1
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Yang K, Wang SX, Lu W. Differential effects of ocean warming and BDE-47 on mussels with various personalities. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123358. [PMID: 38242302 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123358] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Marine warming and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) pollution are two of the most concerning environmental problems in recent years. However, the impact of their co-occurrence on marine bivalves and the tolerance of bivalves with different traits remain unknown. In this study, thick shell mussels Mytilus coruscus were divided into two personalities according to individual feeding and byssus growth. The reliability of the classification was validated by respiration, self-organization, and post-stress behavior. Then, the survival rate, hemolymph immunity, and digestive glands oxidase activity of classified mussels were evaluated after 21 days of compound exposure to warming and BDE-47. The results showed that mussels could be divided into proactive and reactive types consistently. Compared to reactive mussels, proactive mussels exhibited some traits, such as faster food recovery, more byssus growth, higher metabolic rate, and more efficient clustering. Both single or combined warming and BDE-47 exposure impacted the individual survival, hemolymph, and antioxidase of mussels. Notably, the negative impacts of BDE-47 were exacerbated by warming. Moreover, proactive mussels displayed better adaptability with higher survival rates along with less damage to hemolymph immunity and antioxidant ability compared to reactive ones when facing environmental challenges. This study highlights potential risks associated with the coexistence of marine warming and PBDEs pollution while demonstrating differential fitness among individuals with distinct personalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Yang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; The Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Shi Xiu Wang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; The Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Weiqun Lu
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; The Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 201306, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 511458, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology Shanghai, 201306, China.
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2
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Clua EEG, Bègue M, Jam O, Lambillon R, Meyer CG. First tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier bite in 75 years in French Polynesia (Eastern Central Pacific). Clin Case Rep 2023; 11:e6830. [PMID: 36694655 PMCID: PMC9843076 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.6830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We analyzed a tiger shark (estimated 2.8 m total length) bite on a snorkeler. The removal of the terminal part of the leg suggests a predatory motivation for the bite. This is the first documented bite by a tiger shark in French Polynesia waters for the past 75 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric E. G. Clua
- CRIOBE USR3278 EPHE‐CNRS‐UPVDEPHE, PSL Research UniversityPerpignanFrance,Labex Corail, CRIOBEMooreaFrench Polynesia
| | - Michel Bègue
- Centre Hospitalier de Polynésie FrançaiseTahitiFrench Polynesia
| | - Olivier Jam
- Centre Médical de RikiteaMangarevaGambierFrench Polynesia
| | | | - Carl G. Meyer
- Hawaii Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawaii at ManoaKaneoheHawaiiUSA
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3
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Smart sharks: a review of chondrichthyan cognition. Anim Cogn 2023; 26:175-188. [PMID: 36394656 PMCID: PMC9877065 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-022-01708-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
450 million years of evolution have given chondrichthyans (sharks, rays and allies) ample time to adapt perfectly to their respective everyday life challenges and cognitive abilities have played an important part in that process. The diversity of niches that sharks and rays occupy corresponds to matching diversity in brains and behaviour, but we have only scratched the surface in terms of investigating cognition in this important group of animals. The handful of species that have been cognitively assessed in some detail over the last decade have provided enough data to safely conclude that sharks and rays are cognitively on par with most other vertebrates, including mammals and birds. Experiments in the lab as well as in the wild pose their own unique challenges, mainly due to the handling and maintenance of these animals as well as controlling environmental conditions and elimination of confounding factors. Nonetheless, significant advancements have been obtained in the fields of spatial and social cognition, discrimination learning, memory retention as well as several others. Most studies have focused on behaviour and the underlying neural substrates involved in cognitive information processing are still largely unknown. Our understanding of shark cognition has multiple practical benefits for welfare and conservation management but there are obvious gaps in our knowledge. Like most marine animals, sharks and rays face multiple threats. The effects of climate change, pollution and resulting ecosystem changes on the cognitive abilities of sharks and stingrays remain poorly investigated and we can only speculate what the likely impacts might be based on research on bony fishes. Lastly, sharks still suffer from their bad reputation as mindless killers and are heavily targeted by commercial fishing operations for their fins. This public relations issue clouds people's expectations of shark intelligence and is a serious impediment to their conservation. In the light of the fascinating results presented here, it seems obvious that the general perception of sharks and rays as well as their status as sentient, cognitive animals, needs to be urgently revisited.
