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Twining JP, Sutherland C, Zalewski A, Cove MV, Birks J, Wearn OR, Haysom J, Wereszczuk A, Manzo E, Bartolommei P, Mortelliti A, Evans B, Gerber BD, McGreevy TJ, Ganoe LS, Masseloux J, Mayer AE, Wierzbowska I, Loch J, Akins J, Drummey D, McShea W, Manke S, Pardo L, Boyce AJ, Li S, Ragai RB, Sukmasuang R, Villafañe Trujillo ÁJ, López-González C, Lara-Díaz NE, Cosby O, Waggershauser CN, Bamber J, Stewart F, Fisher J, Fuller AK, Perkins KA, Powell RA. Using global remote camera data of a solitary species complex to evaluate the drivers of group formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312252121. [PMID: 38466845 PMCID: PMC10962950 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312252121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The social system of animals involves a complex interplay between physiology, natural history, and the environment. Long relied upon discrete categorizations of "social" and "solitary" inhibit our capacity to understand species and their interactions with the world around them. Here, we use a globally distributed camera trapping dataset to test the drivers of aggregating into groups in a species complex (martens and relatives, family Mustelidae, Order Carnivora) assumed to be obligately solitary. We use a simple quantification, the probability of being detected in a group, that was applied across our globally derived camera trap dataset. Using a series of binomial generalized mixed-effects models applied to a dataset of 16,483 independent detections across 17 countries on four continents we test explicit hypotheses about potential drivers of group formation. We observe a wide range of probabilities of being detected in groups within the solitary model system, with the probability of aggregating in groups varying by more than an order of magnitude. We demonstrate that a species' context-dependent proclivity toward aggregating in groups is underpinned by a range of resource-related factors, primarily the distribution of resources, with increasing patchiness of resources facilitating group formation, as well as interactions between environmental conditions (resource constancy/winter severity) and physiology (energy storage capabilities). The wide variation in propensities to aggregate with conspecifics observed here highlights how continued failure to recognize complexities in the social behaviors of apparently solitary species limits our understanding not only of the individual species but also the causes and consequences of group formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P. Twining
- New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, Schools of Mathematics and Statistics, Biology, and Computer Science, The Observatory Buchanan Gardens University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, FifeKY16 9LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrzej Zalewski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża17-230, Poland
| | | | - Johnny Birks
- Swift Ecology Ltd, Glen Cottage, West Malvern, WorcsWR14 4BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver R. Wearn
- Fauna and Flora International–Vietnam Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jessica Haysom
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, CanterburyCT2 7NR, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Wereszczuk
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża17-230, Poland
| | - Emiliano Manzo
- Fondazione Ethoikos, Convento dell’Osservanza, RadicondoliSI 53030, Italy
| | - Paola Bartolommei
- Fondazione Ethoikos, Convento dell’Osservanza, RadicondoliSI 53030, Italy
| | - Alessio Mortelliti
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME04469
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste34127, Italy
| | - Bryn Evans
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME04469
| | - Brian D. Gerber
- Department of Natural Resources, College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI02852
| | - Thomas J. McGreevy
- Department of Natural Resources, College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI02852
| | - Laken S. Ganoe
- Department of Natural Resources, College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI02852
| | - Juliana Masseloux
- Department of Natural Resources, College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI02852
| | - Amy E. Mayer
- Department of Natural Resources, College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI02852
| | - Izabela Wierzbowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow30-387, Poland
| | - Jan Loch
- Scientific Laboratory of Gorce National Park, Niedźwiedź34-735, Poland
| | | | - Donovan Drummey
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
| | - William McShea
- Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA22630
| | | | - Lain Pardo
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD4878, Australia
| | - Andy J. Boyce
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC20008
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Roslina Binti Ragai
- Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Lot 218, Kuching Central Land District, Kuching, Sarawak93250, Malaysia
| | - Ronglarp Sukmasuang
- Deparment of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok10900, Thailand
| | - Álvaro José Villafañe Trujillo
- Laboratorio de Zoología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa de Enríquez, VeracruzC. P. 91190, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santa Rosa Jáuregui, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro76230, Mexico
| | - Carlos López-González
- Laboratorio de Zoología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa de Enríquez, VeracruzC. P. 91190, Mexico
| | - Nalleli Elvira Lara-Díaz
- Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Ecología Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México, IztapalapaC. P. 09340, Mexico
| | - Olivia Cosby
- Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA22630
- Department of Environmental Science, Aaniiih Nakoda College, Harlem, MT59526
| | - Cristian N. Waggershauser
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AberdeenAB24 2TZ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, University of the Highlands and Islands, InvernessIV2 5NA, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Bamber
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AberdeenAB24 2TZ, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Stewart
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BCV8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Jason Fisher
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BCV8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Angela K. Fuller
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Kelly A. Perkins
- New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Roger A. Powell
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27607
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Hare D, Dickman AJ, Johnson PJ, Rono BJ, Mutinhima Y, Sutherland C, Kulunge S, Sibanda L, Mandoloma L, Kimaili D. Public perceptions of trophy hunting are pragmatic, not dogmatic. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20231638. [PMID: 38351797 PMCID: PMC10865007 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Fierce international debates rage over whether trophy hunting is socially acceptable, especially when people from the Global North hunt well-known animals in sub-Saharan Africa. We used an online vignette experiment to investigate public perceptions of the acceptability of trophy hunting in sub-Saharan Africa among people who live in urban areas of the USA, UK and South Africa. Acceptability depended on specific attributes of different hunts as well as participants' characteristics. Zebra hunts were more acceptable than elephant hunts, hunts that would provide meat to local people were more acceptable than hunts in which meat would be left for wildlife, and hunts in which revenues would support wildlife conservation were more acceptable than hunts in which revenues would support either economic development or hunting enterprises. Acceptability was generally lower among participants from the UK and those who more strongly identified as an animal protectionist, but higher among participants with more formal education, who more strongly identified as a hunter, or who would more strongly prioritize people over wild animals. Overall, acceptability was higher when hunts would produce tangible benefits for local people, suggesting that members of three urban publics adopt more pragmatic positions than are typically evident in polarized international debates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darragh Hare
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Amy J. Dickman
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Betty J. Rono
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Yolanda Mutinhima
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, School of Mathematics and Statistics, St Andrews University, St Andrews, UK
| | - Salum Kulunge
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Lovemore Sibanda
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Cheetah Conservation Project Zimbabwe, Dete, Zimbabwe
| | | | - David Kimaili
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui, Kenya
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Sutherland C, Hare D, Johnson PJ, Linden DW, Montgomery RA, Droge E. Practical advice on variable selection and reporting using Akaike information criterion. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231261. [PMID: 37752836 PMCID: PMC10523071 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The various debates around model selection paradigms are important, but in lieu of a consensus, there is a demonstrable need for a deeper appreciation of existing approaches, at least among the end-users of statistics and model selection tools. In the ecological literature, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) dominates model selection practices, and while it is a relatively straightforward concept, there exists what we perceive to be some common misunderstandings around its application. Two specific questions arise with surprising regularity among colleagues and students when interpreting and reporting AIC model tables. The first is related to the issue of 'pretending' variables, and specifically a muddled understanding of what this means. The second is related to p-values and what constitutes statistical support when using AIC. There exists a wealth of technical literature describing AIC and the relationship between p-values and AIC differences. Here, we complement this technical treatment and use simulation to develop some intuition around these important concepts. In doing so we aim to promote better statistical practices when it comes to using, interpreting and reporting models selected when using AIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Darragh Hare
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Daniel W. Linden
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | | | - Egil Droge
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Zambian Carnivore Programme, Mfuwe, Zambia
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Mackenzie LS, Lambin X, Bryce E, Davies CL, Hassall R, Shati AAM, Sutherland C, Telfer SE. Patterns and drivers of vector-borne microparasites in a classic metapopulation. Parasitology 2023; 150:866-882. [PMID: 37519240 PMCID: PMC10577662 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Many organisms live in fragmented populations, which has profound consequences on the dynamics of associated parasites. Metapopulation theory offers a canonical framework for predicting the effects of fragmentation on spatiotemporal host–parasite dynamics. However, empirical studies of parasites in classical metapopulations remain rare, particularly for vector-borne parasites. Here, we quantify spatiotemporal patterns and possible drivers of infection probability for several ectoparasites (fleas, Ixodes trianguliceps and Ixodes ricinus) and vector-borne microparasites (Babesia microti, Bartonella spp., Hepatozoon spp.) in a classically functioning metapopulation of water vole hosts. Results suggest that the relative importance of vector or host dynamics on microparasite infection probabilities is related to parasite life-histories. Bartonella, a microparasite with a fast life-history, was positively associated with both host and vector abundances at several spatial and temporal scales. In contrast, B. microti, a tick-borne parasite with a slow life-history, was only associated with vector dynamics. Further, we provide evidence that life-history shaped parasite dynamics, including occupancy and colonization rates, in the metapopulation. Lastly, our findings were consistent with the hypothesis that landscape connectivity was determined by distance-based dispersal of the focal hosts. We provide essential empirical evidence that contributes to the development of a comprehensive theory of metapopulation processes of vector-borne parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Emma Bryce
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claire L. Davies
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Richard Hassall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ali A. M. Shati
