formulate, test, and refine conceptual models for the monitored systems. Although these approaches pose challenges, Snapshot Wisconsin demonstrates that expansive observation networks can be tractably managed by agencies to support decision making, providing a powerful new tool for agencies to better achieve their missions and reshape the nature of environmental decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip A. Townsend
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
| | - John D. J. Clare
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
| | - Nanfeng Liu
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
| | | | - Christine Anhalt‐Depies
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
- Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesMadisonWisconsin53707USA
| | - Timothy R. Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
| | - Neil A. Gilbert
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
| | - Aditya Singh
- Department of Agricultural and Biological EngineeringUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida32603USA
| | - Karl J. Martin
- Division of ExtensionUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
| | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsin53706USA
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14
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Richmond IC, Balluffi-Fry J, Vander Wal E, Leroux SJ, Rizzuto M, Heckford TR, Kennah JL, Riefesel GR, Wiersma YF. Individual snowshoe hares manage risk differently: integrating stoichiometric distribution models and foraging ecology. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Herbivores making space use decisions must consider the trade-off between perceived predation risk and forage quality. Herbivores, specifically snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), must constantly navigate landscapes that vary in predation risk and food quality, providing researchers with the opportunity to explore the factors that govern their foraging decisions. Herein, we tested predictions that intersect the risk allocation hypothesis (RAH) and optimal foraging theory (OFT) in a spatially explicit ecological stoichiometry framework to assess the trade-off between predation risk and forage quality. We used individual and population estimates of snowshoe hare (n = 29) space use derived from biotelemetry across three summers. We evaluated resource forage quality for lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), a common and readily available forage species within our system, using carbon:nitrogen and carbon:phosphorus ratios. We used habitat complexity to proxy perceived predation risk. We analyzed how forage quality of blueberry, perceived predation risk, and their interaction impact the intensity of herbivore space use. We used generalized mixed effects models, structured to enable us to make inferences at the population and individual home range level. We did not find support for RAH and OFT. However, variation in the individual-level reactions norms in our models showed that individual hares have unique responses to forage quality and perceived predation risk. Our finding of individual-level responses indicates that there is fine-scale decision-making by hares, although we did not identify the mechanism. Our approach illustrates spatially explicit empirical support for individual behavioral responses to the food quality–predation risk trade-off.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella C Richmond
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Juliana Balluffi-Fry
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Shawn J Leroux
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Matteo Rizzuto
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Travis R Heckford
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Joanie L Kennah
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Gabrielle R Riefesel
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Yolanda F Wiersma
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
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15
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Fey SB, Kremer CT, Layden TJ, Vasseur DA. Resolving the consequences of gradual phenotypic plasticity for populations in variable environments. ECOL MONOGR 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel B. Fey
- Department of Biology Reed College Portland Oregon 97202 USA
| | - Colin T. Kremer
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Michigan State University Hickory Corners Michigan 49060 USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California 90096 USA
| | | | - David A. Vasseur
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Yale University 165 Prospect Street New Haven Connecticut 06520 USA
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16
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Zimova M, Giery ST, Newey S, Nowak JJ, Spencer M, Mills LS. Lack of phenological shift leads to increased camouflage mismatch in mountain hares. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201786. [PMID: 33323093 PMCID: PMC7779512 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding whether organisms will be able to adapt to human-induced stressors currently endangering their existence is an urgent priority. Globally, multiple species moult from a dark summer to white winter coat to maintain camouflage against snowy landscapes. Decreasing snow cover duration owing to climate change is increasing mismatch in seasonal camouflage. To directly test for adaptive responses to recent changes in snow cover, we repeated historical (1950s) field studies of moult phenology in mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in Scotland. We found little evidence that population moult phenology has shifted to align seasonal coat colour with shorter snow seasons, or that phenotypic plasticity prevented increases in camouflage mismatch. The lack of responses resulted in 35 additional days of mismatch between 1950 and 2016. We emphasize the potential role of weak directional selection pressure and low genetic variability in shaping the scope for adaptive responses to anthropogenic stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Zimova
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Sean T. Giery
