Refinement of personality measures in European minks: effect of sex, age and maternal factors

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 106520 - 106520

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Living on the edge: morphological and behavioral adaptations to a marginal high‐elevation habitat in an arboreal mammal

Integrative Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 18(4), P. 746 - 761

Published: Sept. 2, 2022

Habitats are characterized by different local environmental conditions that influence both behavior and morphology of species, which can result in habitat-dependent phenotypic differences among animals living heterogeneous environments. We studied 3 alpine populations Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris), 1 a marginal high-elevation habitat at the edge species' altitudinal distribution, 2 occurring higher-quality habitats. Here, we investigated whether area differed morphological parameters (body size body mass) and/or expression 4 personality traits estimated with an open field test mirror image stimulation (activity, exploration, activity-exploration, social tendency). Furthermore, tested within-individual variance (behavioral plasticity) was higher habitat. Male were smaller weighed less than other study areas, while females, size-habitat relationships marked. These sex-specific patterns explained strong association between mass reproductive success female squirrels. Squirrels more active, explorative, had However, contrast to our predictions, behavioral plasticity habitat, but only for trait exploration. Our results suggest choose best fits their personality, habitat-related selective pressures may shape animals' morphology.

Language: Английский

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Predation risk and personality influence seed predation and dispersal by a scatter‐hoarding small mammal

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Abstract Small mammals are key scatter hoarders in forest ecosystems, acting as both seed predators and dispersers. The outcome of their interactions (i.e., predation vs. dispersal) is determined by a series decisions made small mammals, such the choice seed, whether immediately consumed or cached, where it cached. These influenced variety factors, including intrinsic traits individual personality hoarder, perceived risk while foraging. Furthermore, these factors may all interact to dictate fate with consequences for regeneration. Nevertheless, ways which affect dispersal still poorly understood. To contribute filling this knowledge gap, we tested hypotheses that southern red‐backed voles ( Myodes gapperi ), an important hoarder would exhibit personality‐mediated foraging alter associations between dispersal. We conducted large‐scale field experiment, offering trays at stations altered levels recorded free‐ranging known personalities. found voles. Specifically, docility, boldness predicted site selection, species selection number seeds individuals selected, tendency explore remove consume seeds. Predation risk, mediated amount cover moon illumination, affected chose, probability removal versus consumption. did not find support interaction predicting decisions. findings highlight importance affecting decisions, implications patterns regeneration areas different mammal distributions landscapes fear.

Language: Английский

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Pilfering personalities: Effects of small mammal personality on cache pilferage

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 18, 2024

Abstract Small mammals such as mice and voles play a fundamental role in the ecosystem service of seed dispersal by caching seeds small hoards that germinate under beneficial conditions. Pilferage is critical step this process which animals steal from other individuals' caches. Pilferers often recache stolen seeds, are pilfered new individuals, who may again, so on, potentially leading to compounded increased distance. However, little research has investigated intraspecific differences pilfering frequency, despite its importance better understanding behavioural diversity valuable dispersal. We conducted field experiment Maine (USA) investigating how variation, including personality, influences pilferage effectiveness. Within context long‐term capture‐mark‐recapture study, we measured unique personality 3311 individual 10 species over 7‐year period. For experiment, created artificial caches using eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus ) monitored with trail cameras buried antennas for identification. Of 436 created, 83.5% were species, deer (( Peromyscus maniculatus southern red‐backed Myodes gapperi ). show individuals differ their ability pilfer these driven body condition sex. More exploratory those lower more likely locate cache, female than males Also, be areas higher mammal abundance. Because risk drives decisions concerning where an animal chooses store pressure thought drive evolution food‐hoarding behaviour. Our study shows varies between meaning some have disproportionately strong influence on others' contribute longer‐distance facilitated pilferage. results add growing knowledge showing personalities forest regeneration impacting

Language: Английский

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Intraspecific variation in the landscape of fear: personality‐driven tradeoffs in habitat use

Oikos, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

The landscape of fear framework posits that prey animals trade off between resource gain and safety when selecting habitat. Strategies for balancing this tradeoff vary among individuals, however, with personality acting as a potentially important factor driving differences. Animals are faced real predation risk, perceived competition habitat in landscapes fear, but few studies have simultaneously measured the effects these three factors on use, none done so while accounting individual variability. Here, we contribute to by assessing personality‐driven tradeoffs second‐order (home range level) third‐order (within home use. We conducted large‐scale field study testing free‐ranging deer mice Peromyscus maniculatus , white‐footed leucopus southern red‐backed voles Myodes gapperi Maine (USA). mapped space use determined small mammal population numbers using capture–mark–recapture data, microhabitat features, monitored terrestrial avian predators quantify competition, risk (i.e. cover), across areas (second‐order) well used trap sites (third‐order). included 133 mice, 69 316 assess relationships found evidence personality–habitat at both orders. Specifically, boldness, activity, stress coping ability covary predator presence; aggressiveness levels; activity boldness levels cover. Overall, within habitats mammals, providing empirical intraspecific variation fear. These findings highlight role mediating multiple scales, offering potential mechanism personality‐mediated survival rates.