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Chris Sutherland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Sandra E. Telfer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Hedrick BP, Estrada A, Sutherland C, Barbosa AM. Projected northward shifts in eastern red-backed salamanders due to changing climate. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9999. [PMID: 37122767 PMCID: PMC10133384 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Many species' distributions are being impacted by the acceleration of climate change. Amphibians in particular serve numerous ecosystem functions and are useful indicators of environmental change. Understanding how their distributions have been impacted by climate change and will continue to be impacted is thus important to overall ecosystem health. Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-Backed Salamander) is a widespread species of lungless salamander (Plethodontidae) that ranges across northeastern North America. To better understand future potential lungless salamander range shifts, we quantify environmental favorability, the likelihood of membership in a set of sites where environmental conditions are favorable for a species, for P. cinereus in multiple time periods, and examine shifts in the species' distribution. First, utilizing a large data set of georeferenced records, we assessed which bioclimatic variables were associated with environmental favorability in P. cinereus. We then used species distribution modeling for two time periods (1961-1980 and 2001-2020) to determine whether there was a regional shift in environmental favorability in the past 60 years. Models were then used to project future distributions under eight climate change scenarios to quantify potential range shifts. Shifts were assessed using fuzzy logic, avoiding thresholds that oversimplify model predictions into artificial binary outputs. We found that P. cinereus presence is strongly associated with environmental stability. There has been a substantial northward shift in environmental favorability for P. cinereus between 1961-1980 and 2001-2020. This shift is predicted to continue by 2070, with larger shifts under higher greenhouse gas emission scenarios. As climate change accelerates, it is differentially impacting species but has especially strong impacts on dispersal-limited species. Our results show substantial northward shifts in climatic favorability in the last 60 years for P. cinereus, which are likely to be exacerbated by ongoing climate change. Since P. cinereus is dispersal-limited, these models may imply local extirpations along the southern modern range with limited northward dispersal. Continued monitoring of amphibians in the field will reveal microclimatic effects associated with climate change and the accuracy of the model predictions presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental ModellingUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - A. Márcia Barbosa
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo‐EspaciaisVila Nova de GaiaPortugal
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Levasseur P, Prescott R, Faherty M, Sutherland C. Factors affecting spatiotemporal patterns of nest site selection and abundance in diamondback terrapins. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9866. [PMID: 36937053 PMCID: PMC10017312 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Determining what factors influence the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations is crucial for implementing effective conservation and management actions. Yet, for species with dynamic seasonal, sex-, and age-specific spatial ecology, like the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin; DBT), doing so can be challenging. Moreover, environmental factors that influence the distribution and abundance of DBT in their northernmost range have not been quantitatively characterized. We investigated proximity to nesting habitat as one potential driver of spatiotemporal variation in abundance in a three-step analytical approach. First, we used a scale selection resource selection function (RSF) approach based on landcover data from the National Landcover Database (NLCD) to identify the scale at which DBT are selecting for (or avoiding) landcover types to nest. Next, we used RSF to predict areas of suitable nesting habitat and created an index of nest suitability (NSI). Finally, analyzing visual count data using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), we investigate spatiotemporal drivers of relative abundance, with a specific focus on whether similar factors affect offshore abundance and onshore nest site selection. We found the scale of selection for developed and saltmarsh land use classes to be 550 and 600 m and open water land use classes to be 100. Selection was positive for nesting areas proximal to saltmarsh habitat and negative for developed and open water. Expected relative abundance was best explained by the interaction between NSI and day of season, where expected relative abundance was greater within high NSI areas during the nesting season (2.20 individuals, CI: 1.19-3.93) compared to areas of low NSI (1.84 individuals, CI: 1.10-3.10). Our results provide evidence that inferred spatial patterns of suitable nesting habitats explain spatiotemporal patterns of terrapin movement and abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Levasseur
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Robert Prescott
- Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife SanctuaryWellfleetMassachusettsUSA
| | - Mark Faherty
- Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife SanctuaryWellfleetMassachusettsUSA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental ModellingUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
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Dupont G, Linden DW, Sutherland C. Improved inferences about landscape connectivity from spatial capture-recapture by integration of a movement model. Ecology 2022; 103:e3544. [PMID: 34626121 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how broad-scale patterns in animal populations emerge from individual-level processes is an enduring challenge in ecology that requires investigation at multiple scales and perspectives. Complementary to this need for diverse approaches is the recent focus on integrated modeling in statistical ecology. Population-level processes represent the core of spatial capture-recapture (SCR), with many methodological extensions that have been motivated by standing ecological theory and data-integration opportunities. The extent to which these recent advances offer inferential improvements can be limited by the data requirements for quantifying individual-level processes. This is especially true for SCR models that use non-Euclidean distance to relax the restrictive assumption that individual space use is stationary and symmetrical to make inferences about landscape connectivity. To meet the challenges of scale and data quality, we propose integrating an explicit movement model with non-Euclidean SCR for joint estimation of a shared cost parameter between individual and population processes. Here, we define a movement kernel for step selection that uses "ecological distance" instead of Euclidean distance to quantify availability for each movement step in terms of landscape cost. We compare performance of our integrated model to that of existing SCR models using realistic animal movement simulations and data collected on black bears. We demonstrate that an integrated approach offers improvements both in terms of bias and precision in estimating the shared cost parameter over models fit to spatial encounters alone. Simulations suggest these gains were only realized when step lengths were small relative to home range size, and estimates of density were insensitive to whether or not an integrated approach was used. By combining the fine spatiotemporal scale of individual movement processes with the estimation of population density in SCR, integrated approaches such as the one we develop here have the potential to unify the fields of movement, population, and landscape ecology and improve our understanding of landscape connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gates Dupont
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA.,Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, 204C French Hall, 230 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Daniel W Linden
- Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930, USA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA.,Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
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8
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Drake J, Lambin X, Sutherland C. Spatiotemporal connectivity dynamics in spatially structured populations. J Anim Ecol 2022; 91:2050-2060. [PMID: 35871483 PMCID: PMC9796704 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Connectivity is a fundamental concept linking dispersal to the emergent dynamics and persistence of spatially structured populations. Functional measures of connectivity typically seek to integrate aspects of landscape structure and animal movement to describe ecologically meaningful connectedness at the landscape and population scale. Despite this focus on function, traditional measures of landscape connectivity assume it is a static property of the landscape, hence abstracting out the underlying spatiotemporal population dynamics. Connectivity is, arguably, a dynamic property of landscapes, and is inherently related to the spatial distribution of individuals and populations across the landscape. Static representations of connectivity potentially overlook this variation and therefore adopting a dynamic approach should offer improved insights about connectivity and associated ecological processes. Using a large-scale, long-term time series of occupancy data from a metapopulation of water voles Arvicola amphibius, we tested competing hypotheses about how considering the dynamic nature of connectivity improves the ability of spatially explicit occupancy models to recover population dynamics. Iteratively relaxing standing assumptions of connectivity metrics, these models ranged from spatially and temporally fixed connectivity metrics that are widely applied, to the more flexible, but lesser used model that allowed temporally varying connectivity measures that incorporate spatiotemporally dynamic patch occupancy states. Our results provide empirical evidence that demographic weighting using patch occupancy dynamics and temporal variability in connectivity measures are important for describing metapopulation dynamics. We highlight the implications of commonly held assumption in connectivity modelling and demonstrate how they result in different and highly variable predictions of metapopulation capacity. Thus, we argue that the concept of connectivity and its potential applications would benefit from recognizing inherent spatiotemporal variation in connectivity that is explicitly linked to underlying ecological state variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Drake
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMAUSA,Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Interdisciplinary ProgramUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMAUSA
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity or AberdeenAberdeenUK
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMAUSA,Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental ModellingUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
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Curveira‐Santos G, Gigliotti L, Sutherland C, Rato D, Santos‐Reis M, Swanepoel LH. Context‐dependency in carnivore co‐occurrence across a multi‐use conservation landscape. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9239. [PMID: 36052301 PMCID: PMC9424669 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Carnivore intraguild dynamics depend on a complex interplay of environmental affinities and interspecific interactions. Context‐dependency is commonly expected with varying suites of interacting species and environmental conditions but seldom empirically described. In South Africa, decentralized approaches to conservation and the resulting multi‐tenure conservation landscapes have markedly altered the environmental stage that shapes the structure of local carnivore assemblages. We explored assemblage‐wide patterns of carnivore spatial (residual occupancy probability) and temporal (diel activity overlap) co‐occurrence across three adjacent wildlife‐oriented management contexts—a provincial protected area, a private ecotourism reserve, and commercial game ranches. We found that carnivores were generally distributed independently across space, but existing spatial dependencies were context‐specific. Spatial overlap was most common in the protected area, where species occur at higher relative abundances, and in game ranches, where predator persecution presumably narrows the scope for spatial asymmetries. In the private reserve, spatial co‐occurrence patterns were more heterogeneous but did not follow a dominance hierarchy associated with higher apex predator densities. Pair‐specific variability suggests that subordinate carnivores may alternate between pre‐emptive behavioral strategies and fine‐scale co‐occurrence with dominant competitors. Consistency in species‐pairs diel activity asynchrony suggested that temporal overlap patterns in our study areas mostly depend on species' endogenous clock rather than the local context. Collectively, our research highlights the complexity and context‐dependency of guild‐level implications of current management and conservation paradigms; specifically, the unheeded potential for interventions to influence the local network of carnivore interactions with unknown population‐level and cascading effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Curveira‐Santos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Laura Gigliotti
