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Lennox RJ, Dahlmo LS, Ford AT, Sortland LK, Vogel EF, Vollset KW. Predation research with electronic tagging. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Lennox
- Norwegian Inst. for Nature Research Trondheim Norway
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
| | - Lotte S. Dahlmo
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Adam T. Ford
- Univ. of British Columbia Okanagan Kelowna BC Canada
| | - Lene K. Sortland
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Emma F. Vogel
- UiT − The Arctic Univ. of Norway, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics Tromsø Norway
| | - Knut Wiik Vollset
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
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Bolduc D, Fauteux D, Bharucha É, Trudeau JM, Legagneux P. Ultra-light photosensor collars to monitor Arctic lemming activity. ANIMAL BIOTELEMETRY 2022; 10:31. [PMID: 37521809 PMCID: PMC9552731 DOI: 10.1186/s40317-022-00302-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Studying the anti-predatory behavior of mammals represents an important challenge, especially for fossorial small mammals that hide in burrows. In the Arctic, such behaviors are critical to the survival of lemmings considering that predation risks are high every summer. Because detailed information about how lemmings use burrows as hideouts is still lacking, we developed a 1.59 g photosensitive collar to record any event of a small mammal moving between a dark area (e.g., burrow) and a bright area (e.g., outside the burrow). Tests of how collars affected lemming behavior were conducted in captivity in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada, in November 2019 and field tests were conducted on Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada, in August 2021. Results The device was made of two chemical batteries and a printed circuit board (PCB) equipped with a photosensor and a real-time clock that recorded amplitude transient thresholds of light (lux) continuously. In accordance with ethical use of such devices, we verified that no abnormal loss of body mass was observed in captive or free-ranging lemmings, and no difference in recapture rates were observed between those with and without a collar, though we could not test this for periods longer than 108 h. Measurements of light intensities revealed consistent patterns with high lux levels at mid-day and lowest during the night. Lemmings showed clearly defined behavioral patterns alternating between periods outside and inside burrows. Despite 24-h daylight in the middle of the summer, August nighttime (i.e., 11 PM to 4 AM) lux levels were insufficient for amplitude transient thresholds to be reached. Conclusion By taking advantage of the long periods of daylight in the Arctic, such technology is very promising as it sets new bases for passive recording of behavioral parameters and builds on the prospect of further miniaturization of batteries and PCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bolduc
- Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Dominique Fauteux
- Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
- Centre for Arctic Knowledge and Exploration, Canadian Museum of Nature, P.O. Box 3443 station D, Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4 Canada
| | - Éric Bharucha
- Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
- Sentinel North Technological Instrument Development Platform, Université Laval, 2375 rue de la Terrasse, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Jean-Marie Trudeau
- Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
- Sentinel North Technological Instrument Development Platform, Université Laval, 2375 rue de la Terrasse, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Pierre Legagneux
- Centre d’Études Nordiques, Université Laval, 1045, avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
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Ebensperger LA, Quirici V, Bunster V, León C, Ramírez‐Estrada J, Hayes LD. Effects of Radio‐Collars are not Contingent on Socioecological Conditions in Degus. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis A. Ebensperger
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Verónica Quirici
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 440 Santiago Chile
| | - Valentina Bunster
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Cecilia León
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Juan Ramírez‐Estrada
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Loren D. Hayes
- Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Sciences University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga 37403 TN USA
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Abstract
