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Nichols HJ, Fuchs B, Paijmans AJ, Lewis G, Bonin CA, Goebel ME, Hoffman JI. Where are the beachmasters? Unexpectedly weak polygyny among southern elephant seals on a South Shetland Island. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. J. Nichols
- Department of Biosciences Swansea University Swansea UK
- Department of Animal Behaviour University of Bielefeld Bielefeld Germany
| | - B. Fuchs
- Department of Animal Behaviour University of Bielefeld Bielefeld Germany
| | - A. J. Paijmans
- Department of Animal Behaviour University of Bielefeld Bielefeld Germany
| | - G. Lewis
- Department of Biosciences Swansea University Swansea UK
| | - C. A. Bonin
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences Hampton University Hampton USA
| | - M. E. Goebel
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz CA USA
| | - J. I. Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour University of Bielefeld Bielefeld Germany
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Salton M, Carr M, Tarjan LM, Clarke J, Kirkwood R, Slip D, Harcourt R. Protected area use by two sympatric marine predators repopulating their historical range. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As large carnivores recover from over-exploitation, managers often lack evidence-based information on species habitat requirements and the efficacy of management practices, particularly where species repopulate areas from which they have long been extirpated. We investigated the movement and habitat use by 2 semi-aquatic carnivores (Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus and New Zealand fur seals A. forsteri) at the northern end of their distributions in Australia, where after a long absence both are recolonising their historic range. We also assessed male fur seal habitat use overlap with terrestrial and marine protected areas (PAs). While at the margin of the range during winter and early spring, the males remained inshore close to terrestrial sites and where interactions with humans often occur. From early spring, the males from the range margin showed uniform movement toward colonies in the core of the species’ range prior to their breeding seasons. This contrasts with males tracked from the core of the species’ range that returned periodically to colonies during the year, and highlights the importance of range-wide monitoring of a species to inform conservation planning. Habitat use by some males included over 90% of a marine PA at the margin of the species’ range. Most terrestrial haul-outs used were within terrestrial PAs, while sites not protected were on the margin of the range. Despite wide-ranging habits, their dependence on coastal sites, where human access and activities can be regulated and more readily enforced, suggests that terrestrial and marine PAs will continue to play an important role in managing the recovery of these fur seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Salton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
| | - M Carr
- Department of Primary Industries, Jervis Bay Marine Park, New South Wales 2540, Australia
- Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia
| | - LM Tarjan
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
- San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, 524 Valley Way, Milpitas, California 95035, USA
| | - J Clarke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - R Kirkwood
- Research Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Cowes, Victoria 3922, Australia
- SARDI Aquatic Sciences, West Beach, South Australia 5024, Australia
| | - D Slip
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia
| | - R Harcourt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Watchorn DJ, Whisson DA. Quantifying the interactions between koalas in a high-density population during the breeding period. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/am18027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A species’ social structure influences its patterns of gene flow and disease transmission. Knowledge of social structure therefore is critical for understanding conservation challenges and informing management strategies. We examined the social structure of 33 free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a high-density population (6.7 koalas per hectare) during the early and peak phase of the breeding period (August–December) at Cape Otway, Victoria. We used GPS and proximity loggers to quantify koala space use and interactions, and direct observations to determine behaviours associated with interactions. Our proximity loggers recorded 661 interactions (64% male–female, 28% male–male and 8% female–female). A peak in male–male interactions at the onset of the breeding period suggested that males may physically compete for mates at this time. Male–female interactions increased from the onset of the breeding period, and were mostly of short duration (median duration 5.5 min). From field observations of interactions, and the absence of pouch young in December, many of these interactions may have been unsuccessful copulation attempts. Space use and social network analyses revealed that most males had strong links (total interaction duration >30 min) with only one or two females, despite their spatial overlap and interactions with multiple females. Body mass did not influence a male’s mating success in terms of number of female mates. Our results contrast with those of a lower-density population in central eastern Queensland, suggesting that some aspects of koala social structure may be plastic relative to population density.