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California Berkeley Berkeley CA USA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Daniela Rato
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Margarida Santos‐Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Lourens H. Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South Africa
- African Institute for Conservation Ecology Levubu South Africa
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10
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Abstract
Ongoing recovery of native predators has the potential to alter species interactions, with community and ecosystem wide implications. We estimated the co-occurrence of three species of conservation and management interest from a multi-species citizen science camera trap survey. We demonstrate fundamental differences in novel and coevolved predator-prey interactions that are mediated by habitat. Specifically, we demonstrate that anthropogenic habitat modification had no influence on the expansion of the recovering native pine marten in Ireland, nor does it affect the predator's suppressive influence on an invasive prey species, the grey squirrel. By contrast, the direction of the interaction between the pine marten and a native prey species, the red squirrel, is dependent on habitat. Pine martens had a positive influence on red squirrel occurrence at a landscape scale, especially in native broadleaf woodlands. However, in areas dominated by non-native conifer plantations, the pine marten reduced red squirrel occurrence. These findings suggest that following the recovery of a native predator, the benefits of competitive release are spatially structured and habitat-specific. The potential for past and future landscape modification to alter established interactions between predators and prey has global implications in the context of the ongoing recovery of predator populations in human-modified landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P. Twining
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Fernow Hall, Ithaca, NY 14882, USA,School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - Neil Reid
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK,Institute of Global Food Security (IGFS), Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - David G. Tosh
- National Museums NI, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra BT18 0EU, UK
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11
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Luevano L, Sutherland C, Gonzalez SJ, Hernández‐Pacheco R. Rhesus macaques compensate for reproductive delay following ecological adversity early in life. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8456. [PMID: 35136546 PMCID: PMC8809442 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Adversity early in life can shape the reproductive potential of individuals through negative effects on health and life span. However, long-lived populations with multiple reproductive events may present alternative life history strategies to optimize reproductive schedules and compensate for shorter life spans. Here, we quantify the effects of major hurricanes and density dependence as sources of early-life ecological adversity on Cayo Santiago rhesus macaque female reproduction and decompose their effects onto the mean age-specific fertility, reproductive pace, and lifetime reproductive success (LRS). Females experiencing major hurricanes exhibit a delayed reproductive debut but maintain the pace of reproduction past debut and show a higher mean fertility during prime reproductive ages, relative to unaffected females. Increasing density at birth is associated to a decrease in mean fertility and reproductive pace, but such association is absent at intermediate densities. When combined, our study reveals that hurricanes early in life predict a delay-overshoot pattern in mean age-specific fertility that supports the maintenance of LRS. In contrast to predictive adaptive response models of accelerated reproduction, this long-lived population presents a novel reproductive strategy where females who experience major natural disasters early in life ultimately overcome their initial reproductive penalty with no major negative fitness outcomes. Density presents a more complex relation with reproduction that suggests females experiencing a population regulated at intermediate densities early in life will escape density dependence and show optimized reproductive schedules. Our results support hypotheses about life history trade-offs in which adversity-affected females ensure their future reproductive potential by allocating more energy to growth or maintenance processes at younger adult ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Luevano
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University‐Long BeachLong BeachCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- The Center for Research into Ecological and Environmental ModelingUniversity of St. AndrewsSt. AndrewsUK
| | - Stephanie J. Gonzalez
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University‐Long BeachLong BeachCaliforniaUSA
| | - Raisa Hernández‐Pacheco
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University‐Long BeachLong BeachCaliforniaUSA
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12
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Curveira-Santos G, Gigliotti L, Silva AP, Sutherland C, Foord S, Santos-Reis M, Swanepoel LH. Broad aggressive interactions among African carnivores suggest intraguild killing is driven by more than competition. Ecology 2021; 103:e03600. [PMID: 34816428 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Theory on intraguild killing (IGK) is central to mammalian carnivore community ecology and top-down ecosystem regulation. Yet, the cryptic nature of IGK hinders empirical evaluations. Using a novel data source - online photographs of interspecific aggression between African carnivores - we revisited existing predictions about the extent and drivers of IGK. Compared with seminal reviews, our constructed IGK network yielded 10 more species and nearly twice as many interactions. The extent of interactions increased 37% when considering intraguild aggression (direct attack) as a precursor of killing events. We show that IGK occurs over a wider range of body-mass ratios than predicted by standing competition-based views, with highly asymmetrical interactions being pervasive. Evidence that large species, particularly hypercarnivore felids, target sympatric carnivores with a wide range of body sizes suggests that current IGK theory is incomplete, underestimating alternative competition pathways and the role of predatory and incidental killing. Our findings reinforce the potential for IGK-mediated cascades in species-rich assemblages and community-wide suppressive effects of large carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Curveira-Santos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Laura Gigliotti
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Ecosystem Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - André P Silva
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.,Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Stefan Foord
- Department of Zoology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Lourens H Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa.,African Institute for Conservation Ecology, Levubu, South Africa
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13
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Pal R, Sutherland C, Qureshi Q, Sathyakumar S. Landscape connectivity and population density of snow leopards across a multi‐use landscape in Western Himalaya. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Pal
- Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun Uttarakhand India
| | - C. Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews Scotland UK
| | - Q. Qureshi
- Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun Uttarakhand India
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14
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Padilla BJ, Sutherland C. Defining dual-axis landscape gradients of human influence for studying ecological processes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252364. [PMID: 34793474 PMCID: PMC8601559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological processes are strongly shaped by human landscape modification, and understanding the reciprocal relationship between ecosystems and modified landscapes is critical for informed conservation. Single axis measures of spatial heterogeneity proliferate in the contemporary gradient ecology literature, though they are unlikely to capture the complexity of ecological responses. Here, we develop a standardized approach for defining multi-dimensional gradients of human influence in heterogeneous landscapes and demonstrate this approach to analyze landscape characteristics of ten ecologically distinct US cities. Using occupancy data of a common human-adaptive songbird collected in each of the cities, we then use our dual-axis gradients to evaluate the utility of our approach. Spatial analysis of landscapes surrounding ten US cities revealed two important axes of variation that are intuitively consistent with the characteristics of multi-use landscapes, but are often confounded in single axis gradients. These were, a hard-to-soft gradient, representing transition from developed areas to non-structural soft areas; and brown-to-green, differentiating between two dominant types of soft landscapes: agriculture (brown) and natural areas (green). Analysis of American robin occurrence data demonstrated that occupancy responds to both hard-to-soft (decreasing with development intensity) and brown-to-green gradient (increasing with more natural area). Overall, our results reveal striking consistency in the dominant sources of variation across ten geographically distinct cities and suggests that our approach advances how we relate variation in ecological responses to human influence. Our case study demonstrates this: robins show a remarkably consistent response to a gradient differentiating agricultural and natural areas, but city-specific responses to the more traditional gradient of development intensity, which would be overlooked with a single gradient approach. Managing ecological communities in human dominated landscapes is extremely challenging due to a lack of standardized approaches and a general understanding of how socio-ecological systems function, and our approach offers promising solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Juan Padilla
- Research Institute – Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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15
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Fleming J, Grant EHC, Sterrett SC, Sutherland C. Experimental evaluation of spatial capture-recapture study design. Ecol Appl 2021; 31:e02419. [PMID: 34278637 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A principal challenge impeding strong inference in analyses of wild populations is the lack of robust and long-term data sets. Recent advancements in analytical tools used in wildlife science may increase our ability to integrate smaller data sets and enhance the statistical power of population estimates. One such advancement, the development of spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methods, explicitly accounts for differences in spatial study designs, making it possible to equate multiple study designs in one analysis. SCR has been shown to be robust to variation in design as long as minimal sampling guidance is adhered to. However, these expectations are based on simulation and have yet to be evaluated in wild populations. Here we conduct a rigorously designed field experiment by manipulating the arrangement of artificial cover objects (ACOs) used to collect data on red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to empirically evaluate the effects of design configuration on inference made using SCR. Our results suggest that, using SCR, estimates of space use and detectability are sensitive to study design configuration, namely the spacing and extent of the array, and that caution is warranted when assigning biological interpretation to these parameters. However, estimates of population density remain robust to design except when the configuration of detectors grossly violates existing recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Fleming
- USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, Massachusetts, 01376, USA
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Evan H Campbell Grant
- USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, Massachusetts, 01376, USA
| | - Sean C Sterrett
- Department of Biology, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, New Jersey, 07764, USA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
- Centre for Research into Ecological & Environmental Modelling, The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, United Kingdom
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16
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Cove MV, Kays R, Bontrager H, Bresnan C, Lasky M, Frerichs T, Klann R, Lee TE, Crockett SC, Crupi AP, Weiss KCB, Rowe H, Sprague T, Schipper J, Tellez C, Lepczyk CA, Fantle-Lepczyk JE, LaPoint S, Williamson J, Fisher-Reid MC, King SM, Bebko AJ, Chrysafis P, Jensen AJ, Jachowski DS, Sands J, MacCombie KA, Herrera DJ, van der Merwe M, Knowles TW, Horan RV, Rentz MS, Brandt LSE, Nagy C, Barton BT, Thompson WC, Maher SP, Darracq AK, Hess G, Parsons AW, Wells B, Roemer GW, Hernandez CJ, Gompper ME, Webb SL, Vanek JP, Lafferty DJR, Bergquist AM, Hubbard T, Forrester T, Clark D, Cincotta C, Favreau J, Facka AN, Halbur M, Hammerich S, Gray M, Rega-Brodsky CC, Durbin C, Flaherty EA, Brooke JM, Coster SS, Lathrop RG, Russell K, Bogan DA, Cliché R, Shamon H, Hawkins MTR, Marks SB, Lonsinger RC, O'Mara MT, Compton JA, Fowler M, Barthelmess EL, Andy KE, Belant JL, Beyer DE, Kautz TM, Scognamillo DG, Schalk CM, Leslie MS, Nasrallah SL, Ellison CN, Ruthven C, Fritts S, Tleimat J, Gay M, Whittier CA, Neiswenter SA, Pelletier R, DeGregorio BA, Kuprewicz EK, Davis ML, Dykstra A, Mason DS, Baruzzi C, Lashley MA, Risch DR, Price MR, Allen ML, Whipple LS, Sperry JH, Hagen RH, Mortelliti A, Evans BE, Studds CE, Sirén APK, Kilborn J, Sutherland C, Warren P, Fuller T, Harris NC, Carter NH, Trout E, Zimova M, Giery ST, Iannarilli F, Higdon SD, Revord RS, Hansen CP, Millspaugh JJ, Zorn A, Benson JF, Wehr NH, Solberg JN, Gerber BD, Burr JC, Sevin J, Green AM, Şekercioğlu ÇH, Pendergast M, Barnick KA, Edelman AJ, Wasdin JR, Romero A, O'Neill BJ, Schmitz N, Alston JM, Kuhn KM, Lesmeister DB, Linnell MA, Appel CL, Rota C, Stenglein JL, Anhalt-Depies C, Nelson C, Long RA, Jo Jaspers K, Remine KR, Jordan MJ, Davis D, Hernández-Yáñez H, Zhao JY, McShea WJ. SNAPSHOT USA 2019: a coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States. Ecology 2021; 102:e03353. [PMID: 33793977 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
With the accelerating pace of global change, it is imperative that we obtain rapid inventories of the status and distribution of wildlife for ecological inferences and conservation planning. To address this challenge, we launched the SNAPSHOT USA project, a collaborative survey of terrestrial wildlife populations using camera traps across the United States. For our first annual survey, we compiled data across all 50 states during a 14-week period (17 August-24 November of 2019). We sampled wildlife at 1,509 camera trap sites from 110 camera trap arrays covering 12 different ecoregions across four development zones. This effort resulted in 166,036 unique detections of 83 species of mammals and 17 species of birds. All images were processed through the Smithsonian's eMammal camera trap data repository and included an expert review phase to ensure taxonomic accuracy of data, resulting in each picture being reviewed at least twice. The results represent a timely and standardized camera trap survey of the United States. All of the 2019 survey data are made available herein. We are currently repeating surveys in fall 2020, opening up the opportunity to other institutions and cooperators to expand coverage of all the urban-wild gradients and ecophysiographic regions of the country. Future data will be available as the database is updated at eMammal.si.edu/snapshot-usa, as will future data paper submissions. These data will be useful for local and macroecological research including the examination of community assembly, effects of environmental and anthropogenic landscape variables, effects of fragmentation and extinction debt dynamics, as well as species-specific population dynamics and conservation action plans. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this paper when using the data for publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V Cove
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
| | - Roland Kays
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, USA
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA
| | - Helen Bontrager
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
| | - Claire Bresnan
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
| | - Monica Lasky
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA
| | - Taylor Frerichs
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
| | - Renee Klann
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
| | - Thomas E Lee
- Department of Biology, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, 79601, USA
| | - Seth C Crockett
- Department of Biology, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, 79601, USA
| | - Anthony P Crupi
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Douglas, Alaska, 99824, USA
| | - Katherine C B Weiss
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85281, USA
- Field Conservation Research Department, Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, Arizona, 85008, USA
| | - Helen Rowe
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, 7729 East Greenway Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85260, USA
| | - Tiffany Sprague
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, 7729 East Greenway Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85260, USA
| | - Jan Schipper
- Field Conservation Research Department, Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, Arizona, 85008, USA
| | - Chelsey Tellez
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85281, USA
- Field Conservation Research Department, Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, Arizona, 85008, USA
| | - Christopher A Lepczyk
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 36849, USA
| | - Jean E Fantle-Lepczyk
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 36849, USA
| | - Scott LaPoint
- Black Rock Forest, 65 Reservoir Road, Cornwall, New York, 12518, USA
| | - Jacque Williamson
- Department of Education & Conservation, Brandywine Zoo-Delaware State Parks, Wilmington, Delaware, 19802, USA
| | - M Caitlin Fisher-Reid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 02325, USA
| | - Sean M King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 02325, USA
| | - Alexandra J Bebko
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, 02325, USA
| | | | - Alex J Jensen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 29631, USA
| | - David S Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 29631, USA
| | - Joshua Sands
- Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Key Largo, Florida, 33037, USA
| | | | - Daniel J Herrera
- DC Cat Count at the Humane Rescue Alliance, Washington, D.C., 20011, USA
| | - Marius van der Merwe
- Biological Sciences Department, Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, 84770, USA
| | - Travis W Knowles
- Department of Biology, Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina, 29502, USA
| | - Robert V Horan
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Brunswick, Georgia, 31520, USA
| | - Michael S Rentz
- Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011, USA
| | - LaRoy S E Brandt
- Cumberland Mountain Research Center, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee, 37752, USA
| | | | - Brandon T Barton
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA
| | - Weston C Thompson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA
| | - Sean P Maher
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri, 65897, USA
| | - Andrea K Darracq
- Department of Biology, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky, 42071, USA
| | - George Hess
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA
| | - Arielle W Parsons
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA
| | - Brenna Wells
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA
| | - Gary W Roemer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88003, USA
| | - Cristian J Hernandez
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88003, USA
| | - Matthew E Gompper
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88003, USA
| | - Stephen L Webb
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, Oklahoma, 73401, USA
| | - John P Vanek
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, USA
| | - Diana J R Lafferty
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science Lab, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marqeutte, Michigan, 49855, USA
| | - Amelia M Bergquist
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science Lab, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marqeutte, Michigan, 49855, USA
| | - Tru Hubbard
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science Lab, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marqeutte, Michigan, 49855, USA
| | - Tavis Forrester
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, La Grande, Oregon, 97850, USA
| | - Darren Clark
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, La Grande, Oregon, 97850, USA
| | | | - Jorie Favreau
- Paul Smith's College, Paul Smiths, New York, 12970, USA
| | - Aaron N Facka
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17110, USA
| | - Michelle Halbur
- Pepperwood Foundation, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Rd, Santa Rosa, California, 95404, USA
| | - Steven Hammerich
- Pepperwood Foundation, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Rd, Santa Rosa, California, 95404, USA
| | - Morgan Gray
- Pepperwood Foundation, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Rd, Santa Rosa, California, 95404, USA
| | | | - Caleb Durbin
- Biology Department, Pittsburg State University, 1701 S Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas, 66762, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Flaherty
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, USA
| | - Jarred M Brooke
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, USA
| | - Stephanie S Coster
- Biology Department, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia, 23005, USA
| | - Richard G Lathrop
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, USA
| | - Katarina Russell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, USA
| | - Daniel A Bogan
- Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Siena College, 515 Loudon Rd, Loudonville, New York, 12211, USA
| | - Rachel Cliché
- Silvio O Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Brunswick, Vermont, 05905, USA
| | - Hila Shamon
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
| | - Melissa T R Hawkins
- Division of Mammals, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 20560, USA
- Department of Biology, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St, Arcata, California, 95521, USA
| | - Sharyn B Marks
- Department of Biology, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St, Arcata, California, 95521, USA
| | - Robert C Lonsinger
- Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University, 1390 College Avenue, Brookings, South Dakota, 57007, USA
| | - M Teague O'Mara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, 808 N Pine St., Hammond, Louisiana, 70402, USA
| | - Justin A Compton
- Biology and Chemistry Department, Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, 01109, USA
| | - Melinda Fowler
- Biology and Chemistry Department, Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts, 01109, USA
| | - Erika L Barthelmess
- Biology Department and Nature Up North Program, St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, 13617, USA
| | - Katherine E Andy
- Biology Department and Nature Up North Program, St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York, 13617, USA
| | - Jerrold L Belant
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
| | - Dean E Beyer
- Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, Michigan, 48909, USA
| | - Todd M Kautz
- Global Wildlife Conservation Center, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
| | - Daniel G Scognamillo
- Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture - Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962, USA
| | - Christopher M Schalk
- Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture - Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962, USA
| | - Matthew S Leslie
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 19081, USA
| | - Sophie L Nasrallah
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 19081, USA
| | | | - Chip Ruthven
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Paducah, Texas, 79248, USA
| | - Sarah Fritts
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, 78666, USA
| | - Jaquelyn Tleimat
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, 78666, USA
| | - Mandy Gay
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, 78666, USA
| | - Christopher A Whittier
- Tufts Center for Conservation Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, 01536, USA
