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Cioccarelli S, Giunchi D, Pollonara E, Casini G, Bingman VP, Gagliardo A. GPS tracking technology and re-visiting the relationship between the avian visual Wulst and homing pigeon navigation. Behav Brain Res 2024; 465:114971. [PMID: 38552743 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114971] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Within their familiar areas homing pigeons rely on familiar visual landscape features and landmarks for homing. However, the neural basis of visual landmark-based navigation has been so far investigated mainly in relation to the role of the hippocampal formation. The avian visual Wulst is the telencephalic projection field of the thalamofugal pathway that has been suggested to be involved in processing lateral visual inputs that originate from the far visual field. The Wulst is therefore a good candidate for a neural structure participating in the visual control of familiar visual landmark-based navigation. We repeatedly released and tracked Wulst-lesioned and control homing pigeons from three sites about 10-15 km from the loft. Wulst lesions did not impair the ability of the pigeons to orient homeward during the first release from each of the three sites nor to localise the loft within the home area. In addition, Wulst-lesioned pigeons displayed unimpaired route fidelity acquisition to a repeated homing path compared to the intact birds. However, compared to control birds, Wulst-lesioned pigeons displayed persistent oscillatory flight patterns across releases, diminished attention to linear (leading lines) landscape features, such as roads and wood edges, and less direct flight paths within the home area. Differences and similarities between the effects of Wulst and hippocampal lesions suggest that although the visual Wulst does not seem to play a direct role in the memory representation of a landscape-landmark map, it does seem to participate in influencing the perceptual construction of such a map.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitri Giunchi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Casini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Verner P Bingman
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA; J. P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - Anna Gagliardo
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy.
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Pietrangeli E, Saldaña-Sánchez AA, Spaan D, Aureli F. Let's not use it! A dynamic no-use zone between the home ranges of two spider monkey groups. Primates 2024; 65:173-181. [PMID: 38436838 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-024-01119-7] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
It is common that neighboring groups of the same species use some of the same areas, resulting in home-range overlap. Areas between the home ranges of neighboring groups not used by either group (no-use zone or NUZ) are rarely reported. Here, we report the existence of a NUZ between the home ranges of two Geoffroy's spider monkey groups, and examine its spatial changes over time and the ecological and behavioral underpinnings of such phenomenon. Although its size and location changed between 2017 and 2022, the NUZ was always present. We did not find any differences in the vegetation structure and composition between the NUZ and the ranging areas and in the monkeys' activity patterns between areas adjacent to the NUZ and the other parts of the ranging areas. The number of monkey vocalizations was lower and subgroup size was smaller (although the number of males did not differ) in areas adjacent to the NUZ than in the other parts of the ranging areas. Both changes possibly reflect the tendency to conceal their presence to the neighboring group. Our findings contribute to the understanding of primate space use and highlight the need to focus on the areas delimiting home ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Pietrangeli
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico.
- ConMonoMaya A.C, Chemax, Mexico.
| | | | - Denise Spaan
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico.
- ConMonoMaya A.C, Chemax, Mexico.
| | - Filippo Aureli
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- ConMonoMaya A.C, Chemax, Mexico
- Research Centre in Evolutionary Anthropology and Palaeoecology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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3
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Robira B, Benhamou S, Obeki Bayanga E, Breuer T, Masi S. Changes in movement patterns in relation to sun conditions and spatial scales in wild western gorillas. Anim Cogn 2024; 27:37. [PMID: 38684551 PMCID: PMC11058680 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-024-01871-9] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
For most primates living in tropical forests, food resources occur in patchworks of different habitats that vary seasonally in quality and quantity. Efficient navigation (i.e., spatial memory-based orientation) towards profitable food patches should enhance their foraging success. The mechanisms underpinning primate navigating ability remain nonetheless mostly unknown. Using GPS long-term tracking (596 days) of one group of wild western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), we investigated their ability to navigate at long distances, and tested for how the sun was used to navigate at any scale by improving landmark visibility and/or by acting as a compass. Long episodic movements ending at a distant swamp, a unique place in the home range where gorillas could find mineral-rich aquatic plants, were straighter and faster than their everyday foraging movements relying on spatial memory. This suggests intentional targeting of the swamp based on long-distance navigation skills, which can thus be efficient over a couple of kilometres. Interestingly, for both long-distance movements towards the swamp and everyday foraging movements, gorillas moved straighter under sunlight conditions even under a dense vegetation cover. By contrast, movement straightness was not markedly different when the sun elevation was low (the sun azimuth then being potentially usable as a compass) or high (so providing no directional information) and the sky was clear or overcast. This suggests that gorillas navigate their home range by relying on visual place recognition but do not use the sun azimuth as a compass. Like humans, who rely heavily on vision to navigate, gorillas should benefit from better lighting to help them identify landmarks as they move through shady forests. This study uncovers a neglected aspect of primate navigation. Spatial memory and vision might have played an important role in the evolutionary success of diurnal primate lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Robira
- Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Université de Montpellier & CNRS, Montpellier, France.
- Eco-Anthropologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Musée de L'Homme, Paris, France.
| | - S Benhamou
- Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Université de Montpellier & CNRS, Montpellier, France
- Associated to Cogitamus Lab,
| | - E Obeki Bayanga
- Congo Program, Mondika Research Center, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Wildlife Conservation Society, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - T Breuer
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, New-York, USA
- World Wide Fund for Nature, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Masi
- Eco-Anthropologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Musée de L'Homme, Paris, France
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4
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Chan SCY, Karczmarski L. Broad-scale impacts of coastal mega-infrastructure project on obligatory inshore delphinids: A cautionary tale from Hong Kong. Sci Total Environ 2024; 920:169753. [PMID: 38181953 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169753] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Inshore marine habitats experience considerable anthropogenic pressure, as this is where many adverse effects of human activities concentrate. In the rapidly-changing seascape of the Anthropocene, Hong Kong waters at the heart of world's fastest developing coastal region can serve as a preview-window into coastal seas of the future, with ever-growing anthropogenic footprint. Here, we quantify how large-scale coastal infrastructure projects can affect obligatory inshore cetaceans, bringing about population-level consequences that may compromise their long-term demographic viability. As a case in point, we look at the construction of world's longest sea crossing system and broad-scale demographic, social and spatial responses it has caused in a shallow-water delphinid, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Soon after the infrastructure project began, dolphins markedly altered their home range near construction sites such that these waters no longer functioned as dolphin core areas despite the apparent presence of prey, indicating that anthropogenic impacts outweighed foraging benefits. The contraction of key habitats has in turn led individuals to interact over spatially more constricted area, reshaping their group dynamics and social network. Although there was no apparent decline in dolphin numbers that could be detected with mark-recapture estimates, adult survival rates decreased drastically from 0.960 to 0.904, the lowest estimate for these animals anywhere across the region to date, notably below the previously estimated demographic threshold of their long-term persistence (0.955). It is apparent that during an advanced stage of this coastal infrastructure project, dolphins were under a major anthropogenic pressure that, if sustained, could be detrimental to their long-term persistence as a viable demographic unit. As effective conservation of species and habitats depends on informed management decisions, this study offers a valuable lesson in environmental risk assessment, underscoring the implications of human-induced rapid environmental change on obligatory inshore delphinids-sentinels of coastal habitats that are increasingly degraded in fast-changing coastal seas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Y Chan
- Division of Cetacean Ecology, Cetacea Research Institute, Lantau, Hong Kong.
| | - Leszek Karczmarski
- Division of Cetacean Ecology, Cetacea Research Institute, Lantau, Hong Kong.
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Broekman MJE, Hilbers JP, Hoeks S, Huijbregts MAJ, Schipper AM, Tucker MA. Environmental drivers of global variation in home range size of terrestrial and marine mammals. J Anim Ecol 2024; 93:488-500. [PMID: 38459628 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14073] [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] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
As animal home range size (HRS) provides valuable information for species conservation, it is important to understand the driving factors of HRS variation. It is widely known that differences in species traits (e.g. body mass) are major contributors to variation in mammal HRS. However, most studies examining how environmental variation explains mammal HRS variation have been limited to a few species, or only included a single (mean) HRS estimate for the majority of species, neglecting intraspecific HRS variation. Additionally, most studies examining environmental drivers of HRS variation included only terrestrial species, neglecting marine species. Using a novel dataset of 2800 HRS estimates from 586 terrestrial and 27 marine mammal species, we quantified the relationships between HRS and environmental variables, accounting for species traits. Our results indicate that terrestrial mammal HRS was on average 5.3 times larger in areas with low human disturbance (human footprint index [HFI] = 0), compared to areas with maximum human disturbance (HFI = 50). Similarly, HRS was on average 5.4 times larger in areas with low annual mean productivity (NDVI = 0), compared to areas with high productivity (NDVI = 1). In addition, HRS increased by a factor of 1.9 on average from low to high seasonality in productivity (standard deviation (SD) of monthly NDVI from 0 to 0.36). Of these environmental variables, human disturbance and annual mean productivity explained a larger proportion of HRS variance than seasonality in productivity. Marine mammal HRS decreased, on average, by a factor of 3.7 per 10°C decline in annual mean sea surface temperature (SST), and increased by a factor of 1.5 per 1°C increase in SST seasonality (SD of monthly values). Annual mean SST explained more variance in HRS than SST seasonality. Due to the small sample size, caution should be taken when interpreting the marine mammal results. Our results indicate that environmental variation is relevant for HRS and that future environmental changes might alter the HRS of individuals, with potential consequences for ecosystem functioning and the effectiveness of conservation actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J E Broekman
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle P Hilbers
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Selwyn Hoeks
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A J Huijbregts
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aafke M Schipper
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Marlee A Tucker
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Pyott ML, Norris DR, Mitchell GW, Custode L, Gow EA. Home range size and habitat selection of owned outdoor domestic cats ( Felis catus) in urban southwestern Ontario. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17159. [PMID: 38562997 PMCID: PMC10984174 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17159] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Domestic cats (Felis catus) play a dual role in society as both companion animals and predators. When provided with unsupervised outdoor access, cats can negatively impact native wildlife and create public health and animal welfare challenges. The effective implementation of management strategies, such as buffer zones or curfews, requires an understanding of home range size, the factors that influence their movement, and the types of habitats they use. Here, we used a community/citizen scientist approach to collect movement and habitat use data using GPS collars on owned outdoor cats in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph region, southwestern Ontario, Canada. Mean (± SD) 100% minimum convex polygon home range size was 8 ± 8 ha (range: 0.34-38 ha) and was positively associated with road density but not with intrinsic factors such as boldness, sex, or age. With regards to habitat selection, cats used greenspaces, roads, and agricultural land less often than predicted but strongly selected for impervious surfaces (urban areas other than greenspaces or roads). Our results suggest that wildlife near buildings and residential areas are likely at the greatest risk of cat predation and that a buffer size of 840 m would be needed to restrict cats from entering areas of conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlee L. Pyott
- Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - D. Ryan Norris
- Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Greg W. Mitchell
- Department of Integrative Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leonardo Custode
- Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A. Gow
- Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
