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MacNulty DR, Brice EM, Larsen EJ. Non-random sampling measures the occurrence but not the strength of a textbook trophic cascade. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14344. [PMID: 38010704 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14344] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Although sampling the five tallest young aspen in a stand is useful for detecting the occurrence of any aspen recruitment, this technique overestimates the population response of aspen to wolf reintroduction. Our original conclusion that random sampling described a trophic cascade that was weaker than the one described by non-random sampling is unchanged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R MacNulty
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Elaine M Brice
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Eric J Larsen
- Department of Geography and Geology, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA
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2
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Salomons H, Smith KCM, Callahan-Beckel M, Callahan M, Levy K, Kennedy BS, Bray EE, Gnanadesikan GE, Horschler DJ, Gruen M, Tan J, White P, vonHoldt BM, MacLean EL, Hare B. Response to Hansen Wheat et al.: Additional analysis further supports the early emergence of cooperative communication in dogs compared to wolves raised with more human exposure. Learn Behav 2023; 51:131-134. [PMID: 36810744 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-023-00576-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Here, we address Hansen Wheat et al.'s commentary in this journal in response to Salomons et al. Current Biology, 31(14), 3137-3144.E11, (2021). We conduct additional analyses in response to Hansen Wheat et al.'s two main questions. First, we examine the claim that it was the move to a human home environment which enabled the dog puppies to outperform the wolf puppies in gesture comprehension tasks. We show that the youngest dog puppies who had not yet been individually placed in raisers' homes were still highly skilled, and outperformed similar-aged wolf puppies who had higher levels of human interaction. Second, we address the claim that willingness to approach a stranger can explain the difference between dog and wolf pups' ability to succeed in gesture comprehension tasks. We explain the various controls in the original study that render this explanation insufficient, and demonstrate via model comparison that the covariance of species and temperament also make this parsing impossible. Overall, our additional analyses and considerations support the domestication hypothesis as laid out by Salomons et al. Current Biology, 31(14), 3137-3144.E11, (2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Salomons
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
| | - Kyle C M Smith
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, 16801, USA
| | | | | | - Kerinne Levy
- Canine Companions for Independence, Santa Rosa, CA, 95407, USA
| | | | - Emily E Bray
- Canine Companions for Independence, Santa Rosa, CA, 95407, USA
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Gitanjali E Gnanadesikan
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Daniel J Horschler
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Margaret Gruen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Jingzhi Tan
- Department of Psychology, Leiden University, 2311, EZ, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Philip White
- Department of Statistics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Bridgett M vonHoldt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Evan L MacLean
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Brian Hare
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
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3
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Dickie M, Sherman GG, Sutherland GD, McNay RS, Cody M. Evaluating the impact of caribou habitat restoration on predator and prey movement. Conserv Biol 2023; 37:e14004. [PMID: 36098630 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14004] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fragmentation of the boreal forest by linear features, including seismic lines, has destabilized predator-prey dynamics, resulting in the decline of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations. Restoration of human-altered habitat has therefore been identified as a critical management tool for achieving self-sustaining woodland caribou populations. However, only recently has testing of the response of caribou and other wildlife to restoration activities been conducted. Early work has centered around assessing changes in wildlife use of restored seismic lines. We evaluated whether restoration reduces the movement rates of predators and their associated prey, which is expected to decrease predator hunting efficiency and ultimately reduce caribou mortality. We developed a new method for using cameras to measure fine-scale movement by measuring speed as animals traveled between cameras in an array. We used our method to quantify speed of caribou, moose (Alces alces), bears (Ursus americanus), and wolves (Canis lupus) on treated (restored) and untreated seismic lines. Restoration treatments reduced travel speeds along seismic lines of wolves by 1.38 km/h, bears by 0.55 km/h, and caribou by 1.57 km/h, but did not reduce moose travel speeds. Reduced predator and caribou speeds on treated seismic lines are predicted to decrease encounter rates between predators and caribou and thus lower caribou kill rates. However, further work is needed to determine whether reduced movement rates result in reduced encounter rates with prey, and ultimately reduced caribou mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Dickie
- Caribou Monitoring Unit, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Robert S McNay
- Wildlife Infometrics, Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada
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4
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Marrotte RR, Patterson BR, Northrup JM. Harvest and density-dependent predation drive long-term population decline in a northern ungulate. Ecol Appl 2022; 32:e2629. [PMID: 35403759 PMCID: PMC9541669 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2629] [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: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The relative effect of top-down versus bottom-up forces in regulating and limiting wildlife populations is an important theme in ecology. Untangling these effects is critical for a basic understanding of trophic dynamics and effective management. We examined the drivers of moose (Alces alces) population growth by integrating two independent sources of observations within a hierarchical Bayesian population model. We used one of the largest existing spatiotemporal data sets on ungulate population dynamics globally. We documented a 20% population decline over the period examined. There was negative density-dependent population growth of moose. Although we could not determine the mechanisms producing density-dependent suppression of population growth, the relatively low densities at which we documented moose populations suggested it could be due to density-dependent predation. Predation primarily limited population growth, except at low density, where it was regulating. After we simulated several harvest scenarios, it appeared that harvest was largely additive and likely contributed to population declines. Our results highlight how population dynamics are context dependent and vary strongly across gradients in climate, forest type, and predator abundance. These results help clarify long-standing questions in population ecology and highlight the complex relationships between natural and human-caused mortality in driving ungulate population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robby R. Marrotte
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Wildlife Research & Monitoring SectionTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
| | - Brent R. Patterson
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Wildlife Research & Monitoring SectionTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
| | - Joseph M. Northrup
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Wildlife Research & Monitoring SectionTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate ProgramTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
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McNay RS, Lamb CT, Giguere L, Williams SH, Martin H, Sutherland GD, Hebblewhite M. Demographic responses of nearly extirpated endangered mountain caribou to recovery actions in Central British Columbia. Ecol Appl 2022; 32:e2580. [PMID: 35319129 PMCID: PMC9285560 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Recovering endangered species is a difficult and often controversial task that challenges status quo land uses. Southern Mountain caribou are a threatened ecotype of caribou that historically ranged in southwestern Canada and northwestern USA and epitomize the tension between resource extraction, biodiversity conservation, and Indigenous Peoples' treaty rights. Human-induced habitat alteration is considered the ultimate cause of caribou population declines, whereby an increased abundance of primary prey-such as moose and deer-elevates predator populations and creates unsustainable caribou mortality. Here we focus on the Klinse-Za and Quintette subpopulations, part of the endangered Central Group of Southern Mountain caribou in British Columbia. These subpopulations were trending toward immediate extirpation until a collaborative group initiated recovery by implementing two short-term recovery actions. We test the effectiveness of these recovery actions-maternity penning of adult females and their calves, and the reduction of a primary predator, wolves-in increasing vital rates and population growth. Klinse-Za received both recovery actions, whereas Quintette only received wolf reductions, providing an opportunity to test efficacy between recovery actions. Between 1995 and 2021, we followed 162 collared female caribou for 414 animal-years to estimate survival and used aerial counts to estimate population abundance and calf recruitment. We combined these data in an integrated population model to estimate female population growth, total population abundance, and recovery action effectiveness. Results suggest that the subpopulations were declining rapidly (λ = 0.90-0.93) before interventions and would have been functionally extirpated (<10 animals) within 10-15 years. Wolf reduction increased population growth rates by ~0.12 for each subpopulation. Wolf reduction halted the decline of Quintette caribou and allowed them to increase (λ = 1.05), but alone would have only stabilized the Klinse-Za (λ = 1.02). However, maternity penning in the Klinse-Za increased population growth by a further ~0.06, which when combined with wolf reductions, allowed populations to grow (λ = 1.08). Taken together, the recovery actions in these subpopulations increased adult female survival, calf recruitment, and overall population growth, more than doubling abundance. Our results suggest that maternity penning and wolf reductions can be effective at increasing caribou numbers in the short term, while long-term commitments to habitat protection and restoration are made.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clayton T. Lamb
- Department of BiologyUniversity of British ColumbiaKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation SciencesUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
| | - Line Giguere
- Wildlife Infometrics IncMackenzieBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Sara H. Williams
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation SciencesUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
| | - Hans Martin
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation SciencesUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
| | | | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation SciencesUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
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Fisher JT, Ladle A. Syntopic species interact with large boreal mammals' response to anthropogenic landscape change. Sci Total Environ 2022; 822:153432. [PMID: 35090931 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Landscape change alters species' distributions, and understanding these changes is a key ecological and conservation goal. Species-habitat relationships are often modelled in the absence of syntopic species, but niche theory and emerging empirical research suggests heterospecifics should entrain (and statistically explain) variability in distribution, perhaps synergistically by interacting with landscape features. We examined the effects of syntopic species in boreal mammals' relationship to landscape change, using three years of camera-trap data in the western Nearctic boreal forest. Using an information-theoretic framework, we weighed evidence for additive and interactive variables measuring heterospecifics' co-occurrence in species distribution models built on natural and anthropogenic landscape features. We competed multiple hypotheses about the roles of natural features, anthropogenic features, predators, competitors, and species-habitat interaction terms in explaining relative abundance of carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores/scavengers. For most species, models including heterospecifics explained occurrence frequency better than landscape features alone. Dominant predator (wolf) occurrence was best explained by prey, while prey species were explained by apparent competitors and subdominant predators. Evidence for interactions between landscape features and heterospecifics was strong for coyotes and wolves but variable for other species. Boreal mammals' spatial distribution is a function of heterospecific co-occurrence as well as landscape features, with synergistic effects observed for most species. Understanding species' responses to anthropogenic landscape change thus requires a multi-taxa approach that incorporates interspecific relationships, enabling better inference into underlying processes from observed patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason T Fisher
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada.
