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Hunter H. Listening for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker: Sonic geography and the making of extinction knowledge. SOCIAL STUDIES OF SCIENCE 2024; 54:325-351. [PMID: 38078421 PMCID: PMC11118777 DOI: 10.1177/03063127231214501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
If an apparently extinct bird calls in a forest, and there are people there to hear it-to record it, even-is it still extinct? The Ivory-billed Woodpecker was last 'officially' seen in the United States in 1944, but its extinction continues to be a subject of intense debate between conservation authorities, scientists, and grassroots activists. Tensions peaked around 2005, when scientists from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology announced their rediscovery of the species. However, their evidence received significant challenge from other ornithologists, and this apparent rediscovery has since been generally dismissed. In 2021, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service recommended the ivorybill be declared officially extinct. Still, many people continue to trawl the Southeastern forests in search of ivorybills. In this article, I investigate the methods, debates, and results of efforts to locate this species, with a focus on sound. In doing so, I explore the interconnected roles of sound and space in the making of extinction knowledge. Sonic search methods of listening, sounding, and translating are core ways that searchers attempt to attune to, communicate with, and establish evidence of ivorybills. Additionally, sonic search practices are critical spaces of negotiation and contestation between different searchers, between searchers and ivorybills, and between searchers and skeptics. Ultimately, this article argues that sonic geographies affect the production of extinction knowledge, and vice versa-extinction knowledge making practices produce distinct sonic geographies.
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2
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Long RA, MacKay P, Sauder JD, Sinclair M, Aubry KB, Raley CM. An overwinter protocol for detecting wolverines and other carnivores at camera traps paired with automated scent dispensers. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11290. [PMID: 38706935 PMCID: PMC11066567 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11290] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Camera traps deployed with olfactory attractants are used to survey rare and elusive carnivores. Study areas with deep snowpack and rugged terrain present challenges and risks to field personnel, who traditionally must revisit camera stations regularly to refresh attractants. In such locations, alternative overwinter survey protocols that include a persistent attractant would improve both the safety and efficiency of camera-trap surveys. We present a protocol for installing camera traps and automated scent dispensers on trees at above-average maximum snow depth to eliminate the need for interim service visits and to enable standardized surveys to be conducted throughout the year. Our protocol proved to be effective at attracting and detecting numerous and repeated visits by wolverines, fishers, and other carnivores in two montane regions of the western contiguous United States. The volume, timing, and composition of liquid scent lure released by automated scent dispensers can be varied to target multiple species of interest, and the dispenser can be used in situations where bait rewards may influence the behavior of target species and/or pose human safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mike Sinclair
- Microsoft Research, Microsoft CorporationRedmondWashingtonUSA
| | - Keith B. Aubry
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research StationOlympiaWashingtonUSA
| | - Catherine M. Raley
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research StationOlympiaWashingtonUSA
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3
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Goolsby BC, Fischer MT, Chen TG, Pareja-Mejía D, Shaykevich DA, Lewis AR, Raboisson G, Lacey MP, O’Connell LA. Home security cameras as a tool for behavior observations and science affordability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.17.537238. [PMID: 37131676 PMCID: PMC10153166 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.537238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Reliably capturing transient animal behavior in the field and laboratory remains a logistical and financial challenge, especially for small ectotherms. Here, we present a camera system that is affordable, accessible, and suitable to monitor small, cold-blooded animals historically overlooked by commercial camera traps, such as small amphibians. The system is weather-resistant, can operate offline or online, and allows collection of time-sensitive behavioral data in laboratory and field conditions with continuous data storage for up to four weeks. The lightweight camera can also utilize phone notifications over Wi-Fi so that observers can be alerted when animals enter a space of interest, enabling sample collection at proper time periods. We present our findings, both technological and scientific, in an effort to elevate tools that enable researchers to maximize use of their research budgets. We discuss the relative affordability of our system for researchers in South America, home to the largest ectotherm diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tony G. Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Daniela Pareja-Mejía
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Graduate Program in Zoology, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Bahía, Brazil
| | | | - Amaris R. Lewis
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gaelle Raboisson