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Silovský V, Landler L, Faltusová M, Börger L, Burda H, Holton M, Lagner O, Malkemper EP, Olejarz A, Spießberger M, Váchal A, Ježek M. A GPS assisted translocation experiment to study the homing behavior of red deer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6770. [PMID: 38514686 PMCID: PMC10958021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56951-0] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Many animals return to their home areas (i.e., 'homing') after translocation to sites further away. Such translocations have traditionally been used in behavioral ecology to understand the orientation and migration behavior of animals. The movement itself can then be followed by marking and recapturing animals or by tracking, for example, using GPS systems. Most detailed studies investigating this behavior have been conducted in smaller vertebrates (e.g., birds, amphibians, and mice), whereas information on larger mammals, such as red deer, is sparse. We conducted GPS-assisted translocation experiments with red deer at two sites in the Czech Republic. Individuals were translocated over a distance of approximately 11 km and their home journey was tracked. Circular statistics were used to test for significant homeward orientation at distances of 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 m from the release site. In addition, we applied Lavielle trajectory segmentation to identify the different phases of homing behavior. Thirty-one out of 35 translocations resulted in successful homing, with a median time of 4.75 days (range 1.23-100 days). Animals were significantly oriented towards home immediately after release and again when they came closer to home; however, they did not show a significant orientation at the distances in between. We were able to identify three homing phases, an initial 'exploratory phase', followed by a 'homing phase' which sometimes was again followed by an 'arrival phase'. The 'homing phase' was characterized by the straightest paths and fastest movements. However, the variation between translocation events was considerable. We showed good homing abilities of red deer after translocation. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of conducting experiments with environmental manipulations (e.g., to impede the use of sensory cues) close to the release site. The homing behavior of red deer is comparable to that of other species, and might represent general homing behavior patterns in animals. Follow-up studies should further dissect and investigate the drivers of the individual variations observed and try to identify the sensory cues used during homing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Václav Silovský
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Landler
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33/I, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Monika Faltusová
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Luca Börger
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Hynek Burda
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mark Holton
- Swansea Lab for Animal Movement, Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Ondřej Lagner
- Department of Spatial Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Erich Pascal Malkemper
- Research Group Neurobiology of Magnetoreception, Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - Caesar, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Astrid Olejarz
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Spießberger
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33/I, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adam Váchal
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Ježek
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Abstract
A large volume of research on individually navigating ants has shown how path integration and visually guided navigation form a major part of the ant navigation toolkit for many species and are sufficient mechanisms for successful navigation. One of the behavioural markers of the interaction of these mechanisms is that experienced foragers develop idiosyncratic routes that require that individual ants have personal and unique visual memories that they use to guide habitual routes between the nest and feeding sites. The majority of ants, however, inhabit complex cluttered environments and social pheromone trails are often part of the collective recruitment, organisation and navigation of these foragers. We do not know how individual navigation interacts with collective behaviour along shared trails in complex natural environments. We thus asked here if wood ants that forage through densely cluttered woodlands where they travel along shared trails repeatedly follow the same routes or if they choose a spread of paths within the shared trail. We recorded three long homing trajectories of 20 individual wood ants in their natural woodland habitat. We found that wood ants follow idiosyncratic routes when navigating along shared trails through highly complex visual landscapes. This shows that ants rely on individual memories for habitual route guidance even in cluttered environments when chemical trail information is available. We argue that visual cues are likely to be the dominant sensory modality for the idiosyncratic routes. These experiments shed new light on how ants, or insects in general, navigate through complex multimodal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Barrie
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Lars Haalck
- Institute for Geoinformatics and Institute for Computer Science, University of Münster, Heisenbergstraße 2, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Benjamin Risse
- Institute for Geoinformatics and Institute for Computer Science, University of Münster, Heisenbergstraße 2, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Nowotny
- School of Engineering and Informatics, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, UK
| | - Paul Graham
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
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Schwarz S, Wystrach A, Cheng K, Kelly DM. Landmarks, beacons, or panoramic views: What do pigeons attend to for guidance in familiar environments? Learn Behav 2024; 52:69-84. [PMID: 38379118 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-023-00610-3] [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] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Birds and social insects represent excellent systems for understanding visually guided navigation. Both animal groups use surrounding visual cues for homing and foraging. Ants extract sufficient spatial information from panoramic views, which naturally embed all near and far spatial information, for successful homing. Although egocentric panoramic views allow for parsimonious explanations of navigational behaviors, this potential source of spatial information has been mostly neglected during studies of vertebrates. Here we investigate how distinct landmarks, a beacon, and panoramic views influence the reorientation behavior in pigeons (Columba livia). Pigeons were trained to search for a location characterized by a beacon and several distinct landmarks. Transformation tests manipulated aspects of the landmark configuration, allowing for a dissociation among navigational strategies. Quantitative image and path analyses provided support that the panoramic view was used by the pigeons. Although the results from some individuals support the use of beaconing, overall the pigeons relied predominantly on the panoramic view when spatial cues provided conflicting information regarding the goal location. Reorientation based on vector and bearing information derived from distinct landmarks as well as environmental geometry failed to account fully for the results. Thus, the results of our study support that pigeons can use panoramic views for reorientation in familiar environments. Given that the current model for landmark use by pigeons posits the use of different vectors from an object, a global panorama-matching strategy suggests a fundamental change in the theory of how pigeons use surrounding visual cues for localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schwarz
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, 190 Duff Roblin Building, Winnipeg, MB, R3T, 2N2, Canada
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse Cedex, 09, France
- Institute of Biology, Karl-Franzen University, Graz, Universtitätsplatz 2, 8010, Austria
| | - Antoine Wystrach
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse Cedex, 09, France
| | - Ken Cheng
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Debbie M Kelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, 190 Duff Roblin Building, Winnipeg, MB, R3T, 2N2, Canada.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 212 Biological Sciences Building, Winnipeg, MB, R3T, 2N2, Canada.
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10
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Abstract
Desert ant foragers are well known for their visual navigation abilities, relying on visual cues in the environment to find their way along routes back to the nest. If the inconspicuous nest entrance is missed, ants engage in a highly structured systematic search until it is discovered. Searching ants continue to be guided by visual cues surrounding the nest, from which they derive a location estimate. The precision level of this estimate depends on the information content of the nest panorama. This study examines whether search precision is also affected by the directional distribution of visual information. The systematic searching behavior of ants is examined under laboratory settings. Two different visual scenarios are compared - a balanced one where visual information is evenly distributed, and an unbalanced one where all visual information is located on one side of an experimental arena. The identity and number of visual objects is similar over both conditions. The ants search with comparable precision in both conditions. Even in the visually unbalanced condition, searches are characterized by balanced precision on both sides of the arena. This finding lends support to the idea that ants memorize the visual scenery at the nest as panoramic views from different locations. A searching ant is thus able to estimate its location with equal precision in all directions, leading to symmetrical search paths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Schultheiss
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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11
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Abstract
Ant species exhibit behavioural commonalities when solving navigational challenges for successful orientation and to reach goal locations. These behaviours rely on a shared toolbox of navigational strategies that guide individuals under an array of motivational contexts. The mechanisms that support these behaviours, however, are tuned to each species' habitat and ecology with some exhibiting unique navigational behaviours. This leads to clear differences in how ant navigators rely on this shared toolbox to reach goals. Species with hybrid foraging structures, which navigate partially upon a pheromone-marked column, express distinct differences in their toolbox, compared to solitary foragers. Here, we explore the navigational abilities of the Western Thatching ant (Formica obscuripes), a hybrid foraging species whose navigational mechanisms have not been studied. We characterise their reliance on both the visual panorama and a path integrator for orientation, with the pheromone's presence acting as a non-directional reassurance cue, promoting continued orientation based on other strategies. This species also displays backtracking behaviour, which occurs with a combination of unfamiliar terrestrial cues and the absence of the pheromone, thus operating based upon a combination of the individual mechanisms observed in solitarily and socially foraging species. We also characterise a new form of goalless orientation in these ants, an initial retreating behaviour that is modulated by the forager's path integration system. The behaviour directs disturbed inbound foragers back along their outbound path for a short distance before recovering and reorienting back to the nest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Freas
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2113, Australia.
| | - Marcia L Spetch
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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12
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Marques R, Brazo A, Aspillaga E, Zimmermann M, Hereu B, Saragoni G, Mercière A, Crec'Hriou R, Mercader M, Verdoit-Jarraya M, Cadène F, Lenfant P. Movements and spatial distribution of an endangered fish (Sciaena umbra) within a marine protected area. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3103. [PMID: 38326313 PMCID: PMC10850223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50194-1] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The brown meagre (Sciaena umbra) is an endangered species, which requires specific protection measures to ensure its conservation. These measures need to be informed by high-quality scientific knowledge on their space use patterns. Here, we used acoustic telemetry to assess its seasonal movement patterns and habitat use within a marine protected area (MPA). Our results suggested that S. umbra is a highly sedentary species (home range < 1.0 km2) and, therefore, the MPA is extensive enough to protect the local population. Their population was discretely distributed in two main areas within the MPA, which was likely a result of habitat segregation and density-dependent movements. The temporal variability of their movements further uncovered when and where spawning occurs (mainly, but probably not only, in the fully protected area in June) and indicated that spillover of this species is limited but still possible. Overall, we highlight the importance of MPAs in the recovery of S. umbra, we advocate the need to perpetuate the current national fishing bans and extend it to other countries in the Mediterranean region, and we emphasize that considering the fine-scale movements of S. umbra in future management actions is key to achieving a successful recovery of their populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Marques
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Marins - Plateforme Intervention et Expertise en Environnement Marin (CREM-IEEM), Impasse du Solarium, 66420, Le Barcares, France
- German Center for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB), Senckenberg am Meer, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Brazo
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Marins - Plateforme Intervention et Expertise en Environnement Marin (CREM-IEEM), Impasse du Solarium, 66420, Le Barcares, France
| | - E Aspillaga
- Institut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/Miquel Marquès 21, 07190, Esporles, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - M Zimmermann
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Marins - Plateforme Intervention et Expertise en Environnement Marin (CREM-IEEM), Impasse du Solarium, 66420, Le Barcares, France
| | - B Hereu
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBIO), University of Barcelona (UB), Av. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Saragoni
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Marins - Plateforme Intervention et Expertise en Environnement Marin (CREM-IEEM), Impasse du Solarium, 66420, Le Barcares, France
| | - A Mercière
- PSL Research University: EPHE-CNRS-UPVD, UAR 3278 CRIOBE, BP 1013, 98729, Papetoai, Mo'orea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence «CORAIL», Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - R Crec'Hriou
- Station Biologique CNRS-Sorbonne Université - Service Observation, Place Georges Teissier CS90074, 29688, Roscoff, France
| | - M Mercader
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Marins - Plateforme Intervention et Expertise en Environnement Marin (CREM-IEEM), Impasse du Solarium, 66420, Le Barcares, France
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna-son, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan
| | - M Verdoit-Jarraya
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Marins - Plateforme Intervention et Expertise en Environnement Marin (CREM-IEEM), Impasse du Solarium, 66420, Le Barcares, France
| | - F Cadène
- Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère Banyuls, 5 Rue Roger David, 66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Philippe Lenfant
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan, Via Domitia, 66860, Perpignan, France.
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, CNRS, 66860, Perpignan, France.