| | - Andrew Ladle
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
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Kojola I, Hallikainen V, Heikkinen S, Forsman JT, Kukko T, Pusenius J, Antti P. Calf/female ratio and population dynamics of wild forest reindeer in relation to wolf and moose abundances in a managed European ecosystem. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259246. [PMID: 34965254 PMCID: PMC8716057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259246] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The alternative prey hypothesis describes the mechanism for apparent competition whereby the mortality of the secondary prey species increases (and population size decreases decreases) by the increased predation by the shared predator if the population size of the primary prey decreases. Apparent competition is a process where the abundance of two co-existing prey species are negatively associated because they share a mutual predator, which negatively affects the abundance of both prey Here, we examined whether alternative prey and/or apparent competition hypothesis can explain the population dynamics and reproductive output of the secondary prey, wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) in Finland, in a predator-prey community in which moose (Alces alces) is the primary prey and the wolf (Canis lupus) is the generalist predator. METHODS We examined a 22-year time series (1996-2017) to determine how the population size and the calf/female ratio of wild forest reindeer in Eastern Finland were related to the abundances of wolf and moose. Only moose population size was regulated by hunting. Summer predation of wolves on reindeer focuses on calves. We used least squares regression (GLS) models (for handling autocorrelated error structures and resulting pseudo-R2s) and generalized linear mixed (GLMs) models (for avoidance of negative predictions) to determine the relationships between abundances. We performed linear and general linear models for the calf/female ratio of reindeer. RESULTS AND SYNTHESIS The trends in reindeer population size and moose abundance were almost identical: an increase during the first years and then a decrease until the last years of our study period. Wolf population size in turn did not show long-term trends. Change in reindeer population size between consecutive winters was related positively to the calf/female ratio. The calf/female ratio was negatively related to wolf population size, but the reindeer population size was related to the wolf population only when moose abundance was entered as another independent variable. The wolf population was not related to moose abundance even though it is likely to consist the majority of the prey biomass. Because reindeer and moose populations were positively associated, our results seemed to support the alternative prey hypothesis more than the apparent competition hypothesis. However, these two hypotheses are not mutually exclusive and the primary mechanism is difficult to distinguish as the system is heavily managed by moose hunting. The recovery of wild forest reindeer in eastern Finland probably requires ecosystem management involving both habitat restoration and control of species abundances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilpo Kojola
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Ounasjoentie, Rovaniemi, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Ville Hallikainen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Ounasjoentie, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Samuli Heikkinen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Paavo Havaksentie, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jukka T. Forsman
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Paavo Havaksentie, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuomas Kukko
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Survontie, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Jyrki Pusenius
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Yliopistonkatu, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Paasivaara Antti
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Paavo Havaksentie, Oulu, Finland
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Cupaioli FA, Fallerini C, Mencarelli MA, Perticaroli V, Filippini V, Mari F, Renieri A, Mezzelani A. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Analysis of Mobile Elements at 7q11.23 Williams-Beuren Region by Comparative Genomics. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101605. [PMID: 34680999 PMCID: PMC8535890 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101605] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by a deficit in social interaction and communication. Many genetic variants are associated with ASD, including duplication of 7q11.23 encompassing 26-28 genes. Symmetrically, the hemizygous deletion of 7q11.23 causes Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), a multisystem disorder characterized by "hyper-sociability" and communication skills. Interestingly, deletion of four non-exonic mobile elements (MEs) in the "canine WBS locus" were associated with the behavioral divergence between the wolf and the dog and dog sociability and domestication. We hypothesized that indel of these MEs could be involved in ASD, associated with its different phenotypes and useful as biomarkers for patient stratification and therapeutic design. Since these MEs are non-exonic they have never been discovered before. We searched the corresponding MEs and loci in humans by comparative genomics. Interestingly, they mapped on different but ASD related genes. The loci in individuals with phenotypically different autism and neurotypical controls were amplified by PCR. A sub-set of each amplicon was sequenced by Sanger. No variant resulted associated with ASD and neither specific phenotypes were found but novel small-scale insertions and SNPs were discovered. Since MEs are hyper-methylated and epigenetically modulate gene expression, further investigation in ASD is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Anna Cupaioli
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy;
| | - Chiara Fallerini
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.F.); (V.P.); (V.F.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Perticaroli
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.F.); (V.P.); (V.F.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Virginia Filippini
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.F.); (V.P.); (V.F.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Francesca Mari
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.F.); (V.P.); (V.F.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.F.); (V.P.); (V.F.); (F.M.); (A.R.)
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Mezzelani
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Research Council, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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Peterson CJ, Mitchell MS, DeCesare NJ, Bishop CJ, Sells SS. Habitat selection by wolves and mountain lions during summer in western Montana. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254827. [PMID: 34293042 PMCID: PMC8297843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254827] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Northern Rockies of the United States, predators like wolves (Canis lupus) and mountain lions (Puma concolor) have been implicated in fluctuations or declines in populations of game species like elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). In particular, local distributions of these predators may affect ungulate behavior, use of space, and dynamics. Our goal was to develop generalizable predictions of habitat selection by wolves and mountain lions across western Montana. We hypothesized both predator species would select habitat that maximized their chances of encountering and killing ungulates and that minimized their chances of encountering humans. We assessed habitat selection by these predators during summer using within-home range (3rd order) resource selection functions (RSFs) in multiple study areas throughout western Montana, and tested how generalizable RSF predictions were by applying them to out-of-sample telemetry data from separate study areas. Selection for vegetation cover-types varied substantially among wolves in different study areas. Nonetheless, our predictions of 3rd order selection by wolves were highly generalizable across different study areas. Wolves consistently selected simple topography where ungulate prey may be more susceptible to their cursorial hunting mode. Topographic features may serve as better proxies of predation risk by wolves than vegetation cover-types. Predictions of mountain lion distribution were less generalizable. Use of rugged terrain by mountain lions varied across ecosystem-types, likely because mountain lions targeted the habitats of different prey species in each study area. Our findings suggest that features that facilitate the hunting mode of a predator (i.e. simple topography for cursorial predators and hiding cover for stalking predators) may be more generalizable predictors of their habitat selection than features associated with local prey densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin J. Peterson
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael S. Mitchell
- US Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States of America
| | - Nicholas J. DeCesare
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Missoula, MT, United States of America
| | - Chad J. Bishop
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States of America
| | - Sarah S. Sells
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States of America
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Kořanová D, Němcová L, Policht R, Hart V, Begall S, Burda H. Wolf Howling and Emergency Sirens: A Hypothesis of Natural and Technical Convergence of Aposematic Signals. Acta Biotheor 2021; 69:53-65. [PMID: 32876792 DOI: 10.1007/s10441-020-09389-6] [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: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acoustic signals serving intraspecific communication by predators are perceived by potential prey as warning signals. We analysed the acoustic characteristics of howling of wolves and found a striking similarity to the warning sounds of technical sirens. We hypothesize that the effectivity of sirens as warning signals has been enhanced by natural sensory predisposition of humans to get alerted by howling of wolves, with which they have a long history of coexistence. Psychoacoustic similarity of both stimuli seems to be supported by the fact that wolves and dogs perceive the sound of technical sirens as a relevant releasing supernormal stimulus and reply to it with howling. Inspiration by naturally occurring acoustic aposematic signals might become an interesting example of biomimetics in designing new warning sound systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Kořanová
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Němcová
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Richard Policht
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vlastimil Hart
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Sabine Begall
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Hynek Burda
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Wirobski G, Range F, Schaebs FS, Palme R, Deschner T, Marshall-Pescini S. Endocrine changes related to dog domestication: Comparing urinary cortisol and oxytocin in hand-raised, pack-living dogs and wolves. Horm Behav 2021; 128:104901. [PMID: 33245878 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Dogs are exceptionally well adapted to life close to humans, and alterations in their endocrine system during the domestication process may be an underlying mechanism. In particular, it has been suggested that low circulating cortisol concentrations in conjunction with simultaneously high oxytocin concentrations may have resulted in dogs' increased docility ('selection for tameness' hypothesis) and heightened propensity to interact and form relationships with humans ('hypersociability' hypothesis) compared to wolves. To investigate this, we analyzed cortisol and oxytocin metabolite concentrations from urine samples of hand-raised, pack-living domestic dogs and their non-domestic relatives, grey wolves. Based on the hypotheses outlined above, we predicted lower cortisol but higher oxytocin concentrations in dogs than wolves. In contrast to our prediction, we found higher cortisol concentrations in dogs than wolves. However, oxytocin concentrations were higher in dogs compared to wolves although the effect was relatively small. Indeed, male dogs had the highest oxytocin concentrations while female dogs' oxytocin concentrations were comparable to wolves'. Feeding status, reproductive phase, and conspecific social interactions also significantly affected cortisol and oxytocin concentrations. Furthermore, we compared two methods of correcting for variable water content of urine samples. We discuss our results in light of physiological and behavioral changes during domestication and highlight the importance of accounting for confounding variables in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wirobski
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - F Range
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - F S Schaebs
- University of Leipzig, ZLS, Prager Str. 34, 04317 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - R Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - T Deschner
- Endocrinology Lab, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - S Marshall-Pescini
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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12
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Petersen A, Åkesson M, Axner E, Ågren E, Wikenros C, Dalin AM. Characteristics of reproductive organs and estimates of reproductive potential in Scandinavian male grey wolves (Canis lupus). Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 226:106693. [PMID: 33476906 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106693] [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: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Improved knowledge about reproductive patterns and potential in male wolves (i.e., testicular development and size relative to age, pubertal age, and seasonal effects) is needed for evaluation and monitoring of reproductive outcomes in populations. Reproductive organs from 215 male wolves, culled as a result of licensed hunting, protective culling or from carcasses found were examined. The testes and epididymis were weighed and measured. There were biopsy samples collected from the testes and the cauda epididymis for histological determinations if there were spermatozoa in tissues collected. There were reproductive tissue analyses of 197 males while there were separate evaluations of tissues from ten cryptorchid animals. Juvenile wolves (< 1 year, n = 47) had a lesser body mass and mean testes mass than subadult (1-2 years, n = 71) and adult (>2 years, n = 79) males. Season also affected testicular characteristics of structures evaluated with subadult and adult males having a lesser mass during summer months (May-August). Of the 197 males, 70 % had spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules and the cauda epididymis and were classified as being 'potentially fertile' when tissues were collected, while 22 % were classified as being non-fertile (no spermatozoa, including males that were pre-pubertal) and tissues of 8% could not be evaluated. When testes mass was greater, there was a greater likelihood that spermatozoa were present. There were seven of the ten cryptorchid males of the unilateral type. These testicular and epididymal findings will be useful for evaluating the reproductive potential and management of wolves in Scandinavia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Petersen
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Div. of Reproduction, PO Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Mikael Åkesson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Dept. of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, SE-73091 Riddarhyttan, Sweden.
