Innovations in Camera Trapping Technology and Approaches: The Integration of Citizen Science and Artificial Intelligence

Animals, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1), P. 132 - 132

Published: Jan. 14, 2020

Camera trapping has become an increasingly reliable and mainstream tool for surveying a diversity of wildlife species. Concurrent with this been increasing effort to involve the wider public in research process, approach known as ‘citizen science’. To date, millions people have contributed across wide variety disciplines result. Although their value engagement was recognised early on, camera traps were initially ill-suited citizen science. As trap technology evolved, cameras more user-friendly enormous quantities data they now collect led researchers seek assistance classifying footage. This made prime candidate science, reflected by large number projects integrating participation. Researchers are also turning Artificial Intelligence (AI) assist classification rapidly-advancing field is already proving useful tool, accuracy variable AI does not provide social benefits associated science approaches. We propose, solution, efforts combine improve efficiency while maintaining involvement.

Language: Английский

---

A review of factors to consider when using camera traps to study animal behavior to inform wildlife ecology and conservation

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 2(8)

Published: June 19, 2020

Abstract Camera traps (CTs) are an increasingly popular method of studying animal behavior. However, the impact cameras on detected individuals—such as from mechanical noise, odor, and emitted light—has received relatively little attention. These impacts particularly important in behavioral studies conservation that seek to ascribe changes behavior relevant environmental factors. In this article, we discuss three sources bias using CTs: (a) disturbance caused by cameras; (b) variation animal‐detection parameters across camera models; (c) biased detection individuals age, sex, classes. We propose several recommendations aimed at mitigating responses CTs wildlife. Our offer a platform for development more rigorous robust CT technology and, if adopted, would result greater applied benefits management.

Language: Английский

---

Elephants as an animal model for self-domestication

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(15)

Published: April 3, 2023

Humans are unique in their sophisticated culture and societal structures, complex languages, extensive tool use. According to the human self-domestication hypothesis, this set of traits may be result an evolutionary process self-induced domestication, which humans evolved less aggressive more cooperative. However, only other species that has been argued self-domesticated besides so far is bonobos, resulting a narrow scope for investigating theory limited primate order. Here, we propose animal model studying self-domestication: elephant. First, support our hypothesis with cross-species comparison, suggests elephants indeed exhibit many features associated (e.g., reduced aggression, increased prosociality, extended juvenile period, playfulness, socially regulated cortisol levels, vocal behavior). Next, present genetic evidence reinforce proposal, showing genes positively selected enriched pathways domestication include several candidate previously domestication. We also discuss explanations what have triggered elephant lineage. Our findings idea elephants, like self-domesticated. Since most recent common ancestor likely all placental mammals, important implications convergent evolution beyond taxa, constitute advance toward understanding how why shaped humans' cultural niche.

Language: Английский

---

Drawn out of the shadows: Surveying secretive forest species with camera trap distance sampling

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 57(5), P. 963 - 974

Published: March 30, 2020

Abstract With animal species disappearing at unprecedented rates, we need an efficient monitoring method providing reliable estimates of population density and abundance, critical for the assessment status trend. We deployed 160 camera traps (CTs) systematically over 743 locations covering 17,127 km 2 evergreen lowland rainforest Salonga National Park, block South, Democratic Republic Congo. evaluated applicability CT distance sampling (CTDS) to different in size behaviour. To improve precision estimates, two methods estimating species' availability ( ‘A’ ) detection by CTs. recorded 16,700 video clips, revealing 43 taxa. estimated densities 14 differing physical, behavioural ecological traits, extracted species‐specific from available footage using (a) ‘ACa’ (Cappelle et al. [2019] Am . J Primatol ., 81, e22962) (b) ‘ARo’ (Rowcliffe [2014] Methods Ecol Evol 5, 1170). sample sizes being large enough, found minor differences between ACa ARo densities. In contrast, low detectability reactivity were main sources bias. CTDS proved homogenously rather than patchily distributed species. Synthesis applications. Our application trap a diverse vertebrate community demonstrates enormous potential this methodology surveys terrestrial wildlife, allowing rapid assessments trends that can translate into effective conservation strategies. By first understudied such as Congo peafowl, giant ground pangolin cusimanses, may be used tool revise these IUCN Red List Threatened Species. Based on constraints encountered, identify improvements current application, enhancing general method.