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Marins - Plateforme Intervention et Expertise en Environnement Marin (CREM-IEEM), Impasse du Solarium, 66420, Le Barcares, France.
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Debetencourt B, Barry MM, Arandjelovic M, Stephens C, Maldonado N, Boesch C. Camera traps unveil demography, social structure, and home range of six unhabituated Western chimpanzee groups in the Moyen Bafing National Park, Guinea. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23578. [PMID: 37985945 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23578] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Precise estimates of population dynamics and social grouping patterns are required for effective conservation of wild animal populations. It is difficult to obtain such information on non-human great apes as they have slow reproductive rates. To gain a better understanding of demography in these populations, previous research has typically involved habituation\, a process that requires years. Here, we collected data continuously over year-long periods to monitor an unhabituated population of critically endangered Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the Moyen Bafing National Park, Guinea. We used two arrays of 100 camera traps that were placed opportunistically in two distinct 100 km2 sites, named Bakoun and Koukoutamba. We identified 227 individuals in Bakoun and 207 in Koukoutamba through their unique facial features. Our camera trap data make clear that these individuals belong to six and seven closed groups, respectively. Six of those groups were near-completely sampled with an average minimum size of 46.8 individuals (range: 37-58), and a mean adult sex ratio of 1.32 (range: 0.93-2.10). We described the demographic composition of these groups and use Bayesian social network analysis to understand population structure. The network analyses suggested that the social bonds within the two populations were structured by sex homophily, with male chimpanzees being more or equally likely to be observed together than other adult associations. Through estimation of minimum convex polygons, we described the minimum home range for those groups. Compared to other chimpanzee groups living in a similar environment (mosaic savanna-forest), the Moyen Bafing region seems to host a high-density of chimpanzees with small home ranges for their group size. Our research highlights the potential of camera traps for studying the demographic composition of chimpanzee populations with high resolution and obtaining crucial information on several groups in a time-efficient and cost-effective way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Debetencourt
- Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig, Germany
- Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mamadou Moussa Barry
- Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mimi Arandjelovic
- Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Colleen Stephens
- Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nuria Maldonado
- Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christophe Boesch
- Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig, Germany
- Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
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14
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Stalter L, Terry M, Riley A, Leeds A. Home is where the home range is: Identifying territoriality and exhibit preferences in an ex-situ group of all-male Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297687. [PMID: 38271386 PMCID: PMC10810454 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, the presence or absence of territoriality was evaluated in an all-male Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) group living in an ex-situ environment. Location data for each crocodile within the exhibit were collected three times per day over a two-year period, including two warm seasons and two cold seasons. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to create seasonal home ranges and core areas for each crocodile, to quantify the overlap of these home ranges and core areas to assess potential territoriality, and to calculate exhibit preferences of the group. Core area overlap was significantly lower than home range overlap, suggesting the crocodiles established territories within their exhibit. This pattern of behavior was similar across seasons, though it moderately intensified during the cold season. The crocodiles appeared to be more territorial in water, as overlap was most concentrated on the central beach, the only feature utilized more than expected based in its availability in the exhibit. These findings highlight the behavioral complexity of Nile crocodiles in human care, specifically the ability of Nile crocodiles to adapt to ex-situ environments similar to their wild counterparts by forming territories despite spatial constraints. Identifying the presence of territorial behavior is important for the care and welfare of ex-situ animals, as territorial animals have specific requirements that may result in increased agonism when unmet. It can also provide valuable context to aid in mitigation strategies, for example, when undesirable levels of agonism do occur. The findings here provide an example of how methodology from the wildlife ecology field can be adapted to ex-situ settings using a GIS and contributes to the current understanding of crocodilian behavior in human care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Stalter
- Animals, Science and Environment, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL, United States of America
| | - Megan Terry
- Animals, Science and Environment, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL, United States of America
| | - Alex Riley
- Animals, Science and Environment, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL, United States of America
| | - Austin Leeds
- Animals, Science and Environment, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL, United States of America
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15
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Freas CA, Spetch ML. Route retracing: way pointing and multiple vector memories in trail-following ants. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246695. [PMID: 38126715 PMCID: PMC10906666 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246695] [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: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Maintaining positional estimates of goal locations is a fundamental task for navigating animals. Diverse animal groups, including both vertebrates and invertebrates, can accomplish this through path integration. During path integration, navigators integrate movement changes, tracking both distance and direction, to generate a spatial estimate of their start location, or global vector, allowing efficient direct return travel without retracing the outbound route. In ants, path integration is accomplished through the coupling of pedometer and celestial compass estimates. Within path integration, it has been theorized navigators may use multiple vector memories for way pointing. However, in many instances, these navigators may instead be homing via view alignment. Here, we present evidence that trail-following ants can attend to segments of their global vector to retrace their non-straight pheromone trails, without the confound of familiar views. Veromessor pergandei foragers navigate to directionally distinct intermediate sites via path integration by orienting along separate legs of their inbound route at unfamiliar locations, indicating these changes are not triggered by familiar external cues, but by vector state. These findings contrast with path integration as a singular memory estimate in ants and underscore the system's ability to way point to intermediate goals along the inbound route via multiple vector memories, akin to trapline foraging in bees visiting multiple flower patches. We discuss how reliance on non-straight pheromone-marked trails may support attending to separate vectors to remain on the pheromone rather than attempting straight-line shortcuts back to the nest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A. Freas
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E9
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Marcia L. Spetch
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E9
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16
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Assif L, Chirchir H. Trabecular bone morphology in big cats reflects the complex diversity of limb use but not home range size or daily travel distance. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:208-222. [PMID: 37676091 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25302] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
A relationship exists between mechanical loading and bone morphology. Although studies show a relationship between trabecular bone morphology and locomotor strategy in mammals, none of them have studied trabecular bone morphology in felid species occupying disparate and overlapping habitats. We investigate trabecular bone volume fraction (BVF) in the femoral and humeral heads, and distal tibia of four felid species (mountain lions, jaguars, cheetahs, and leopards) to identify whether there is a relationship between BVF and locomotor behavior. This study's goals are to identify whether felid species with high daily travel distance or large home range size have greater BVF compared with those with small daily travel distance or home range size, and whether BVF is correlated among the three elements of the fore and hindlimb studied. We quantified BVF in micro- and peripheral computed tomography images and found no significant differences across species in the femoral and humeral head (p > 0.05). However, in the distal tibia, results showed that leopards, mountain lions, and cheetahs have significantly greater (p < 0.05) BVF than jaguars. Despite differences in home range size and daily travel distance, the proximal elements did not reflect differences in BVF; however, the distal-most element did, suggesting decreased loading among jaguars. These findings suggest that the observed pattern of trabecular bone morphology is potentially due to the diversity in locomotor strategy of the forelimb. Additionally, these results imply that neither home range size nor daily travel distance are clear indicators of activity levels. A cautious approach is warranted in studying how loading influences trabecular morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layne Assif
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA
| | - Habiba Chirchir
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA
- Human Origins Program, Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
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17
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Sauvé CC, Berentsen AR, Llanos SF, Gilbert AT, Leighton PA. Home range overlap between small Indian mongooses and free roaming domestic dogs in Puerto Rico: implications for rabies management. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22944. [PMID: 38135706 PMCID: PMC10746706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50261-7] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) is the primary terrestrial wildlife rabies reservoir on at least four Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, mongooses represent a risk to public health, based on direct human exposure and indirectly through the transmission of rabies virus to domestic animals. To date, the fundamental ecological relationships of space use among mongooses and between mongooses and domestic animals remain poorly understood. This study is the first to report mongoose home range estimates based on GPS telemetry, as well as concurrent space use among mongooses and free roaming domestic dogs (FRDD; Canis lupus familiaris). Mean (± SE) home range estimates from 19 mongooses in this study (145 ± 21 ha and 60 ± 14 ha for males and females, respectively) were greater than those reported in prior radiotelemetry studies in Puerto Rico. At the scale of their home range, mongooses preferentially used dry forest and shrubland areas, but tended to avoid brackish water vegetation, salt marshes, barren lands and developed areas. Home ranges from five FRDDs were highly variable in size (range 13-285 ha) and may be influenced by availability of reliable anthropogenic resources. Mongooses displayed high home range overlap (general overlap index, GOI = 82%). Home range overlap among mongooses and FRDDs was intermediate (GOI = 50%) and greater than home range overlap by FRDDs (GOI = 10%). Our results provide evidence that space use by both species presents opportunities for interspecific interaction and contact and suggests that human provisioning of dogs may play a role in limiting interactions between stray dogs and mongooses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C Sauvé
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada.