| | - Eva Axner
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Div. of Reproduction, PO Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Erik Ågren
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Dept. of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, SE-73091 Riddarhyttan, Sweden.
| | - Anne-Marie Dalin
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Div. of Reproduction, PO Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
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13
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de Almeida Monteiro Melo Ferraz M, Nagashima JB, Noonan MJ, Crosier AE, Songsasen N. Oviductal Extracellular Vesicles Improve Post-Thaw Sperm Function in Red Wolves and Cheetahs. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3733. [PMID: 32466321 PMCID: PMC7279450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) is a valuable tool for ex situ wildlife conservation, allowing the re-infusion and dissemination of genetic material, even after death of the donor. However, the application of AI to species conservation is still limited, due mainly to the poor survival of cryopreserved sperm. Recent work demonstrated that oviductal extracellular vesicles (oEVs) improved cat sperm motility and reduced premature acrosomal exocytosis. Here, we build on these findings by describing the protein content of dog and cat oEVs and investigating whether the incubation of cryopreserved red wolf and cheetah sperm with oEVs during thawing improves sperm function. Both red wolf and cheetah sperm thawed with dog and cat oEVs, respectively, had more intact acrosomes than the non-EV controls. Moreover, red wolf sperm thawed in the presence of dog oEVs better maintained sperm motility over time (>15%) though such an improvement was not observed in cheetah sperm. Our work demonstrates that dog and cat oEVs carry proteins important for sperm function and improve post-thaw motility and/or acrosome integrity of red wolf and cheetah sperm in vitro. The findings show how oEVs can be a valuable tool for improving the success of AI with cryopreserved sperm in threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Beth Nagashima
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA; (J.B.N.); (M.J.N.); (A.E.C.); (N.S.)
| | - Michael James Noonan
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA; (J.B.N.); (M.J.N.); (A.E.C.); (N.S.)
- The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 1177 Research Road, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Adrienne E. Crosier
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA; (J.B.N.); (M.J.N.); (A.E.C.); (N.S.)
| | - Nucharin Songsasen
- Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA; (J.B.N.); (M.J.N.); (A.E.C.); (N.S.)
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14
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Niedziałkowski K, Putkowska-Smoter R. What makes a major change of wildlife management policy possible? Institutional analysis of Polish wolf governance. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231601. [PMID: 32324831 PMCID: PMC7179832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Poland was one of the first countries of Central and Eastern Europe with stable wolf populations to effectively introduce year-round protection of the species. This paper traces the process of policy change using institutional theory as an organizational perspective. Based on the analysis of data from desk research and semi-structured interviews, we propose a model of institutional change and argue that in the 1990s, environmental activists and wildlife biologists successfully used a political window of opportunity connected with socio-economic transformation after 1989 and managed to induce the government to move the species from the domain of hunting to the domain of nature conservation. The new policy, informed by an ecological paradigm, diverged from the historical path dominated by hunters and the vision of the wolf as a pest and a hunting target. The improved protection led to the numerical growth of Poland's wolves and ultimately to their westward expansion.
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15
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Figueiredo AM, Valente AM, Barros T, Carvalho J, Silva DAM, Fonseca C, de Carvalho LM, Torres RT. What does the wolf eat? Assessing the diet of the endangered Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) in northeast Portugal. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230433. [PMID: 32231379 PMCID: PMC7108738 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is a top predator that inhabits the Iberian Peninsula. In Portugal, its numbers and distribution declined throughout the 20th century, due to human persecution, habitat degradation and prey decline, which have led to higher predation rates of livestock in the remaining packs. In Montesinho Natural Park (northeast Portugal), wild ungulate populations have been increasing in the last years, which may have led wolf to predate upon them. In order to assess Iberian wolf diet in this area, 85 wolf scats were collected from transects distributed throughout the study area in two periods between November 2017 and August 2019. Scat analysis indicated a high predation on wild ungulates, where the frequency of occurrence showed that roe deer was the most consumed prey (44%), followed by red deer (26%) and wild boar (24%). Domestic/wild cat (6%), domestic goat and stone marten (5%) were consumed in lower quantities. It was found a higher selection towards roe deer (D = 0.71) and this was the only prey item which was significantly dependent of the season of the year (χ2 = 16.95, df = 3, p < 0.001). This is the first study in Portugal where was recorded that wolves feed mainly on wild ungulates. We conclude that lower livestock predation may be correlated with higher wild ungulates densities in our study area, as well as suitable husbandry practices, leading to a shift on Iberian wolf diet from mainly livestock on previous studies to wild ungulates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Figueiredo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana M. Valente
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Tânia Barros
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Tinoco Torres
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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16
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Abstract
Noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS) is commonly used to study elusive or rare species where direct observation or capture is difficult. Little attention has been paid to the potential effects of observer bias while collecting noninvasive genetic samples in the field, however. Over a period of 7 years, we examined whether different observers (n = 58) and observer experience influenced detection, amplification rates, and correct species identification of 4,836 gray wolf (Canis lupus) fecal samples collected in Idaho and Yellowstone National Park, USA and southwestern Alberta, Canada (2008-2014). We compared new observers (n = 33) to experienced observers (n = 25) and hypothesized experience level would increase the overall success of using NGS techniques in the wild. In contrast to our hypothesis, we found that new individuals were better than experienced observers at detecting and collecting wolf scats and correctly identifying wolf scats from other sympatric carnivores present in the study areas. While adequate training of new observers is crucial for the successful use of NGS techniques, attention should also be directed to experienced observers. Observer experience could be a curse because of their potential effects on NGS data quality arising from fatigue, boredom or other factors. The ultimate benefit of an observer to a project is a combination of factors (i.e., field savvy, local knowledge), but project investigators should be aware of the potential negative effects of experience on NGS sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian M. Soller
- Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - David E. Ausband
- University of Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Micaela Szykman Gunther
- Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, United States of America
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17
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Spong G, Gould NP, Sahlén E, Cromsigt JPGM, Kindberg J, DePerno CS. Large-scale spatial variation of chronic stress signals in moose. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0225990. [PMID: 31929559 PMCID: PMC6957135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological effects of short-term stress responses typically lead to increased individual survival as it prepares the body for fight or flight through catabolic reactions in the body. These physiological effects trade off against growth, immunocompetence, reproduction, and even long-term survival. Chronic stress may thus reduce individual and population performance, with direct implications for the management and conservation of wildlife populations. Yet, relatively little is known about how chronic stress levels vary across wild populations and factors contributing to increased chronic stress levels. One method to measure long-term stress in mammals is to quantify slowly incorporated stress hormone (cortisol) in hair, which most likely reflect a long-term average of the stress responses. In this study, we sampled 237 harvested moose Alces alces across Sweden to determine the relative effect of landscape variables and disturbances on moose hair cortisol levels. We used linear model combinations and Akaike’s Information Criterion (corrected for small sample sizes), and included variables related to human disturbance, ungulate competition, large carnivore density, and ambient temperature to estimate the covariates that best explained the variance in stress levels in moose. The most important variables explaining the variation in hair cortisol levels in moose were the long-term average temperature sum in the area moose lived and the distance to occupied wolf territory; higher hair cortisol levels were detected where temperatures were higher and closer to occupied wolf territories, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Spong
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicholas P. Gould
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Ellinor Sahlén
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christopher S. DePerno
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
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18
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Metrione LC, Hunter D, Penfold LM. Seasonal Changes in Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in Bison ( Bison bison) Living with or without Wolves ( Canis lupus). J Wildl Dis 2020; 56:175-178. [PMID: 31295081] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The threat of predation can cause increased adrenal secretion of glucocorticoids that, if sustained, can result in chronic stress that might predispose animals to disease, reduced growth, or poor fertility. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations were measured between September 2011 and July 2012 in two Montana bison (Bison bison) herds, one herd living with and the other without wolves (Canis lupus) in their habitat. The relevance of FGM concentrations (as measured by the corticosterone enzyme immunoassay) and a confirmation of an acute adrenal response was demonstrated by transient increases (P<0.001) in FGM concentrations in bison herded through a chute system and following a wolf encounter. The FGM concentrations were higher in the herd with wolves than the herd without wolves overall (P=0.045), but the monthly differences between the herds were inconsistent (magnitude=0.3-3.5 µg/g; P=0.011 month×herd). The herd with wolves had higher FGM in April, June, July, September, and November, but the herd without wolves had higher FGM in January, February, and May. Seasonal changes in FGM concentrations (P<0.001) were measured across the year in both herds (magnitude=10.8 and 6.9 µg/g, respectively), exceeding any differences between herds potentially attributable to wolf presence. Concentrations of FGM were highest in April-July and were lowest in January-February. Evidence of a chronic stress response was not found, and increased disease susceptibility in the bison living with wolves seems unlikely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara C Metrione
- South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee, Florida 32097, USA
| | - David Hunter
- Turner Enterprises, Inc., 901 Technology Boulevard, Bozeman, Montana 59718, USA
| | - Linda M Penfold
- South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee, Florida 32097, USA
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Abstract
Cooperative hunting is generally considered to be a cognitively challenging activity, as individuals have to coordinate movements along with a partner and at the same time react to the prey. Wolves are said to engage in cooperative hunting regularly, whereas dogs could have maintained, improved, or reduced their cooperative skills during the domestication process. We compared the performance of individuals from two wolf packs and two dog groups with similar gender and rank structure. Members of these groups were tested in dyads with a problem-solving paradigm that involved aspects of a hunting-like situation. Subjects needed to coordinate their actions in order to get food. They were confronted with a social dilemma, in which an individual benefit from being selfish, unless the partner also chooses the selfish alternative, in which case the whole dyad loses. In the task, one partner was required to draw a barrier toward it by rushing forward, allowing the other partner to access the food, at which point both partners were allowed to access the food. Most dyads could solve the problem, with significant variation in their performance but no differences between species. However, the probability of taking the risk in a dyad depended on the species and rank of the individual and on cofeeding in the dyad. The results of this study show that wolves do not always outperform dogs when coordinating their actions, but that the cooperative behavior of Canis depends on many factors, including rank, type of task, and tolerance within the dyad. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Bräuer