Language: Английский

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Bear in mind! Bear presence and individual experience with calf survival shape the selection of calving sites in a long‐lived solitary ungulate

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

The careful selection of ungulate calving sites to improve offspring survival is vital in the face predation. In general, there limited knowledge which degree predator presence and prey's individual experience shape sites. Predator influences spatiotemporal risk encountering a predator, while experiences with previous predation events perceived mortality risks. We used multi-year movement dataset long-lived female (moose,

Language: Английский

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Behaviour, body mass and sex: How intraspecific variation influences seed dispersal by a scatter‐hoarding rodent

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38(6), P. 1420 - 1430

Published: March 26, 2024

Abstract Intraspecific variation plays a pivotal role in shaping ecological dynamics. As the dispersal of seeds most woody plants is mediated by animals, individual within animal dispersers holds considerable implications for plant population and ecology. We explored how traits (such as sex, body mass exploration levels) yellow‐necked mice ( Apodemus flavicollis ) impact common oak Quercus robur acorns. Over 3 years, we collected data on seed fate specific responsible their dispersal. The relationship between was not static, but influenced yearly environmental conditions. Heavier individuals tended to carry farther, yet contrary our expectations, sex had no effect distance Moreover, rate showed an inconsistent association with consumption distance, while it positively impacted from nearest tree. Synthesis . Our findings suggest more nuanced than often assumed, noticeable annual significantly influencing these impacts. Consequently, appears there single, universally beneficial type ensure maximal benefits plants. Rather, conferring advantages are dynamic, subject change over time response context. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Bold rats (Niviventer confucianus) are more effective in seed dispersal: evidence both under enclosure conditions and in the field

Integrative Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 23, 2024

Abstract Rodents are important seed dispersers of plants because they move seeds far away from the parent trees and hoard in soil, benefiting dispersal regeneration. Traits plant animals associated with rodent‐mediated dispersal, but animal personality, consistent individual behavioral differences time environments, has not been fully considered. Here, we first measured personality 26 Niviventer confucianus laboratory, 10 individuals field one population, then tested their behavior consumption hoarding both semi‐natural enclosures field. We hypothesis that different personalities have preferences for hoarding, which implications Under enclosure conditions, all parameters repeatable; bold harvested fewer scatter‐hoarded more dispersed farther than timid ones, whereas active consumed seeds, left on ground surface inactive ones. In field, boldness, activity, exploration to distances These results suggest rats tended scatter disperse them a longer distance, implying effective dispersal. future, (e.g. boldness activity) should be considered studies ecological‐based manipulation regeneration forests.

Language: Английский

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Forest disturbance and occupancy patterns of American ermine (Mustela richardsonii) and long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata): results from a large-scale natural experiment in Maine, United States

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 103(6), P. 1338 - 1349

Published: Aug. 24, 2022

Abstract Weasels are small mustelid carnivores that play an important role as predators of mammals in a wide array ecosystems. However, their response to land use, such forest harvest for timber products, is seldom the subject focused research and management projects. Both American ermine, also known short-tailed weasel (Mustela richardsonii), long-tailed (Neogale frenata) native Maine, United States, where commercial harvesting widespread. The effects this disturbance on weasels poorly understood, so contribute toward filling knowledge gap, we conducted 4-year, large-scale field study: specifically, our objective was assess caused by occupancy patterns ermines Maine. We collected data from 197 survey sites (three camera traps each) over 4 years analyzed 7,000 images using dynamic false-positive models. found were widely distributed across state (naïve at 54% sites), while rarer 16% sites). species responded positively disturbance, with higher probabilities increased, especially larger scales. more likely occupy stands percentage conifer trees, no relationship weasels. conclude current practices Maine not detrimental populations, but two warrant continued monitoring.

Language: Английский

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Individual differences in habitat selection mediate landscape level predictions of a functional response

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 198(1), P. 99 - 110

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

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