| | - Are R Berentsen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Steven F Llanos
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, PO Box 38, Lajas, PR, 00667, USA
| | - Amy T Gilbert
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Patrick A Leighton
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada
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18
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Sousa FM, Warembourg C, Abakar MF, Alvarez D, Berger-Gonzalez M, Odoch T, Wera E, Chitnis N, Silva LC, Alobo G, Sikko MM, Roquel P, Hernández ALL, Dürr S. Investigation of optimized observation periods for estimating a representative home range of free-roaming domestic dogs. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22750. [PMID: 38123585 PMCID: PMC10733426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49851-2] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Free-roaming domestic dogs (FRDD), as vectors of zoonotic diseases, are of high relevance for public health. Understanding roaming patterns of dogs can help to design disease control programs and disease transmission simulation models. Studies on GPS tracking of dogs report stark differences in recording periods. So far, there is no accepted number of days required to capture a representative home range (HR) of FRDD. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in HR size and shape over time of FRDD living in Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia and Uganda and identify the period required to capture stable HR values. Dogs were collared with GPS units, leading to a total of 46 datasets with, at least, 19 recorded days. For each animal and recorded day, HR sizes were estimated using the Biased Random Bridge method and percentages of daily change in size and shape calculated and taken as metrics. The analysis revealed that the required number of days differed substantially between individuals, isopleths, and countries, with the extended HR (95% isopleth value) requiring a longer recording period. To reach a stable HR size and shape values for 75% of the dogs, 26 and 21 days, respectively, were sufficient. However, certain dogs required more extended observational periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Danilo Alvarez
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Monica Berger-Gonzalez
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Nakul Chitnis
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cunha Silva
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Grace Alobo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria M Sikko
- Animal Health Division, Agricultural Department of Sikka Regency, Flores, Indonesia
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | | | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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19
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Lionetti VAG, Deeti S, Murray T, Cheng K. Resolving conflict between aversive and appetitive learning of views: how ants shift to a new route during navigation. Learn Behav 2023; 51:446-457. [PMID: 37620644 PMCID: PMC10716056 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-023-00595-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Ants store and recall views associated with foraging success, facilitating future foraging journeys. Negative views are also learned, but instead prompt avoidance behaviors such as turning away. However, little is known about the aversive view's role in navigation, the effect of cue conflict, or the contextual relationship between learning and recalling. In this study, we tested Myrmecia midas' capacity for aversive learning of views either independently of or in conflict with appetitive events. We either captured and released foragers when reaching a location or let them pass unhindered. After a few journeys, captured foragers exhibited aversive learning by circumventing the capture location and increasing both meandering and scanning. Ants that experienced foraging-appetitive and homing-aversive events on their journeys exhibited lower rates of avoidance behavior and scans than those experiencing aversive events in both outbound and homebound journeys. The foraging-aversive and homing-aversive ants exhibited similar levels of avoidance and scanning as those that experienced the foraging-aversive and homing-appetitive. We found that foragers showed evidence of context specificity in their scanning behavior, but not in other measures of aversive learning. The foragers did not increase their meandering and scans while approaching the views associated with aversive events. In addition to shedding light on the role of aversive views in navigation, our finding has important implications for understanding the learning mechanisms triggered by handling animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito A G Lionetti
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Sudhakar Deeti
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Trevor Murray
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Ken Cheng
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
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20
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Dulude-de Broin F, Clermont J, Beardsell A, Ouellet LP, Legagneux P, Bêty J, Berteaux D. Predator home range size mediates indirect interactions between prey species in an arctic vertebrate community. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:2373-2385. [PMID: 37814584 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Indirect interactions are widespread among prey species that share a common predator, but the underlying mechanisms driving these interactions are often unclear, and our ability to predict their outcome is limited. Changes in behavioural traits that impact predator space use could be a key proximal mechanism mediating indirect interactions, but there is little empirical evidence of the causes and consequences of such behavioural-numerical response in multispecies systems. Here, we investigate the complex ecological relationships between seven prey species sharing a common predator. We used a path analysis approach on a comprehensive 9-year data set simultaneously tracking predator space use, prey densities and prey mortality rate on key species of a simplified Arctic food web. We show that high availability of a clumped and spatially predictable prey (goose eggs) leads to a twofold reduction in predator (arctic fox) home range size, which increases local predator density and strongly decreases nest survival of an incidental prey (American golden plover). On the contrary, a scattered cyclic prey with potentially lower spatial predictability (lemming) had a weaker effect on fox space use and an overall positive impact on the survival of incidental prey. These contrasting effects underline the importance of studying behavioural responses of predators in multiprey systems and to explicitly integrate behavioural-numerical responses in multispecies predator-prey models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Dulude-de Broin
- Département de Biologie, Centre d'Études Nordiques and Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université Laval, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeanne Clermont
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada en Biodiversité Nordique, Centre d'Études Nordiques, and Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
| | - Andréanne Beardsell
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada en Biodiversité Nordique, Centre d'Études Nordiques, and Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis-Pierre Ouellet
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada en Biodiversité Nordique, Centre d'Études Nordiques, and Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pierre Legagneux
- Département de Biologie, Centre d'Études Nordiques and Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université Laval, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Joël Bêty
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada en Biodiversité Nordique, Centre d'Études Nordiques, and Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Chaire de Recherche du Canada en Biodiversité Nordique, Centre d'Études Nordiques, and Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
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21
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Wehner R, Hoinville T, Cruse H. On the 'cognitive map debate' in insect navigation. Stud Hist Philos Sci 2023; 102:87-89. [PMID: 37875384 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2023.08.004] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
In a historical account recently published in this journal Dhein argues that the current debate whether insects like bees and ants use cognitive maps (centralized map hypothesis) or other means of navigation (decentralized network hypothesis) largely reflects the classical debate between American experimental psychologists à la Tolman and German ethologists à la Lorenz, respectively. In this dichotomy we, i.e., the proponents of the network hypothesis, are inappropriately placed on the Lorenzian line. In particular, we argue that in contrast to Dhein's claim our concepts are not based on merely instinctive or peripheral modes of information processing. In general, on the one side our approaches have largely been motivated by the early biocybernetics way of thinking. On the other side they are deeply rooted in studies on the insect's behavioral ecology, i.e., in the ecological setting within which the navigational strategies have evolved and within which the animal now operates. Following such a bottom-up approach we are not "anti-cognitive map researchers" but argue that the results we have obtained in ants, and also the results of some decisive experiments in bees, can be explained and simulated without the need of invoking metric maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger Wehner
- Brain Research Institute, University of Zürich, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Thierry Hoinville
- Biological Cybernetics Department, Bielefeld University, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany; Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Holk Cruse
- Biological Cybernetics Department, Bielefeld University, D-33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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22
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Rolando A, Basso C, Brunelli N, Bocca M, Laini A. The foraging ecology of yellow-billed and red- billed choughs changed between two climatically different years. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20908. [PMID: 38016972 PMCID: PMC10684611 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46336-0] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is affecting the alpine ecosystem at an unprecedented rate, with marked changes in spring phenology and the elevation distribution of birds. Changes in the European Alps are happening rapidly, and it is possible behaviours stand to change from one year to the next. The year 2022 was characterised by climatic extremes: Italy experienced its hottest year ever, and it was the driest since 1800. Here, we assessed whether the foraging ecology of two coexisting upland bird species, the yellow-billed and the red-billed chough, changed from 2021 to 2022. We assessed foraging stay times, flock size, propensity to mixed flocking, foraging home ranges and altitudinal distribution. Stay times of both species when foraging in monospecific flocks significantly shortened in 2022, especially in the case of the red-billed chough. The two corvids are known to influence each other when foraging together. In 2021, as expected, the stay times of the red-billed chough decreased when in the presence of the congener, but this did not occur in 2022. Instead, the yellow-billed chough increased its altitudinal foraging distribution in 2022. The results are in line with the hypothesis that large climate variations may disrupt the foraging ecology of mountain birds. However, as it is not possible to draw solid conclusions from just two years of observations, further field research will have to be planned in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rolando
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Turin University, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Cecilia Basso
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Turin University, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Nicolò Brunelli
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Turin University, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Bocca
- Société de la Flore Valdôtaine, via J. B. de Tillier 3, 11100, Aosta, Italy
| | - Alex Laini
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Turin University, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy.
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23
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Ram M, Gadhavi D, Sahu A, Srivastava N, Rather TA, Bhatia K, Jhala L, Zala Y, Gadhvi I, Modi V, Jhala D, Patel A, Baraiya S, Devaliya D. Unravelling the secrets of lesser florican: a study of their home range and habitat use in Gujarat, India. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19082. [PMID: 37925574 PMCID: PMC10625546 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46563-5] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The home range of a species is determined by a complex interplay of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, which can have profound impacts on the species' resource use. Understanding these dynamics is especially important for conserving critically endangered species. In this study, we used satellite telemetry to investigate the home range of the critically endangered lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus) in Gujarat, India. We analysed GPS locations from 10 lesser floricans deployed with GPS/GSM transmitters between 2020 and 2022. The average home range size (95% KDE) was 10.73 ± 10.70 km2 (mean ± SD), while the average core area (50% KDE) was 1.95 ± 1.56 km2 (mean ± SD). The monthly and daily distances covered were 286.29 ± 599.42 km and 10.11 ± 19.78 km, respectively. Our analysis indicated that suitable habitats and movement patterns were the most important factors explaining the variation in home range size. Specifically, our results suggest that lesser floricans prefer multi-use agro-grassland habitat systems with heterogeneous structures to accommodate different life history requirements. This preference may reflect the depletion and degradation of grasslands across the species' range. Therefore, managing grassland habitats amidst croplands should be one of the key conservation strategies for the lesser florican.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Ram
- Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Junagadh, GJ, 362 135, India.
| | - Devesh Gadhavi
- The Corbett Foundation, Taluka Abdasa, P.O. Tera, Kutch, GJ, 370 660, India
| | | | | | - Tahir Ali Rather
- The Corbett Foundation, Taluka Abdasa, P.O. Tera, Kutch, GJ, 370 660, India
| | - Kapil Bhatia
- Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Junagadh, GJ, 362 135, India
| | - Lahar Jhala
- Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Junagadh, GJ, 362 135, India
| | - Yashpal Zala
- Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Junagadh, GJ, 362 135, India
| | - Indra Gadhvi
- Department of Marine Science, M. K. Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar, GJ, 364002, India
| | - Vidhi Modi
- The Corbett Foundation, Taluka Abdasa, P.O. Tera, Kutch, GJ, 370 660, India
| | - Dushyantsinh Jhala
- The Corbett Foundation, Taluka Abdasa, P.O. Tera, Kutch, GJ, 370 660, India
| | - Akshita Patel
- The Corbett Foundation, Taluka Abdasa, P.O. Tera, Kutch, GJ, 370 660, India
| | - Sneha Baraiya
- Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Junagadh, GJ, 362 135, India
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24
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May SA, Shedd KR, Rand PS, Westley PAH. Tidal gradients, fine-scale homing and a potential cryptic ecotype of wild spawning pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Mol Ecol 2023; 32:5838-5848. [PMID: 37830261 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17154] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
The homing behaviour of salmon is a remarkable natural phenomenon, critical for shaping the ecology and evolution of populations yet the spatial scale at which it occurs is poorly understood. This study investigated the spatial scale and mechanisms driving homing as depicted by spawning site-choice behaviour in pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Molecular pedigree analyses of over 30,000 adult spawners in four streams revealed that pink salmon exhibit fine-scale site fidelity within a stream, returning to within <100 m of their parents. Homing behaviours were driven in part by a salinity gradient between intertidal and freshwater environments, with individuals incubated in freshwater environments more than twice as likely to spawn upstream of tidal influence than those incubated in the intertidal. Our findings challenge the traditional view that pink salmon populations are genetically and phenotypically homogenous due to their short freshwater residency as juveniles and high rates of dispersal as returning adults (i.e. straying). This study has important implications for rates of inbreeding, local adaptation and gene flow within populations, and is particularly relevant to the management of salmon hatcheries, given the high incidence of hatchery-origin pink salmon, reared in freshwater hatchery environments, that stray into wild populations of Prince William Sound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A May
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Kyle R Shedd
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Peter S Rand
- Prince William Sound Science Center (PWSSC), Cordova, Alaska, USA
| | - Peter A H Westley
- Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
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25