- Department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History
| | | | - Federica Amici
- Research Group Primate Behavioural Ecology, Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture, Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
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20
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Sin T, Gazzola A, Chiriac S, Rîșnoveanu G. Wolf diet and prey selection in the South-Eastern Carpathian Mountains, Romania. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225424. [PMID: 31751409 PMCID: PMC6874069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Romanian wolf population, one of the largest in Europe, occupies a total home-range of 154500 km2 and is spread across a variety of landscapes–from anthropized hills and plateaus to remote, densely forested mountains. However, this population is markedly understudied, and even basic knowledge of the species’ feeding habits is deficient. Wolf diet was assessed based on 236 scat samples collected between November 2013 and October 2014, by following pre-established transects (total length = 774 km). The study area (600 km2) is a multi-prey ecosystem in the southern sector of the Eastern Romanian Carpathians. Our results emphasize that more than 80% of the wolf diet is based on wild ungulates. The wild boar is clearly selected (D = 0.74) and is the most common species in the diet (Bio = 72%), while roe deer (Bio = 10%) and red deer (Bio = 5%) have a smaller contribution. Domestic species represented the second-largest prey category in both seasons. Among them, dog is a particularly important source of food (Bio 3.5–10.9%). Other domestic species (goat, sheep, horse) have marginal importance in the wolf diet and seasonal occurrence. Standardized niche breadths are low in both seasons (BAw = 0.07, BAs = 0.12), and a high degree of overlap in the resources used has been observed (Ôws = 0.99). Our study represents the first step towards understanding the wolf foraging behaviour in the Romanian Carpathians and is valuable to address the complex issues of wolf and wild ungulate population management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Sin
- Department of Systems Ecology and Sustainability, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Association for the Conservation of Biological Diversity, Focșani, Vrancea County, Romania
- * E-mail: (TS); (GR)
| | - Andrea Gazzola
- Association for the Conservation of Biological Diversity, Focșani, Vrancea County, Romania
| | - Silviu Chiriac
- Environmental Protection Agency, Focșani, Vrancea County, Romania
| | - Geta Rîșnoveanu
- Department of Systems Ecology and Sustainability, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- * E-mail: (TS); (GR)
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21
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Sadhukhan S, Hennelly L, Habib B. Characterising the harmonic vocal repertoire of the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216186. [PMID: 31671161 PMCID: PMC6822943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vocal communication in social animals plays a crucial role in mate choice, maintaining social structure, and foraging strategy. The Indian grey wolf, among the least studied subspecies, is a social carnivore that lives in groups called packs and has many types of vocal communication. In this study, we characterise harmonic vocalisation types of the Indian wolf using howl survey responses and opportunistic recordings from captive and nine packs (each pack contains 2–9 individuals) of free-ranging Indian wolves. Using principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and discriminant function analysis, we found four distinct vocalisations using 270 recorded vocalisations (Average Silhouette width Si = 0.598) which include howls and howl-barks (N = 238), whimper (N = 2), social squeak (N = 28), and whine (N = 2). Although having a smaller body size compared to other wolf subspecies, Indian wolf howls have an average mean fundamental frequency of 422 Hz (±126), which is similar to other wolf subspecies. The whimper showed the highest frequency modulation (37.296±4.601) and the highest mean fundamental frequency (1708±524 Hz) compared to other call types. Less information is available on the third vocalisation type, i.e. ‘Social squeak’ or ‘talking’ (Mean fundamental frequency = 461±83 Hz), which is highly variable (coefficient of frequency variation = 18.778±3.587). Lastly, we identified the whine, which had a mean fundamental frequency of 906Hz (±242) and is similar to the Italian wolf (979±109 Hz). Our study’s characterisation of the Indian wolf’s harmonic vocal repertoire provides a first step in understanding the function and contextual use of vocalisations in this social mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sougata Sadhukhan
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India;
| | - Lauren Hennelly
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Bilal Habib
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, India;
- * E-mail:
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22
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Mohammadi A, Kaboli M, Sazatornil V, López-Bao JV. Anthropogenic food resources sustain wolves in conflict scenarios of Western Iran. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218345. [PMID: 31206529 PMCID: PMC6576759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The feeding ecology of gray wolves has been investigated extensively worldwide. Despite previous studies on food habits of wolves in Asia and Iran, none has focused on the diet of the species in a scenario of depleted of wild prey and with recent records of attacks on humans. Here, we combined telemetry methods and scat analysis to study the diet of wolves in areas of Hamadan province, Iran, where medium to large wild prey is almost absent. Between October 2015 and March 2017, we studied the feeding behavior (by identifying feeding sites through clusters of GPS locations) of three wolves fitted with GPS collars, belonging to different wolf packs. We also collected and analyzed 110 wolf scats during the same period within the same areas. Overall, we investigated 850 clusters of GPS locations in the field, and identified 312 feeding sites. Most feeding clusters were linked to dumpsites and poultry farms around villages. We found 142 and 170 events of predatory (kill sites) and scavenging behavior, respectively. Prey composition based on kill sites was comprised of 74.6% livestock, 19.7% lagomorphs, 3.5% dogs, 1.4% red fox, and 0.7% golden jackal. Similarly, prey composition based on scavenging clusters was comprised of 79.9% livestock, 10.6% red fox, and 9.4% golden jackal. Scat analysis, however, indicated that livestock (34.3%), garbage (23.7%), poultry (16.0%), and European hare (15.4%) were the most frequent food items. We discuss the role of anthropogenic food sources in a context where agonistic wolf-human encounters occur recurrently, and suggest management guidelines regarding illegal dumping of animal carcasses and garbage dumpsites, in order to minimize wolf-human negative interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Environment Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Mohammad Kaboli
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
- * E-mail:
| | - Víctor Sazatornil
- Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Solsona, Spain
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Abstract
We combine model results with field data for a system of wolves (Canis lupus) that prey on wild boar (Sus scrofa), a wildlife reservoir of tuberculosis, to examine how predation may contribute to disease control in multi-host systems. Results show that predation can lead to a marked reduction in the prevalence of infection without leading to a reduction in host population density since mortality due to predation can be compensated by a reduction in disease induced mortality. A key finding therefore is that a population that harbours a virulent infection can be regulated at a similar density by disease at high prevalence or by predation at low prevalence. Predators may therefore provide a key ecosystem service which should be recognised when considering human-carnivore conflicts and the conservation and re-establishment of carnivore populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tanner
- Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Department of Mathematics, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
| | - A White
- Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Department of Mathematics, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
| | - P Acevedo
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - A Balseiro
- SERIDA, Gobierno del Principado de Asturias, Gijón, Spain
- Animal Health Department, University of León, León, Spain
| | - J Marcos
- Gobierno del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - C Gortázar
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM), Ciudad Real, Spain
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Abstract
Prosociality is important for initiating cooperation. Interestingly, while wolves rely heavily on cooperation, dogs’ do so substantially less thus leading to the prediction that wolves are more prosocial than dogs. However, domestication hypotheses suggest dogs have been selected for higher cooperation, leading to the opposing prediction- increased prosocial tendencies in dogs. To tease apart these hypotheses we adapted a paradigm previously used with pet dogs to directly compare dogs and wolves. In a prosocial choice task, wolves acted prosocially to in-group partners; providing significantly more food to a pack-member compared to a control where the partner had no access to the food. Dogs did not. Additionally, wolves did not show a prosocial response to non-pack members, in line with previous research that social relationships are important for prosociality. In sum, when kept in the same conditions, wolves are more prosocial than their domestic counterpart, further supporting suggestions that reliance on cooperation is a driving force for prosocial attitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Dale
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Sylvain Palma-Jacinto
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- University of Tours, Parc Grandmont, Tours, France
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Range
- Wolf Science Center, Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Droghini A, Boutin S. The calm during the storm: Snowfall events decrease the movement rates of grey wolves (Canis lupus). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205742. [PMID: 30379852 PMCID: PMC6209196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian predators encounter unique hunting challenges during the winter as snow increases the cost of locomotion and influences predator-prey interactions. Winter precipitation may also affect predators’ ability to detect and pursue prey. We investigated the effects of snowfall events on grey wolves (Canis lupus) in a boreal forest ecosystem in northeastern Alberta, Canada. We predicted that wolves would respond to snowfall events by reducing their travel speed and the time they spent travelling. Over the course of two winters, we used remote cameras to identify localized snowfall events and estimate snow depth. We used telemetry data from 17 wolves to calculate travel speed and time spent travelling versus resting. Data were categorized by time of day (night versus day) and time since snowfall events, and analyzed using linear and logistic regression mixed-effects models. We found that wolves were less likely to travel on dates of snowfall events than any date prior to or after an event. Wolves also travelled slower during snowfall events, but only when compared to their travel speed 24 hours before. Effects were most pronounced at night, when movements appeared to be consistent with hunting behavior, and activity levels resumed within 24 hours of a snowfall event. Including snow depth as a variable did not improve model fit. Collectively, our findings suggest that wolves’ response is not driven by increased hunting success or by energetic considerations resulting from increased snow depth. Instead, we propose that wolves reduce their activity levels because precipitation dampens hunting success. Snowfall events may impact wolves’ ability to detect prey and changes in prey behavior could also lead to decreased encounter rates. We encourage scientists to further investigate the effects of short-term weather events on movement rates and predator-prey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Droghini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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L'Hérault V, Lecomte N, Truchon MH, Berteaux D. Discrimination factors of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from diet to hair in captive large Arctic carnivores of conservation concern. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2018; 32:1773-1780. [PMID: 30030922 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Stable isotope analysis is widely used to reconstruct diet, delineate trophic interactions, and determine energy pathways. Such ecological inferences are based on the idea that animals are, isotopically, what they eat but with a predictable difference between the isotopic ratio of a consumer and that of its diet, coined as the discrimination factor. Providing correct estimates of diet-consumer isotopic discrimination in controlled conditions is key for a robust application of the stable isotopes technique in the wild. METHODS Using a Finnigan Mat Delta Plus isotope-ratio mass spectrometer, we investigated isotopic discrimination of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13 C and δ15 N values) in guard hairs of four Arctic predators; the wolf (n = 7), the wolverine (n = 2), the grizzly bear (n = 2), and the polar bear (n = 3). During a 3-month trial, carnivores were fed a mixed diet. The δ13 C and δ15 N values, and the mass (g) of diet items, were monitored weekly for each individual to determine their Total Diet Average ratios. RESULTS Diet-hair isotopic discrimination (Δx) varied according to species, ranging [1.88 ± 0.69‰: 3.2 ± 0.69‰] for δ13 C values, and [1.58 ± 0.17‰: 3.81 ± 0.22‰] for δ15 N values. Adult wolves Δ13 C average (2.03 ± 0.7‰) was lower than that of young wolves (2.60 ± 0.8‰) and any other species (combined average of 2.59 ± 0.28‰), except for the wolverine (2.12 ± 0.23‰). Wolves Δ15 N averages (juveniles: 3.51 ± 0.34‰, adults: 3.68 ± 0.28‰) were higher than those of any other species (combined average: 2.50 ± 0.58‰). CONCLUSIONS The discrimination factors for δ13 C and δ15 N values calculated in this study could be used in ecological studies dealing with free-ranging animals, with implications for non-invasive research approaches. As in other controlled discrimination studies, we recommend caution in applying our discrimination factors when the population structure is heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent L'Hérault