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Madison P. Lacey
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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4
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Koops K, Akankwasa W, Camara HD, Fitzgerald M, Keir A, Mamy G, Matsuzawa T, Péter H, Vicent K, Zuberbühler K, Hobaiter C. Flexible grouping patterns in a western and eastern chimpanzee community. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23593. [PMID: 38247391 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23593] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Primate social organizations, or grouping patterns, vary significantly across species. Behavioral strategies that allow for flexibility in grouping patterns offer a means to reduce the costs of group living. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have a fission-fusion social system in which temporary subgroups ("parties") change in composition because of local socio-ecological conditions. Notably, western chimpanzees (P. t. verus) are described as showing a higher degree of bisexual bonding and association than eastern chimpanzees, and eastern female chimpanzees (P. t. schweinfurthii) are thought to be more solitary than western female chimpanzees. However, reported comparisons in sociality currently depend on a small number of study groups, particularly in western chimpanzees, and variation in methods. The inclusion of additional communities and direct comparison using the same methods are essential to assess whether reported subspecies differences in sociality hold in this behaviorally heterogeneous species. We explored whether sociality differs between two communities of chimpanzees using the same motion-triggered camera technology and definitions of social measures. We compare party size and composition (party type, sex ratio) between the western Gahtoy community in the Nimba Mountains (Guinea) and the eastern Waibira community in the Budongo Forest (Uganda). Once potential competition for resources such as food and mating opportunities were controlled for, subspecies did not substantially influence the number of individuals in a party. We found a higher sex-ratio, indicating more males in a party, in Waibira; this pattern was driven by a greater likelihood in Gahtoy to be in all-female parties. This finding is the opposite of what was expected for eastern chimpanzees, where female-only parties are predicted to be more common. Our results highlight the flexibility in chimpanzee sociality, and caution against subspecies level generalizations.
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Grants
- Newnham College, University of Cambridge
- Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
- Homerton College, University of Cambridge
- Gates Cambridge Trust
- #12002009 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- #16002001 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- #20002001 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- #24000001 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- #16H06 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Stichting Lucie Burgers
- PCEFP3_186967 Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathelijne Koops
- Ape Behaviour & Ecology Group, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Alex Keir
- Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gnan Mamy
- Institute de Recherche Environnementale de Bossou, Bossou, Guinea
| | - Tetsuro Matsuzawa
- Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
- Department of Pedagogy, Chubu Gakuin University, Gifu, Japan
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hella Péter
- School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Kizza Vicent
- Budongo Conservation Field Station, Masindi, Uganda
| | - Klaus Zuberbühler
- Budongo Conservation Field Station, Masindi, Uganda
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Hobaiter
- Budongo Conservation Field Station, Masindi, Uganda
- Wild Minds Lab, School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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5
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Beaulieu M. Capturing wild animal welfare: a physiological perspective. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1-22. [PMID: 37635128 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13009] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Affective states, such as emotions, are presumably widespread across the animal kingdom because of the adaptive advantages they are supposed to confer. However, the study of the affective states of animals has thus far been largely restricted to enhancing the welfare of animals managed by humans in non-natural contexts. Given the diversity of wild animals and the variable conditions they can experience, extending studies on animal affective states to the natural conditions that most animals experience will allow us to broaden and deepen our general understanding of animal welfare. Yet, this same diversity makes examining animal welfare in the wild highly challenging. There is therefore a need for unifying theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches that can guide researchers keen to engage in this promising research area. The aim of this article is to help advance this important research area by highlighting the central relationship between physiology and animal welfare and rectify its apparent oversight, as revealed by the current scientific literature on wild animals. Moreover, this article emphasises the advantages of including physiological markers to assess animal welfare in the wild (e.g. objectivity, comparability, condition range, temporality), as well as their concomitant limitations (e.g. only access to peripheral physiological markers with complex relationships with affective states). Best-practice recommendations (e.g. replication and multifactorial approaches) are also provided to allow physiological markers to be used most effectively and appropriately when assessing the welfare of animals in their natural habitat. This review seeks to provide the foundation for a new and distinct research area with a vast theoretical and applied potential: wild animal welfare physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Beaulieu
