A guide for studying among-individual behavioral variation from movement data in the wild

Movement Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: June 29, 2020

Animal tracking and biologging devices record large amounts of data on individual movement behaviors in natural environments. In these data, ecologists often view unexplained variation around the mean as "noise" when studying patterns at population level. field behavioral ecology, however, focus has shifted from means to biological underpinnings means. Specifically, use repeated measures behavior partition variability into intrinsic among-individual reversible plasticity quantify: a) types (i.e. different average expression), b) responsiveness individuals environmental gradients), c) predictability residual within-individual mean), d) correlations among components suites behaviors, called 'behavioral syndromes'. We here suggest that partitioning animal movements will further integration ecology with other fields ecology. provide a literature review illustrating differences are insightful for wildlife conservation studies give recommendations regarding required addressing such questions. accompanying R tutorial we guide statistical approaches quantifying aspects variation. 35 African elephants show differ their three common rate which they adjusted over temporal gradient, (ranging more less predictable individuals). Finally, two were correlated syndrome (d), farther moving having shorter residence times. Though not explicitly tested here, can affect an individual's risk be hunted or poached could therefore open new avenues biologists assess viability. hope this review, tutorial, worked example encourage examine biology hidden behind mean.

Language: Английский

---

What behavior is important behavior? A systematic review of how wild and zoo-housed animals differ in their time-activity budgets

Frontiers in Ethology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Natural behavior performance in captive animals is traditionally utilized as a metric to establish welfare states, with an increase natural associated positive welfare. Captive environments, including zoos strive replicate ecologically relevant environments that promote species-specific, adaptive performance. However, spatial restrictions and complex habitats required by some species create various challenges for zoo staff implement management husbandry practices achieve this. Some struggle adapt cope increased abnormal which may reduce Other captivity novel ways, demonstrating flexibility their patterns without compromising research indicating behavioral sparse. The main aim of this review was categorize being fully behaviorally flexible, partially or inflexible. Effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were calculated compare categories the wild zoo, grouped taxonomic Order (Testudines, Primates, Artiodactyla, Psittaciformes Carnivora) ecological traits determine level flexibility. also analyzed behaviors suggestive good absent species. Despite variation across all groups, consistently highest animals, reproductive foraging most often compromised. Overall, complete suggested Testudines (potentially result from temperature maintain homeostasis), completely migratory who are exposed heterogenous landscapes when traveling long distances, specific primate, ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ) potentially improve resource access due terrestrial nature. All other groups evaluated demonstrated partial inflexibility. Abnormal prevalence reduced these suggests inability captivity. This necessitates more focused investigations identify environmental features aspects managed can meet species’ needs zoo.

Language: Английский

---

Animal personality and behavioral syndromes in amphibians: a review of the evidence, experimental approaches, and implications for conservation

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 72(5)

Published: May 1, 2018

Language: Английский

---

Don't poke the bear: using tracking data to quantify behavioural syndromes in elusive wildlife

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 147, P. 91 - 104

Published: Dec. 18, 2018

Animal personality traits and the emergence of behavioural syndromes, i.e. between-individual correlation behaviours, are commonly quantified from observations in controlled environments. Subjecting large elusive wildlife to test situations is, however, rarely possible, suggesting that ecologists should exploit alternative measures behaviours for quantifying differences between individuals. Our goal was whether movement space use data can be used quantify syndromes wild. We six GPS dual motion sensor tracking devices 46 adult female brown bears followed southcentral Sweden over summer early autumn. As well as daily travel distance, an indicator activity, displacement, exploration, we four increase a bear's likelihood encountering humans could thus serve indicators boldness: diurnality, selection roads two open habitat types, bogs clearcuts, with low lateral cover. tested (1) showed repeatable variation (animal personality) (2) were correlated individuals formed syndrome. Repeatability ranged 0.16 0.61 confirming movement, activity use. A multivariate mixed model revealed significant positive correlations displacement existence activity–exploration potentially partial boldness syndrome our bear population. Selection exposed or human-frequented habitats uncorrelated each other, albeit there trend stronger road avoidance by readily clearcuts. show sets spatial behaviours. suggest delineating types will increasing interest because importance animal ecological processes, conservation human–wildlife coexistence.

Language: Английский

---

An applied ecology of fear framework: linking theory to conservation practice

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 308 - 321

Published: Aug. 12, 2020

Abstract Research on the ecology of fear has highlighted importance perceived risk from predators and humans in shaping animal behavior physiology, with potential demographic ecosystem‐wide consequences. Despite recent conceptual advances management implications fear, theory conservation practices have rarely been linked. Many challenges may be alleviated by actively harnessing or compensating for perception avoidance wild populations. Integration into practice can contribute to recovery threatened populations, human–wildlife conflict mitigation, invasive species management, maintenance sustainable harvest reintroduction plans. Here, we present an applied framework that links interventions desired outcomes manipulating dynamics. We discuss how reduce amplify animals habitat structure, sensory stimuli, experience (previous exposure risk) food safety trade‐offs achieve objectives. Changing optimal decision‐making individuals managed populations then further goals spatiotemporal distribution animals, changing predation rates altering effects scale up also outline future directions research will better inform practices. Our help scientists practitioners anticipate mitigate unintended consequences decisions, highlight new levers multi‐species strategies promote coexistence.