- Canada Research Chair on Northern Biodiversity and Centre for Northern Studies, Université du Québec à Rimouski, QC, Canada, G5L 3A1
- ARCTIConnexion, Québec City, QC, Canada, G1L 1Y8
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada, E1A 3E9
| | | | - Dominique Berteaux
- Canada Research Chair on Northern Biodiversity and Centre for Northern Studies, Université du Québec à Rimouski, QC, Canada, G5L 3A1
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Rao A, Range F, Kadletz K, Kotrschal K, Marshall-Pescini S. Food preferences of similarly raised and kept captive dogs and wolves. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203165. [PMID: 30235228 PMCID: PMC6157812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Food preferences may be driven by a species' ecology. Closely related species such as dogs and wolves may have evolved preferences for different foods owing to their differing foraging styles. Wolves have been shown to be more persistent in problem-solving experiments and more risk-prone in a foraging task. A possible element affecting these (and other) results is a potential wolf-dog difference in food preferences. To address this possibility, we tested similarly raised and kept dogs and wolves in two different food choice tasks, a classic two-choice task and a multiple-choice paradigm. We predicted that if dogs have adapted to a more opportunistic, scavenging foraging style, they would show a weaker preference for meat over starch rich foods (such as kibble) and be less affected by hunger than wolves. Alternatively, given the recentness of the new niche dogs have created, we predicted no substantial differences between dogs' and wolves' food preferences. We found that our subjects did not differ in their preference for meat over kibble in either paradigm. However, wolves' (but not dogs') choice patterns were affected by satiation, with wolves being less "selective" when hungry. Furthermore, when fed before testing, wolves were more selective than dogs. These differences were more noticeable in the multiple-choice paradigm than the two-choice task, suggesting that the former, novel paradigm may be more sensitive and better capable of evaluating food preferences in a diverse range of species. Overall, we found that the distinct differences in wolves' and dogs' ecology and foraging styles do not appear to have affected their food preferences and thus, differences in food preferences are unlikely to have influenced results of previous experiments demonstrating wolf-dog differences in cognitive skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Rao
- Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Range
- Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin Kadletz
- Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kurt Kotrschal
- Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Waples RS, Kays R, Fredrickson RJ, Pacifici K, Mills LS. Is the Red Wolf a Listable Unit Under the US Endangered Species Act? J Hered 2018; 109:585-597. [PMID: 29889268 PMCID: PMC6022562 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Defining units that can be afforded legal protection is a crucial, albeit challenging, step in conservation planning. As we illustrate with a case study of the red wolf (Canis rufus) from the southeastern United States, this step is especially complex when the evolutionary history of the focal taxon is uncertain. The US Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows listing of species, subspecies, or Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of vertebrates. Red wolves were listed as an endangered species in 1973, and their status remains precarious. However, some recent genetic studies suggest that red wolves are part of a small wolf species (C. lycaon) specialized for heavily forested habitats of eastern North America, whereas other authors suggest that red wolves arose, perhaps within the last ~400 years, through hybridization between gray wolves (C. lupus) and coyotes (C. latrans). Using published genetic, morphological, behavioral, and ecological data, we evaluated whether each evolutionary hypothesis would lead to a listable unit for red wolves. Although the potential hybrid origin of red wolves, combined with abundant evidence for recent hybridization with coyotes, raises questions about status as a separate species or subspecies, we conclude that under any proposed evolutionary scenario red wolves meet both criteria to be considered a DPS: they are Discrete compared with other conspecific populations, and they are Significant to the taxon to which they belong. As population-level units can qualify for legal protection under endangered-species legislation in many countries throughout the world, this general approach could potentially be applied more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin S Waples
- NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Roland Kays
- Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
| | | | - Krishna Pacifici
- Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - L Scott Mills
- Wildlife Biology Program and the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
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Abstract
Background One of the classic approaches in environmental economics is the environmental Kuznets curve, which predicts that when a national economy grows from low to medium levels, threats to biodiversity conservation increase, but they decrease when the economy moves from medium to high. We evaluated this approach by examining how population densities of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), gray wolf (Canis lupus), and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) were related to the national economy in 24 European countries. Methodology/Principal findings We used forest proportions, the existence of a compensation system, and country group (former socialist countries, Nordic countries, other countries) as covariates in a linear model with the first- and the second-order polynomial terms of per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Country group was treated as a random factor, but remained insignificant and was ignored. All models concerning brown bear and wolf provided evidence that population densities decreased with increasing GDP, but densities of lynx were virtually independent of GDP. Models for the wolf explained >80% of the variation in densities, without a difference between the models with all independent variables and the model with only GDP. For the bear, the model with GDP alone accounted for 10%, and all three variables 33%, of the variation in densities. Conclusions Wolves exhibit a higher capacity for dispersal and reproduction than bear or lynx, but still exists at the lowest densities in wealthy European countries. We are aware that several other factors, not available for our models, influenced large carnivore densities. Based on the pronounced differences among large carnivore species in their countrywide relationships between densities and GDP, and a strikingly high relationship for the gray wolf, we suggest that our results reflected differences in political history and public acceptance of these species among countries. The compensation paid for the damages caused by the carnivores is not a key to higher carnivore densities, but might be necessity for the presence of large carnivores to be accepted in countries with high GDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilpo Kojola
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Rovaniemi, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway, and Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
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Kabir M, Hameed S, Ali H, Bosso L, Din JU, Bischof R, Redpath S, Nawaz MA. Habitat suitability and movement corridors of grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Northern Pakistan. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187027. [PMID: 29121089 PMCID: PMC5679527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat suitability models are useful to understand species distribution and to guide management and conservation strategies. The grey wolf (Canis lupus) has been extirpated from most of its historic range in Pakistan primarily due to its impact on livestock and livelihoods. We used non-invasive survey data from camera traps and genetic sampling to develop a habitat suitability model for C. lupus in northern Pakistan and to explore the extent of connectivity among populations. We detected suitable habitat of grey wolf using a maximum entropy approach (Maxent ver. 3.4.0) and identified suitable movement corridors using the Circuitscape 4.0 tool. Our model showed high levels of predictive performances, as seen from the values of area under curve (0.971±0.002) and true skill statistics (0.886±0.021). The main predictors for habitat suitability for C. lupus were distances to road, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and distance to river. The model predicted ca. 23,129 km2 of suitable areas for wolf in Pakistan, with much of suitable habitat in remote and inaccessible areas that appeared to be well connected through vulnerable movement corridors. These movement corridors suggest that potentially the wolf range can expand in Pakistan's Northern Areas. However, managing protected areas with stringent restrictions is challenging in northern Pakistan, in part due to heavy dependence of people on natural resources. The habitat suitability map provided by this study can inform future management strategies by helping authorities to identify key conservation areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Kabir
- Carnivore Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shoaib Hameed
- Carnivore Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hussain Ali
- Carnivore Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Luciano Bosso
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Universita n. 100, Portici, Napoli, Italy
| | - Jaffar Ud Din
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Richard Bischof
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Steve Redpath
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Ali Nawaz
- Carnivore Conservation Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Snow Leopard Trust, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Newton EJ, Patterson BR, Anderson ML, Rodgers AR, Vander Vennen LM, Fryxell JM. Compensatory selection for roads over natural linear features by wolves in northern Ontario: Implications for caribou conservation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186525. [PMID: 29117234 PMCID: PMC5695599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Ontario are a threatened species that have experienced a substantial retraction of their historic range. Part of their decline has been attributed to increasing densities of anthropogenic linear features such as trails, roads, railways, and hydro lines. These features have been shown to increase the search efficiency and kill rate of wolves. However, it is unclear whether selection for anthropogenic linear features is additive or compensatory to selection for natural (water) linear features which may also be used for travel. We studied the selection of water and anthropogenic linear features by 52 resident wolves (Canis lupus x lycaon) over four years across three study areas in northern Ontario that varied in degrees of forestry activity and human disturbance. We used Euclidean distance-based resource selection functions (mixed-effects logistic regression) at the seasonal range scale with random coefficients for distance to water linear features, primary/secondary roads/railways, and hydro lines, and tertiary roads to estimate the strength of selection for each linear feature and for several habitat types, while accounting for availability of each feature. Next, we investigated the trade-off between selection for anthropogenic and water linear features. Wolves selected both anthropogenic and water linear features; selection for anthropogenic features was stronger than for water during the rendezvous season. Selection for anthropogenic linear features increased with increasing density of these features on the landscape, while selection for natural linear features declined, indicating compensatory selection of anthropogenic linear features. These results have implications for woodland caribou conservation. Prey encounter rates between wolves and caribou seem to be strongly influenced by increasing linear feature densities. This behavioral mechanism–a compensatory functional response to anthropogenic linear feature density resulting in decreased use of natural travel corridors–has negative consequences for the viability of woodland caribou.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica J. Newton