- Wild Animal Initiative, 5123 W 98th St, 1204, Minneapolis, MN, 55437, USA
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6
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Lee SB, Yuen AHL, Lee YM, Kim SW, Kim S, Poon CTC, Jung WJ, Giri SS, Kim SG, Jo SJ, Park JH, Hwang MH, Seo JP, Choe S, Kim BY, Park SC. Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3767. [PMID: 38136803 PMCID: PMC10741132 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely been reported in cetaceans. Diagnosis of ABO was confirmed via radiological and clinical assessments. Post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy revealed ABO between two loops of the jejunum at the L8 level. The mesenteric tissue covering the intestinal lesion was severely thickened with increased tension. Both bowel loops were fixed to the mesentery and acutely angulated, leading to asymmetrical thickening of the cross-sectional bowel walls. The intestinal lumen was stenosed because of pressure from the firm mesenteric band, and no fecal matter was observed in the lumen of the posterior bowel or rectum. Calcified nodules were detected, and histological analysis suggested parasitic or suspected post-parasitic infections. The primary cause of the intestinal lesions is presumed to be a reaction related to parasitic infection. However, further investigations would establish a definitive link between parasitic infections and ABO in this species. This case highlights the importance of studying rare medical conditions in wildlife, providing valuable insights into marine mammal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Bin Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Adams Hei Long Yuen
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
- Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Young Min Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Endemic Disease, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea;
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunmin Kim
- Department of Parasitology, Parasite Research Center, International Parasite Resource Bank, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Won Joon Jung
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Sib Sankar Giri
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Sang Guen Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea;
| | - Su Jin Jo
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Jae Hong Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Mae Hyun Hwang
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Jong-pil Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seongjun Choe
- Department of Parasitology, Parasite Research Center, International Parasite Resource Bank, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (S.C.)
| | - Byung Yeop Kim
- Department of Marine Industry and Maritime Police, College of Ocean Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Chang Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
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7
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Abrha AM, Gedeon K, Podsiadlowski L, Weldesilasie DM, Töpfer T. Occupancy of the Ethiopian endemic Moorland Francolin in pristine and degraded Afroalpine biome using a camera trap approach. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10551. [PMID: 37915806 PMCID: PMC10617016 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10551] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Occupancy modeling is an essential tool for understanding species-habitat associations, thereby helping to plan the conservation of rare and threatened wildlife species. The conservation status and ecology of several avian species, particularly ground-dwelling birds, are poorly known in Ethiopia. We used camera trap-based occupancy modeling to investigate habitat covariate influence on occupancy (Ψ) and detection probability (ρ) estimates of Moorland Francolins Scleroptila psilolaema from spatially replicated surveys across both relatively pristine and disturbed landscapes in the Afroalpine biome of Ethiopia. Model-averaged estimate of ψ ^ across all sites was 0.76 (SD = 0.28) and ρ ^ was 0.77 (SD = 0.13) in the pristine landscape. The ψ ^ of the species in the disturbed landscape was 0.56 (SD = 0.19) and ρ ^ was 0.48 (SD = 0.06). As hypothesized, based on our model-averaged beta coefficient estimates (βmean ± SE), predators significantly negatively influenced the occupancy of Moorland Francolins in pristine habitat. We also found a significant positive association of occupancy with herb species richness. Contrary to our prediction, distance to road significantly negatively influence the occupancy of the species, suggesting that occupancy probability was highest in proximity to roadsides and trails in the pristine habitat. There was no significant influence of habitat covariates on the occupancy of the species in the disturbed habitat. The most important covariates that significantly influence the detectability of the species in pristine habitat included sampling occasion and precipitation. The greater occupancy and detectability of this endemic species in the pristine habitat could be linked with the particular conservation status and management of this biodiversity hotspot in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Our results suggest that strict legal enforcement is required to sustainably preserve Moorland Francolins and the ecological integrity of the entire Afroalpine biome. We recommend using camera traps in order to develop realistic and effective conservation and management strategies for rare, sensitive, cryptic, and ground-dwelling animals in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abadi Mehari Abrha