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA
| | - Scott Newey
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK
| | - J. Joshua Nowak
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Michael Spencer
- Scotland's Rural College, King's Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - L. Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program and Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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17
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Wilson ML, Lonsdorf EV, Mjungu DC, Kamenya S, Kimaro EW, Collins DA, Gillespie TR, Travis DA, Lipende I, Mwacha D, Ndimuligo SA, Pintea L, Raphael J, Mtiti ER, Hahn BH, Pusey AE, Goodall J. Research and Conservation in the Greater Gombe Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 2020; 252:108853. [PMID: 33343005 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The study of chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, Tanzania, started by Jane Goodall in 1960, provided pioneering accounts of chimpanzee behavior and ecology. With funding from multiple sources, including the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and grants from private foundations and federal programs, the project has continued for sixty years, providing a wealth of information about our evolutionary cousins. These chimpanzees face two main challenges to their survival: infectious disease - including simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz), which can cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in chimpanzees - and the deforestation of land outside the park. A health monitoring program has increased understanding of the pathogens affecting chimpanzees and has promoted measures to characterize and reduce disease risk. Deforestation reduces connections between Gombe and other chimpanzee populations, which can cause loss of genetic diversity. To promote habitat restoration, JGI facilitated participatory village land use planning, in which communities voluntarily allocated land to a network of Village Land Forest Reserves. Expected benefits to people include stabilizing watersheds, improving water supplies, and ensuring a supply of forest resources. Surveys and genetic analyses confirm that chimpanzees persist on village lands and remain connected to the Gombe population. Many challenges remain, but the regeneration of natural forest on previously degraded lands provides hope that conservation solutions can be found that benefit both people and wildlife. Conservation work in the Greater Gombe Ecosystem has helped promote broader efforts to plan and work for conservation elsewhere in Tanzania and across Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Wilson
- Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
- Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
| | - Elizabeth V Lonsdorf
- Department of Psychology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604 USA
| | - Deus C Mjungu
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute - Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Shadrack Kamenya
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute - Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Elihuruma Wilson Kimaro
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA
- Gombe National Park, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - D Anthony Collins
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute - Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Thomas R Gillespie
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
- Program in Population, Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
| | - Dominic A Travis
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108 USA
| | - Iddi Lipende
- Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Dismas Mwacha
- Gombe Stream Research Centre, the Jane Goodall Institute - Tanzania, Kigoma, Tanzania
| | - Sood A Ndimuligo
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Beatrice H Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Anne E Pusey
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Jane Goodall
- The Jane Goodall Institute, Vienna, VA, 22182 USA
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18
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Kumar AV, Zimova M, Sparks JR, Mills LS. Snow-mediated plasticity does not prevent camouflage mismatch. Oecologia 2020; 194:301-310. [PMID: 32583125 PMCID: PMC7644448 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04680-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Global reduction in snow cover duration is one of the most consistent and widespread climate change outcomes. Declining snow duration has severe negative consequences for diverse taxa including seasonally color molting species, which rely on snow for camouflage. However, phenotypic plasticity may facilitate adaptation to reduced snow duration. Plastic responses could occur in the color molt phenology or through behavior that minimizes coat color mismatch or its consequences. We quantified molt phenology of 200 wild snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), and measured microhabitat choice and local snow cover. Similar to other studies, we found that hares did not show behavioral plasticity to minimize coat color mismatch via background matching; instead they preferred colder, snow free areas regardless of their coat color. Furthermore, hares did not behaviorally mitigate the negative consequences of mismatch by choosing resting sites with denser vegetation cover when mismatched. Importantly, we demonstrated plasticity in the initiation and the rate of the molt and established the direct effect of snow on molt phenology; greater snow cover was associated with whiter hares and this association was not due to whiter hares preferring snowier areas. However, despite the observed snow-mediated plasticity in molt phenology, camouflage mismatch with white hares on brown snowless ground persisted and was more frequent during early snowmelt. Thus, we find no evidence that phenotypic plasticity in snowshoe hares is sufficient to facilitate adaptive rescue to camouflage mismatch under climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Kumar
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA.