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Balmer A, Zinner B, Gorrell JC, Coltman DW, Raveh S, Dobson FS. Alternative reproductive tactics and lifetime reproductive success in a polygynandrous mammal. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adele Balmer
- Integrative Life Sciences Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Bertram Zinner
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | | | - David W Coltman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shirley Raveh
- University of Glasgow, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Glasgow, Scotland
- Université de Neuchâtel, Institut de Biologie, Eco-Ethologie, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - F Stephen Dobson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
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Foote I, Godfrey SS, Robertson BC. Mate choice explains high genetic diversity in a small founding population of the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri). AUST J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/zo19023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Founder populations are susceptible to reduced genetic diversity, which can hinder successful population establishment. A new genetic lineage of the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) has recently colonised the historical range of the New Zealand mainland (Otago Peninsula). Despite a small founding population, previous research indicated that nuclear genetic diversity in the Otago Peninsula population is similar to that of the larger source population (Sandy Bay, Auckland Islands). Our research aimed to identify whether mechanisms of female mate choice could help to explain the unexpectedly high level of genetic diversity in the founder population. We used genetic data at 12 microsatellite loci for mother–pup pairs from both populations, and the software COLONY to identify putative paternal genotypes inferred from allele sharing between known mother–pup pairs. We found that mating pairs were, on average, more related at the Otago Peninsula location. However, Sandy Bay females were mating with males more related to themselves than expected by chance, while the Otago Peninsula females were not. These findings suggest that female choice in this otariid species appears important, although may be constrained in some situations. Our findings also help to explain how the recently founded population is able to maintain a viable, growing population.
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Genetic Evidence of a Population Bottleneck and Inbreeding in the Endangered New Zealand Sea Lion,Phocarctos hookeri. J Hered 2016; 107:392-402. [DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esw015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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González-Suárez M, Cassini MH. Variance in male reproductive success and sexual size dimorphism in pinnipeds: testing an assumption of sexual selection theory. Mamm Rev 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela González-Suárez
- Department of Conservation Biology; Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC; Calle Américo Vespucio s/n 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Marcelo H. Cassini
- Behavioural Biology Lab; IBYME-CONICET; Obligado 2490 1428 Buenos Aires Argentina
- Group of Studies in Ecology of Mammals; DCB; Universidad de Luján; Rutas 5 y 7 6700 Buenos Aires Argentina
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Grandi MF, de Oliveira LR, Dans SL, Crespo E. A hunted population in recovery: Effective population size for South American sea lions from Patagonia. ANIM BIOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1163/157075612x642941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Effective population size () is a parameter of central importance in evolutionary biology and conservation. Factors such as unequal sex ratios of breeding individuals, periodic fluctuation in population size and variance in reproductive success can affect the in general. At present, South American sea lions, Otaria flavescens, from northern Patagonia, Argentina, belongs to one of the several populations that are recovering from overhunting which occurred in the early 20th century. Here, we present the estimate of for this population that takes into account the effects of their polygynous mating system and variation in population size through time. The resultant overall ’s were 4171 ± 2450 or 4745 ± 2681 breeding animals depending on the inclusion of peripheral adult males. The estimated ’s are not critical, because they are close to the average mean minimum viable population for vertebrates (5000 breeding adults). Even though the northern Patagonian population of O. flavescens is increasing its abundance is still far below its historical numbers. The estimated should be considered the minimum range to be maintained, especially in light of bycatch related to fishery interactions along the Patagonian coast. We emphasise the importance of estimating for future management plans of the species within different populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Florencia Grandi
- 1Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos, Centro Nacional Patagónico-CONICET, Bvd. Brown 2915, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Larissa R. de Oliveira
- 2Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Avenida Unisinos 950, 93022-000 São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil
- 3Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Aquáticos do Rio Grande do Sul (GEMARS), Rua Felipe Neri 382/203, 90440-150 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Silvana L. Dans
- 1Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos, Centro Nacional Patagónico-CONICET, Bvd. Brown 2915, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
- 4Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Bvd. Brown 3051, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Enrique A. Crespo
- 1Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos, Centro Nacional Patagónico-CONICET, Bvd. Brown 2915, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
- 4Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Bvd. Brown 3051, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
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de Bruyn P, Tosh C, Bester M, Cameron E, McIntyre T, Wilkinson I. Sex at sea: alternative mating system in an extremely polygynous mammal. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Negro SS, Caudron AK, Dubois M, Delahaut P, Gemmell NJ. Correlation between male social status, testosterone levels, and parasitism in a dimorphic polygynous mammal. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12507. [PMID: 20856933 PMCID: PMC2938340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Life history trade-offs have often been assumed to be the consequence of restrictions in the availability of critical resources such as energy and nutrients, which necessitate the differential allocation of resources to costly traits. Here, we examined endocrine (testosterone) and health (parasite burdens) parameters in territorial and non-territorial New Zealand fur seal males. We documented intra-sexual differences in sexual behaviours, testosterone levels, and parasitism that suggest a trade-off exists between reproductive success and physical health, particularly susceptibility to helminths and acanthocephalans, in males displaying different mating tactics (i.e., territorial and non-territorial tactics). Levels of testosterone were higher in territorial males and correlated positively with reproductive effort (i.e., intra- and inter-sexual interactions). However, these territorial males also exhibited high levels of parasitic infection, which may impair survival in the long-term. Our study, while limited in sample size, provides preliminary evidence for a link between male mating tactics, testosterone levels and parasite loads, and potential effects on reproductive success and life history that should be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra S Negro
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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