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4
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Perryman RJ, Mourier J, Venables SK, Tapilatu RF, Setyawan E, Brown C. Reef manta ray social dynamics depend on individual differences in behaviour. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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5
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Shark habituation to a food-related olfactory cue. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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6
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Rudd JL, Exeter OM, Hall J, Hall G, Henderson SM, Kerry C, Witt MJ, Hawkes LA. High resolution biologging of breaching by the world's second largest shark species. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5236. [PMID: 33664360 PMCID: PMC7933335 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84670-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Basking sharks, the world's second largest fish, are endangered globally following two centuries of large-scale exploitation for their oily livers. In the northeast Atlantic, they seasonally gather in key sites, including the western Scottish Isles, where they feed on plankton, but their breeding grounds are currently completely unknown. Using high-resolution three-axis accelerometry and depth logging, we present the first direct records of breaching by basking sharks over 41 days. We show that basking sharks breach both during the night and day, starting at approximately 20 m depth and can breach multiple times in short succession. We also present early evidence of potential lateralisation in basking sharks. Given the energetic nature of breaching, it should have an important biological function, but this remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Rudd
- Hatherly Laboratories, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Owen M Exeter
- Hatherly Laboratories, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK.,Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Jackie Hall
- Manx Basking Shark Watch, Glen Chass Farmhouse, Glen Chass, Port St Mary, Isle of Man, IM9 5PJ, UK
| | - Graham Hall
- Manx Basking Shark Watch, Glen Chass Farmhouse, Glen Chass, Port St Mary, Isle of Man, IM9 5PJ, UK
| | | | - Christopher Kerry
- Hatherly Laboratories, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK.,Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Matthew J Witt
- Hatherly Laboratories, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK. .,Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK.
| | - Lucy A Hawkes
- Hatherly Laboratories, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK.,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
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7
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Perryman RJ, Carpenter M, Lie E, Sofronov G, Marshall AD, Brown C. Reef manta ray cephalic lobe movements are modulated during social interactions. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-02973-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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8
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Heinrich DDU, Vila Pouca C, Brown C, Huveneers C. Effects of reward magnitude and training frequency on the learning rates and memory retention of the Port Jackson shark Heterodontus portusjacksoni. Anim Cogn 2020; 23:939-949. [PMID: 32524291 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-020-01402-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of adaptive responses to novel situations via learning has been demonstrated in a wide variety of animal taxa. However, knowledge on the learning abilities of one of the oldest extant vertebrate groups, Chondrichthyes, remains limited. With the increasing interest in global wildlife tourism and shark feeding operations, it is important to understand the capacities of these animals to form associations between human activities and food. We used an operant conditioning regime with a simple spatial cognitive task to investigate the effects of reinforcement frequency and reward magnitude on the learning performance and memory retention of Port Jackson sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). Twenty-four Port Jackson sharks were assigned one of four treatments differing in reward magnitude and reinforcement frequency (large magnitude-high frequency; large magnitude-low frequency; small magnitude-high frequency; small magnitude-low frequency). The sharks were trained over a 21-day period to compare the number of days that it took to learn to pass an assigned door to feed. Sharks trained at a high reinforcement frequency demonstrated faster learning rates and a higher number of passes through the correct door at the end of the trials, while reward magnitude had limited effects on learning rate. This suggests that a reduction in reinforcement frequency during tourism-related feeding operations is likely to be more effective in reducing the risk of sharks making associations with food than limiting the amount of food provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis D U Heinrich
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | - Catarina Vila Pouca
- Zoological Institute, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden.,Behavioural Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Culum Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Innovation Drive, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Charlie Huveneers
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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9
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Clua EEG, Linnell JDC. Individual shark profiling: An innovative and environmentally responsible approach for selectively managing human fatalities. Conserv Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric E. G. Clua
- EPHE PSL Research University Perpignan France
- Labex Corail CRIOBE Moorea French Polynesia
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10
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Food approach conditioning and discrimination learning using sound cues in benthic sharks. Anim Cogn 2018; 21:481-492. [DOI: 10.1007/s10071-018-1183-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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11
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Brena PF, Mourier J, Planes S, Clua EE. Concede or clash? Solitary sharks competing for food assess rivals to decide. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.0006. [PMID: 29593111 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To adapt to their environment, organisms can either directly interact with their surroundings or use social information (i.e. information provided by neighbouring individuals). Social information relates to the external features of surrounding peers, and little is known about its use by solitary species. Here, we investigated the use of social cues in a solitary marine predator by creating artificial aggregations of free-ranging sicklefin lemon sharks (Negaprion acutidens). Using a novel monitoring protocol, we analysed both dominance interactions and tolerance associations between sharks competing for food in relation with the number, the morphology and the behaviour of rivals. Sharks produced more agonistic displays and spent more time around the bait as competitors were more abundant. Moreover, the morphological attributes of competitors had very limited influence on the structure of shark social interactions. Instead, sharks appeared to establish tolerance relationships with competitors according to their individual behaviour. Furthermore, the more two sharks were observed together at a given study site, the fewer agonistic interactions they exchanged. We discuss these findings as evidence of the use of social cues in a non-gregarious predatory species and suggest directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo F Brena
- PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Johann Mourier
- PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 66860 Perpignan, France.,Laboratoire d'excellence 'CORAIL', EPHE, PSL Research University, UPVD, CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Serge Planes
- PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 66860 Perpignan, France.,Laboratoire d'excellence 'CORAIL', EPHE, PSL Research University, UPVD, CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Eric E Clua
- PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 66860 Perpignan, France.,Laboratoire d'excellence 'CORAIL', EPHE, PSL Research University, UPVD, CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
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12
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Piotti P, Satchell LP, Lockhart TS. Impulsivity and behaviour problems in dogs: A Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory perspective. Behav Processes 2018. [PMID: 29530813 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Trait impulsivity is an increasingly relevant topic for human and non-human animal personality research. There are similarities in dog and human manifestations of trait impulsivity at the behavioural, genetic, and neurobiological level. We investigated a well-validated measure of dog impulsivity and responsivity (the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale, DIAS) and a neuropsychological theory of human trait approach and avoidance (the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of personality, RST). Owners reported their dogs' dispositional behaviour on the DIAS, an RST scale modified to describe dogs' behaviour, and a list of common dog behaviour problems. In a sample of 730 dogs, we observed convergence between the RST and the DIAS. There was a negative correlation between RST 'Behaviour Inhibition System' and DIAS impulsivity factor ('Behavioural Regulation'). RST 'Behavioural Approach System' correlated positively with DIAS 'Responsiveness'. The RST 'Fight-Flight-Freeze System' (FFFS) and the DIAS 'Aggression and response to novelty factor were both distinct from other factors. However, the DIAS 'Aggression and response to novelty' factor and the RST FFFS explained different aspects of dog behaviour problems. Importantly, whilst the DIAS factors indicated tendencies towards avoidant behaviours, the FFFS discriminated between active and passive avoidance. The findings suggest a partial overlapping between the DIAS and RST scales, and highlights the utility of personality models in investigating behaviour problems in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Piotti
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1st Street Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, UK.
| | - Liam Paul Satchell
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1st Street Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Tom Steven Lockhart
- Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, King Henry Building, King Henry 1st Street Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, UK
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13
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Tan MK, Chang CC, Tan HTW. Shy herbivores forage more efficiently than bold ones regardless of information-processing overload. Behav Processes 2018; 149:52-58. [PMID: 29421222 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The neural constraint hypothesis is central to understanding decision-making by foraging herbivorous insects which make decisions less efficiently when they face multiple choices for numerous resource types and/or at high densities instead of a fewer choices. Previous studies have also shown the relationship between personality type and decision-making style. How personality types correlate with foraging efficiency among herbivores is however, largely untested. To answer this question, we used a widespread, polyphagous, floriphilic katydid, Phaneroptera brevis (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) and two naturalised, Asteraceae, food plants, Bidens pilosa and Sphagneticola trilobata, as model systems. After we determined each katydid's exploration and boldness levels, we examined its foraging efficiency across different combinations of floral resource choice and density. We showed: (1) For the first time within the Tettigonioidea lineage that this katydid exhibits different personality types in exploration and boldness. (2) Contrary to our prediction, we did not find any support for the neural constraint hypothesis because more floral resource choice at a high density did not reduce foraging efficiency. (3) Surprisingly, bold katydids tend to be less efficient foragers than shy ones. Our findings have enhanced understanding of herbivore behavioural ecology and knowledge to better deal with potential pest herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kai Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Chia-Chen Chang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Hugh T W Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
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14
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Finger JS, Guttridge TL, Wilson ADM, Gruber SH, Krause J. Are some sharks more social than others? Short- and long-term consistencies in the social behavior of juvenile lemon sharks. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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15
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Mourier J, Brown C, Planes S. Learning and robustness to catch-and-release fishing in a shark social network. Biol Lett 2017; 13:rsbl.2016.0824. [PMID: 28298593 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals can play different roles in maintaining connectivity and social cohesion in animal populations and thereby influence population robustness to perturbations. We performed a social network analysis in a reef shark population to assess the vulnerability of the global network to node removal under different scenarios. We found that the network was generally robust to the removal of nodes with high centrality. The network appeared also highly robust to experimental fishing. Individual shark catchability decreased as a function of experience, as revealed by comparing capture frequency and site presence. Altogether, these features suggest that individuals learnt to avoid capture, which ultimately increased network robustness to experimental catch-and-release. Our results also suggest that some caution must be taken when using capture-recapture models often used to assess population size as assumptions (such as equal probabilities of capture and recapture) may be violated by individual learning to escape recapture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Mourier
- PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 66860 Perpignan, France .,Laboratoire d'excellence 'CORAIL', EPHE, PSL Research University, UPVD, CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia.,Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Culum Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Serge Planes