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McGregor D, Nordberg E, Yoon HJ, Youngentob K, Schwarzkopf L, Krockenberger A. Comparison of home range size, habitat use and the influence of resource variations between two species of greater gliders (Petauroides minor and Petauroides volans). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286813. [PMID: 37856491 PMCID: PMC10586627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the spatial requirements of a species is fundamental to understanding its environmental requirements. However, this can be challenging as the size of a species' home range can be influenced by ecological factors such as diet and size-dependent metabolic demands, as well as factors related to the quality of their habitat such as the density and distribution of resources needed for food and shelter. Until recently, the genus Petauroides was thought to include only a single species with a widespread distribution across eastern Australia. However, a recent study has provided genetic and morphological evidence supporting Petauroides minor as a distinct northern species. Previous studies have focused on the ecology of P. volans, but there has been inadequate research on P. minor. Data on home range and habitat use were obtained for both species using a combination of techniques including GPS collar locations, radiotelemetry, and spotlighting and comparisons were made using consistent methodology. Home range sizes of P. minor (4.79 ha ± 0.97 s.d., KUD .95) were significantly larger than those of P. volans (2.0 ha ± 0.42 s.d., KUD .95). There were no significant differences between male and female home range sizes in either species. Both species showed site-specific preferences for tree species and for larger diameter trees for both forage and shelter. Tree size and biomass/ha were significantly greater in the P. volans study sites than the P. minor study sites and there was a negative correlation between home range size and eucalypt biomass. Larger home range size is likely driven by the substantial differences in biomass between northern (tropical) and southern (temperate) eucalypt-dominated habitats affecting the quality and quantity of resources for food and shelter. Understanding landscape use and habitat requirements within each species of Petauroides can provide important information regarding limiting factors and in directing conservation and management planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise McGregor
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eric Nordberg
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hwan-Jin Yoon
- Health Intelligence, The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Kara Youngentob
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Krockenberger
- Division of Research and Innovation, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
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26
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Bakner NW, Collier BA, Chamberlain MJ. Behavioral-dependent recursive movements and implications for resource selection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16632. [PMID: 37789205 PMCID: PMC10547709 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43907-z] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Within home ranges, animals repeatedly visit certain areas. Recursive movement patterns are widespread throughout the animal kingdom, but are rarely considered when developing resource selection models. We examined how behavioral state-dependent recursive movements influenced reource selection of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) broods as they aged from day 1 to 28. Because broods become more plastic in behaviors once they begin roosting off the ground, we separated data into broods that were ground roosting (1-13 days) and tree roosting (14-28 days). We used Hidden Markov Models to identify 2 behavioral states (restricted and mobile). We extracted state-specific recursive movements based on states and specific step lengths, which we integrated into a step selection analysis to evaluate resource selection. We found that in a restricted state, ground roosting broods spent less time in areas of mixed pine-hardwoods and more time in areas with greater vegetation density. Tree roosting broods revisited areas closer to shrub/scrub landcover types, and areas with greater vegetation density. Tree roosting broods also spent less time near mixed pine-hardwoods, while spending more time in areas with greater vegetation density. We found that in a mobile state, ground roosting broods revisited areas closer to secondary roads and mixed pine-hardwoods, but farther from hardwoods. Tree roosting broods revisited areas farther from secondary roads and with greater vegetation density. Tree roosting broods also spent more time in areas closer to pine. Resource selection varied depending on behavioral state and recursive movements. However, revisitation and residence time impacted selection in both ground and tree roosting broods. Our findings highlight the need to consider how behaviors can influence movement decisions and ultimately resource selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W Bakner
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Bret A Collier
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Michael J Chamberlain
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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27
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Clontz LM, Yang A, Chinn SM, Pepin KM, VerCauteren KC, Wittemyer G, Miller RS, Beasley JC. Role of social structure in establishment of an invasive large mammal after translocation. Pest Manag Sci 2023; 79:3819-3829. [PMID: 37218996 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7567] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on the movement behavior of translocated wild pigs is needed to develop appropriate response strategies for containing and eliminating new source populations following translocation events. We conducted experimental trials to compare the home range establishment and space-use metrics, including the number of days and distance traveled before becoming range residents, for wild pigs translocated with their social group and individually. RESULTS We found wild pigs translocated with their social group made less extensive movements away from the release location and established a stable home range ~5 days faster than those translocated individually. We also examined how habitat quality impacted the home range sizes of translocated wild pigs and found wild pigs maintained larger ranges in areas with higher proportion of low-quality habitat. CONCLUSION Collectively, our findings suggest translocations of invasive wild pigs have a greater probability of establishing a viable population near the release site when habitat quality is high and when released with members of their social unit compared to individuals moved independent of their social group or to low-quality habitat. However, all wild pigs translocated in our study made extensive movements from their release location, highlighting the potential for single translocation events of either individuals or groups to have far-reaching consequences within a much broader landscape beyond the location where they are released. These results highlight the challenges associated with containing populations in areas where illegal introduction of wild pigs occurs, and the need for rapid response once releases are identified. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Clontz
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
| | - Anni Yang
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sarah M Chinn
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Ryan S Miller
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, USA
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28
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Santos SSD, Medeiros IS, Almeida ICDE, Rebelo VA, Carvalho AOB, Menezes R, Marmontel M, Borges JCG. Environmental characterization of home range of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) released in northeastern Brazil. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2023; 95:e20220574. [PMID: 37729289 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320220574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The Antillean manatee occurs discontinuously from the state of Amapá to the state of Alagoas on the coast of Brazil. There is also evidence of reintroduced manatees using the coasts of Sergipe and Bahia, with a preference for calm shallow waters. This study characterized the home range areas of six rehabilitated manatees released in northeastern Brazil. The activities were conducted in the states of Paraíba, Sergipe, and Bahia. Type of environment, substrate, depth, aquatic vegetation, physicochemical variables of the water, presence of solid waste, human settlements, and watercraft were considered to characterize the areas. The results showed a manatee preference for sheltered areas. Resources were available in larger quantities in the dry season, and a reduction in the availability of food items was fund over the years. High overlap was found in the multivariate space of the individuals in terms of the characteristics of the habitats. The estuary of the Paraíba River and the coastal area of Cabedelo Beach in Paraíba showed the greatest amount of solid waste, human settlements, and watercraft. Released manatees exhibited a preference for sites shallower than two meters, with food resources and fresh water availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastião S Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental/PPGEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba/UFPB, Av. Santa Elisabete, 160, 58297-000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos/FMA, Estrada de Matapuã, 411, Anexo Chácara Anjo Gabriel, Mosqueiro, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | - Iara S Medeiros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental/PPGEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba/UFPB, Av. Santa Elisabete, 160, 58297-000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos/FMA, Estrada de Matapuã, 411, Anexo Chácara Anjo Gabriel, Mosqueiro, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | - Isis C DE Almeida
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental/PPGEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba/UFPB, Av. Santa Elisabete, 160, 58297-000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos/FMA, Estrada de Matapuã, 411, Anexo Chácara Anjo Gabriel, Mosqueiro, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | - Vanessa A Rebelo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental/PPGEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba/UFPB, Av. Santa Elisabete, 160, 58297-000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos/FMA, Estrada de Matapuã, 411, Anexo Chácara Anjo Gabriel, Mosqueiro, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | - Allan O B Carvalho
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos/FMA, Estrada de Matapuã, 411, Anexo Chácara Anjo Gabriel, Mosqueiro, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
| | - Rafael Menezes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Universidade Federal da Paraíba/UFPB, Jardim Universitário, s/n, Campus I, Cidade Universitária, 58051-900 João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Miriam Marmontel
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Rua Estrada do Bexiga, 2584, 69553-225 Tefé, AM, Brazil
| | - João Carlos G Borges
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental/PPGEMA, Universidade Federal da Paraíba/UFPB, Av. Santa Elisabete, 160, 58297-000 Rio Tinto, PB, Brazil
- Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos/FMA, Estrada de Matapuã, 411, Anexo Chácara Anjo Gabriel, Mosqueiro, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil
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Ssuuna J, Makundi RH, Chidodo SJ, Isabirye M, Mbije NE, Mulungu LS. Spatio-temporal home range of the dominant rodent species in Mabira central forest reserve, Uganda. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:40. [PMID: 37605119 PMCID: PMC10440881 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02148-4] [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: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodents form the largest order among mammals in terms of species diversity, and home range is the area where an individual normally moves during its normal daily activities. Information about rodent home ranges is paramount in the development of effective conservation and management strategies. This is because rodent home range varies within species and different habitats. In Uganda, tropical high altitude forests such as the Mabira Central Forest Reserve are experiencing continuous disturbance. However, information on rodent home range is lacking. Therefore, a two year Capture-Mark-Release (CMR) of rodents was conducted in the intact forest habitat: Wakisi, regenerating forest habitat: Namananga, and the depleted forest habitat: Namawanyi of Mabira Central Forest Reserve in order to determine the dominant rodent species, their home ranges, and factors affecting these home ranges. The home ranges were determined by calculating a minimum convex polygon with an added boundary strip of 5 m. RESULTS Overall, the most dominant rodent species were: Lophuromys stanleyi, Hylomyscus stella, Praomys jacksoni Mastomys natalensis, Lophuromys ansorgei, and Lemniscomys striatus. H. stella dominated the intact forest habitat, while L. stanleyi was the most dominant both in the regenerating and the depleted forest habitats. L. stanleyi had a larger home range in the depleted forest, and the regenerating forest habitats, respectively. In the regenerating forest habitat, M. natalensis had a larger home range size, followed by L. stanleyi, and L. striatus. While in the intact forest habitat, H. stella had the largest home range followed by P. jacksoni. H. stella, L. striatus, L. stanleyi, M. natalensis, and P. jacksoni were most dominant during the wet season while L. ansorgei was relatively more dominant during the dry season. L. ansorgei, and P. jacksoni had a larger home range in the dry season, and a lower home range in the wet season. H. stella, L. stanleyi, M. natalansis and L.striatus had larger home ranges in the wet season, and lower home ranges in the dry season. The home ranges of the dominant rodent species varied across the three habitats in Mabira central forest reserve ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). CONCLUSION The significant variation in home ranges of the dominant rodent species in Mabira Central Forest Reserve depending on the type of habitat presupposes that the rodent management strategies in disturbed forest reserves should focus on the type of habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Ssuuna
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
- Department of Natural Resource Economics, Busitema University, Tororo, Uganda.
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania.
- Institute of Pest Management, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Rhodes H Makundi
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Simon J Chidodo
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Moses Isabirye
- Department of Natural Resource Economics, Busitema University, Tororo, Uganda
| | - Nsajigwa E Mbije
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania
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Beardsell A, Berteaux D, Dulude-De Broin F, Gauthier G, Clermont J, Gravel D, Bêty J. Predator-mediated interactions through changes in predator home range size can lead to local prey exclusion. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231154. [PMID: 37554032 PMCID: PMC10410220 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The strength of indirect biotic interactions is difficult to quantify in the wild and can alter community composition. To investigate whether the presence of a prey species affects the population growth rate of another prey species, we quantified predator-mediated interaction strength using a multi-prey mechanistic model of predation and a population matrix model. Models were parametrized using behavioural, demographic and experimental data from a vertebrate community that includes the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), a predator feeding on lemmings and eggs of various species such as sandpipers and geese. We show that the positive effects of the goose colony on sandpiper nesting success (due to reduction of search time for sandpiper nests) were outweighed by the negative effect of an increase in fox density. The fox numerical response was driven by changes in home range size. As a result, the net interaction from the presence of geese was negative and could lead to local exclusion of sandpipers. Our study provides a rare empirically based model that integrates mechanistic multi-species functional responses and behavioural processes underlying the predator numerical response. This is an important step forward in our ability to quantify the consequences of predation for community structure and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne Beardsell
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
| | | | - Gilles Gauthier
- Département de biologie et Centre d'études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Jeanne Clermont
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Dominique Gravel
- Département de biologie et Centre d'études nordiques, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Joël Bêty
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
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Vishnu CS, Marshall BM, Ramesh C, Thirumurugan V, Talukdar G, Das A. Home range ecology of Indian rock pythons (Python molurus) in Sathyamangalam and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9749. [PMID: 37328577 PMCID: PMC10275859 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36974-9] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Indian rock pythons (Python molurus) are classified as a near-threatened snake species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN); they are native to the Indian subcontinent and have experienced population declines caused primarily by poaching and habitat loss. We hand-captured the 14 rock pythons from villages, agricultural lands, and core forests to examine the species' home ranges. We later released/translocated them in different kilometer ranges at the Tiger Reserves. From December 2018 to December 2020, we obtained 401 radio-telemetry locations, with an average tracking duration of (444 ± 212 days), and a mean of 29 ± SD 16 data points per individual. We quantified home ranges and measured morphometric and ecological factors (sex, body size, and location) associated with intraspecific differences in home range size. We analyzed the home ranges of rock pythons using Auto correlated Kernel Density Estimates (AKDE). AKDEs can account for the auto-correlated nature of animal movement data and mitigate against biases stemming from inconsistent tracking time lags. Home range size varied from 1.4 ha to 8.1 km2 and averaged 4.2 km2. Differences in home range sizes could not be connected to body mass. Initial indications suggest that rock python home ranges are larger than other pythons.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Vishnu
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
| | | | - Chinnasamy Ramesh
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India.
