Urban bat pups take after their mothers and are bolder and faster learners than rural pups

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Sept. 7, 2021

Abstract Background Urbanization is rapidly changing our planet and animals that live in urban environments must quickly adjust their behavior. One of the most prevalent behavioral characteristics dwelling an increased level risk-taking. Here, we aimed to reveal how fruitbats become risk-takers, they differ behaviorally from rural bats, studying both genetic non-genetic factors might play a role process. We assessed personality newborn pups colonies before acquired experience outdoors, examining risk-taking, exploration, learning rates. Results Urban exhibited significantly higher risk-taking levels, were faster learners, but less exploratory than counterparts. A cross-fostering experiment revealed more similar adoptive mothers, thus suggesting mechanism pointing towards maternal effect. moreover found lactating mothers have cortisol levels milk, which could potentially explain transmission some traits mother pup. Conclusions Young bats seem acquire environment suitable via post-birth effects. offer potential for can urban-suitable through hormonal transfer mothers.

Language: Английский

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Cross-Context Responses to Novelty in Rural and Urban Small Mammals

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Oct. 28, 2021

The Anthropocene is the era of urbanization. accelerating expansion cities occurs at expense natural reservoirs biodiversity and presents animals with challenges for which their evolutionary past might not have prepared them. Cognitive behavioral adjustments to novelty could promote animals’ persistence under these altered conditions. We investigated structure of, covariance between, different aspects responses in rural urban small mammals two non-commensal rodent species. ran replicated experiments testing three types (object, food, or space) 47 individual common voles ( Microtus arvalis ) 41 striped field mice Apodemus agrarius ). found partial support hypothesis that are structured, clustering (i) speed responses, (ii) intensity (iii) food into separate dimensions. Rural did differ most novelty, suggesting habitats do reduce neophobia Further studies investigating whether comparable response patters throughout stages colonization, along synurbanization processes duration, will help illuminate dynamics cognitive life.

Language: Английский

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Effects of proximity to humans on neophilia, foraging ecology and population structure of kea

New Zealand Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(2), P. 258 - 274

Published: Nov. 29, 2023

Neophilic tendencies in scavenging species living near humans may have adverse consequences for these animals. New Zealand's kea (Nestor notabilis), an endangered parrot, potentially faces exacerbated mortality risk associated with proximity to humans. Hazards include lead building materials, introduced mammalian predators, and poison baits used control predators. How respond hazards can affect life expectancy. We modelled the effects of (1) humans, (2) age, (3) presence conspecifics, (4) blood levels, on time taken approach contact a novel object. also compared dietary trophic level between populations adjacent remote from using stable isotopes, age structure populations. Adjacent contacted object faster than kea, as did younger individuals those elevated concentration, but conspecific not latency. conclude that exhibit enhanced neophilia, which translate reduced expectancy due interacting anthropogenic hazards. Kea were foraged at lower possible consequence productivity. Our results should be considered when setting management policy habitat.

Language: Английский

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Sources of individual variation in problem-solving performance in urban great tits (Parus major): Exploring effects of metal pollution, urban disturbance and personality

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 749, P. 141436 - 141436

Published: Aug. 3, 2020

Language: Английский

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Biases in the Detection of Intentionally Poisoned Animals: Public Health and Conservation Implications from a Field Experiment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 18(3), P. 1201 - 1201

Published: Jan. 29, 2021

Intentional poisoning is a global wildlife problem and an overlooked risk factor for public health. Managing requires unbiased high-quality data through monitoring protocols, which are largely lacking. We herein evaluated the biases associated with current programmes of in Spain. compared national database 1990-2015 period information obtained from field experiment during we used camera-traps to detect species that consumed non-poisoned baits. Our findings suggest detection rate poisoned animals species-dependent: Several animal groups (e.g., domestic mammalian carnivores vultures) tended be over-represented database, while others corvids small mammals) were underrepresented. As revealed by GLMM analyses, probability given being overrepresented was higher heaviest, aerial, cryptic species. In conclusion, found fauna based on heterogeneous sources may produce important rates; thus, such should caution managers policy-makers. guide future search efforts aimed reach more comprehensive understanding intentional problem.

