Personality, space use, and networks directly and indirectly explain tick infestation in a wild population of lizards

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 95(1)

Published: Jan. 27, 2025

Abstract Host personality can markedly affect parasite transmission. Especially for parasites with indirect transmission through the environment, effects of consistent among‐individual differences in behavior may have both direct and components. For example, mediate how hosts respond to infected individuals likelihood that indirectly interact conspecifics (e.g., by visiting patches previously contaminated). Integrating parasites, personality, these different kinds interaction networks constitutes a key step toward understanding natural systems. We evaluated elements using 5‐year field study wild population sleepy lizards, Tiliqua rugosa , their tick which transmit among lizards lizards' shared use refuges. Using Bayesian models, we (1) predictors lizard infestation probability intensity (i.e., average count when infested) (2) relationships predictors. used latter set models assess between metrics. As predictors, “risk” (derived from time‐lagged refuge sharing network), traits (sex, mass, axes aggression boldness), space (number unique refuges home range overlap other lizards), measures synchronous social interactions edge weight degree). found connections our infestation. boldness was positively directly associated infection via intermediary network risk. more refuges, on hand, negatively (via reduced risk), but probability, indicating potential trade‐off anti‐parasite benefits Our results emphasize multiple aspects host associate infection, components proceed pathways, (3) pathways should be considered together because compounding or counteracting effects.

Language: Английский

Resource manipulation reveals interactive phenotype‐dependent foraging in free‐ranging lizards

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(8), P. 1108 - 1122

Published: June 14, 2024

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that individuals differ in foraging tactics and this variation is often linked to an individual's behavioural type (BT). Yet, while typically comprises a series of search handling steps, empirical investigations have rarely considered BT‐dependent effects across multiple stages the process, particularly natural settings. In our long‐term sleepy lizard ( Tiliqua rugosa ) study system, exhibit consistency boldness (measured as willingness approach novel food item presence threat) aggressiveness response ‘attack’ by conspecific dummy). These BTs are only weakly correlated previously been shown interactive on space use movement, suggesting they could also affect performance, their behaviour for food. To investigate how lizards' process wild, we supplemented 123 patches 120‐ha site with three abundance treatments (high, low no‐food controls). Patches were replenished twice week over species' entire spring activity season feeding behaviours quantified camera traps at these patches. We tracked lizards using GPS determine home range (HR) size repeatedly assayed designated assays. hypothesised bolder would be more efficient foragers aggressive ones less attentive quality found BT effect overall performance. Individuals both bold ate highest number items from array. Further dissection showed general fewest part because visited regularly, discriminated between high low‐quality when revisiting them. Bolder lizards, contrast, tomatoes higher proportion available during visits. Our demonstrates can interact different components leading within‐population success. Given individual differences movement will influence social ecological interactions, results highlight potential role BT's shaping fitness strategies population dynamics.

Language: Английский

Consistent after all: behavioural repeatability in a long-lived lizard across a 6-year field study

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 174, P. 263 - 277

Published: March 13, 2021

Language: Английский