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Program in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7617, USA.
| | - Marketa Zimova
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 49109, USA
| | - James R Sparks
- Missoula Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, Missoula, MT, 59804, USA
| | - L Scott Mills
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Program in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7617, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program and Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
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19
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Shipley AA, Cruz J, Zuckerberg B. Personality differences in the selection of dynamic refugia have demographic consequences for a winter-adapted bird. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20200609. [PMID: 32900309 PMCID: PMC7542783 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.0609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
For overwintering species, individuals' ability to find refugia from inclement weather and predators probably confers strong fitness benefits. How animals use their environment can be mediated by their personality (e.g. risk-taking), but does personality mediate how overwintering species select refugia? Snow cover is a dynamic winter characteristic that can influence crypsis or provide below-the-snow refugia. We explored how wintering ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) selected snow roosting sites, a behaviour that reduces stress and cold exposure. We linked selection for approximately 700 roosts with survival of 42 grouse, and showed that grouse generally selected deeper snow and warmer areas. Grouse found in shallow snow were less likely to survive winter. However, individuals that selected deep snow improved their survival, suggesting that demographic consequences of selecting winter refugia are mediated by differences in personality. Our study provides a crucial, and seldom addressed, link between personality in resource selection and resulting demographic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy A. Shipley
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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20
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Sirén APK, Morelli TL. Interactive range-limit theory (iRLT): An extension for predicting range shifts. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:940-954. [PMID: 31758805 PMCID: PMC7187220 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A central theme of range-limit theory (RLT) posits that abiotic factors form high-latitude/altitude limits, whereas biotic interactions create lower limits. This hypothesis, often credited to Charles Darwin, is a pattern widely assumed to occur in nature. However, abiotic factors can impose constraints on both limits and there is scant evidence to support the latter prediction. Deviations from these predictions may arise from correlations between abiotic factors and biotic interactions, as a lack of data to evaluate the hypothesis, or be an artifact of scale. Combining two tenets of ecology-niche theory and predator-prey theory-provides an opportunity to understand how biotic interactions influence range limits and how this varies by trophic level. We propose an expansion of RLT, interactive RLT (iRLT), to understand the causes of range limits and predict range shifts. Incorporating the main predictions of Darwin's hypothesis, iRLT hypothesizes that abiotic and biotic factors can interact to impact both limits of a species' range. We summarize current thinking on range limits and perform an integrative review to evaluate support for iRLT and trophic differences along range margins, surveying the mammal community along the boreal-temperate and forest-tundra ecotones of North America. Our review suggests that range-limit dynamics are more nuanced and interactive than classically predicted by RLT. Many (57 of 70) studies indicate that biotic factors can ameliorate harsh climatic conditions along high-latitude/altitude limits. Conversely, abiotic factors can also mediate biotic interactions along low-latitude/altitude limits (44 of 68 studies). Both scenarios facilitate range expansion, contraction or stability depending on the strength and the direction of the abiotic or biotic factors. As predicted, biotic interactions most often occurred along lower limits, yet there were trophic differences. Carnivores were only limited by competitive interactions (n = 25), whereas herbivores were more influenced by predation and parasitism (77%; 55 of 71 studies). We highlight how these differences may create divergent range patterns along lower limits. We conclude by (a) summarizing iRLT; (b) contrasting how our model system and others fit this hypothesis and (c) suggesting future directions for evaluating iRLT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexej P. K. Sirén
- Department of Interior Northeast Climate Adaptation Science CenterU.S. Geological SurveyAmherstMAUSA
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMAUSA
| | - Toni Lyn Morelli
- Department of Interior Northeast Climate Adaptation Science CenterU.S. Geological SurveyAmherstMAUSA
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMAUSA
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21
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Zimova M, Barnard LS, Davis BM, Kumar AV, Lafferty DJR, Mills LS. Using remote cameras to measure seasonal molts. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Zimova
- Wildlife Biology Program University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
| | - Lindsey S. Barnard
- Wildlife Biology Program University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
| | - Brandon M. Davis
- Wildlife Biology Program University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
| | - Alexander V. Kumar
- Wildlife Biology Program University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
| | - Diana J. R. Lafferty
- Department of Biology, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science Lab Northern Michigan University Marquette Michigan 49855 USA
| | - L. Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program and Office of Research and Creative Scholarship University of Montana Missoula Montana 59812 USA
