Great Tit (Parus major) Nestlings Have Longer Telomeres in Old‐Growth Forests Than in Young Forests

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Modification and deterioration of old‐growth forests by industrial forestry have seriously threatened species diversity worldwide. The loss natural habitats increases the concentration circulating glucocorticoids incurs chronic stress in animals, influencing immune system, growth, survival, lifespan animals inhabiting such areas. In this study, we tested whether great tit ( Parus major ) nestlings grown unmanaged coniferous longer telomeres than developing young managed forests. This study showed that patches had lower larval biomass Since insect larvae are preferred food for nestlings, shortage may divert energy resources away from which can show up as physiological stress, often raising heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio. H/L ratio revealed a significant difference levels, being highest young‐managed pine We also found development significantly shorter Although nestling survival did not differ between habitats, growing greater telomere lengths, positively affect their lifespan. Our results suggest forest affected represent ecological traps, birds deteriorated environments age structure populations.

Language: Английский

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Electronic Playback Devices to Reduce Ungulates’ Attendance in an Olive Grove Farm in the Province of Florence (Italy)

AgriEngineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 20 - 20

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

(1) Background: Human–wildlife conflict can lead to adverse consequences for both parties, particularly in areas with a high concentration of wild ungulates. Ungulates cause frequent, severe plant damage by stripping the bark or browsing on youngest plants. In latter case, they vegetative sprouts and leaves, which delay growth plant’s death. Tuscany is notable its significant population boar, substantial vineyards cereal crops, costing farmers millions annually. Tuscany, given highly cultivated landscape olive trees, has also been recorded these Balancing human wildlife needs crucial minimizing ensuring coexistence. (2) Methods: This study tested innovative electronic playback devices using long-range radio technology (LoRa) deter ungulates prevent crop damage. These use sounds lights induce animals be afraid thus run away from plot protected. The experiment was conducted farm Chianti, involving four plots land planted trees: two test areas, camera traps were installed, control only installed. Playback aimed their effectiveness. Data analyzed statistically behaviorally. (3) Results: significantly reduced animal activity equipped areas. Statistical analysis revealed that acoustic–luminous deterrent (PDs) visits groves. (4) Conclusion: study’s findings, supported heatmaps frequency analyses, provide insights into patterns guide development targeted, effective management strategies.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of predation risk on learning and memory of free-living mice

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2041)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

In predator–prey interactions, responses to predation risk typically involve behavioural, morphological or physiological changes. Laboratory-based studies have also shown changes in prey cognition (i.e. learning and memory), with individuals often showing impairment. However, an ecological perspective predicts that wild animals should conserve their cognitive ability, given many require robust cognition. Here, we simulated used a field-adapted version of the Morris Water Maze (MWM) investigate how chronic affects white-footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus ). We found 24 days' exposure did not impair learning. those exposed had 25% reduction short-term memory. Twelve days post-risk exposure, no performance differences between risk-exposed control mice. Additionally, displayed greater exploration higher probability completing MWM initial trial. Given integrate multiple pieces information shape behaviour, lack impairment altered strategies may help respond risk. tendency memory suggests there are consequences for when experiencing increased

Language: Английский

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Behaviorally-mediated trophic cascade attenuated by prey use of risky places at safe times

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 195(1), P. 235 - 248

Published: Jan. 1, 2021

Language: Английский

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Decline or shifting distribution? A first regional trend assessment for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in South Africa

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 154, P. 110720 - 110720

Published: July 30, 2023

Unprecedented levels of change in ocean ecosystems bring an ever-increasing need for re-analyses existing data to explore pressing conservation questions. Substantial declines white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) presence at two primary aggregation sites have raised concerns about the species' status throughout South Africa. Using most comprehensive suite abundance indices compiled date, we evaluated temporal trends and strength evidence regional redistribution. Individual from all Africa were highly variable. The overall trend a log-linear Generalized Additive Model was relatively flat, indicating largely unchanged since protection 1991. However, reports human-shark incidents showed general shift Western Eastern Cape. Correlations among individual demonstrated that movements not as simple animals leaving one site inhabit another. Further research is needed effect movement on monitoring data. Our results reaffirm better standardization collection methods generate develop long-term programs Ideally, environmental or operational factors affecting should also be explored future assessments level. provide baseline work, directing understand drivers localized changes focusing management reducing anthropogenic sources mortality within their Southwest Indian Ocean range.