| | - Sean A Neiswenter
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, MS4004, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89154, USA
| | - Robert Pelletier
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, MS4004, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89154, USA
| | - Brett A DeGregorio
- U.S. Geological Survey Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA
| | - Erin K Kuprewicz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, USA
| | - Miranda L Davis
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, USA
| | - Adrienne Dykstra
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - David S Mason
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Carolina Baruzzi
- School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Marcus A Lashley
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Derek R Risch
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Melissa R Price
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Maximilian L Allen
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, 1816 S. Oak Street, Champaign, Illinois, 61820, USA
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana Illinois, 1102 S Goodwin Ave, 61801, USA
| | - Laura S Whipple
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana Illinois, 1102 S Goodwin Ave, 61801, USA
| | - Jinelle H Sperry
- Engineer Research and Development Center, 2902 Newmark Dr., Champaign, Illinois, 61826, USA
| | - Robert H Hagen
- Environmental Studies Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045, USA
| | - Alessio Mortelliti
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, 5755 Nutting Hall, Orono, Maine, 04469, USA
| | - Bryn E Evans
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, 5755 Nutting Hall, Orono, Maine, 04469, USA
| | - Colin E Studds
- Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250, USA
| | - Alexej P K Sirén
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Jillian Kilborn
- New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, Concord, New Hampshire, 03301, USA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Paige Warren
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Todd Fuller
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Nyeema C Harris
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Neil H Carter
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Edward Trout
- Human-Environment Systems, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, 83725, USA
| | - Marketa Zimova
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Sean T Giery
- Eberly College of Science, Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA
| | - Fabiola Iannarilli
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Summer D Higdon
- Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Ronald S Revord
- Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, 302 Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Christopher P Hansen
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Joshua J Millspaugh
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Adam Zorn
- Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center, University of Mount Union, Alliance, Ohio, 44601, USA
| | - John F Benson
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68583, USA
| | - Nathaniel H Wehr
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68583, USA
| | - Jaylin N Solberg
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street, Stop 9019, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202, USA
| | - Brian D Gerber
- Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, 02881, USA
| | - Jessica C Burr
- Department of Natural Resources Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, 02881, USA
| | - Jennifer Sevin
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia, 23173, USA
| | - Austin M Green
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
| | - Çağan H Şekercioğlu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
- College of Sciences, Koç University, Rumelifeneri, İstanbul, Sarıyer, Turkey
| | | | - Kelsey A Barnick
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
| | - Andrew J Edelman
- Department of Biology, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia, 30118, USA
| | - Joanne R Wasdin
- Department of Biology, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia, 30118, USA
| | - Andrea Romero
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Geography, Geology, and Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 53190, USA
| | - Brian J O'Neill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Geography, Geology, and Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 53190, USA
| | - Noel Schmitz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Geography, Geology, and Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, 53190, USA
| | - Jesse M Alston
- Program in Ecology, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA
| | - Kellie M Kuhn
- Deparment of Biology, US Air Force Academy, USAFA, Colorado, 80840, USA
| | - Damon B Lesmeister
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon, 97204, USA
| | - Mark A Linnell
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon, 97204, USA
| | - Cara L Appel
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Christopher Rota
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Jennifer L Stenglein
- Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, 53707, USA
| | - Christine Anhalt-Depies
- Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, 53707, USA
| | - Carrie Nelson
- U.S. Forest Service, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Great Divide Ranger District, Glidden, Wisconsin, 54527, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mark J Jordan
- Department of Biology, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, 98122, USA
| | - Daniel Davis
- Office of the Chief Information Officer, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 20024, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Y Zhao
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
| | - William J McShea
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630, USA
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17
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Nawaz MA, Khan BU, Mahmood A, Younas M, Din JU, Sutherland C. An empirical demonstration of the effect of study design on density estimations. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13104. [PMID: 34162926 PMCID: PMC8222225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The simultaneous development of technology (e.g. camera traps) and statistical methods, particularly spatially capture-recapture (SCR), has improved monitoring of large mammals in recent years. SCR estimates are known to be sensitive to sampling design, yet existing recommendations about trap spacing and coverage are often not achieved, particularly for sampling wide-ranging and rare species in landscapes that allow for limited accessibility. Consequently, most camera trap studies on large wide-ranging carnivores relies on convenience or judgmental sampling, and often yields compromised results. This study attempts to highlight the importance of carefully considered sampling design for large carnivores that, because of low densities and elusive behavior, are challenging to monitor. As a motivating example, we use two years of snow leopard camera trapping data from the same areas in the high mountains of Pakistan but with vastly different camera configurations, to demonstrate that estimates of density and space use are indeed sensitive to the trapping array. A compact design, one in which cameras were placed much closer together than generally recommended and therefore have lower spatial coverage, resulted in fewer individuals observed, but more recaptures, and estimates of density and space use were inconsistent with expectations for the region. In contrast, a diffuse design, one with larger spacing and spatial coverage and more consistent with general recommendations, detected more individuals, had fewer recaptures, but generated estimates of density and space use that were in line with expectations. Researchers often opt for compact camera configurations while monitoring wide-ranging and rare species, in an attempt to maximize the encounter probabilities. We empirically demonstrate the potential for biases when sampling a small area approximately the size of a single home range-this arises from exposing fewer individuals than deemed sufficient for estimation. The smaller trapping array may also underestimate density by significantly inflating [Formula: see text]. On the other hand, larger trapping array with fewer detectors and poor design induces uncertainties in the estimates. We conclude that existing design recommendations have limited utility on practical grounds for devising feasible sampling designs for large ranging species, and more research on SCR designs is required that allows for integrating biological and habitat traits of large carnivores in sampling framework. We also suggest that caution should be exercised when there is a reliance on convenience sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ali Nawaz
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Barkat Ullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Snow Leopard Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Amer Mahmood
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Jaffar Ud Din
- Snow Leopard Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, USA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA
- Centre for Research Into Ecological & Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
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18
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Curveira-Santos G, Sutherland C, Tenan S, Fernández-Chacón A, Mann GKH, Pitman RT, Swanepoel LH. Mesocarnivore community structuring in the presence of Africa's apex predator. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202379. [PMID: 33715442 PMCID: PMC7944110 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Apex predator reintroductions have proliferated across southern Africa, yet their ecological effects and proposed umbrella benefits of associated management lack empirical evaluations. Despite a rich theory on top-down ecosystem regulation via mesopredator suppression, a knowledge gap exists relating to the influence of lions (Panthera leo) over Africa's diverse mesocarnivore (less than 20 kg) communities. We investigate how geographical variation in mesocarnivore community richness and occupancy across South African reserves is associated with the presence of lions. An interesting duality emerged: lion reserves held more mesocarnivore-rich communities, yet mesocarnivore occupancy rates and evenness-weighted diversity were lower in the presence of lions. Human population density in the reserve surroundings had a similarly ubiquitous negative effect on mesocarnivore occupancy. The positive association between species richness and lion presence corroborated the umbrella species concept but translated into small differences in community size. Distributional contractions of mesocarnivore species within lion reserves, and potentially corresponding numerical reductions, suggest within-community mesopredator suppression by lions, probably as a result of lethal encounters and responses to a landscape of fear. Our findings offer empirical support for the theoretical understanding of processes underpinning carnivore community assembly and are of conservation relevance under current large-predator orientated management and conservation paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Curveira-Santos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes – cE3c, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Simone Tenan
- National Research Council, Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), Arsenale, Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venezia, Italy
| | - Albert Fernández-Chacón
- Centre for Coastal Research, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Gareth K. H. Mann
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Ross T. Pitman
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
| | - Lourens H. Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, 0950 Thohoyandou, South Africa
- African Institute for Conservation Ecology, 0929 Levubu, South Africa
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19
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Dupont G, Royle JA, Nawaz MA, Sutherland C. Optimal sampling design for spatial capture-recapture. Ecology 2021; 102:e03262. [PMID: 33244753 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Spatial capture-recapture (SCR) has emerged as the industry standard for estimating population density by leveraging information from spatial locations of repeat encounters of individuals. The precision of density estimates depends fundamentally on the number and spatial configuration of traps. Despite this knowledge, existing sampling design recommendations are heuristic and their performance remains untested for most practical applications. To address this issue, we propose a genetic algorithm that minimizes any sensible, criteria-based objective function to produce near-optimal sampling designs. To motivate the idea of optimality, we compare the performance of designs optimized using three model-based criteria related to the probability of capture. We use simulation to show that these designs outperform those based on existing recommendations in terms of bias, precision, and accuracy in the estimation of population size. Our approach, available as a function in the R package oSCR, allows conservation practitioners and researchers to generate customized and improved sampling designs for wildlife monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gates Dupont