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity ChangeBonnGermany
- Institute for Evolutionary Biology and EcologyUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
- Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife ScienceMekelle UniversityMekelleEthiopia
| | - Kai Gedeon
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity ChangeBonnGermany
| | | | - Demis Mamo Weldesilasie
- Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism ManagementGuassa Community Conservation AreaMehal MedaEthiopia
| | - Till Töpfer
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity ChangeBonnGermany
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8
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Goldsborough Z, Crofoot MC, Alavi SE, Del Rosario-Vargas E, Garza SF, Tiedeman K, Barrett BJ. Coupling of coastal activity with tidal cycles is stronger in tool-using capuchins ( Cebus capucinus imitator). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230355. [PMID: 37736530 PMCID: PMC10509577 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial mammals exploiting coastal resources must cope with the challenge that resource availability and accessibility fluctuate with tidal cycles. Tool use can improve foraging efficiency and provide access to structurally protected resources that are otherwise unavailable (e.g. molluscs and fruits). To understand how variable accessibility of valuable resources shapes behavioural patterns, and whether tool use aids in the efficient exploitation of intertidal resources, we compared the relationship between tidal cycles and activity patterns of tool-using versus non-tool-using groups of white-faced capuchin monkeys on Jicarón Island in Coiba National Park, Panama. Although tool use on Jicarón is localized to a small stretch of coast (approx. 1 km), all coastal groups forage on intertidal resources. Using more than 5 years of camera trap data at varying distances from the coast, we found that capuchins on Jicarón showed increased coastal activity during specific parts of the tidal cycle, and that this relationship differed between tool-using and non-tool-using groups, as well as between seasons. Activity patterns of tool-using capuchins were more strongly and consistently tied to tidal cycles compared with non-tool-users, indicating that tool use might allow for more efficient exploitation of tidal resources. Our findings highlight the potential of tool use to aid niche expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Goldsborough
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Panama
| | - Margaret C. Crofoot
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Panama
| | - Shauhin E. Alavi
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | - Sylvia F. Garza
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Kate Tiedeman
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Brendan J. Barrett
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ancon, Panama
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9
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Of data and transparency. NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 3:571. [PMID: 38177745 DOI: 10.1038/s43588-023-00499-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
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10
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Fisher JT. Camera trapping in ecology: A new section for wildlife research. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9925. [PMID: 36937062 PMCID: PMC10018383 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jason T. Fisher
- School of Environmental StudiesUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
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11
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Xenarthra richness and activity pattern in the Brazilian Amazon. Mamm Biol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00342-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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12
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Besson M, Alison J, Bjerge K, Gorochowski TE, Høye TT, Jucker T, Mann HMR, Clements CF. Towards the fully automated monitoring of ecological communities. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:2753-2775. [PMID: 36264848 PMCID: PMC9828790 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution monitoring is fundamental to understand ecosystems dynamics in an era of global change and biodiversity declines. While real-time and automated monitoring of abiotic components has been possible for some time, monitoring biotic components-for example, individual behaviours and traits, and species abundance and distribution-is far more challenging. Recent technological advancements offer potential solutions to achieve this through: (i) increasingly affordable high-throughput recording hardware, which can collect rich multidimensional data, and (ii) increasingly accessible artificial intelligence approaches, which can extract ecological knowledge from large datasets. However, automating the monitoring of facets of ecological communities via such technologies has primarily been achieved at low spatiotemporal resolutions within limited steps of the monitoring workflow. Here, we review existing technologies for data recording and processing that enable automated monitoring of ecological communities. We then present novel frameworks that combine such technologies, forming fully automated pipelines to detect, track, classify and count multiple species, and record behavioural and morphological traits, at resolutions which have previously been impossible to achieve. Based on these rapidly developing technologies, we illustrate a solution to one of the greatest challenges in ecology: the ability to rapidly generate high-resolution, multidimensional and standardised data across complex ecologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Besson