Language: Английский

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Does the presence of a conspecific increase or decrease fear? Neophobia and habituation in zebra finches

Ethology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 127(12), P. 1033 - 1041

Published: Sept. 12, 2021

Abstract Neophobia, defined as the fear of novelty, can be exhibited when individuals encounter unfamiliar stimuli in their environment. Neophobia has been shown to both increase and decrease are with conspecifics. An latency contact new objects explained by negotiation hypothesis, which proposes that groups will negotiate who approach novelty first, thereby delaying first contact. This process could co‐occur mask a potential effect risk dilution, where should novel faster due lower perceived social than non‐social context. Here, we aimed test dilution hypothesis using an experimental set‐up precluded among group members physically separating dyads during trials. We presented zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) different contexts. also repeated presentation each object investigate, for time our knowledge, context on change neophobia over encounters (i.e., habituation). found increased upon neophobia), but these latencies decreased presentations habituation) compared These results do not provide support regarding (neophobia) seem it (habituation). suggests is habituation, possibly because they recruit cognitive mechanisms. Future studies investigate impact ecological conditions decision‐making versus subsequent animals, processes fitness costs benefits responses.

Language: Английский

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Cognitive flexibility in urban yellow mongooses, Cynictis penicillata

Animal Cognition, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(1)

Published: March 2, 2024

Abstract Cognitive flexibility enables animals to alter their behaviour and respond appropriately environmental changes. Such is important in urban settings where changes occur rapidly continually. We studied whether free-living, urban-dwelling yellow mongooses, Cynictis penicillata , South Africa, are cognitively flexible reversal learning attention task experiments (n = 10). Reversal was conducted using two puzzle boxes that were distinct visually spatially, each containing a preferred or non-preferred food type. Once mongooses learned which box contained the type, types reversed. The successfully unlearned previously response favour of new response, possibly through win-stay, lose-shift strategy. Attention one surrounded by zero, one, three objects, introducing various levels distraction while solving task. distracted distractions but able solve despite splitting between remaining vigilant. However, those exposed human residents more often provide first evidence cognitive them modify environments.

Language: Английский

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Can I have fries with that? Context-dependent foraging behavior in urban and rural American crows

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 36(1)

Published: Nov. 30, 2024

Abstract Behavioral flexibility and the ability to respond appropriately anthropogenic cues that signal potential threats or rewards may promote success of wild animals in urban environment. Here, we examine behavioral responses free-living American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), an opportunistic scavenger common exploiter. Specifically, tested hypotheses would more readily approach (1) novel objects food when close proximity trash cans, (2) paper bags with hidden closer a McDonald’s restaurant, due their associations these cues. In addition, examined preference for marked logo vs. unmarked bags, hypothesizing be likely labeled bag because its familiarity. Consistent our expectations, exhibited lower latency cans. Likewise, they were but showed no logo. Overall, found evidence foraging behavior varied presence specific depended on probable cue Their use local environment, combined exploitation human resources, contributes crow city.

Language: Английский

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Object neophilia in wild herring gulls in urban and rural locations

Journal of Avian Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 2023(1-2)

Published: Dec. 15, 2022

Living with increasing urbanisation and human populations requires resourcefulness flexibility in wild animals' behaviour. Animals have to adapt anthropogenic novelty habitat structure resources that may not resemble, or be as beneficial as, natural resources. Herring gulls Larus argentatus increasingly reside towns cities breed forage, yet how are adjusting their behaviour life urban areas is fully understood. This study investigated herring gulls' responses novel common objects rural locations. We also examined whether age influenced object response found that, out of the 126 individual presented objects, 34% approached them. suggests majority targeted were wary lacked interest experimental set‐up. Of 43 we those tested locations more slowly than counterparts. Overall, showed no preference for either did influence likelihood approach, approach speed choice. Individuals paid most attention they first, potentially indicative preferences. Our findings indicated attracted anecdotal reports suggested. Covering up obvious food rewards thus help mitigate human–gull conflict over sources.

Language: Английский

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Uncertain foraging opportunities and predation risk exert additive effects on induced neophobia in cichlids

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 186, P. 21 - 28

Published: Feb. 26, 2022

Language: Английский

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