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA.,Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, 204C French Hall, 230 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, 20708, USA
| | - Muhammad Ali Nawaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan.,Snow Leopard Trust, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North, Suite 325, Seattle, Washington, 98103, USA.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA.,Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ, St. Andrews, UK
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Durbach
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment, and Conservation University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - David Borchers
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts‐Amherst Amherst MA USA
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Fleming
- U.S. Gelogical Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory 1 Migratory Way Turners Falls MA 01376 USA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Dept of Environmental Conservation, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst MA USA
| | | | - Evan H. Campbell Grant
- U.S. Gelogical Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory 1 Migratory Way Turners Falls MA 01376 USA
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22
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Curveira‐Santos G, Sutherland C, Santos‐Reis M, Swanepoel LH. Responses of carnivore assemblages to decentralized conservation approaches in a South African landscape. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Curveira‐Santos
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst MA USA
| | - Margarida Santos‐Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
| | - Lourens H. Swanepoel
- Department of Zoology School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences University of Venda Thohoyandou South Africa
- African Institute for Conservation Ecology Levubu South Africa
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst MA USA
| | - Andrew J. Greenlee
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
| | - Daniel Schneider
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
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24
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts‐Amherst Amherst Massachusetts
| | - Angela K. Fuller
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources Cornell University Ithaca New York
| | | | - Eduardo Eizirik
- Laboratório de Biologia Genômica e Molecular Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
- Instituto Pró‐Carnívoros Atibaia Brazil
| | - Laurie Marker
- Ecology Division Cheetah Conservation Fund Otjiwarongo Namibia
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25
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Augustine BC, Kéry M, Olano Marin J, Mollet P, Pasinelli G, Sutherland C. Sex‐specific population dynamics and demography of capercaillie (
Tetrao urogallus
L.) in a patchy environment. POPUL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/1438-390x.12031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ben C. Augustine
- Department of Natural Resources, Atkinson Center for a Sustainable FutureCornell University Ithaca New York
| | - Marc Kéry
- Swiss Ornithological Institute Sempach Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts
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26
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Sutherland C, Fuller AK, Royle JA, Hare MP, Madden S. Author Correction: Large-scale variation in density of an aquatic ecosystem indicator species. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16509. [PMID: 31695126 PMCID: PMC6834592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53158-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003, USA.
| | - Angela K Fuller
- Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA.,U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - J Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, 12311, USA
| | - Matthew P Hare
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - Sean Madden
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Albany, 12233, USA
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27
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Hernández-Pacheco R, Sutherland C, Thompson LM, Grayson KL. Unexpected spatial population ecology of a widespread terrestrial salamander near its southern range edge. R Soc Open Sci 2019; 6:182192. [PMID: 31312480 PMCID: PMC6599808 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.182192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Under the current amphibian biodiversity crisis, common species provide an opportunity to measure population dynamics across a wide range of environmental conditions while examining the processes that determine abundance and structure geographical ranges. Studying species at their range limits also provides a window for understanding the dynamics expected in future environments under increasing climate change and human modification. We quantified patterns of seasonal activity, density and space use in the eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) near its southern range edge and compare the spatial ecology of this population to previous findings from the core of their range. This southern population shows the expected phenology of surface activity based on temperature limitations in warmer climates, yet maintains unexpectedly high densities and large home ranges during the active season. Our study suggests that ecological factors known to strongly affect amphibian populations (e.g. warm temperature and forest fragmentation) do not necessarily constrain this southern population. Our study highlights the utility of studying a common amphibian as a model system for investigating population processes in environments under strong selective pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Lily M. Thompson
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA
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28
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Sheehy E, Sutherland C, O'Reilly C, Lambin X. The enemy of my enemy is my friend: native pine marten recovery reverses the decline of the red squirrel by suppressing grey squirrel populations. Proc Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29514972 PMCID: PMC5879625 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Shared enemies may instigate or modify competitive interactions between species. The dis-equilibrium caused by non-native species introductions has revealed that the outcome of such indirect interactions can often be dramatic. However, studies of enemy-mediated competition mostly consider the impact of a single enemy, despite species being embedded in complex networks of interactions. Here, we demonstrate that native red and invasive grey squirrels in Britain, two terrestrial species linked by resource and disease-mediated apparent competition, are also now linked by a second enemy-mediated relationship involving a shared native predator recovering from historical persecution, the European pine marten. Through combining spatial capture–recapture techniques to estimate pine marten density, and squirrel site-occupancy data, we find that the impact of exposure to predation is highly asymmetrical, with non-native grey squirrel occupancy strongly negatively affected by exposure to pine martens. By contrast, exposure to pine marten predation has an indirect positive effect on red squirrel populations. Pine marten predation thus reverses the well-documented outcome of resource and apparent competition between red and grey squirrels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Sheehy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.,Department of Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Catherine O'Reilly
- Department of Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology building, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
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29
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Milleret C, Dupont P, Bonenfant C, Brøseth H, Flagstad Ø, Sutherland C, Bischof R. A local evaluation of the individual state-space to scale up Bayesian spatial capture-recapture. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:352-363. [PMID: 30680119 PMCID: PMC6342129 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial capture-recapture models (SCR) are used to estimate animal density and to investigate a range of problems in spatial ecology that cannot be addressed with traditional nonspatial methods. Bayesian approaches in particular offer tremendous flexibility for SCR modeling. Increasingly, SCR data are being collected over very large spatial extents making analysis computational intensive, sometimes prohibitively so. To mitigate the computational burden of large-scale SCR models, we developed an improved formulation of the Bayesian SCR model that uses local evaluation of the individual state-space (LESS). Based on prior knowledge about a species' home range size, we created square evaluation windows that restrict the spatial domain in which an individual's detection probability (detector window) and activity center location (AC window) are estimated. We used simulations and empirical data analyses to assess the performance and bias of SCR with LESS. LESS produced unbiased estimates of SCR parameters when the AC window width was ≥5σ (σ: the scale parameter of the half-normal detection function), and when the detector window extended beyond the edge of the AC window by 2σ. Importantly, LESS considerably decreased the computation time needed for fitting SCR models. In our simulations, LESS increased the computation speed of SCR models up to 57-fold. We demonstrate the power of this new approach by mapping the density of an elusive large carnivore-the wolverine (Gulo gulo)-with an unprecedented resolution and across the species' entire range in Norway (> 200,000 km2). Our approach helps overcome a major computational obstacle to population and landscape-level SCR analyses. The LESS implementation in a Bayesian framework makes the customization and fitting of SCR accessible for practitioners working at scales that are relevant for conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Milleret
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Pierre Dupont
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Christophe Bonenfant
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie ÉvolutiveUniversité Lyon 1VilleurbanneFrance
| | | | | | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental ConservationUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Richard Bischof
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
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30
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Sutherland C, Fuller AK, Royle JA, Hare MP, Madden S. Large-scale variation in density of an aquatic ecosystem indicator species. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8958. [PMID: 29895946 PMCID: PMC5997698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26847-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring indicator species is a pragmatic approach to natural resource assessments, especially when the link between the indicator species and ecosystem state is well justified. However, conducting ecosystem assessments over representative spatial scales that are insensitive to local heterogeneity is challenging. We examine the link between polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination and population density of an aquatic habitat specialist over a large spatial scale using non-invasive genetic spatial capture-recapture. Using American mink (Neovison vison), a predatory mammal and an indicator of aquatic ecosystems, we compared estimates of density in two major river systems, one with extremely high levels of PCB contamination (Hudson River), and a hydrologically independent river with lower PCB levels (Mohawk River). Our work supports the hypothesis that mink densities are substantially (1.64-1.67 times) lower in the contaminated river system. We demonstrate the value of coupling the indicator species concept with well-conceived and spatially representative monitoring protocols. PCBs have demonstrable detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, including mink, and these effects are likely to be profound and long-lasting, manifesting as population-level impacts. Through integrating non-invasive data collection, genetic analysis, and spatial capture-recapture methods, we present a monitoring framework for generating robust density estimates across large spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 01003, USA.