Language: Английский

---

Spatial personalities: a meta-analysis of consistent individual differences in spatial behavior

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 33(3), P. 477 - 486

Published: Dec. 1, 2021

Abstract Individual variation in behavior, particularly consistent among-individual differences (i.e., personality), has important ecological and evolutionary implications for population community dynamics, trait divergence, patterns of speciation. Nevertheless, individual spatial behaviors, such as home range movement characteristics, or habitat use yet to be incorporated into the concepts methodologies ecology biology. To evaluate evidence existence behavior – which we refer “spatial personality” performed a meta-analysis 200 repeatability estimates size, metrics, use. We found that personality is general phenomenon, with consistently high (r) across classes (r = 0.67–0.82), taxa 0.31–0.79), time between repeated measurements 0.54–0.74). These results suggest: 1) repeatable may either cause consequence environment experienced lead personalities limit ability individuals behaviorally adapt changing landscapes; 2) interactions phenotypes environmental conditions could result differential reproduction, survival, dispersal, suggesting facilitate population-level adaptation; 3) species' distributions dynamics better understood by shifting from mean field analytical approach towards methods account their associated fitness dynamics.

Language: Английский

---

Animal tracking moves community ecology: Opportunities and challenges

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 91(7), P. 1334 - 1344

Published: April 7, 2022

Abstract Individual decisions regarding how, why and when organisms interact with one another their environment scale up to shape patterns processes in communities. Recent evidence has firmly established the prevalence of intraspecific variation nature its relevance community ecology, yet challenges associated collecting data on large numbers individual conspecifics heterospecifics have hampered integration into ecology. Nevertheless, recent technological statistical advances GPS‐tracking, remote sensing behavioural ecology offer a toolbox for integrating processes. More than simply describing where go, movement provide unique information about interactions environmental associations from which true individual‐to‐community framework can be built. By linking paths both data, ecologists now simultaneously quantify interspecific Eltonian (biotic interactions) Grinnellian (environmental conditions) factors underpinning assemblage dynamics, substantial logistical analytical must addressed these approaches realize full potential. Across communities, empirical support conservation applications reveal metacommunity dynamics via tracking‐based dispersal data. As multi‐species tracking are surmounted, we envision future movements ecological signatures will bring resolution many enduring issues

Language: Английский

---

A systematic review of animal personality in conservation science

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(1)

Published: May 13, 2022

Abstract Although animal personality research may have applied uses, this suggestion has yet to be evaluated by assessing empirical studies examining and conservation. To address knowledge gap, we performed a systematic review of the peer‐reviewed literature relating conservation science personality. Criteria for inclusion in our included access full text, primary articles, relevant or focus (i.e., not human studies). Ninety‐two articles met these criteria. We summarized contexts, testing procedures (including species sample size), analytical approach, claimed traits (activity, aggression, boldness, exploration, sociability), each report's key findings conservation‐focused suggestions. providing evidence repeatability behavior is crucial studies, quantification was implemented only half reports. Nonetheless, 5 were investigated some extent range conservations contexts. The most robust field showed variance how relates other ecologically important variables across Moreover, many first attempts at using purposes given study system. Overall, it appears fully realized tool apply problems, suggest researchers think about where individual differences affect outcomes their system, assess there are opportunities repeated measures, follow current methodological guides on quantifying

Language: Английский

---

Animal agency in wildlife conservation and management

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(1)

Published: March 9, 2022

Abstract Wildlife conservation and management (WCM) practices have been historically drawn from a wide variety of academic fields, yet practitioners slow to engage with emerging conversations about animals as complex beings, whose individuality sociality influence their relationships humans. We propose an explicit acknowledgement wild, nonhuman active participants in WCM. examined 190 studies WCM interventions outcomes highlight 3 common assumptions that underpin many present approaches WCM: animal behaviors are rigid homogeneous; wildlife exhibit idealized wild behavior prefer pristine habitats; human–wildlife marginal or secondary importance relative interactions. found these insufficiently considered learning, decision‐making, individuality, sociality, humans led unanticipated detrimental outcomes. To address shortcomings, we synthesized theoretical advances behavioral sciences, geographies, legal theory may help professionals reconceptualize Based on constructed the concept agency, which define ability actively through adaptive, context‐specific, predicated sentience, lived experiences, cognition, cultures ways shape reshape shared cultures, spaces, histories. Conservation practices, such compassionate conservation, convivial ecological justice, incorporate facets agency. Animal agency can be incorporated problem‐solving by assessing contributes species’ survival encouraging more adaptive collaborative decision‐making among human stakeholders.

Language: Английский

---

Wildlife conservation: The importance of individual personality traits and sentience

Animal Sentience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(34)

Published: July 1, 2024

Individual differences in personality types within the same species have been studied much less than between and populations. Personality are related to risk-taking exploration, which turn correlate with individuals' daily responses, decisions, fitness. Bold shy can different advantages disadvantages under social or environmental pressures. Analyzing has helped clarify how elk habituate a well-populated area management strategies be adapted them. For wolves newly repatriated Colorado, individual factors likely prove important for adapting their new homes as well needs of people cohabiting Animal human need investigated jointly long-term success conservation initiatives.

Language: Английский

---