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Trent University, DNA Building, Peterborough, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Brent R. Patterson
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Trent University, DNA Building, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Morgan L. Anderson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Arthur R. Rodgers
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | | | - John M. Fryxell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Lazzaroni M, Marshall-Pescini S, Cafazzo S. Post-conflict opponent affiliation reduces victim re-aggression in a family group of captive arctic wolves (Canis lupus arctos). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187450. [PMID: 29108020 PMCID: PMC5673216 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-conflict affiliative interactions have been widely investigated in primates but not extensively in other species. Using the Post Conflict-Matched Control (PC-MC) comparison method, this study investigated the patterns of post-conflict opponent affiliation (POA) of a captive family group of 19 arctic wolves (Canis lupus arctos), investigating the correlation with various factors. We found that POAs occurred mainly in the non-feeding context and more often when the victim was dominant and the aggressor subordinate. Furthermore, POAs were more likely to have been initiated by the victim than the aggressor. Victims' stress related behaviours occurred more in PC than MC periods, and more after high vs. low intensity aggressions but they were not more likely to occur after conflicts between wolves with a stronger social bond and POAs did not reduce their rate of occurrence. Our results showed that re-aggression was twice less frequent when a friendly interaction occurred between the aggressor and the victim, and consistent with this, victims engaged in POAs more often than the aggressor. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that POAs in wolves may have been selected for as a mechanism to avoid conflict escalation, which could lead to social disruption and hence jeopardize cooperative activities. The high relatedness among individuals in the pack and the greater dependence of all members on cooperation in breeding and hunting may reduce the importance of 'relationship quality' as a mediating factor of POAs, although dominance relationships, which are directly linked to the risks of further conflicts, do play an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Lazzaroni
- Wolf Science Centre, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Wolf Science Centre, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simona Cafazzo
- Wolf Science Centre, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
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Abstract
Competition and suppression are recognized as dominant forces that structure predator communities. Facilitation via carrion provisioning, however, is a ubiquitous interaction among predators that could offset the strength of suppression. Understanding the relative importance of these positive and negative interactions is necessary to anticipate community-wide responses to apex predator declines and recoveries worldwide. Using state-sponsored wolf (Canis lupus) control in Alaska as a quasi experiment, we conducted snow track surveys of apex, meso-, and small predators to test for evidence of carnivore cascades (e.g., mesopredator release). We analyzed survey data using an integrative occupancy and structural equation modeling framework to quantify the strengths of hypothesized interaction pathways, and we evaluated fine-scale spatiotemporal responses of nonapex predators to wolf activity clusters identified from radio-collar data. Contrary to the carnivore cascade hypothesis, both meso- and small predator occupancy patterns indicated guild-wide, negative responses of nonapex predators to wolf abundance variations at the landscape scale. At the local scale, however, we observed a near guild-wide, positive response of nonapex predators to localized wolf activity. Local-scale association with apex predators due to scavenging could lead to landscape patterns of mesopredator suppression, suggesting a key link between occupancy patterns and the structure of predator communities at different spatial scales.
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Diserens TA, Borowik T, Nowak S, Szewczyk M, Niedźwiecka N, Mysłajek RW. Deficiencies in Natura 2000 for protecting recovering large carnivores: A spotlight on the wolf Canis lupus in Poland. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184144. [PMID: 28873090 PMCID: PMC5584752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
If protected areas are to remain relevant in our dynamic world they must be adapted to changes in species ranges. In the EU one of the most notable such changes is the recent recovery of large carnivores, which are protected by Natura 2000 at the national and population levels. However, the Natura 2000 network was designed prior to their recent recovery, which raises the question whether the network is sufficient to protect the contemporary ranges of large carnivores. To investigate this question we evaluated Natura 2000 coverage of the three wolf Canis lupus populations in Poland. Wolf tracking data showed that wolves have recolonised almost all suitable habitat in Poland (as determined by a recent habitat suitability model), so we calculated the overlap between the Natura 2000 network and all wolf habitat in Poland. On the basis of published Natura 2000 criteria, we used 20% as the minimum required coverage. At the national level, wolves are sufficiently protected (22% coverage), but at the population level, the Baltic and Carpathian populations are far better protected (28 and 47%, respectively) than the endangered Central European Lowland population (12%). As Natura 2000 insufficiently protects the most endangered wolf population in Poland, we recommend expansion of Natura 2000 to protect at least an additional 8% of wolf habitat in western Poland, and discuss which specific forests are most in need of additional coverage. Implementation of these actions will have positive conservation implications and help Poland to fulfil its Habitats Directive obligations. As it is likely that similar gaps in Natura 2000 are arising in other EU member states experiencing large carnivore recoveries, particularly in Central Europe, we make the case for a flexible approach to Natura 2000 and suggest that such coverage evaluations may be beneficial elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A. Diserens
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Tomasz Borowik
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Sabina Nowak
- Association for Nature “Wolf”, Twardorzeczka, Poland
| | - Maciej Szewczyk
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Robert W. Mysłajek
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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De Jager NR, Rohweder JJ, Miranda BR, Sturtevant BR, Fox TJ, Romanski MC. Modelling moose-forest interactions under different predation scenarios at Isle Royale National Park, USA. Ecol Appl 2017; 27:1317-1337. [PMID: 28263421 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Loss of top predators may contribute to high ungulate population densities and chronic over-browsing of forest ecosystems. However, spatial and temporal variability in the strength of interactions between predators and ungulates occurs over scales that are much shorter than the scales over which forest communities change, making it difficult to characterize trophic cascades in forest ecosystems. We applied the LANDIS-II forest succession model and a recently developed ungulate browsing extension to model how the moose population could interact with the forest ecosystem of Isle Royale National Park, USA, under three different wolf predation scenarios. We contrasted a 100-yr future without wolves (no predation) with two predation scenarios (weak, long-term average predation rates and strong, higher than average rates). Increasing predation rates led to lower peak moose population densities, lower biomass removal rates, and higher estimates of forage availability and landscape carrying capacity, especially during the first 40 yr of simulations. Thereafter, moose population density was similar for all predation scenarios, but available forage biomass and the carrying capacity of the landscape continued to diverge among predation scenarios. Changes in total aboveground live biomass and species composition were most pronounced in the no predation and weak predation scenarios. Consistent with smaller-scale studies, high browsing rates led to reductions in the biomass of heavily browsed Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and Abies balsamea, and increases in the biomass of unbrowsed Picea glauca and Picea mariana, especially after the simulation year 2050, when existing boreal hardwood stands at Isle Royale are projected to senesce. As a consequence, lower predation rates corresponded with a landscape that progressively shifted toward dominance by Picea glauca and Picea mariana, and lacking available forage biomass. Consistencies with previously documented small-scale successional shifts, and population estimates and trends that approximate those from this and other boreal forests that support moose provide some confidence that these dynamics represent a trophic cascade and therefore provide an important baseline against which to evaluate long-term and large-scale effects of alternative predator management strategies on ungulate populations and forest succession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R De Jager
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54603, USA
| | - Jason J Rohweder
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54603, USA
| | - Brian R Miranda
- Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies, Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, USA
| | - Brian R Sturtevant
- Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies, Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, USA
| | - Timothy J Fox
- U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54603, USA
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Ausband DE, Mitchell MS, Stansbury CR, Stenglein JL, Waits LP. Harvest and group effects on pup survival in a cooperative breeder. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20170580. [PMID: 28539521 PMCID: PMC5454274 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recruitment in cooperative breeders can be negatively affected by changes in group size and composition. The majority of cooperative breeding studies have not evaluated human harvest; therefore, the effects of recurring annual harvest and group characteristics on survival of young are poorly understood. We evaluated how harvest and groups affect pup survival using genetic sampling and pedigrees for grey wolves in North America. We hypothesized that harvest reduces pup survival because of (i) reduced group size, (ii) increased breeder turnover and/or (iii) reduced number of female helpers. Alternatively, harvest may increase pup survival possibly due to increased per capita food availability or it could be compensatory with other forms of mortality. Harvest appeared to be additive because it reduced both pup survival and group size. In addition to harvest, turnover of breeding males and the presence of older, non-breeding males also reduced pup survival. Large groups and breeder stability increased pup survival when there was harvest, however. Inferences about the effect of harvest on recruitment require knowledge of harvest rate of young as well as the indirect effects associated with changes in group size and composition, as we show. The number of young harvested is a poor measure of the effect of harvest on recruitment in cooperative breeders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Ausband
- Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Michael S Mitchell
- US Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Carisa R Stansbury
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | | | - Lisette P Waits
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