| | - Angela K Fuller
- Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - J Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, 12311, USA
| | - Matthew P Hare
- Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA
| | - Sean Madden
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Albany, 12233, USA
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Tenan S, Pedrini P, Bragalanti N, Groff C, Sutherland C. Data integration for inference about spatial processes: A model-based approach to test and account for data inconsistency. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185588. [PMID: 28973034 PMCID: PMC5626469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently-developed methods that integrate multiple data sources arising from the same ecological processes have typically utilized structured data from well-defined sampling protocols (e.g., capture-recapture and telemetry). Despite this new methodological focus, the value of opportunistic data for improving inference about spatial ecological processes is unclear and, perhaps more importantly, no procedures are available to formally test whether parameter estimates are consistent across data sources and whether they are suitable for integration. Using data collected on the reintroduced brown bear population in the Italian Alps, a population of conservation importance, we combined data from three sources: traditional spatial capture-recapture data, telemetry data, and opportunistic data. We developed a fully integrated spatial capture-recapture (SCR) model that included a model-based test for data consistency to first compare model estimates using different combinations of data, and then, by acknowledging data-type differences, evaluate parameter consistency. We demonstrate that opportunistic data lend itself naturally to integration within the SCR framework and highlight the value of opportunistic data for improving inference about space use and population size. This is particularly relevant in studies of rare or elusive species, where the number of spatial encounters is usually small and where additional observations are of high value. In addition, our results highlight the importance of testing and accounting for inconsistencies in spatial information from structured and unstructured data so as to avoid the risk of spurious or averaged estimates of space use and consequently, of population size. Our work supports the use of a single modeling framework to combine spatially-referenced data while also accounting for parameter consistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Tenan
- Vertebrate Zoology Section, MUSE - Museo delle Scienze, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Paolo Pedrini
- Vertebrate Zoology Section, MUSE - Museo delle Scienze, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Natalia Bragalanti
- Vertebrate Zoology Section, MUSE - Museo delle Scienze, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Servizio Foreste e Fauna, Via Trener 3, 38100 Trento, Italy
| | - Claudio Groff
- Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Servizio Foreste e Fauna, Via Trener 3, 38100 Trento, Italy
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, United States of America
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Schmidt BR, Meier A, Sutherland C, Royle JA. Spatial capture-recapture analysis of artificial cover board survey data reveals small scale spatial variation in slow-worm Anguis fragilis density. R Soc Open Sci 2017; 4:170374. [PMID: 28989745 PMCID: PMC5627085 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Vague and/or ad hoc definitions of the area sampled in monitoring efforts are common, and estimates of ecological state variables (e.g. distribution and abundance) can be sensitive to such specifications. The uncertainty in population metrics due to data deficiencies, vague definitions of space and lack of standardized protocols is a major challenge for monitoring, managing and conserving amphibian and reptile populations globally. This is especially true for the slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), a cryptic and fossorial legless lizard; uncertainty about spatial variation in density has hindered conservation efforts (e.g. in translocation projects). Spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methods can be used to estimate density while simultaneously and explicitly accounting for space and individual movement. We use SCR to analyse mark-recapture data of the slow-worm that were collected using artificial cover objects (ACO). Detectability varied among ACO grids and through the season. Estimates of slow-worm density varied across ACO grids (13, 45 and 46 individuals ha-1, respectively). The estimated 95% home range size of slow-worms was 0.38 ha. Our estimates provide valuable information about slow-worm spatial ecology that can be used to inform future conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt R. Schmidt
- Info Fauna Karch, Passage Maximilien-de-Meuron 6, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Institut für Evolutionsbiologie und Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- Author for correspondence: Benedikt R. Schmidt e-mail:
| | - Anita Meier
- Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Grüental, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - J. Andy Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA
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Tenan S, Brambilla M, Pedrini P, Sutherland C. Quantifying spatial variation in the size and structure of ecologically stratified communities. Methods Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Tenan
- MUSE – Science Museum, Vertebrate Zoology Section Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 38122 Trento Italy
| | - Mattia Brambilla
- MUSE – Science Museum, Vertebrate Zoology Section Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 38122 Trento Italy
- Department of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Lombardy Foundation for the Environment Largo 10 luglio 1976 1 20822 Seveso (MB) Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrini
- MUSE – Science Museum, Vertebrate Zoology Section Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 38122 Trento Italy
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst MA 01003 USA
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Morin DJ, Fuller AK, Royle JA, Sutherland C. Model-based estimators of density and connectivity to inform conservation of spatially structured populations. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dana J. Morin
- New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Department of Natural Resources; Cornell University; 211 Fernow Hall Ithaca New York 14853 USA
| | - Angela K. Fuller
- U.S. Geological Survey; New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Department of Natural Resources; Cornell University; 211 Fernow Hall Ithaca New York 14853 USA
| | - J. Andrew Royle
- U.S. Geological Survey; Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; 12000 Beech Forest Road Laurel Maryland 20708 USA
| | - Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation; University of Massachusetts-Amherst; 118 Holdsworth Hall Amherst Massachusetts 01003 USA
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McNeilly A, Gao A, Hill A, Gomersall T, Balfour D, Sutherland C, Stewart C. The effect of dietary intervention on the metabolic and behavioural impairments generated by short term high fat feeding in the rat. Physiol Behav 2016; 167:100-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Sutherland C, Muñoz DJ, Miller DA, Grant EHC. Spatial Capture–Recapture: A Promising Method for Analyzing Data Collected Using Artificial Cover Objects. HERPETOLOGICA 2016. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-15-00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - David J. Muñoz
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16827, USA
| | - David A.W. Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16827, USA
| | - Evan H. Campbell Grant
- US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SO Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, Turners Falls, MA 01360, USA
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Sutherland C, Brambilla M, Pedrini P, Tenan S. A multiregion community model for inference about geographic variation in species richness. Methods Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst MA 01003 USA
| | - Mattia Brambilla
- Vertebrate Zoology Section MUSE ‐ Museo delle Scienze Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 I‐38122 Trento Italy
- Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente Settore biodiversità e aree protette Largo 10 luglio 1976 1 I‐20822 Seveso (MB) Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrini
- Vertebrate Zoology Section MUSE ‐ Museo delle Scienze Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 I‐38122 Trento Italy
| | - Simone Tenan
- Vertebrate Zoology Section MUSE ‐ Museo delle Scienze Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 I‐38122 Trento Italy
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Sutherland C, Muñoz DJ, Miller DAW, Grant EHC. Spatial Capture-Recapture: a Promising Method for Analyzing Data Collected Using Artificial Cover Objects. HERPETOLOGICA 2015. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-15-00027.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Royle JA, Sutherland C, Fuller AK, Sun CC. Likelihood analysis of spatial capture-recapture models for stratified or class structured populations. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es14-00148.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Sutherland C, Fuller AK, Royle JA. Modelling non‐Euclidean movement and landscape connectivity in highly structured ecological networks. Methods Ecol Evol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Natural Resources Cornell University Bruckner Hall Ithaca NY 14850 USA
| | - Angela K. Fuller
- U.S. Geological Survey New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Natural Resources Cornell University Fernow Hall Ithaca NY14850 USA
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Sutherland C, Elston DA, Lambin X. Multi-scale processes in metapopulations: contributions of stage structure, rescue effect, and correlated extinctions. Ecology 2013; 93:2465-73. [PMID: 23236917 DOI: 10.1890/12-0172.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Metapopulations function and persist through a combination of processes acting at a variety of spatial scales. Although the contributions of stage structure, spatially correlated processes, and the rescue effect to metapopulation dynamics have been investigated in isolation, there is no empirical demonstration of all of these processes shaping dynamics in a single system. Dispersal and settlement differ according to the life stage involved; therefore, stage-specific population size may outperform total population size when predicting colonization-extinction dynamics. Synchrony in patch dynamics can lead to accelerated metapopulation extinction, although empirical evidence of the interplay between correlated colonization events and correlated extinctions is lacking. Likewise, few empirical examples exist that provide compelling evidence of migration acting to reduce extinction risk (the rescue effect). We parameterized a hierarchy of metapopulation models to investigate these predictions using a seven-year study of a naturally occurring water vole (Arvicola amphibius) metapopulation. Specifically, we demonstrated the importance of local stage structure in predicting both colonization and extinction events using juvenile and adult population sizes, respectively. Using a novel approach for quantifying correlation in extinction events, we compared the scale of synchrony in colonization and extinction. Strikingly, the scale of dispersal acting to synchronize colonization was an order of magnitude larger than that of correlated extinctions (halving distance of the effect: 12.40 km and 0.89 km, respectively). Additionally, we found compelling evidence for the existence of a nontrivial rescue effect. Here we provide a novel empirical demonstration of a variety of metapopulation processes operating at multiple spatial scales, further emphasizing the need to consider stage structure and local synchrony in the dynamics of spatially dependent, stage-structured (meta) populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Sutherland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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Sutherland C, Elston DA, Lambin X. Accounting for false positive detection error induced by transient individuals. Wildl Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/wr12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
In metapopulations, colonisation is the result of dispersal from neighbouring occupied patches, typically juveniles dispersing from natal to breeding sites. When occupancy dynamics are dispersal driven, occupancy should refer to the presence of established, breeding populations. The detection of transient individuals at sites that are, by definition, unoccupied (i.e. false positive detections), may result in misleading conclusions about metapopulation dynamics. Until recently, the issue of false positives has been considered negligible and current efforts to account for such error have been restricted to the context of species misidentification. However, the detection of transient individuals visiting multiple sites while dispersing is a distinct source of false positives that can bias estimates of occupancy because visited sites do not contribute to metapopulation dynamics in the same way as do sites occupied by established, reproducing populations. Although transient-induced false positive error presents a challenge to occupancy studies aiming to account for all sources of detection error and estimate occupancy without bias, accounting for it has received little attention.