Human obesity has a large genetic component, yet has many serious negative consequences. How this state of affairs has evolved has generated wide debate. The thrifty gene hypothesis was the first attempt to explain obesity as a consequence of adaptive responses to an ancient environment that in modern society become disadvantageous. The idea is that genes (or more precisely, alleles) predisposing to obesity may have been selected for by repeated exposure to famines. However, this idea has many flaws: for instance, selection of the supposed magnitude over the duration of human evolution would fix any thrifty alleles (famines kill the old and young, not the obese) and there is no evidence that hunter-gatherer populations become obese between famines. An alternative idea (called thrifty late) is that selection in famines has only happened since the agricultural revolution. However, this is inconsistent with the absence of strong signatures of selection at single nucleotide polymorphisms linked to obesity. In parallel to discussions about the origin of obesity, there has been much debate regarding the regulation of body weight. There are three basic models: the set-point, settling point and dual-intervention point models. Selection might act against low and high levels of adiposity because food unpredictability and the risk of starvation selects against low adiposity whereas the risk of predation selects against high adiposity. Although evidence for the latter is quite strong, evidence for the former is relatively weak. The release from predation ∼2-million years ago is suggested to have led to the upper intervention point drifting in evolutionary time, leading to the modern distribution of obesity: the drifty gene hypothesis. Recent critiques of the dual-intervention point/drifty gene idea are flawed and inconsistent with known aspects of energy balance physiology. Here, I present a new formulation of the dual-intervention point model. This model includes the novel suggestion that food unpredictability and starvation are insignificant factors driving fat storage, and that the main force driving up fat storage is the risk of disease and the need to survive periods of pathogen-induced anorexia. This model shows why two independent intervention points are more likely to evolve than a single set point. The molecular basis of the lower intervention point is likely based around the leptin pathway signalling. Determining the molecular basis of the upper intervention point is a crucial key target for future obesity research. A potential definitive test to separate the different models is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Speakman
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China .,Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
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Mathias MDL, Hart EB, Ramalhinho MDG, Jaarola M. Microtus agrestis (Rodentia: Cricetidae). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/mspecies/sex003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Coetsee A, Harley D, Lynch M, Coulson G, de Milliano J, Cooper M, Groenewegen R. Radio-transmitter attachment methods for monitoring the endangered eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii). AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/am15029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Radio-tracking is a key technique for monitoring threatened species during ecological research and reintroduction programs. In the case of the endangered eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii), it has not been possible to radio-track for extended periods (≥3 months) due to difficulties in reliably and safely attaching radio-transmitters. In this study we compared eight attachment methods. Transmitters weighing 1.2–28 g were either mounted with adhesive, attached to a collar or implanted into the peritoneum. Intraperitoneal transmitters were superior in terms of attachment duration, but were considered inferior overall as they could not be fitted in the field and had a very short detection range once implanted (≤50 m). Retention times for external transmitters differed greatly between methods, ranging from 1 to 102 days. One tail-mount attachment technique caused minimal adverse effects but another caused tail amputation in one animal, and both had short retention times (3–33 days). Neither of the glue-on transmitter methods resulted in substantial periods of attachment (2–30 days) and flank-mounted transmitters also caused severe skin trauma. Radio-collars were generally retained for longer periods (42–102 days) but resulted in limb entanglement when they were fitted too loosely or subconjunctival haemorrhages when they were too tight. Cable tie collars are recommended as the most suitable attachment technique for bandicoots, as when fitted correctly they cause minimal impact to individuals and permit long retention times, but precise fitting is essential.