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK,Sorbonne Université CNRS UMR Biologie des Organismes Marins, BIOMBanyuls‐sur‐MerFrance
| | - Jamie Alison
- Department of EcoscienceAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark,UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologyBangorUK
| | - Kim Bjerge
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Thomas E. Gorochowski
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK,BrisEngBio, School of ChemistryUniversity of BristolCantock's CloseBristolBS8 1TSUK
| | - Toke T. Høye
- Department of EcoscienceAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark,Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Tommaso Jucker
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Hjalte M. R. Mann
- Department of EcoscienceAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark,Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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13
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Snapshot of the Atlantic Forest canopy: surveying arboreal mammals in a biodiversity hotspot. ORYX 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605321001563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The Atlantic Forest of South America supports a rich terrestrial biodiversity but has been reduced to only a small extent of its original forest cover. It hosts a large number of endemic mammalian species but our knowledge of arboreal mammal ecology and conservation has been limited because of the challenges of observing arboreal species from ground level. Camera trapping has proven to be an effective tool in terrestrial mammal monitoring but the technique has rarely been used for arboreal species. For the first time in the Atlantic Forest, we obtained data on the arboreal mammal community using arboreal camera trapping, focusing on Caparaó National Park, Brazil. We placed 24 infrared camera traps in the forest canopy in seven areas within the Park, operating them continuously during January 2017–June 2019. During this period the camera traps accumulated 4,736 camera-days of footage and generated a total of 2,256 photographs and 30-s videos of vertebrates. The arboreal camera traps were able to detect arboreal mammals of a range of body sizes. The mammal assemblage comprised 15 identifiable species, including the Critically Endangered northern muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus and buffy-headed marmoset Callithrix flaviceps as well as other rare, nocturnal and inconspicuous species. We confirmed for the first time the occurrence of the thin-spined porcupine Chaetomys subspinosus in the Park. Species richness varied across survey areas and forest types. Our findings demonstrate the potential of arboreal camera trapping to inform conservation strategies.
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Burton AC, Beirne C, Sun C, Granados A, Procko M, Chen C, Fennell M, Constantinou A, Colton C, Tjaden-McClement K, Fisher JT, Burgar J. Behavioral "bycatch" from camera trap surveys yields insights on prey responses to human-mediated predation risk. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9108. [PMID: 35866017 PMCID: PMC9288887 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human disturbance directly affects animal populations and communities, but indirect effects of disturbance on species behaviors are less well understood. For instance, disturbance may alter predator activity and cause knock‐on effects to predator‐sensitive foraging in prey. Camera traps provide an emerging opportunity to investigate such disturbance‐mediated impacts to animal behaviors across multiple scales. We used camera trap data to test predictions about predator‐sensitive behavior in three ungulate species (caribou Rangifer tarandus; white‐tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus; moose, Alces alces) across two western boreal forest landscapes varying in disturbance. We quantified behavior as the number of camera trap photos per detection event and tested its relationship to inferred human‐mediated predation risk between a landscape with greater industrial disturbance and predator activity and a “control” landscape with lower human and predator activity. We also assessed the finer‐scale influence on behavior of variation in predation risk (relative to habitat variation) across camera sites within the more disturbed landscape. We predicted that animals in areas with greater predation risk (e.g., more wolf activity, less cover) would travel faster past cameras and generate fewer photos per detection event, while animals in areas with less predation risk would linger (rest, forage, investigate), generating more photos per event. Our predictions were supported at the landscape‐level, as caribou and moose had more photos per event in the control landscape where disturbance‐mediated predation risk was lower. At a finer‐scale within the disturbed landscape, no prey species showed a significant behavioral response to wolf activity, but the number of photos per event decreased for white‐tailed deer with increasing line of sight (m) along seismic lines (i.e., decreasing visual cover), consistent with a predator‐sensitive response. The presence of juveniles was associated with shorter behavioral events for caribou and moose, suggesting greater predator sensitivity for females with calves. Only moose demonstrated a positive behavioral association (i.e., longer events) with vegetation productivity (16‐day NDVI), suggesting that for other species bottom‐up influences of forage availability were generally weaker than top‐down influences from predation risk. Behavioral insights can be gleaned from camera trap surveys and provide complementary information about animal responses to predation risk, and thus about the indirect impacts of human disturbances on predator–prey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cole Burton