Language: Английский

---

Innovation in chimpanzees

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 95(5), P. 1167 - 1197

Published: April 19, 2020

ABSTRACT The study of innovation in non‐human animals (henceforth: animals) has recently gained momentum across fields including primatology, animal behaviour and cultural evolution. Examining the rate innovations, cognitive mechanisms driving these innovations species, can provide insights into evolution human culture. Especially relevant to culture is one our closest living relatives, chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ). Both wild captive chimpanzees demonstrate an impressive ability innovate solutions novel problems, but also a striking level conservatism some contexts, creating unique at times puzzling, picture innovation. Whilst field rife with potential for expanding knowledge cognition problem‐solving, it undermined by lack consistency studies. yet settle on definition term ‘innovation’, leading studies being incomparable even within same species. Here, we fill two gaps literature. First, discuss most prevalent definitions ‘innovation’ from different fields, highlighting similarities differences between them. Secondly, up‐to‐date review accounts both chimpanzees. We hope this will resource researchers interested other animals, as well emphasising need way which are reported.

Language: Английский

---

Field experiments find no evidence that chimpanzee nut cracking can be independently innovated

Nature Human Behaviour, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 6(4), P. 487 - 494

Published: Jan. 24, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Validating camera trap distance sampling for chimpanzees

American Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 81(3)

Published: Feb. 27, 2019

The extension of distance sampling methods to accommodate observations from camera traps has recently enhanced the potential remotely monitor multiple species without need additional data collection (sign production and decay rates) or individual identification. However, method requires that proportion time is quantifiable when animals can be detected by cameras. This problematic, for instance, spend above ground, which case most primates. In this study, we aimed validate trap (CTDS) semiarboreal western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire estimating abundance a population known size comparing estimates those other commonly applied methods. We estimated using CTDS accounted limited availability detection (semiarboreal). evaluated bias precision estimates, as well costs efforts required obtain them, compared them spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) line transect nest surveys. Abundance obtained SECR produced similar negligible bias, but yielded larger coefficient variation (CV = 39.70% vs. 1%/19% SECR). Line transects generated biased better (27.40-27.85%) than CTDS. Camera surveys were twice more costly because initial cost cameras, while much field. study demonstrates unbiased like chimpanzees HIGHLIGHTS: accurate density chimpanzees. Availability must derived activity pattern.

Language: Английский

---

Information transfer efficiency differs in wild chimpanzees and bonobos, but not social cognition

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 287(1929), P. 20200523 - 20200523

Published: June 24, 2020

Several theories have been generated to understand the socio-cognitive mechanisms underlying unique cooperative abilities of humans. The 'interdependence hypothesis' posits first, that cognitive dimension human cooperation evolved in contexts when several individuals needed act together achieve a common goal, like hunting large prey. Second, more interdependent are, likely they are provide services conspecifics other contexts. Alternatively, 'social tolerance proposes higher social allows cooperate efficiently and with wider range partners. We conducted first field experimental evaluation both hypotheses our closest living relatives by contrasting chimpanzees less but tolerant bonobos. compared each species' performance during task: informing about danger. presented Gaboon viper models 82 from five wild communities. Chimpanzees arriving late at snake were significantly heard call startle, indicating better informed presence threat than This stems clear species differences how adjusted their calling decisions level information already available. produced alarm calls had not yet call, whereas bonobos did so call. Our results confirm link between interdependence performance. These most driven motivation rather capacities because tended consider audience knowledge decision inform on evolution linking inter-group competition pressure in-group and/or capability.

Language: Английский

---

Chimpanzee and Human Risk Preferences Show Key Similarities

Psychological Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 34(3), P. 358 - 369

Published: Jan. 3, 2023

Risk preference impacts how people make key life decisions related to health, wealth, and well-being. Systematic variations in risk-taking behavior can be the result of differences fitness expectations, as predicted by life-history theory. Yet evolutionary roots human remain poorly understood. Here, we studied risk preferences chimpanzees (86 Pan troglodytes; 47 females; age = 2–40 years) using a multimethod approach that combined observer ratings with behavioral choice experiments. We found chimpanzees’ willingness take risks shared structural similarities humans. First, manifested traitlike was consistent across domains measurements. Second, were ambiguity averse. Third, males more prone than females. Fourth, appetite for showed an inverted-U-shaped relation peaked young adulthood. Our findings suggest dimensions appear emerge independently influence cultural evolution.

Language: Английский

---

Coyotes living near cities are bolder: implications for dog evolution and human-wildlife conflict

Behaviour, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 157(3-4), P. 289 - 313

Published: Feb. 8, 2020

Abstract How animal populations adapt to human modified landscapes is central understanding modern behavioural evolution and improving wildlife management. Coyotes ( Canis latrans ) have adapted activities thrive in both rural urban areas. Bolder coyotes showing reduced fear of humans their artefacts may an advantage environments. We analysed the reactions 636 novel (camera traps) at 575 sites across state North Carolina. Likelihood a coyote approaching camera increased with housing density suggesting that are experiencing selection for boldness becoming more attracted artefacts. This has implications human-wildlife conflict theories dog domestication. also note physical traits could be result domestication-related pressures, or hybridization.

Language: Английский

---