Drivers of individual differences in the sleep behaviour of fallow deer neonates

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract Inter‐individual differences are necessary for selection to act, while plasticity (intra‐individual variation) may buffer against selection. Sleep is a critical self‐maintenance behaviour but, unlike most behaviours, the causes and consequences of its inter‐ intra‐individual variation in wild animals poorly understood, particularly neonates where sleep plays key role development. We have shown previously that free‐ranging neonate fallow deer ( Dama dama ) differ during first few weeks life. Here, we test whether individual variability organised systematically across population, these associated with chronic stress measured using hair cortisol, or timing birth. Four dimensions (total time, fragmentation, quality, distribution over 24‐h) were quantified state‐of‐the‐art triaxial accelerometers. then used multivariate mixed‐effects model Bayesian framework evaluate covariation between multiple behaviour, quantify relative importance birth, accounting confounding effects environmental conditions age. found birth not changes individuals. While both total time number bouts per day declined age, their rate development covaried, but no other covaried. Our results represent an in‐depth analysis natural sleep, show four aspects architecture free‐living fawns strong independent one another unrelated suggest might emerge later life cortisol be very short transient.

Language: Английский

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Plugging biologging into animal welfare: An opportunity for advancing wild animal welfare science

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(12), P. 2172 - 2188

Published: Oct. 24, 2024

Abstract Animal welfare science is currently expanding beyond its traditional boundaries, from captive animals to those living in the wild. This current development conceptually and methodologically challenging, but it could benefit adjacent more established research fields. Among these fields, biologging appears be a strong candidate, as most intrinsic, location environmental variables collected through approaches used assess animal To provide an objective view of suitability wild welfare, was evaluated against criteria that are recommended welfare. evaluation shows enhance assessments terms completeness, informativeness feasibility However, their full implementation may complicated by limitations validity, representativeness disturbance, different perspectives taken wildlife biologists using biologists. exploit potential offer need overcome. Towards this end, recommendations explicitly provided validity measurements indicators, while reducing disturbance. increase visibility impact studies examining we also encourage adopt same language If overcome, likely instrumental for future study Reciprocally, integrating expected have great on whole field extending scope new promising area.

Language: Английский

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Using triaxial accelerometry to detect hunts and kills by African wild dogs

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Dec. 9, 2024

Most large carnivores feed on prey infrequently and may expend amounts of energy to locate, capture kill their prey. This makes them probabilistically vulnerable fluctuating rates acquisition over time, especially within the increasingly human-altered landscapes that dominate remaining range. Consequently, quantifying hunting behaviors success is critical, yet direct observation these events rarely feasible. We theorized we could determine pursuit in African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) using a mechanistic approach by constructing Boolean algorithms applied accelerometer data derived from collar-mounted tags. Here, used this method then iteratively improved testing observed hunts kills collared packs. Using 47 days acceleration three packs, identified 29 with 10 kills, all which were confirmed except for single kill. Our results demonstrate effort can largely be determined approach. particularly valuable when such are quantified offers template research foraging canid species, while also contributing expanding body literature employs similar methods quantify carnivores.

Language: Английский

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A novel method to study the ecological role of sleep in small mammals.

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

Sleep, is a complex, vital, and universal behavior that strongly differs from mere inactivity. Its ecological role remains, however, largely unknown mostly owing to the lack of methodological tools record animal sleep states in wild. By using small, low power consumption biologger, capable recording brain activity, body movements, core physiology, we were able quantify key parameters (circadian distribution, stages their fragmentation, …), wild black rats (Rattus rattus) natural environment over multiple days. We developed simple, rapid (<1h), surgical procedure custom subdermal flexible electrode provides signal quality equivalent cortical electrodes classically used lab experiments. also validated semi-captive procedure, where animals could be recorded own environment, with ad libitum access standardized food pellets, contact conspecifics without close interactions. Such protocol allows for direct investigation biotic abiotic factors, like social interactions, availability or type, light, temperature, stress, all which may impact sleep. evaluating general patterns four up ten days after surgery by tracking feeding month, show do not display any obvious signs pain stress stabilized two manipulation. Altogether this novel method constitute unique tool assessing variability flexibility proof-of concept studies small (<200 g) animals.

Language: Английский

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Impact of winter enclosures on energy expenditure and movement activity of european reed deer

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 22, 2024

Abstract The management of red deer enclosures, combined with supplementary feeding, can reduce the energy expenditure confined animals. These enclosed individuals minimize their spatio-temporal movement and usage during time inside winter enclosure compared to those living in free range same period. datasets used this study were based on biologging technology. All measured animals (n=11) equipped GPS collars Daily Dairy sensors record Vectorial Dynamic Body Acceleration (VeDBA). revealed differences daily summary mean VeDBA parameters between free-living area. Energy was similar for both groups only at moment release. After opened, released increased expenditure. use enclosures animal potential damage young forest stands seedlings. opening must be synchronized availability natural food resources locality. should carried out a system feeding inside.

Language: Английский

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