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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Over the limit: Consequences of gray squirrel personality on the shifting range limits of oak and hickory species

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03539 - e03539

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Managing wildlife tolerance to humans for ecosystem goods and services

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39(3), P. 248 - 257

Published: Nov. 8, 2023

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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The Personality Traits and Interactive Behavior of Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Fishes, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(10), P. 408 - 408

Published: Oct. 12, 2024

Agonistic behavior is a common among agonistic Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis). Such often leads to limb loss or physical impairment, and significantly affects the survival, growth, quality of crabs, even yield economic value for E. sinensis. occurs in which closely related personality traits interactive animals. sinensis has such as boldness, aggression, exploration evidenced by partition-crossing experiment, mirror shelter experiment. were identified individuals with high exploration. The spectrum was first obtained, consisting 15 behaviors. This described summarized all behaviors during fights. characteristics darting, intimidating, grabbing, pushing, stretching, visitation. These results lay theoretical basis in-depth behavioral research on future. technique identifying not only allows elimination from aquaculture process reduction negative impacts caused aggressive but also breeding non-agonistic further losses fighting

Language: Английский

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In the Lyme light: individual trait determinants of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in Peromyscus mice

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 105(1), P. 143 - 156

Published: Nov. 28, 2023

Abstract Disease ecologists commonly use abiotic factors (e.g. temperature and moisture) or measures of biodiversity species richness) to predict Lyme disease transmission patterns, but variance in infection probability among individuals within a population is poorly understood. Most studies assume intraspecific consistency, recent evidence suggests that individual traits, such as animal personality, may drive differences encounter rates with infected vectors pathogen probabilities through differential space microhabitat selection, leading variation probability. In addition, because hosts are nonrandomly distributed across landscape, land-use changes modify key habitat features—such forest management practices—may substantially alter associations between traits To address these gaps our knowledge, we used large-scale capture–mark–recapture study targeting Peromyscus mice Maine, United States, test whether personality drives Borrelia burgdorferi managed compartments different silvicultural treatments. Specifically, tested effects phenotypic (physical behavioral) environmental (microhabitat type) on 2 species: P. leucopus maniculatus. We found boldness negatively influences maniculatus, body mass positively both species. no effect mouse density, microhabitat, type analyses. These results suggest personalities vary their functional contributions the natural cycle B. burgdorferi, broader integration behavioral diversity ecology aid identifying zones for this rapidly expanding vector-borne zoonosis.

Language: Английский

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Increasing fire severity alters the species composition and decreases richness of seeds potentially dispersed by small mammals

Biotropica, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 56(3)

Published: April 5, 2024

Abstract Seed dispersal is a key process that influences the recruitment of plant species, yielding profound consequences on vegetation structure. This can be affected by environmental disturbances, such as fires, leading to varied impacts agents involved, both dispersers and plants. We investigated potential role small mammals (rodents marsupials) seed in Neotropical savanna (Brazilian Cerrado). also evaluated impact fire severity services provided these animals gallery forests, 3 years after major event. live‐trapped 14 sites, 7 which were located forests classified three categories (“unburned”, “low severity”, or “moderate severity”). captured 13 mammal finding total 11,688 seeds their feces (collected inside traps handling bags). These encompassed 28 species from at least 8 families. A multivariate analysis (NMDS) revealed differences among terms potentially dispersed plants, with 18 being consumed no more than one species. An increase composition dispersed, changed relative forest dispersers, decreased observed richness defecated seeds. conclude high‐severity wildfires affect highly relevant ecological processes, animals. effects could dynamics and, consequently, recovery community fire‐affected areas. Portuguese available online material.

Language: Английский

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Free-ranging dog’s effects on the activity pattern of prey species in areas from Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 24, 2023

Abstract One of the significant challenges in ecology today is comprehending more intricate networks interactions, as seen interpreting relationships between predators and prey. In case exotic predators, their prey species might not associate such animals with risk predation, leading to a lack development anti-predation strategies against them. Thus, objective this study understand effects that domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) can have on agoutis (Dasyprocta), armadillos (Cabassous spp., Dasypus novemcinctus, Euphractus sexcinctus), giant-anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) pacas (Cuniculus paca). For this, we will: 1) compare activity patterns species, 2) pattern places high low abundance 3) analyze whether there temporal avoidance by prey, comparing other natural (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor), well non-predator will serve control. Our results demonstrated are altering patterns, nor do they exhibit compared study. This may be occurring due energy costs associated changing pattern; used for already efficient dogs, spatial. Furthermore, novel methods data analysis required gain better understanding these effects.

Language: Английский

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