| | | | - Gautam Talukdar
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
| | - Abhijit Das
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
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Udyawer V, Huveneers C, Jaine F, Babcock RC, Brodie S, Buscot MJ, Campbell HA, Harcourt RG, Hoenner X, Lédée EJI, Simpfendorfer CA, Taylor MD, Armstrong A, Barnett A, Brown C, Bruce B, Butcher PA, Cadiou G, Couturier LIE, Currey-Randall L, Drew M, Dudgeon CL, Dwyer RG, Espinoza M, Ferreira LC, Fowler A, Harasti D, Harborne AR, Knott NA, Lee K, Lloyd M, Lowry M, Marzullo T, Matley J, McAllister JD, McAuley R, McGregor F, Meekan M, Mills K, Norman BM, Oh B, Payne NL, Peddemors V, Piddocke T, Pillans RD, Reina RD, Rogers P, Semmens JM, Smoothey A, Speed CW, van der Meulen D, Heupel MR. Scaling of Activity Space in Marine Organisms across Latitudinal Gradients. Am Nat 2023; 201:586-602. [PMID: 36958006 DOI: 10.1086/723405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
AbstractUnifying models have shown that the amount of space used by animals (e.g., activity space, home range) scales allometrically with body mass for terrestrial taxa; however, such relationships are far less clear for marine species. We compiled movement data from 1,596 individuals across 79 taxa collected using a continental passive acoustic telemetry network of acoustic receivers to assess allometric scaling of activity space. We found that ectothermic marine taxa do exhibit allometric scaling for activity space, with an overall scaling exponent of 0.64. However, body mass alone explained only 35% of the variation, with the remaining variation best explained by trophic position for teleosts and latitude for sharks, rays, and marine reptiles. Taxon-specific allometric relationships highlighted weaker scaling exponents among teleost fish species (0.07) than sharks (0.96), rays (0.55), and marine reptiles (0.57). The allometric scaling relationship and scaling exponents for the marine taxonomic groups examined were lower than those reported from studies that had collated both marine and terrestrial species data derived using various tracking methods. We propose that these disparities arise because previous work integrated summarized data across many studies that used differing methods for collecting and quantifying activity space, introducing considerable uncertainty into slope estimates. Our findings highlight the benefit of using large-scale, coordinated animal biotelemetry networks to address cross-taxa evolutionary and ecological questions.
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Redpath SHA, Marks NJ, Menzies FD, O'Hagan MJH, Wilson RP, Smith S, Magowan EA, McClune DW, Collins SF, McCormick CM, Scantlebury DM. Impact of test, vaccinate or remove protocol on home ranges and nightly movements of badgers a medium density population. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2592. [PMID: 36788237 PMCID: PMC9929337 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28620-1] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the British Isles, the European badger (Meles meles) is thought to be the primary wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), an endemic disease in cattle. Test, vaccinate or remove ('TVR') of bTB test-positive badgers, has been suggested to be a potentially useful protocol to reduce bTB incidence in cattle. However, the practice of removing or culling badgers is controversial both for ethical reasons and because there is no consistent observed effect on bTB levels in cattle. While removing badgers reduces population density, it may also result in disruption of their social behaviour, increase their ranging, and lead to greater intra- and inter-species bTB transmission. This effect has been recorded in high badger density areas, such as in southwest England. However, little is known about how TVR affects the behaviour and movement of badgers within a medium density population, such as those that occur in Northern Ireland (NI), which the current study aimed to examine. During 2014-2017, badger ranging behaviours were examined prior to and during a TVR protocol in NI. Nightly distances travelled by 38 individuals were determined using Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements of animal tracks and GPS-enhanced dead-reckoned tracks. The latter was calculated using GPS, tri-axial accelerometer and tri-axial magnetometer data loggers attached to animals. Home range and core home range size were measured using 95% and 50% autocorrelated kernel density estimates, respectively, based on location fixes. TVR was not associated with measured increases in either distances travelled per night (mean = 3.31 ± 2.64 km) or home range size (95% mean = 1.56 ± 0.62 km2, 50% mean = 0.39 ± 0.62 km2) over the four years of study. However, following trapping, mean distances travelled per night increased by up to 44% eight days post capture. Findings differ from those observed in higher density badger populations in England, in which badger ranging increased following culling. Whilst we did not assess behaviours of individual badgers, possible reasons why no differences in home range size were observed include higher inherent 'social fluidity' in Irish populations whereby movements are less restricted by habitat saturation and/or that the numbers removed did not reach a threshold that might induce increases in ranging behaviour. Nevertheless, short-term behavioural disruption from trapping was observed, which led to significant increases in the movements of individual animals within their home range. Whether or not TVR may alter badger behaviours remains to be seen, but it would be better to utilise solutions such as oral vaccination of badgers and/or cattle as well as increased biosecurity to limit bTB transmission, which may be less likely to cause interference and thereby reduce the likelihood of bTB transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie H A Redpath
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens' University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland
| | - Nikki J Marks
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens' University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Fraser D Menzies
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Belfast, BT4 3SB, Northern Ireland
| | - Maria J H O'Hagan
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Belfast, BT4 3SB, Northern Ireland
| | - Rory P Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales
| | - Sinéad Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens' University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Elizabeth A Magowan
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens' University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - David W McClune
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens' University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Shane F Collins
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Belfast, BT4 3SB, Northern Ireland
| | - Carl M McCormick
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland
| | - D Michael Scantlebury
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens' University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland.
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Islam M, Deeti S, Mahmudah Z, Kamhi JF, Cheng K. Detouring while foraging up a tree: What bull ants (Myrmecia midas) learn and their reactions to novel sensory cues. J Comp Psychol 2023; 137:4-15. [PMID: 36931833 DOI: 10.1037/com0000333] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Many animals navigate in a structurally complex environment, which requires them to detour around the physical barriers that they encounter. Although many studies in animal cognition suggest that they are able to adeptly avoid obstacles, it is unclear whether a new route is learned to navigate around these barriers and, if so, what sensory information may be used to do so. We investigated detour learning in traveling up a tree in the Australian bull ant, Myrmecia midas, which primarily uses visual landmarks. We first placed a barrier on the ants' upward path. Initially, 46% of foragers were unsuccessful in detouring the obstacle. On subsequent trips, the ants became more successful and established a new route. We observed up to eight successful foraging trips detouring around the barrier. We then tested the same foragers in a series of manipulations, including changing the position of the barrier, making a new gap in the middle of the obstacle, or removing the barrier altogether. The ants mostly showed the same learned motor routine, detouring with a similar path as in the initial trials, suggesting that foragers were not relying on barrier cues and therefore learned a new route around the obstacle. When foragers encountered new olfactory or tactile cues, or the visual environment was blocked; however, their navigation was profoundly disrupted. These results suggest that changing sensory information drastically affects the foragers' navigational performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zakia Mahmudah
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | | | - Ken Cheng
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University
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Pérez-Campanero Antolín N, Taylor GK. Gap selection and steering during obstacle avoidance in pigeons. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb244215. [PMID: 36576032 PMCID: PMC10086542 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244215] [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: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The ability of birds to fly through cluttered environments has inspired biologists interested in understanding its underlying mechanisms, and engineers interested in applying its underpinning principles. To analyse this problem empirically, we break it down into two distinct, but related, questions: How do birds select which gaps to aim for? And how do they steer through them? We answered these questions using a combined experimental and modelling approach, in which we released pigeons (Columbia livia domestica) inside a large hall with an open exit separated from the release point by a curtain creating two vertical gaps - one of which was obstructed by an obstacle. We tracked the birds using a high-speed motion capture system, and found that their gap choice seemed to be biased by their intrinsic handedness, rather than determined by extrinsic cues such as the size of the gap or its alignment with the destination. We modelled the pigeons' steering behaviour algorithmically by simulating their flight trajectories under a set of six candidate guidance laws, including those used previously to model target-oriented flight behaviours in birds. We found that their flights were best modelled by delayed proportional navigation commanding turning in proportion to the angular rate of the line-of-sight from the pigeon to the midpoint of the gap. Our results are consistent with this being a two-phase behaviour, in which the pigeon heads forward from the release point before steering towards the midpoint of whichever gap it chooses to aim for under closed-loop guidance. Our findings have implications for the sensorimotor mechanisms that underlie clutter negotiation in birds, uniting this with other kinds of target-oriented behaviours including aerial pursuit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graham K. Taylor
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11A Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
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Reeve AH, Willemoes M, Paul L, Nagombi E, Bodawatta KH, Ortvad TE, Maiah G, Jønsson KA. Satellite tracking resident songbirds in tropical forests. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278641. [PMID: 36584181 PMCID: PMC9803307 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in tracking technology have helped elucidate the movements of the planet's largest and most mobile species, but these animals do not represent faunal diversity as a whole. Tracking a more diverse array of animal species will enable testing of broad ecological and evolutionary hypotheses and aid conservation efforts. Small and sedentary species of the tropics make up a huge part of earth's animal diversity and are therefore key to this endeavor. Here, we investigated whether modern satellite tracking is a viable means for measuring the fine-scale movement patterns of such animals. We fitted five-gram solar-powered transmitters to resident songbirds in the rainforests of New Guinea, and analyzed transmission data collected over four years to evaluate movement detection and performance over time. Based upon the distribution of location fixes, and an observed home range shift by one individual, there is excellent potential to detect small movements of a few kilometers. The method also has clear limitations: total transmission periods were often short and punctuated by lapses; precision and accuracy of location fixes was limited and variable between study sites. However, impending reductions in transmitter size and price will alleviate many issues, further expanding options for tracking earth's faunal diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hart Reeve
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Mikkel Willemoes
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luda Paul
- New Guinea Binatang Research Centre, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Elizah Nagombi
- New Guinea Binatang Research Centre, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Kasun H. Bodawatta
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels Eske Ortvad
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gibson Maiah
- New Guinea Binatang Research Centre, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Knud Andreas Jønsson
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Guo L, Guo X. A Blockchain Technology Introduction Strategy for Asymmetric Sharing Platforms under Different Homing Behaviors of Both Sides. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:16060. [PMID: 36498133 PMCID: PMC9739772 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316060] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To address user privacy concerns and improve user trust levels, sharing platforms are commencing to focus on investing in blockchain technology. This study focuses on blockchain technology investment and pricing strategies for two asymmetric sharing platforms. By constructing a Hotelling model, we investigate the investment strategies of the two asymmetric platforms regarding blockchain technology under different user attribution behaviours, i.e., single-homing or multi-homing, and the optimal pricing under different investment decisions. Afterwards, we compare and analyse the investment strategies under different conditions, obtain the influence of relevant market factors on the pricing strategies of the platforms, and finally determine the optimal timing of blockchain technology investment for asymmetric sharing platforms. The results indicate that when users' perception of blockchain value is high, both platforms are motivated to introduce blockchain technology, and, conversely, a stronger platform exits the blockchain market. In multi-homing markets, platforms are more likely to implement blockchain strategies and the cost of technology investment is significantly higher than in a single-homing market. In addition, we also find that the degree of differentiation has a significant impact on the blockchain strategies of weaker platform under multi-homing market.