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22
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Gigliotti LC, Berg ND, Boonstra R, Cleveland SM, Diefenbach DR, Gese EM, Ivan JS, Kielland K, Krebs CJ, Kumar AV, Mills LS, Pauli JN, Underwood HB, Wilson EC, Sheriff MJ. Latitudinal variation in snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) body mass: a test of Bergmann’s rule. CAN J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between body size and latitude has been the focus of dozens of studies across many species. However, results of testing Bergmann’s rule — that organisms in colder climates or at higher latitudes possess larger body sizes — have been inconsistent across studies. We investigated whether snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) follow Bergmann’s rule by investigating differences in body mass using data from six published studies and from data of 755 individual hares captured from 10 populations across North America covering 26° of north latitude. We also explored alternative hypotheses related to variation in hare body mass, including winter severity, length of growing season, elevation, and snow depth. We found body mass of hares varied throughout their range, but the drivers of body mass differed based on geographic location. In northern populations, females followed Bergmann’s rule, whereas males did not. In northern populations, male mass was related to mean snow depth. In contrast, in southern populations, body mass of both sexes was related to length of the growing season. These differences likely represent variation in the drivers of selection. Specifically, in the north, a large body size is beneficial to conserve heat because of low winter temperatures, whereas in the south, it is likely due to increased food supply associated with longer growing seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. Gigliotti
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Nathan D. Berg
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Shawn M. Cleveland
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Duane R. Diefenbach
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Eric M. Gese
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Jacob S. Ivan
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
| | - Knut Kielland
- Department of Biology and Wildlife, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Charles J. Krebs
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Alexander V. Kumar
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - L. Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Jonathan N. Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - H. Brian Underwood
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science, Cortland, NY 13043, USA
| | - Evan C. Wilson
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Michael J. Sheriff
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA
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23
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Hughes A, Liggins E, Stevens M. Imperfect camouflage: how to hide in a variable world? Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20190646. [PMID: 31088268 PMCID: PMC6532520 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Camouflage is an important anti-predator strategy for many animals and is traditionally thought of as being tightly linked to a specific visual background. While much work focuses on optimizing camouflage against one background, this may not be relevant for many species and contexts, as animals may encounter many different habitats throughout their lives due to temporal and spatial variation in their environment. How should camouflage be optimized when an animal or object is seen against multiple visual backgrounds? Various solutions may exist, including colour change to match new environments or use of behaviour to maintain crypsis by choosing appropriate substrates. Here, we focus on a selection of approaches under a third alternative strategy: animals may adopt (over evolution) camouflage appearances that represent an optimal solution against multiple visual scenes. One approach may include a generalist or compromise strategy, where coloration matches several backgrounds to some extent, but none closely. A range of other camouflage types, including disruptive camouflage, may also provide protection in multiple environments. Despite detailed theoretical work determining the plausibility of compromise camouflage and elucidating the conditions under which it might evolve, there is currently mixed experimental evidence supporting its value and little evidence of it in natural systems. In addition, there remain many questions including how camouflage strategies should be defined and optimized, and how they might interact with other types of crypsis and defensive markings. Overall, we provide a critical overview of our current knowledge about how camouflage can enable matching to multiple backgrounds, discuss important challenges of working on this question and make recommendations for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hughes
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Eric Liggins
- QinetiQ, Cody Technology Park, Ively Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0LX, UK
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
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24
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Snow roosting reduces temperature-associated stress in a wintering bird. Oecologia 2019; 190:309-321. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04389-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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25
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Davis BM, Kumar AV, Mills LS. A camouflage conundrum: unexpected differences in winter coat color between sympatric species. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M. Davis
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USA
| | - Alexander V. Kumar
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USA
| | - L. Scott Mills
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina 27695 USA
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