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Christopher Beirne
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Catherine Sun
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Alys Granados
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Michael Procko
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Cheng Chen
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Mitchell Fennell
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Alexia Constantinou
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Chris Colton
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Katie Tjaden-McClement
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Jason T Fisher
- School of Environmental Studies University of Victoria Victoria British Columbia Canada
| | - Joanna Burgar
- Wildlife Coexistence Lab, Department of Forest Resources Management University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada.,School of Environmental Studies University of Victoria Victoria British Columbia Canada
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15
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Houa NA, Cappelle N, Bitty EA, Normand E, Kablan YA, Boesch C. Animal reactivity to camera traps and its effects on abundance estimate using distance sampling in the Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13510. [PMID: 35651744 PMCID: PMC9150689 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of camera traps (CTs) has become an increasingly popular method of studying wildlife, as CTs are able to detect rare, nocturnal, and elusive species in remote and difficult-to-access areas. It thus makes them suited to estimate animal density and abundance, identify activity patterns and new behaviours of animals. However, animals can react when they see the CTs and this can lead to bias in the animal population estimates. While CTs may provide many advantages, an improved understanding of their impacts on individual's behaviour is necessary to avoid erroneous density estimates. Yet, the impact of CTs on detected individuals, such as human odour near the device and the environment, or the infrared illumination, has received relatively little attention. To date, there is no clear procedure to remove this potential bias. Here, we use camera trap distance sampling (CTDS) to (1) quantify the bias resulting from the different animal responses to the CTs when determining animal density and abundance, and (2) test if olfactory, visual and auditory signals have an influence on the animals' reaction to CTs. Between March 2019 and March 2020, we deployed CTs at 267 locations distributed systematically over the entire Taï National Park. We obtained 58,947 videos from which we analysed four medium- to-large-bodied species (Maxwell's duiker (Philantomba maxwellii), Jentink's duiker (Cephalophus jentinki), pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) and Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus)) displaying different behaviours towards the CTs. We then established species-specific ethograms describing the behavioural responses to the CTs. Using these species-specific responses, we observed that the Maxwell's duiker reacted weakly to CTs (about 0.11% of the distance data), contrary to Jentink's duiker, pygmy hippopotamus and Western chimpanzee which reacted with relatively high frequencies, representing 32.82%, 52.96% and 16.14% of the distance data, respectively. Not taking into account the species-specific responses to the CTs can lead to an artificial doubling or tripling of the populations' sizes. All species reacted more to the CTs at close distances. Besides, the Jentink's duiker and the pygmy hippopotamus reacted significantly more to the CTs at night than during the day. Finally, as for olfactory signals, the probability of reaction to the CTs during the first days after CTs installation was weak in Maxwell's duiker, but concerned 18% of the video captures in Western chimpanzees which decreasing with time, but they remained high in pygmy hippopotamus and Jentink's duiker (65% and 70% of the video captures respectively). Careful consideration should be given to animal's response to CTs during the analysis and in the field, by reducing human's impact around the CTs installation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noël Adiko Houa
- Unité de Formation et de Recherches Biosciences, Université Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | | | - Eloi Anderson Bitty
- Unité de Formation et de Recherches Biosciences, Université Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | | | | | - Christophe Boesch
- Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire,Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
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16