Aims
Using a novel application of an existing occupancy model, we sought to account for false positives that result from transient individuals being observed at truly unoccupied sites (i.e. where no establishment has occurred).
Methods
We applied a Bayesian multi-season occupancy model correcting for false negative and false positive errors, to 3 years of detection or non-detection data from a metapopulation of water voles, Arvicola amphibious, in which both types of patch-state misclassification are suspected.
Key results
We provide evidence that transient individuals can cause false positive detection errors. We then demonstrate the flexibility of the occupancy model to account for both false negative and false positive detection errors beyond the typical application to species misidentification. Accounting for both types of observation error reduces the bias in estimates of occupancy and avoids misleading conclusions about the status of (meta) populations by allowing for the distinction to be made between resident and transient occupancy.
Conclusion
In many species, transience may result in patch-state misclassification which needs to be accounted for so as to draw correct inference about metapopulation status. Making the distinction between occupancy by established populations and visitation by transients will influence how we interpret patch occupancy dynamics, with important implications for the management of wildlife.
Implications
The ability to estimate occupancy free of bias induced by false positive detections can help ensure that downward trends in occupancy are detected despite such declines being accompanied by increasing frequency of transients associated with, for example, reductions in mate availability or failure to establish. Our approach can be applied to any occupancy study in which false positive detections are suspected because of the behaviour of the focal species.
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McNeilly AD, Williamson R, Balfour DJK, Stewart CA, Sutherland C. A high-fat-diet-induced cognitive deficit in rats that is not prevented by improving insulin sensitivity with metformin. Diabetologia 2012; 55:3061-70. [PMID: 22898768 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-012-2686-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS We previously demonstrated that animals fed a high-fat (HF) diet for 10 weeks developed insulin resistance and behavioural inflexibility. We hypothesised that intervention with metformin would diminish the HF-feeding-evoked cognitive deficit by improving insulin sensitivity. METHODS Rats were trained in an operant-based matching and non-matching to position task (MTP/NMTP). Animals received an HF (45% of kJ as lard; n = 24), standard chow (SC; n = 16), HF + metformin (144 mg/kg in diet; n = 20) or SC + metformin (144 mg/kg in diet; n = 16) diet for 10 weeks before retesting. Body weight and plasma glucose, insulin and leptin were measured. Protein lysates from various brain areas were analysed for alterations in intracellular signalling or production of synaptic proteins. RESULTS HF-fed animals developed insulin resistance and an impairment in switching task contingency from matching to non-matching paradigm. Metformin attenuated the insulin resistance and weight gain associated with HF feeding, but had no effect on performance in either MTP or NMTP tasks. No major alteration in proteins associated with insulin signalling or synaptic function was detected in response to HF diet in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, striatum or cortex. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Metformin prevented the metabolic but not cognitive alterations associated with HF feeding. The HF diet protocol did not change basal insulin signalling in the brain, suggesting that the brain did not develop insulin resistance. These findings indicate that HF diet has deleterious effects on neuronal function over and above those related to insulin resistance and suggest that weight loss may not be sufficient to reverse some damaging effects of poor diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D McNeilly
- Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Ninewells Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
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Chowdhry S, Zhang Y, McMahon M, Sutherland C, Cuadrado A, Hayes JD. Nrf2 is controlled by two distinct β-TrCP recognition motifs in its Neh6 domain, one of which can be modulated by GSK-3 activity. Oncogene 2012; 32:3765-81. [PMID: 22964642 PMCID: PMC3522573 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 467] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Identification of regulatable mechanisms by which transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is repressed will allow strategies to be designed that counter drug resistance associated with its up-regulation in tumours that harbour somatic mutations in Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), a gene that encodes a joint adaptor and substrate receptor for the Cul3-Rbx1/Roc1 ubiquitin ligase. We now show that mouse Nrf2 contains two binding sites for β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), which acts as a substrate receptor for the Skp1-Cul1-Rbx1/Roc1 ubiquitin ligase complex. Deletion of either binding site in Nrf2 decreased β-TrCP-mediated ubiquitylation of the transcription factor. The ability of one of the two β-TrCP-binding sites to serve as a degron could be both increased and decreased by manipulation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity. Biotinylated-peptide pull-down assays identified DSGIS338 and DSAPGS378 as the two β-TrCP-binding motifs in Nrf2. Significantly, our pull-down assays indicated that β-TrCP binds a phosphorylated version of DSGIS more tightly than its non-phosphorylated counterpart, whereas this was not the case for DSAPGS. These data suggest that DSGIS, but not DSAPGS, contains a functional GSK-3 phosphorylation site. Activation of GSK-3 in Keap1-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), or in human lung A549 cells that contain mutant Keap1, by inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) – protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt pathway markedly reduced endogenous Nrf2 protein and decreased to 10-50% of normal the levels of mRNA for prototypic Nrf2-regulated enzymes, including the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic and modifier subunits, glutathione S-transferases Alpha-1 and Mu-1, heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1. Pre-treatment of Keap1−/− MEFs or A549 cells with the LY294002 PI3K inhibitor or the MK-2206 PKB/Akt inhibitor increased their sensitivity to acrolein, chlorambucil and cisplatin between 1.9-fold and 3.1-fold, and this was substantially attenuated by simultaneous pre-treatment with the GSK-3 inhibitor CT99021.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chowdhry
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cancer Research, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
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Abstract
For many years, the development of insulin resistance has been seen as the core defect responsible for the development of Type 2 diabetes. However, despite extensive research, the initial factors responsible for insulin resistance development have not been elucidated. If insulin resistance can be overcome by enhanced insulin secretion, then hyperglycaemia will never develop. Therefore, a β-cell defect is clearly required for the development of diabetes. There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that disorders in insulin secretion can lead to the development of decreased insulin sensitivity. In this review, we describe the potential initiating defects in Type 2 diabetes, normal pulsatile insulin secretion and the effects that disordered secretion may have on both β-cell function and hepatic insulin sensitivity. We go on to examine evidence from physiological and epidemiological studies describing β-cell dysfunction in the development of insulin resistance. Finally, we describe how disordered insulin secretion may cause intracellular insulin resistance and the implications this concept has for diabetes therapy. In summary, disordered insulin secretion may contribute to development of insulin resistance and hence represent an initiating factor in the progression to Type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Schofield
- Diabetes Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
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Williamson R, Sutherland C. Neuronal membranes are key to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: the role of both raft and non-raft membrane domains. Curr Alzheimer Res 2011; 8:213-21. [PMID: 21222605 DOI: 10.2174/156720511795256008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Membrane rafts are sterol- and sphingolipid-enriched domains that compartmentalize cellular processes. Membrane rafts isolated from post-mortem AD brain are enriched in both β-amyloid and phosphorylated tau. Proteolytic processing of APP to generate β-amyloid, the principle component of amyloid plaques, can occur in membrane rafts, implicating them in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Secondary to their role in β-amyloid generation, membrane rafts have more recently been implicated in the accumulation, aggregation and degradation of β-amyloid, with evidence supporting a specific role for membrane raft gangliosides in the binding and aggregation of β-amyloid. In addition, membrane domain composition has a direct impact on both the generation of β-amyloid and its subsequent toxic actions and as such is a key target for the development of therapeutic strategies. This mini-review will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the relevance of membrane composition, of both raft and non-raft domains, to AD progression in models and in human disease. We will discuss how manipulation of membrane composition can alter both the proteolytic processing of APP and the subsequent binding and aggregation of β-amyloid peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Williamson
- Biomedical Research Institute, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK.
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Sutherland C. The Oxford Handbook of Women's Health Nursing. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jfprhc.2011.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Hulsman A, Dalerum F, Swanepoel L, Ganswindt A, Sutherland C, Paris M. Patterns of scat deposition by brown hyaenas Hyaena brunnea in a mountain savannah region of South Africa. Wildlife Biology 2010. [DOI: 10.2981/09-110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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