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Rachlow JL, Peter RM, Shipley LA, Johnson TR. Sub-lethal effects of capture and collaring on wildlife: Experimental and field evidence. WILDLIFE SOC B 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet L. Rachlow
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences; University of Idaho; Moscow ID 83844-1136 USA
| | - Renee M. Peter
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences; University of Idaho; Moscow ID 83844-1136 USA
| | - Lisa A. Shipley
- Department of Natural Resource Science; Washington State University; Pullman WA 99164 USA
| | - Timothy R. Johnson
- Department of Statistical Science; University of Idaho; Moscow ID 83844-1104 USA
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Hobbs-Chell H, King AJ, Sharratt H, Haddadi H, Rudiger SR, Hailes S, Morton AJ, Wilson AM. Data-loggers carried on a harness do not adversely affect sheep locomotion. Res Vet Sci 2011; 93:549-52. [PMID: 21737110 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2010] [Revised: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 06/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The use of externally fitted motion sensors to animal subjects has the potential for allowing researchers to investigate subtle changes in animal movement that may occur with the onset of specific diseases. However, it is crucial to consider whether or not the use of such technology has an effect on the variables measured. Here, we examine the effect of a body harness data logging device on the locomotive patterns of female Merino sheep, Ovis aries. We extracted locomotion variables typical of motion sensor data (stride frequency, stride length, gait type, speed, and limb velocity) from high-definition video collected under controlled conditions. We found no significant difference between the variables measured in the harnessed and unharnessed conditions. Overall, our experiment demonstrates that data-loggers carried on a harness do not adversely affect sheep locomotion, and extended periods of habituation post-instalment of devices should ensure consistency and accuracy of data in future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Hobbs-Chell
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK
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Rosalino LM, Ferreira D, Leitão I, Santos-Reis M. Selection of nest sites by wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus in a Mediterranean agro-forest landscape. Ecol Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-010-0797-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Alien Mink Predation and Colonisation Processes of Rodent Prey on Small Islands of the Baltic Sea: Does Prey Naïveté Matter? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.1155/2010/984396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Colonisation, an important part of meta-population dynamics of fragmented populations, depends on both the dispersal ability and the ability to establish in the new habitat. Predation can hinder successful establishment of prey, and where the predation pressure comes from an alien predator, the effects on colonisation might be devastating. We studied the establishment of field voles (Microtus agrestis) inhabiting small islands of the archipelago of the Baltic Sea, SW Finland, under presence and absence of the alien American mink (Mustela vison). We translocated “experienced” voles from islands with mink, and “inexperienced” voles from islands from which mink had been removed, to other islands where mink was present or absent. By radio-tracking we studied survival, space and microhabitat use of voles within four weeks after translocation. Survival of voles on mink islands was significantly lower than on mink-free islands, but “experienced” voles did not survive better than “inexperienced” voles. “Experienced” voles were more often located in juniper habitats than “inexperienced” voles, but they appeared not to gain any survival benefit from altered microhabitat use. This study provides novel evidence, that alien mink predation inhibits establishment of colonising field voles and may thus ultimately induce extinction of voles from the outer archipelago.
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Golabek KA, Jordan NR, Clutton-Brock TH. Radiocollars do not affect the survival or foraging behaviour of wild meerkats. J Zool (1987) 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00377.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Schmidt NM, Berg TB, Jensen TS. The influence of body mass on daily movement patterns and home ranges of the collared lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus). CAN J ZOOL 2002. [DOI: 10.1139/z01-203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
While the determinants of animals' space use have been addressed in a large number of studies, its intrasexual variability has received only limited attention. By means of radiotelemetry we found body mass to influence home-range size and distance moved by adult collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) in northeast Greenland. Male body mass was positively correlated with home-range size. Distance moved by both males and females was also correlated with body mass, but with opposite trends: male movement distances increased with body mass, while female movement distances decreased. This may reflect the fact that larger females occupy the most favourable habitats, i.e., the habitats that minimize the need for movement, and thus exposure to predators, without limiting the food supply. The variability in male home range size and distance moved resulted in variability in the number of females accessible to each male. Larger males had access to more females, and hence, body mass was indirectly important for individual mating opportunities. However, increasing access to females was associated with higher costs in terms of mass loss, probably as a consequence of increased energy requirements and exposure to predators.
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Abstract
Odorous waste products such as urine and faeces are unavoidable for most animals and are widely exploited by predators and their prey. Consequently, waste accumulations can be risky and prey which increase their mobility in order to disperse and dilute their waste should avoid a high predation risk until this benefit is balanced by the increasing risks of random predator encounter. This hypothesis was tested for voles (Microtus spp.) in Finland which are vulnerable to predation due to the scent and ultraviolet attractiveness of their urine. The mortality and mobility of radio-collared voles showed a U-shaped relationship, regardless of vole sex, species or population cycle phase. The low risks for prey making intermediate movements suggest that predation risk can exert strong selective pressures on prey such that they have little respite from the risk of being killed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P B Banks
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Finland.
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