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Walton BJ, Findlay LJ, Hill RA. Camera traps and guard observations as an alternative to researcher observation for studying anthropogenic foraging. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8808. [PMID: 35432939 PMCID: PMC9006232 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Foraging by wildlife on anthropogenic foods can have negative impacts on both humans and wildlife. Addressing this issue requires reliable data on the patterns of anthropogenic foraging by wild animals, but while direct observation by researchers can be highly accurate, this method is also costly and labor‐intensive, making it impractical in the long‐term or over large spatial areas. Camera traps and observations by guards employed to deter animals from fields could be efficient alternative methods of data collection for understanding patterns of foraging by wildlife in crop fields. Here, we investigated how data on crop‐foraging by chacma baboons and vervet monkeys collected by camera traps and crop guards predicted data collected by researchers, on a commercial farm in South Africa. We found that data from camera traps and field guard observations predicted crop loss and the frequency of crop‐foraging events from researcher observations for crop‐foraging by baboons and to a lesser extent for vervets. The effectiveness of cameras at capturing crop‐foraging events was dependent on their position on the field edge. We believe that these alternatives to direct observation by researchers represent an efficient and low‐cost method for long‐term and large‐scale monitoring of foraging by wildlife on crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J. Walton
- Department of Anthropology University of Durham Durham UK
| | | | - Russell A. Hill
- Department of Anthropology University of Durham Durham UK
- Primate & Predator Project Lajuma Research Centre Louis Trichardt South Africa
- Department of Zoology University of Venda Thohoyandou South Africa
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17
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Palmer MS, Wang C, Plucinski J, Pringle RM. BoomBox: An Automated Behavioural Response (ABR) camera trap module for wildlife playback experiments. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith S. Palmer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
| | | | | | - Robert M. Pringle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ USA
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18
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Fonda F, Bacaro G, Battistella S, Chiatante G, Pecorella S, Pavanello M. Population density of European wildcats in a pre-alpine area (northeast Italy) and an assessment of estimate robustness. MAMMAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-021-00609-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Hereward HFR, Facey RJ, Sargent AJ, Roda S, Couldwell ML, Renshaw EL, Shaw KH, Devlin JJ, Long SE, Porter BJ, Henderson JM, Emmett CL, Astbury L, Maggs L, Rands SA, Thomas RJ. Raspberry Pi nest cameras: An affordable tool for remote behavioral and conservation monitoring of bird nests. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:14585-14597. [PMID: 34765127 PMCID: PMC8571635 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Bespoke (custom-built) Raspberry Pi cameras are increasingly popular research tools in the fields of behavioral ecology and conservation, because of their comparative flexibility in programmable settings, ability to be paired with other sensors, and because they are typically cheaper than commercially built models.Here, we describe a novel, Raspberry Pi-based camera system that is fully portable and yet weatherproof-especially to humidity and salt spray. The camera was paired with a passive infrared sensor, to create a movement-triggered camera capable of recording videos over a 24-hr period. We describe an example deployment involving "retro-fitting" these cameras into artificial nest boxes on Praia Islet, Azores archipelago, Portugal, to monitor the behaviors and interspecific interactions of two sympatric species of storm-petrel (Monteiro's storm-petrel Hydrobates monteiroi and Madeiran storm-petrel Hydrobates castro) during their respective breeding seasons.Of the 138 deployments, 70% of all deployments were deemed to be "Successful" (Successful was defined as continuous footage being recorded for more than one hour without an interruption), which equated to 87% of the individual 30-s videos. The bespoke cameras proved to be easily portable between 54 different nests and reasonably weatherproof (~14% of deployments classed as "Partial" or "Failure" deployments were specifically due to the weather/humidity), and we make further trouble-shooting suggestions to mitigate additional weather-related failures.Here, we have shown that this system is fully portable and capable of coping with salt spray and humidity, and consequently, the camera-build methods and scripts could be applied easily to many different species that also utilize cavities, burrows, and artificial nests, and can potentially be adapted for other wildlife monitoring situations to provide novel insights into species-specific daily cycles of behaviors and interspecies interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alyssa J. Sargent
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Department of BiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Sara Roda
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- A Rocha, CruzhinaAlvorPortugal
| | - Matthew L. Couldwell
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Gypseywood CottageYorkUK
| | | | - Katie H. Shaw
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- University of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jack J. Devlin
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- University of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Sarah E. Long
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Ben J. Porter
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Tan y GarnRhiwUK
| | | | - Christa L. Emmett
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Department of Applied SciencesUniversity of the West of EnglandBristolUK
| | - Laura Astbury
- Cardiff School of BiosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | | | - Sean A. Rands
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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20