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Kato H, Takizawa A. Time series cross-correlation between home range and number of infected people during the COVID-19 pandemic in a suburban city. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267335. [PMID: 36048758 PMCID: PMC9436136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Control of human mobility is one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the imposition of emergency restrictions had significant negative impacts on citizens’ daily lives. As vaccination progresses, we need to consider more effective measures to control the spread of the infection. The research question of this study is as follows: Does the control of home range correlate with a reduction in the number of infected people during the COVID-19 pandemic? This study aims to clarify the correlation between home range and the number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibaraki City. Home ranges are analyzed by the Minimum Convex Polygon method using mobile phone GPS location history data. We analyzed the time series cross-correlation between home range lengths and the number of infected people. Results reveal a slight positive correlation between home range and the number of infected people after one week during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding home range length, the cross-correlation coefficient is 0.4030 even at a lag level of six weeks, which has the most significant coefficient. Thus, a decrease in the home range is a weak factor correlated with a reduction in the number of infected people. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature by evaluating key public health challenges from the perspective of controliing the spread of the COVID-19 infectuion. Its findings has implications for policy makers, practitioners, and urban scientists seeking to promote urban sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Kato
- Department of Housing and Environmental Design, Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Atsushi Takizawa
- Department of Housing and Environmental Design, Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
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Clontz LM, Pepin KM, VerCauteren KC, Beasley JC. Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on home range size and shape of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Pest Manag Sci 2022; 78:914-928. [PMID: 34719092 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Determining factors influencing animal movements at a temporal scale that is similar to that at which management actions are conducted (e.g. weekly) is crucial for identifying efficient methods of wildlife conservation and management. Using global positioning system (GPS) data from 49 wild pigs in the southeast United States, we constructed weekly 50% and 95% utilization distributions to quantify the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on weekly core area and home range size, as well as home range shape. RESULTS We found vegetative composition (i.e. proportion of bottomland hardwoods), season (based on forage availability), meteorological conditions (i.e. temperature and pressure), and sex influenced wild pig weekly home range and core area size, while vegetative composition (i.e. proportion of upland pines) and landscape features (i.e. distance to streams) also were important factors influencing home range shape. At close distances to streams, wild pigs had more elongate home ranges when their home ranges comprised less upland pine habitat; however, farther from streams, there was no change in home range shape across fluctuating proportions of upland pines. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that fine-scale wild pig home ranges and movements are pliable from week to week and influenced by several habitat, landscape, and meteorological attributes that can easily be quantified from available land use and meteorological databases. These findings are important for designing monitoring studies, identifying high risk zones for disease transmission, planning response to disease emergence events, and allowing more effective and efficient short-term management planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Clontz
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Kurt C VerCauteren
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA
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Valentini G, Pavlic TP, Walker SI, Pratt SC, Biro D, Sasaki T. Naïve individuals promote collective exploration in homing pigeons. eLife 2021; 10:e68653. [PMID: 34928230 PMCID: PMC8687659 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68653] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Group-living animals that rely on stable foraging or migratory routes can develop behavioural traditions to pass route information down to inexperienced individuals. Striking a balance between exploitation of social information and exploration for better alternatives is essential to prevent the spread of maladaptive traditions. We investigated this balance during cumulative route development in the homing pigeon Columba livia. We quantified information transfer within pairs of birds in a transmission-chain experiment and determined how birds with different levels of experience contributed to the exploration-exploitation trade-off. Newly introduced naïve individuals were initially more likely to initiate exploration than experienced birds, but the pair soon settled into a pattern of alternating leadership with both birds contributing equally. Experimental pairs showed an oscillating pattern of exploration over generations that might facilitate the discovery of more efficient routes. Our results introduce a new perspective on the roles of leadership and information pooling in the context of collective learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Valentini
- Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Tempe, United States
- Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, United States
| | - Theodore P Pavlic
- Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, United States
- Arizona State University, Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, Tempe, United States
- Arizona State University, School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Tempe, United States
- Arizona State University, School of Sustainability, Athens, United States
- Arizona State University, School of Complex Adaptive Systems, Tempe, United States
- Arizona State University, ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems, Tempe, United States
| | - Sara Imari Walker
- Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Tempe, United States
- Arizona State University, School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Tempe, United States
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, United States
| | - Stephen C Pratt
- Arizona State University, Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science, Tempe, United States
| | - Dora Biro
- University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, Oxford, United States
- University of Rochester, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Rochester, United States
| | - Takao Sasaki
- University of Georgia, Odum School of Ecology, Athens, United States
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Collet J, Sasaki T, Biro D. Pigeons retain partial memories of homing paths years after learning them individually, collectively or culturally. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20212110. [PMID: 34784759 PMCID: PMC8595992 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2110] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory of past experience is central to many animal decisions, but how long specific memories can influence behaviour is poorly understood. Few studies have reported memories retrieved after several years in non-human animals, especially for spatial tasks, and whether the social context during learning could affect long-term memory retention. We investigated homing pigeons' spatial memory by GPS-recording their homing paths from a site 9 km from their loft. We compared solo flights of naive pigeons with those of pigeons that had last homed from this site 3-4 years earlier, having learnt a homing route either alone (individual learning), together with a naive partner (collective learning) or within cultural transmission chains (cultural learning). We used as a control a second release site unfamiliar to all pigeons. Pigeons from all learning treatments outperformed naive birds at the familiar (but not the unfamiliar) site, but the idiosyncratic routes they formerly used several years before were now partially forgotten. Our results show that non-human animals can use their memory to solve a spatial task years after they last performed it, irrespective of the social context during learning. They also suggest that without reinforcement, landmarks and culturally acquired 'route traditions' are gradually forgotten.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Collet
- Oxford Navigation Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11A Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Takao Sasaki
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Dora Biro
- Oxford Navigation Group, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11A Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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Morrison RE, Mushimiyimana Y, Stoinski TS, Eckardt W. Rapid transmission of respiratory infections within but not between mountain gorilla groups. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19622. [PMID: 34620899 PMCID: PMC8497490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98969-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Minimizing disease transmission between humans and wild apes and controlling outbreaks in ape populations is vital to both ape conservation and human health, but information on the transmission of real infections in wild populations is rare. We analyzed respiratory outbreaks in a subpopulation of wild mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) between 2004 and 2020. We investigated transmission within groups during 7 outbreaks using social networks based on contact and proximity, and transmission between groups during 15 outbreaks using inter-group encounters, transfers and home range overlap. Patterns of contact and proximity within groups were highly predictable based on gorillas' age and sex. Disease transmission within groups was rapid with a median estimated basic reproductive number (R0) of 4.18 (min = 1.74, max = 9.42), and transmission was not predicted by the social network. Between groups, encounters and transfers did not appear to have enabled disease transmission and the overlap of groups' ranges did not predict concurrent outbreaks. Our findings suggest that gorilla social structure, with many strong connections within groups and weak ties between groups, may enable rapid transmission within a group once an infection is present, but limit the transmission of infections between groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E Morrison
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Musanze, Rwanda.
- Centre for Research in Animal Behavior, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
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Hays GC, Mortimer JA, Rattray A, Shimada T, Esteban N. High accuracy tracking reveals how small conservation areas can protect marine megafauna. Ecol Appl 2021; 31:e02418. [PMID: 34278636 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2418] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Space use estimates can inform conservation management but relaying high-accuracy locations is often not straightforward. We used Fastloc-GPS Argos satellite tags with the innovation of additional data relay via a ground station (termed a "Mote") to record high volumes (typically >20 locations per individual per day) of high accuracy tracking data. Tags were attached in the Chagos Archipelago (Indian Ocean) in 2018-2019 to 23 immature turtles of two species for which there have been long-standing conservation concerns: 21 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and two green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Over long tracking durations (mean 227.6 d per individual), most turtles moved very little. For example, 17 of 21 hawksbill turtles remained continuously in the lagoon where they were equipped, with 95% and 50% utilization distributions (UDs) averaging only 1.03 and 0.18 km2 , respectively. Many individuals, and both species, could use the same small spaces, i.e., individuals did not maintain unique home ranges. However, three hawksbill turtles travelled hundreds of kilometers from the tagging site. Our results show that, for some large marine vertebrates, even small protected areas of only a few square kilometers can encompass the movements of a large proportion of individuals over long periods. High accuracy tracking may likewise reveal the details of space use for many other animals that move little and/or use important focal areas and where previous low-accuracy tracking techniques have tended to overestimate space use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeanne A Mortimer
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
- P.O. Box 1443, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
| | | | - Takahiro Shimada
- Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, GPO Box 2454, Dutton Park, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001, Australia
| | - Nicole Esteban
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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Giroux A, Ortega Z, Oliveira-Santos LGR, Attias N, Bertassoni A, Desbiez ALJ. Sexual, allometric and forest cover effects on giant anteaters' movement ecology. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253345. [PMID: 34407068 PMCID: PMC8372905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253345] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowing the influence of intrinsic and environmental traits on animals’ movement is a central interest of ecology and can aid to enhance management decisions. The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a vulnerable mammal that presents low capacity for physiological thermoregulation and uses forests as thermal shelters. Here, we aim to provide reliable estimates of giant anteaters’ movement patterns and home range size, as well as untangle the role of intrinsic and environmental drivers on their movement. We GPS-tracked 19 giant anteaters in Brazilian savannah. We used a continuous-time movement model to estimate their movement patterns (described by home range crossing time, daily distance moved and directionality), and provide an autocorrelated kernel density estimate of home range size. Then, we used mixed structural equations to integratively model the effects of sex, body mass and proportion of forest cover on movement patterns and home range size, considering the complex net of interactions between these variables. Male giant anteaters presented more intensive space use and larger home range than females with similar body mass, as it is expected in polygynous social mating systems. Males and females increased home range size with increasing body mass, but the allometric scaling of intensity of space use was negative for males and positive for females, indicating different strategies in search for resources. With decreasing proportion of forest cover inside their home ranges, and, consequently, decreasing thermal quality of their habitat, giant anteaters increased home range size, possibly to maximize the chances of accessing thermal shelters. As frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and deforestation are increasing, effective management efforts need to consider the role of forests as an important thermal resource driving spatial requirements of this species. We highlight that both intrinsic and environmental drivers of animal movement should be integrated to better guide management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Giroux
- Ecology Department, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Zaida Ortega
- Ecology Department, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Zoology Department, University of Granada, Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Nina Attias
- Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals (ICAS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Bertassoni
- Ecology and Evolution Department, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Institute for Research and Conservation of Tamanduas in Brazil (Tamanduá Institute), Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Arnaud Léonard Jean Desbiez
- Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals (ICAS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Institute for Ecological Research (IPÊ), Nazaré Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
- Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Murrayfield, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Individual variation is increasingly recognized as a central component of ecological processes, but its role in structuring environmental niche associations remains largely unknown. Species' responses to environmental conditions are ultimately determined by the niches of single individuals, yet environmental associations are typically captured only at the level of species. Here, we develop scenarios for how individual variation may combine to define the compound environmental niche of populations, use extensive movement data to document individual environmental niche variation, test associated hypotheses of niche configuration, and examine the consistency of individual niches over time. For 45 individual white storks (Ciconia ciconia; 116 individual-year combinations), we uncover high variability in individual environmental associations, consistency of individual niches over time, and moderate to strong niche specialization. Within populations, environmental niches follow a nested pattern, with individuals arranged along a specialist-to-generalist gradient. These results reject common assumptions of individual niche equivalency among conspecifics, as well as the separation of individual niches into disparate parts of environmental space. These findings underscore the need for a more thorough consideration of individualistic environmental responses in global change research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben S Carlson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Shay Rotics
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ran Nathan
- Movement Ecology Laboratory, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Walter Jetz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Wilson-Aggarwal JK, Goodwin CED, Moundai T, Sidouin MK, Swan GJF, Léchenne M, McDonald RA. Spatial and temporal dynamics of space use by free-ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris in rural Africa. Ecol Appl 2021; 31:e02328. [PMID: 33742486 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2328] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Variation in the spatial ecology of animals influences the transmission of infections and so understanding host behavior can improve the control of diseases. Despite the global distribution of free-ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris and their role as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, little is known about the dynamics of their space use. We deployed GPS loggers on owned but free-ranging dogs from six villages in rural Chad, and tracked the movements of 174 individuals in the dry season and 151 in the wet season. We calculated 95% and core home ranges using auto-correlated kernel density estimates (AKDE95 and AKDEcore ), determined the degree to which their movements were predictable, and identified correlates of movement patterns. The median AKDE95 range in the dry season was 0.54 km2 and in the wet season was 0.31 km2 , while the median AKDEcore range in the dry season was 0.08 km2 and in the wet season was 0.04 km2 . Seasonal variation was, in part, related to owner activities; dogs from hunting households had ranges that were five times larger in the dry season. At least 70% of individuals were more predictably "at home" (<50 m from the household) throughout the day in the dry season, 80% of dogs demonstrated periodicity in activity levels (speed), and just over half the dogs exhibited periodicity in location (repeated space use). In the wet season, dogs mostly exhibited 24-h cycles in activity and location, with peaks at midday. In the dry season, dogs exhibited both 12- and 24-h cycles, with either a single peak at midday, or one peak between 06:00 and 12:00 and a second between 18:00 and 22:00. Strategies to control canine-mediated zoonoses can be improved by tailoring operations to the local spatial ecology of free-ranging dogs. Interventions using a door-to-door strategy in rural Chad would best conduct operations during the dry season, when access to dogs around their household more reliably exceeds 70% throughout the day. Given the importance of use in hunting for explaining variation in dog space-use, targeting approaches to disease control at the household level on the basis of owner activities offers potential to improve access to dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared K Wilson-Aggarwal
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Cecily E D Goodwin
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
| | | | - Metinou K Sidouin
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - George J F Swan
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Monique Léchenne
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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Henriquez MC, Amann A, Zimmerman D, Sanchez C, Murray S, McCann C, Tesfaye T, Swedell L. Home range, sleeping site use, and band fissioning in hamadryas baboons: Improved estimates using GPS collars. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23248. [PMID: 33666273 PMCID: PMC8244037 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23248] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Variation in spatial and temporal distribution of resources drives animal movement patterns. Links between ecology and behavior are particularly salient for the multilevel society of hamadryas baboons, in which social units cleave and coalesce over time in response to ecological factors. Here, we used data from GPS collars to estimate home range size and assess temporal patterns of sleeping site use in a band of hamadryas baboons in Awash National Park, Ethiopia. We used GPS data derived from 2 to 3 collared baboons over three 8-12-month collaring intervals to estimate annual and monthly home ranges using kernel density estimators (KDEs) and minimum convex polygons (MCPs). The 95% KDE home range was 64.11 km2 for Collaring Interval I (July 2015-March 2016), 85.52 km2 for Collaring Interval II (October 2016-October 2017), 76.43 km2 for Collaring Interval III (July 2018-May 2019), and 75.25 km2 across all three collaring intervals. MCP home ranges were 103.46 km2 for Collaring Interval I, 97.90 km2 for Collaring Interval II, 105.22 km2 for Collaring Interval III, and 129.33 km2 overall. Ninety-five percent KDE home range sizes did not differ across months, nor correlate with temperature or precipitation, but monthly MCP home ranges increased with monthly precipitation. Our data also revealed a southward home range shift over time and seven previously unknown sleeping sites, three of which were used more often during the wet season. Band cohesion was highest during dry months and lowest during wet months, with fissioning occurring more frequently at higher temperatures. One pair of collared individuals from Collaring Interval III spent 95% of nights together, suggesting they were members of the same clan. Our results both suggest that previous studies have underestimated the home range size of hamadryas baboons and highlight the benefits of remote data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. Henriquez
- Anthropology Program, The Graduate CenterCity University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary PrimatologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Filoha Hamadryas ProjectAwash National ParkMetaharaEthiopia
| | - Alexis Amann
- Anthropology Program, The Graduate CenterCity University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary PrimatologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Filoha Hamadryas ProjectAwash National ParkMetaharaEthiopia
| | - Dawn Zimmerman
- Smithsonian National Zoological ParkWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | | | - Suzan Murray
- Smithsonian National Zoological ParkWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Colleen McCann
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary PrimatologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx ZooNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Teklu Tesfaye
- Filoha Hamadryas ProjectAwash National ParkMetaharaEthiopia
| | - Larissa Swedell
- Anthropology Program, The Graduate CenterCity University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- New York Consortium in Evolutionary PrimatologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Filoha Hamadryas ProjectAwash National ParkMetaharaEthiopia
- Department of ArchaeologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Anthropology, Queens CollegeCity University of New YorkFlushingNew YorkUSA
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48
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Freas CA, Plowes NJR, Spetch ML. Traveling through light clutter: Path integration and panorama guided navigation in the Sonoran Desert ant, Novomessor cockerelli. Behav Processes 2021; 186:104373. [PMID: 33684462 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104373] [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] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Foraging ants use multiple navigational strategies, including path integration and visual panorama cues, which are used simultaneously and weighted based upon context, the environment and the species' sensory ecology. In particular, the amount of visual clutter in the habitat predicts the weighting given to the forager's path integrator and surrounding panorama cues. Here, we characterize the individual cue use and cue weighting of the Sonoran Desert ant, Novomessor cockerelli, by testing foragers after local and distant displacement. Foragers attend to both a path-integration-based vector and the surrounding panorama to navigate, on and off foraging routes. When both cues were present, foragers initially oriented to their path integrator alone, yet weighting was dynamic, with foragers abandoning the vector and switching to panorama-based navigation after a few meters. If displaced to unfamiliar locations, experienced foragers travelled almost their full homeward vector (∼85 %) before the onset of search. Through panorama analysis, we show views acquired on-route provide sufficient information for orientation over only short distances, with rapid parallel decreases in panorama similarity and navigational performance after even small local displacements. These findings are consistent with heavy path integrator weighting over the panorama when the local habitat contains few prominent terrestrial cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Freas
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Nicola J R Plowes
- Department of Biology, Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ, United States
| | - Marcia L Spetch
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
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49
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Fiedler A, Blouin-Demers G, Bulté G, Careau V. Phylogenetic analysis of macroecological patterns of home range area in snakes. Oecologia 2021; 195:479-488. [PMID: 33386462 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04832-4] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A home range is the area animals use to carry out routine activities such as mating, foraging, and caring for young. Thus, the area of a home range is an important indicator of an animal's behavioural and energetic requirements. While several studies have identified the factors that influence home range area (HRA), none of them has investigated global patterns of HRA among and within snake species. Here, we used a phylogenetic mixed model to determine which factors influence HRA in 51 snake species. We analysed 200 HRA estimates to test the influence of body mass, sex, age, diet, precipitation, latitude, winter and summer temperature, while controlling for the duration of the study and sample size. We found that males had larger HRA than females, that adults had larger HRA than juveniles, and that snake species with fish-based diets had smaller HRA than snake species with terrestrial vertebrate-based and invertebrate-based diets. We also found that HRA tended to increase as mean winter temperature decreases and tended to decrease with precipitation. After accounting for these factors, the phylogenetic heritability of HRA in snakes was low (0.21 ± 0.14). Determining the factors that dictate macroecological patterns of space use has important management implications in an era of rapid climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Fiedler
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Gabriel Blouin-Demers
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Gregory Bulté
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vincent Careau
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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50
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Chen N, Ren L, Du L, Hou J, Mullin VE, Wu D, Zhao X, Li C, Huang J, Qi X, Capodiferro MR, Achilli A, Lei C, Chen F, Su B, Dong G, Zhang X. Ancient genomes reveal tropical bovid species in the Tibetan Plateau contributed to the prevalence of hunting game until the late Neolithic. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:28150-28159. [PMID: 33077602 PMCID: PMC7668038 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011696117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Local wild bovids have been determined to be important prey on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP), where hunting game was a major subsistence strategy until the late Neolithic, when farming lifestyles dominated in the neighboring Loess Plateau. However, the species affiliation and population ecology of these prehistoric wild bovids in the prehistoric NETP remain unknown. Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis is highly informative in decoding this puzzle. Here, we applied aDNA analysis to fragmented bovid and rhinoceros specimens dating ∼5,200 y B.P. from the Neolithic site of Shannashuzha located in the marginal area of the NETP. Utilizing both whole genomes and mitochondrial DNA, our results demonstrate that the range of the present-day tropical gaur (Bos gaurus) extended as far north as the margins of the NETP during the late Neolithic from ∼29°N to ∼34°N. Furthermore, comparative analysis with zooarchaeological and paleoclimatic evidence indicated that a high summer temperature in the late Neolithic might have facilitated the northward expansion of tropical animals (at least gaur and Sumatran-like rhinoceros) to the NETP. This enriched the diversity of wildlife, thus providing abundant hunting resources for humans and facilitating the exploration of the Tibetan Plateau as one of the last habitats for hunting game in East Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningbo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 650223 Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, 712100 Yangling, China
| | - Lele Ren
- School of History and Culture, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Linyao Du
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiawen Hou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, 712100 Yangling, China
| | - Victoria E Mullin
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Duo Wu
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Xueye Zhao
- Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Chunmei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 650223 Kunming, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 650223 Kunming, China
| | - Jiahui Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 650223 Kunming, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Xuebin Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 650223 Kunming, China
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 650223 Kunming, China
| | | | - Alessandro Achilli
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "L. Spallanzani," Università di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Chuzhao Lei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, 712100 Yangling, China
| | - Fahu Chen
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Bing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 650223 Kunming, China;
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 650223 Kunming, China
| | - Guanghui Dong
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China;
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 650223 Kunming, China;
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 650223 Kunming, China
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