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Benson JF, Loveless KM, Rutledge LY, Patterson BR. Ungulate predation and ecological roles of wolves and coyotes in eastern North America. Ecol Appl 2017; 27:718-733. [PMID: 28064464 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the ecological roles of species that influence ecosystem processes is a central goal of ecology and conservation biology. Eastern coyotes (Canis latrans) have ascended to the role of apex predator across much of eastern North America since the extirpation of wolves (Canis spp.) and there has been considerable confusion regarding their ability to prey on ungulates and their ecological niche relative to wolves. Eastern wolves (C. lycaon) are thought to have been the historical top predator in eastern deciduous forests and have previously been characterized as deer specialists that are inefficient predators of moose because of their smaller size relative to gray wolves (C. lupus). We investigated intrinsic and extrinsic influences on per capita kill rates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) during winter by sympatric packs of eastern coyotes, eastern wolves, and admixed canids in Ontario, Canada to clarify the predatory ability and ecological roles of the different canid top predators of eastern North America. Eastern coyote ancestry within packs negatively influenced per capita total ungulate (deer and moose combined) and moose kill rates. Furthermore, canids in packs dominated by eastern coyote ancestry consumed significantly less ungulate biomass and more anthropogenic food than packs dominated by wolf ancestry. Similar to gray wolves in previous studies, eastern wolves preyed on deer where they were available. However, in areas were deer were scarce, eastern wolves killed moose at rates similar to those previously documented for gray wolves at comparable moose densities across North America. Eastern coyotes are effective deer predators, but their dietary flexibility and low kill rates on moose suggest they have not replaced the ecological role of wolves in eastern North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Benson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Karen M Loveless
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Linda Y Rutledge
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 08544, USA
| | - Brent R Patterson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada
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Kutal M, Váňa M, Suchomel J, Chapron G, López-Bao JV. Trans-Boundary Edge Effects in the Western Carpathians: The Influence of Hunting on Large Carnivore Occupancy. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168292. [PMID: 28002475 PMCID: PMC5176292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The conservation and management of wolves Canis lupus in the periphery of their distribution is challenging. Edges of wolf distribution are characterized by very few and intermittent occurrences of individuals, which are modulated by multiple factors affecting the overall population such as human-caused mortality, management targets and food availability. The knowledge of population dynamics in the edges becomes crucial when hunting takes place nearby the edges, which may preclude population expansion. Here, using as example the occurrence of wolves in the Beskydy Mountains (Czech-Slovak border), which are the edge distribution of the wolf and Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx populations in the West Carpathians, we explored how food availability and hunting in the Slovakian core area affected the dynamics of wolves in the edges of this population. During 2003–2012, we monitored large carnivore occurrence by snow-tracking surveys and tested potential differences in the occurrence of these species in Beskydy Mountains and potential mechanisms behind detected patterns. Despite the proximity to the core area, with several wolf reproductions being confirmed at least in recent years, the wolf was a very rare species in Beskydy and was recorded 14 times less often than the lynx. The expected abundance of wolves in the Beskydy Mountains was inversely related to prey availability in the Slovakian core area. Wolf hunting the year before influenced the expected abundance of wolves in Beskydy area. We discuss how different life histories and legal status of both species probably account for most of the observed difference of occurrence at range margins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Kutal
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Friends of the Earth Czech Republic, Olomouc branch, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Martin Váňa
- Friends of the Earth Czech Republic, Olomouc branch, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Suchomel
- Department of Zoology, Fisheries and Apiculture, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Guillaume Chapron
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Riddarhyttan, Sweden
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Abstract
Beavers (Castor canadensis) can be a significant prey item for wolves (Canis lupus) in boreal ecosystems due to their abundance and vulnerability on land. How wolves hunt beavers in these systems is largely unknown, however, because observing predation is challenging. We inferred how wolves hunt beavers by identifying kill sites using clusters of locations from GPS-collared wolves in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. We identified 22 sites where wolves from 4 different packs killed beavers. We classified these kill sites into 8 categories based on the beaver-habitat type near which each kill occurred. Seasonal variation existed in types of kill sites as 7 of 12 (58%) kills in the spring occurred at sites below dams and on shorelines, and 8 of 10 (80%) kills in the fall occurred near feeding trails and canals. From these kill sites we deduced that the typical hunting strategy has 3 components: 1) waiting near areas of high beaver use (e.g., feeding trails) until a beaver comes near shore or ashore, 2) using vegetation, the dam, or other habitat features for concealment, and 3) immediately attacking the beaver, or ambushing the beaver by cutting off access to water. By identifying kill sites and inferring hunting behavior we have provided the most complete description available of how and where wolves hunt and kill beavers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D. Gable
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Steve K. Windels
- Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - John G. Bruggink
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Austin T. Homkes
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, United States of America
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Hiedanpää J, Kalliolevo H, Salo M, Pellikka J, Luoma M. Payments for Improved Ecostructure (PIE): Funding for the Coexistence of Humans and Wolves in Finland. Environ Manage 2016; 58:518-533. [PMID: 27329113 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0724-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 12/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a source of concern and a cause of damage to people's livelihoods. In Finland, as in most countries, actual damages are compensated according to the real lost value. However, often, the suffered damages are larger than what is compensated, and worries and fears are not accounted for at all. The purpose of our transdisciplinary action research is to contribute to the process of modifying the scientific, administrative, and everyday habits of mind in order to meet the practical prerequisites of living with the wolf. In 2014, we planned and participated in a process designed to update Finland's wolf population management plan. During our study, we applied e-deliberation, conducted a national wolf survey, and organized solution-oriented workshops in wolf territory areas around Finland. By applying abductive reasoning, we illustrate the basic features of an economic scheme that would help finance and coordinate practical modifications to the ecological, economic, and institutional circumstances and settings in wolf territory areas. The potential economic instrument is based on payments for improved ecostructures. In our paper, we describe the organization, functioning, and financing of this instrument in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juha Hiedanpää
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 3, 20520, Turku, Finland.
| | - Hanna Kalliolevo
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Matti Salo
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 3, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Jani Pellikka
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Viikinkaari 4, 00790, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikael Luoma
- Finnish Wildlife Agency, Vapaudenkatu 32-34 B22, 60100, Seinäjoki, Finland
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Plumer L, Keis M, Remm J, Hindrikson M, Jõgisalu I, Männil P, Kübarsepp M, Saarma U. Wolves Recolonizing Islands: Genetic Consequences and Implications for Conservation and Management. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158911. [PMID: 27384049 PMCID: PMC4934778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
After a long and deliberate persecution, the grey wolf (Canis lupus) is slowly recolonizing its former areas in Europe, and the genetic consequences of this process are of particular interest. Wolves, though present in mainland Estonia for a long time, have only recently started to recolonize the country’s two largest islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The main objective of this study was to analyse wolf population structure and processes in Estonia, with particular attention to the recolonization of islands. Fifteen microsatellite loci were genotyped for 185 individuals across Estonia. As a methodological novelty, all putative wolf-dog hybrids were identified and removed (n = 17) from the dataset beforehand to avoid interference of dog alleles in wolf population analysis. After the preliminary filtering, our final dataset comprised of 168 “pure” wolves. We recommend using hybrid-removal step as a standard precautionary procedure not only for wolf population studies, but also for other taxa prone to hybridization. STRUCTURE indicated four genetic groups in Estonia. Spatially explicit DResD analysis identified two areas, one of them on Saaremaa island and the other in southwestern Estonia, where neighbouring individuals were genetically more similar than expected from an isolation-by-distance null model. Three blending areas and two contrasting transition zones were identified in central Estonia, where the sampled individuals exhibited strong local differentiation over relatively short distance. Wolves on the largest Estonian islands are part of human-wildlife conflict due to livestock depredation. Negative public attitude, especially on Saaremaa where sheep herding is widespread, poses a significant threat for island wolves. To maintain the long-term viability of the wolf population on Estonian islands, not only wolf hunting quota should be targeted with extreme care, but effective measures should be applied to avoid inbreeding and minimize conflicts with local communities and stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liivi Plumer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Marju Keis
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jaanus Remm
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maris Hindrikson
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | | | - Urmas Saarma
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- * E-mail:
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Essler JL, Cafazzo S, Marshall-Pescini S, Virányi Z, Kotrschal K, Range F. Play Behavior in Wolves: Using the '50:50' Rule to Test for Egalitarian Play Styles. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154150. [PMID: 27167522 PMCID: PMC4864279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Social play is known as a cooperative interaction between individuals involving multiple mechanisms. However, the extent to which the equality of individuals’ play styles affects the interaction has not been studied in many species. Dyadic play between wolf puppies, as well as between puppies and adults, was studied to investigate both self-handicapping and offensive behaviors to determine the extent to which wolves engage in play styles where one individual does not dominate the play. Our results did not support the hypothesized ‘50:50’ rule, which suggests that more advantaged individuals should show higher rates of self-handicapping behaviors in order to facilitate play with others. Adult wolves performed significantly less self-handicapping behaviors than their puppy partners, and they performed significantly more offensive behaviors than their puppy partners. While the ‘50:50’ rule was not supported at any time during our study period, dyads consisting of two puppies had significantly more equal play than dyads consisting of one puppy and one adult. These results suggest that wolf puppies are more likely to play on equal terms with similarly-aged play partners, while the dominance status of the partners dictates offensive and self-handicapping behaviors between animals of different ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Essler
- Wolf Science Center, Ernstbrunn, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Wolf Science Center, Ernstbrunn, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsófia Virányi
- Wolf Science Center, Ernstbrunn, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kurt Kotrschal
- Wolf Science Center, Ernstbrunn, Austria
- Department of Behavioral Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Range
- Wolf Science Center, Ernstbrunn, Austria