Language: Английский

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Predation risk-mediated indirect effects promote submerged plant growth: Implications for lake restoration

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 355, P. 120512 - 120512

Published: March 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Direct and indirect effects of cougar predation on bighorn sheep fitness

Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 105(9)

Published: July 19, 2024

Abstract Predation has direct effects on prey population dynamics through mortality, and it can induce indirect fear. The of predation have been documented experimentally, but few studies quantified them in nature so that their role remains controversial. Given the expanding or reintroduced populations large predators many areas, quantification is crucial. We sought to evaluate fitness intense cougar ( Puma concolor ) using 48 years data marked bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis Ram Mountain, Alberta, Canada. compared with no occasional predation. first neonatal, weaning, overwinter lamb survival, three metrics potentially affected by effects. then investigated possible production, female summer mass gain, at weaning. found strong seasonal gain lambs adult females. In high predation, survival declined 18.4%, 19.7% 20.8%, respectively. Indirect included a 14.2% decline production. Female decreased 15.6% weaning 8.0% Our findings bring key insights impacts reporting moderate recruitment illustrate importance dynamics.

Language: Английский

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Timely poacher detection and localization using sentinel animal movement

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Feb. 25, 2021

Wildlife crime is one of the most profitable illegal industries worldwide. Current actions to reduce it are far from effective and fail prevent population declines many endangered species, pressing need for innovative anti-poaching solutions. Here, we propose test a poacher early warning system that based on movement responses non-targeted sentinel animals, which naturally respond threats by fleeing changing herd topology. We analyzed human-evasive patterns 135 mammalian savanna herbivores four different using an internet-of-things architecture with wearable sensors, wireless data transmission machine learning algorithms. show presence human intruders can be accurately detected (86.1% accuracy) localized (less than 500 m error in 54.2% experimentally staged intrusions) algorithmically identifying characteristic changes movement. These behavioral signatures include, among others, increase speed, energy expenditure, body acceleration, directional persistence coherence, decrease suitability selected habitat. The key successful identification these lies systematic deviations normal behavior under similar conditions, such as season, time day also indirect costs predation not limited vigilance, but include (1) long, high-speed flights; (2) energetically costly flight paths; (3) suboptimal habitat selection during flights. combination biologging, predictive analytics animal benefit wildlife conservation via detection, solve challenges related surveillance, safety health.

Language: Английский

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Hierarchy of fear: experimentally testing ungulate reactions to lion, African wild dog and cheetah

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(4), P. 789 - 797

Published: April 21, 2022

Abstract Experiments have begun demonstrating that the fear (antipredator behavioral responses) large carnivores inspire in ungulates can shape ecosystem structure and function. Most such experiments focused on impacts of either just one carnivore, or all as a whole, rather than different may intact multi-predator-prey systems. Experimentally testing relative fearfulness demonstrate toward is necessary first step addressing these likely differing impacts. We tested demonstrated to playbacks lion (Panthera leo), African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) non-predator control (bird) vocalizations, Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Ungulates ran most lions, then dogs, cheetahs, very clear hierarchy fear. Those did not run looked sound more hearing controls, looking lions. Notably, prey species-specific population level kill rates by each predator predict patterns observed. Our results levels their ungulate prey, pointing community-level impacts, which we discuss relation ongoing worldwide decline loss carnivores.

Language: Английский

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Ungulates’ Behavioral Responses to Humans as an Apex Predator in a Hunting-Prohibited Area of China

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(5), P. 845 - 845

Published: Feb. 25, 2023

Large mammals can perceive humans as predators and therefore adjust their behavior to achieve coexistence with humans. However, lack of research at sites low hunting intensity limits our understanding how behavioral responses animals adapt different predation risks by At Heshun County in North China, where has been banned for over three decades only low-intensity poaching exists, we exposed two large ungulates (Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygarus wild boar Sus scrofa) the sounds humans, an extant predator (leopard Panthera pardus) a control (wind), examined flight detection probabilities when hearing type sounds. Both species showed higher human vocalization than wind, were even more likely flee upon leopard roar, suggesting response equal or exceed that carnivores these area without practices. Recorded had no effect on probability both ungulates. Additionally, repeated exposure sounds, regardless treatment, less boars be detected, indicating habituation-type sound stimuli. We speculate immediate rather shifts habitat use reflect hunting/poaching pressure study site suggest further examination physiological status demographic dynamics understand influence long-term persistence.

Language: Английский

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