- PSL Research University: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, 66860 Perpignan, France.,Laboratoire d'excellence 'CORAIL', EPHE, PSL Research University, UPVD, CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
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16
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Thomson JA, Araujo G, Labaja J, McCoy E, Murray R, Ponzo A. Feeding the world's largest fish: highly variable whale shark residency patterns at a provisioning site in the Philippines. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170394. [PMID: 28989750 PMCID: PMC5627090 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Provisioning wildlife for tourism is a controversial yet widespread practice. We analysed the residency patterns of juvenile whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Oslob, Philippines, where provisioning has facilitated a large shark-watching operation since 2011. We identified 208 individual sharks over three years, with an average of 18.6 (s.d. = 7.8, range = 6-43) individuals sighted per week. Weekly shark abundance varied seasonally and peak-season abundance (approx. May-November) increased across years. Whale sharks displayed diverse individual site visitation patterns ranging from a single visit to sporadic visits, seasonal residency and year-round residency. Nine individuals became year-round residents, which represents a clear response to provisioning. The timing of the seasonal peak at Oslob did not align with known non-provisioned seasonal aggregations elsewhere in the Philippines, which could suggest that seasonal residents at Oslob exploit this food source when prey availability at alternative sites is low. Since prolonged residency equates to less time foraging naturally, provisioning could influence foraging success, alter distributions and lead to dependency in later life stages. Such impacts must be carefully weighed against the benefits of provisioning (i.e. tourism revenue in a remote community) to facilitate informed management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A. Thomson
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia
| | - Gonzalo Araujo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Jessica Labaja
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Emer McCoy
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Ryan Murray
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Alessandro Ponzo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
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17
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Roche DG, Careau V, Binning SA. Demystifying animal 'personality' (or not): why individual variation matters to experimental biologists. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 219:3832-3843. [PMID: 27852750 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.146712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Animal 'personality', defined as repeatable inter-individual differences in behaviour, is a concept in biology that faces intense controversy. Critics argue that the field is riddled with terminological and methodological inconsistencies and lacks a sound theoretical framework. Nevertheless, experimental biologists are increasingly studying individual differences in physiology and relating these to differences in behaviour, which can lead to fascinating insights. We encourage this trend, and in this Commentary we highlight some of the benefits of estimating variation in (and covariation among) phenotypic traits at the inter- and intra-individual levels. We focus on behaviour while drawing parallels with physiological and performance-related traits. First, we outline some of the confusion surrounding the terminology used to describe repeatable inter-individual differences in behaviour. Second, we argue that acknowledging individual behavioural differences can help researchers avoid sampling and experimental bias, increase explanatory power and, ultimately, understand how selection acts on physiological traits. Third, we summarize the latest methods to collect, analyse and present data on individual trait variation. We note that, while measuring the repeatability of phenotypic traits is informative in its own right, it is only the first step towards understanding how natural selection and genetic architecture shape intra-specific variation in complex, labile traits. Thus, understanding how and why behavioural traits evolve requires linking repeatable inter-individual behavioural differences with core aspects of physiology (e.g. neurophysiology, endocrinology, energy metabolism) and evolutionary biology (e.g. selection gradients, heritability).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique G Roche
- Département d'Éco-Éthologie, Institut de Biologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel CH 2000, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Careau
- Canada Research Chair in Functional Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Sandra A Binning
- Département d'Éco-Éthologie, Institut de Biologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel CH 2000, Switzerland
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18
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Byrnes EE, Vila Pouca C, Brown C. Laterality strength is linked to stress reactivity in Port Jackson sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). Behav Brain Res 2016; 305:239-46. [PMID: 26946274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral lateralization is an evolutionarily deep-rooted trait, ubiquitous among the vertebrates and present even in some invertebrates. Despite the advantages of cerebral lateralization in enhancing cognition and facilitating greater social cohesion, large within population laterality variation exists in many animal species. It is proposed that this variation is maintained due links with inter-individual personality trait differences. Here we explored for lateralization in Port Jackson sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) using T-maze turn and rotational swimming tasks. Additionally, we explored for a link between personality traits, boldness and stress reactivity, and cerebral lateralization. Sharks demonstrated large individual and sex biased laterality variation, with females demonstrating greater lateralization than males overall. Stress reactivity, but not boldness, was found to significantly correlate with lateralization strength. Stronger lateralized individuals were more reactive to stress. Demonstrating laterality in elasmobranchs for the first time indicates ancient evolutionary roots of vertebrate lateralization approximately 240 million years old. Greater lateralization in female elasmobranchs may be related enhancing females' ability to process multiple stimuli during mating, which could increase survivability and facilitate insemination. Despite contrasting evidence in teleost fishes, the results of this study suggest that stress reactivity, and other personality traits, may be linked to variation in lateralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan E Byrnes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Catarina Vila Pouca
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Culum Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde NSW 2109, Australia
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