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Polgár Z, Kinnunen M, Újváry D, Miklósi Á, Gácsi M. A Test of Canine Olfactory Capacity: Comparing Various Dog Breeds and Wolves in a Natural Detection Task. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154087. [PMID: 27152412 PMCID: PMC4859551 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many dog breeds are bred specifically for increased performance in scent-based tasks. Whether dogs bred for this purpose have higher olfactory capacities than other dogs, or even wolves with whom they share a common ancestor, has not yet been studied. Indeed, there is no standard test for assessing canine olfactory ability. This study aimed to create a simple procedure that requires no pre-training and to use it to measure differences in olfactory capacity across four groups of canines: (1) dog breeds that have been selected for their scenting ability; (2) dog breeds that have been bred for other purposes; (3) dog breeds with exaggerated short-nosed features; and (4) hand-reared grey wolves. The procedure involved baiting a container with raw turkey meat and placing it under one of four identical ceramic pots. Subjects were led along the row of pots and were tasked with determining by olfaction alone which of them contained the bait. There were five levels of increasing difficulty determined by the number of holes on the container's lid. A subsample of both dogs and wolves was retested to assess reliability. The results showed that breeds selected for scent work were better than both short-nosed and non-scent breeds. In the most difficult level, wolves and scenting breeds performed better than chance, while non-scenting and short-nosed breeds did not. In the retested samples wolves improved their success; however, dogs showed no change in their performances indicating that a single test may be reliable enough to assess their capacity. Overall, we revealed measurable differences between dog breeds in their olfactory abilities and suggest that the Natural Detection Task is a good foundation for developing an efficient way of quantifying them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zita Polgár
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mari Kinnunen
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ecology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Dóra Újváry
- Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Ádám Miklósi
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta Gácsi
- MTA-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
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Palacios V, López-Bao JV, Llaneza L, Fernández C, Font E. Decoding Group Vocalizations: The Acoustic Energy Distribution of Chorus Howls Is Useful to Determine Wolf Reproduction. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153858. [PMID: 27144887 PMCID: PMC4856277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Population monitoring is crucial for wildlife management and conservation. In the last few decades, wildlife researchers have increasingly applied bioacoustics tools to obtain information on several essential ecological parameters, such as distribution and abundance. One such application involves wolves (Canis lupus). These canids respond to simulated howls by emitting group vocalizations known as chorus howls. These responses to simulated howls reveal the presence of wolf litters during the breeding period and are therefore often used to determine the status of wolf populations. However, the acoustic structure of chorus howls is complex and discriminating the presence of pups in a chorus is sometimes difficult, even for experienced observers. In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of analyses of the acoustic energy distribution in chorus howls to identify the presence of pups in a chorus. We analysed 110 Iberian wolf chorus howls with known pack composition and found that the acoustic energy distribution is concentrated at higher frequencies when there are pups vocalizing. We built predictive models using acoustic energy distribution features to determine the presence of pups in a chorus, concluding that the acoustic energy distribution in chorus howls can be used to determine the presence of wolf pups in a pack. The method we outline here is objective, accurate, easily implemented, and independent of the observer's experience. These advantages are especially relevant in the case of broad scale surveys or when many observers are involved. Furthermore, the analysis of the acoustic energy distribution can be implemented for monitoring other social canids that emit chorus howls such as jackals or coyotes, provides an easy way to obtain information on ecological parameters such as reproductive success, and could be useful to study other group vocalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Palacios
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales, S.L. Lugo, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - José Vicente López-Bao
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO/CSIC/PA), Universidad de Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Luis Llaneza
- A.RE.NA. Asesores en Recursos Naturales, S.L. Lugo, Spain
| | - Carlos Fernández
- Departamento de Matemáticas, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Enrique Font
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Yochim MJ, Lowry WR. Creating Conditions for Policy Change in National Parks: Contrasting Cases in Yellowstone and Yosemite. Environ Manage 2016; 57:1041-1053. [PMID: 26884141 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0677-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Public agencies face significant political obstacles when they try to change long-standing policies. This paper examines efforts by the U.S. National Park Service to change long-term policies in Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks. We argue that, to be successful, the agency and pro-change allies must expand the sphere of conflict to engage the support of the broader American public through positive framing, supportive science, compelling economic arguments, consistent goals, and the commitment of other institutional actors. We show that the agency is capable of creating these conditions, as in the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone, but we argue that this is not always the outcome, as in reducing automobile congestion in Yosemite Valley.
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47
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Fernández-Gil A, Naves J, Ordiz A, Quevedo M, Revilla E, Delibes M. Conflict Misleads Large Carnivore Management and Conservation: Brown Bears and Wolves in Spain. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151541. [PMID: 26974962 PMCID: PMC4790950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Large carnivores inhabiting human-dominated landscapes often interact with people and their properties, leading to conflict scenarios that can mislead carnivore management and, ultimately, jeopardize conservation. In northwest Spain, brown bears Ursus arctos are strictly protected, whereas sympatric wolves Canis lupus are subject to lethal control. We explored ecological, economic and societal components of conflict scenarios involving large carnivores and damages to human properties. We analyzed the relation between complaints of depredations by bears and wolves on beehives and livestock, respectively, and bear and wolf abundance, livestock heads, number of culled wolves, amount of paid compensations, and media coverage. We also evaluated the efficiency of wolf culling to reduce depredations on livestock. Bear damages to beehives correlated positively to the number of female bears with cubs of the year. Complaints of wolf predation on livestock were unrelated to livestock numbers; instead, they correlated positively to the number of wild ungulates harvested during the previous season, the number of wolf packs, and to wolves culled during the previous season. Compensations for wolf complaints were fivefold higher than for bears, but media coverage of wolf damages was thirtyfold higher. Media coverage of wolf damages was unrelated to the actual costs of wolf damages, but the amount of news correlated positively to wolf culling. However, wolf culling was followed by an increase in compensated damages. Our results show that culling of the wolf population failed in its goal of reducing damages, and suggest that management decisions are at least partly mediated by press coverage. We suggest that our results provide insight to similar scenarios, where several species of large carnivores share the landscape with humans, and management may be reactive to perceived conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Fernández-Gil
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Javier Naves
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Andrés Ordiz
- Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Mario Quevedo
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas / UMIB, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eloy Revilla
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Miguel Delibes
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
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Poudyal N, Baral N, Asah ST. Wolf Lethal Control and Livestock Depredations: Counter-Evidence from Respecified Models. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148743. [PMID: 26866592 PMCID: PMC4751083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We replicated the study conducted by Wielgus and Peebles (2014) on the effect of wolf mortality on livestock depredations in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho states in the US. Their best models were found to be misspecified due to the omission of the time index and incorrect functional form. When we respecified the models, this replication failed to confirm the magnitude, direction and often the very existence of the original results. Wielgus and Peebles (2014) reported that the increase in the number of wolves culled the previous year would increase the expected number of livestock killed this year by 4 to 6%. But our results showed that the culling of one wolf the previous year would decrease the expected number of cattle killed this year by 1.9%, and the expected number of sheep killed by 3.4%. However, for every wolf killed there is a corresponding 2.2% increase in the expected number of sheep killed in the same year. The increase in sheep depredation appears to be a short term phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Poudyal
- School of Arts, Kathmandu University, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Nabin Baral
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Stanley T. Asah
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Votsi NEP, Zomeni MS, Pantis JD. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Natura 2000 Network for Wolf Conservation: A Case-Study in Greece. Environ Manage 2016; 57:257-270. [PMID: 26411554 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0621-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The wolf (Canis lupus) is used as a case study to rate Natura 2000 sites in Greece based on preferred wolf habitat characteristics and test whether the network is suitable for their conservation. Road density, agricultural area, site area, connectivity, food availability (i.e., presence of natural prey), and elevation in 237 sites are combined in a logistic regression model. The occurrence of the wolf's natural prey was the most prevalent factor determining wolf presence, followed by agricultural cover. Considering the current status of these features at N2K site level, most sites currently hosting wolves (85.7%) have good or excellent prospects for the long-term presence of the wolf. On the contrary, 11 sites which now have wolves are predicted to be ineffective in keeping them in the future due to the absence of wild ungulates and their high agricultural coverage. Four sites with no wolf presence currently have excellent prospects to host wolves in the future. Roadless sites are a priority for protection and retaining their current condition is strongly suggested. The proposed approach aims to detect gaps in protection for the wolf and identify priority sites in need of mitigation actions. It can also assist the assessment of conservation policies in Greece and elsewhere toward accomplishing set goals in protected areas. By focusing on wolf protection, we hope to increase agencies' attention to deal with conservation effectiveness, especially in cases like Greece, where a number of sites are insufficiently known and protected and management measures are not properly implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nefta-Eleftheria P Votsi
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Maria S Zomeni
- Environmental Conservation and Management Programme, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 33, 1st Floor, Latsia, 2220, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - J D Pantis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
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50
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Abstract
Accurate estimates of demographic parameters are required to infer appropriate ecological relationships and inform management actions. Known-fate data from marked individuals are commonly used to estimate survival rates, whereas N-mixture models use count data from unmarked individuals to estimate multiple demographic parameters. However, a joint approach combining the strengths of both analytical tools has not been developed. Here we develop an integrated model combining known-fate and open N-mixture models, allowing the estimation of detection probability, recruitment, and the joint estimation of survival. We demonstrate our approach through both simulations and an applied example using four years of known-fate and pack count data for wolves (Canis lupus). Simulation results indicated that the integrated model reliably recovered parameters with no evidence of bias, and survival estimates were more precise under the joint model. Results from the applied example indicated that the marked sample of wolves was biased toward individuals with higher apparent survival rates than the unmarked pack mates, suggesting that joint estimates may be more representative of the overall population. Our integrated model is a practical approach for reducing bias while increasing precision and the amount of information gained from mark-resight data sets. We provide implementations in both the BUGS language and an R package.
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