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Nykänen M, Pöysä H, Hakkarainen S, Rajala T, Matala J, Kunnasranta M. Seasonal and diel activity patterns of the endangered taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis fabalis) during the breeding season, monitored with camera traps. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254254. [PMID: 34264981 PMCID: PMC8282086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis fabalis) is an endangered subspecies that breeds sporadically in remote habitats in the arctic and boreal zones. Due to its elusive behaviour, there is a paucity of knowledge on the behaviour of taiga bean goose during the breeding season, and survey methods for monitoring numbers in the breeding areas are lacking. Camera traps are a useful tool for wildlife monitoring, particularly when there is a need for non-invasive methods due to the shy nature of the species. In this study, we tested the use of camera traps to investigate seasonal and diel activity patterns of taiga bean goose in Finland over two successive breeding seasons, 2018 and 2019. We did this by modelling counts of geese from images with generalized linear and additive mixed models. The camera type (cameras placed by experts specialized in bean goose ecology vs randomly placed cameras) did not influence the count of taiga bean goose (p = 0.386). However, the activity varied significantly by region, Julian day, time of day and temperature, with the study site (individual peatland) and year adding substantial random variation and uncertainty in the counts. Altogether, the best fitting model explained nearly 70% of the variation in taiga bean goose activity. The peak in activity occurred about a month later in the southernmost region compared to the more northern regions, which may indicate behaviours related to migration rather than breeding and moulting. Our results show that long-term monitoring with game camera traps provide a potential unobtrusive approach for studying the behavioural patterns of taiga bean goose and can increase our ecological knowledge of this little-known subspecies. The results can be applied to planning of the annual censuses and finding the optimal time frame for their execution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milaja Nykänen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Hannu Pöysä
- Natural Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Joensuu, Finland
| | - Sari Hakkarainen
- Natural Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Joensuu, Finland
| | - Tuomas Rajala
- Natural Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juho Matala
- Natural Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Joensuu, Finland
| | - Mervi Kunnasranta
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
- Natural Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Joensuu, Finland
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21
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Avrin AC, Pekins CE, Allen ML. Mating behavior of Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mephitidae) revealed by camera trap in Texas, USA. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2021. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.6642.13.6.18660-18662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Eastern Spotted Skunks Spilogale putorius are an understudied Vulnerable small carnivore. Here we report a novel capture of Eastern Spotted Skunks mating via a camera trap in central Texas. This detection adds to the minimal natural history knowledge of the species and highlights the utility of camera traps for documenting rarely observed behaviors.
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22
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English HM, Caravaggi A. Where's wallaby? Using public records and media reports to describe the status of red-necked wallabies in Britain. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:12949-12959. [PMID: 33304507 PMCID: PMC7713933 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the range and population dynamics of introduced species provides insight into species behavior, habitat preferences, and potential of becoming established. Here, we show the current population status of the red-necked wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus) in Britain based on records from an eleven-year period (2008-2018). Records were obtained from Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs), the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), and popular media. All records were mapped and compared to a historical distribution map (1940-2007), derived from published data. A total of 95 confirmed wallaby sightings were recorded between 2008 and 2018, of which 64 came from media sources, 18 from Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs), seven from the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), and six from the published literature (Yalden, Br. Wildl., 24, 2013, 169). The greatest density of wallaby sightings was in southern England, with the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty a particular hot spot (n = 11). More sightings were recorded in August than in any other month. Much of the species' ecology and responses to British biota and anthropogenic pressures are unknown, and therefore, further research is warranted. The methods used here are widely applicable to other non-native species, particularly those that the public are more likely to report and could be an important supplement to existing studies of conservation and management relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly M. English
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and BehaviourSchool of Biology and Environmental ScienceUniversity College DublinDublinIreland
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