Cows that are less active in the chute have more optimal grazing distribution

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Abstract Individual grazing patterns among cattle can contribute to sustainability of land use, however, little is known about the consistency these patterns. To address this knowledge gap, fifty Angus x Hereford cows were observed in repeated assays: A management assay (handling procedure, narrow chute, hydraulic squeeze), a social-feed trade-off (SFTA; choice between social mates and feed item), novel approach (choice item with pattern). The same tracked GPS collars over two seasons (June-August 2021 2022) average grazing-related metrics (e.g., elevation used, distance traveled) calculated within each season. Cows more passive response chute found at higher ( p = 0.017), further from water 0.043), closer supplement sites 0.029). that had latency SFTA traveled shorter distances on rangeland 0.035). Thus, there was some evidence isolation optimal (grazed underutilized areas range elevations sources). Selecting foraging based observable behaviors during handling could improve grazing.

Language: Английский

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Linking behavioural variance to environmental heterogeneity: Variance decomposition in surface versus cave isopod populations

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

Abstract A longstanding question in evolutionary biology is how within‐population phenotypic variation maintained under natural selection. The fluctuating selection hypothesis suggests that genetic and scales with fluctuations over space time. This implies might be greater populations than stable environmental conditions. However, this aspect has rarely been investigated, likely because habitats minimal are rare. We addressed by comparing surface cave of the freshwater isopod Asellus aquaticus species complex. Surface environments spatiotemporally more variable environments, grounding prediction ecotype phenotypically ecotype. conducted a longitudinal behavioural study on individuals from four populations, measuring their movement activity risk‐taking two light To account for differences regimes between half were first acclimated diurnal regime other complete darkness. Initially (acclimation tests), behaviour was recorded bright dark conditions, respectively. Next, each individual evaluated six times alternating conditions—three condition. In addition to assessing average differences, we estimated among‐ within‐individual variation, as well repeatability light‐induced plasticity behaviours, enabling comparison these parameters ecotypes. dark, active less individuals. As predicted, compared displayed variance activity, but not risk‐taking. Repeatability significantly different Both ecotypes showed significant among‐individual both however, did differ Our results also suggest or exhibited plasticity. findings support plays role maintaining Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Genetic Control of Social Experience‐Dependent Changes in Locomotor Activity in Drosophila melanogaster Males

Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 118(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT In animals, social experience plays an important role in the adaptive modification of behavior. Previous changes locomotor activity Drosophila melanogaster . females, suppression locomotion is observed only when flies are aggregations, but males retain a reduced level up to 5 days after being isolated from group. The mechanisms underlying such behavioral plasticity still largely unknown. this study, we aimed identify new candidate genes involved experience‐dependent activity. We tested effect on spontaneous various mutant males, including those with impaired learning and memory, circadian rhythms, some biochemical pathways, sensory systems. results present study indicate that biogenic amines olfactory perception appear play key roles experience‐induced Also, performed screen collection mutants carrying random autosomal insertions PdL transposon. five genes, which two Dek Hel89B , encode proteins related formation epigenetic code, implying factors regulating gene expression may be

Language: Английский

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The need for an individual-based global change ecology

Published: March 26, 2025

Biodiversity loss and widespread ecosystem degradation are among the most pressing challenges of our time, requiring urgent action. Yet understanding their causes remains limited because prevailing ecological concepts approaches often overlook underlying complex interactions individuals same or different species, interacting with each other environment. We propose a paradigm shift in science, moving from simplifying frameworks that use population community averages to an integrative approach recognizes individual organisms as fundamental agents change. The urgency biodiversity crisis requires such advance ecology towards predictive science by elucidating causal mechanisms linking variation adaptive behaviour emergent properties populations, communities, ecosystems, human interventions. Recent advances computational technologies, sensors, analytical tools now offer unprecedented opportunities overcome past lay foundation for truly integrated Individual-Based Global Change Ecology (IBGCE). Unravelling potential role variability global change impact analyses will require systematic combination empirical, experimental modelling studies across systems, while taking into account multiple drivers interactions. Key priorities include refining theoretical frameworks, developing benchmark models standardized toolsets, systematically incorporating empirical field work, experiments models. emerging synergies between individual-based modelling, big data approaches, machine learning hold great promise addressing inherent complexity ecosystems. Each step development IBGCE must balance perspective parsimony, efficiency, feasibility. aims unravel predict dynamics Anthropocene through comprehensive study organisms, It provide critical considering future conservation sustainability management, individual-to-ecosystem pathways feedbacks.

Language: Английский

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Variation in defensive and exploratory behaviors across a rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus × viridis) hybrid zone in Southwestern new Mexico

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 8, 2025

Abstract Studies on animal temperaments (consistent differences in behaviors across contexts) and behavioral syndromes (suites of correlated have surged recent decades. Accordingly, ecologists gained greater appreciation for their evolutionary role significance. Yet, despite importance as potential drivers, research focused temperament shaping hybridization events is vastly understudied. Case studies shown that has multiple effects these phenomena, such eliminating present parental lineages generating novel within hybrids. Here, we assessed a naturally occurring rattlesnake hybrid zone ( Crotalus scutulatus × viridis ). We used laboratory assays to quantify defensive explorative behaviors, tested whether traits were with spatial hunting free-ranging individuals. C. was more significantly prone rattle than during handling tests. Similarly, individuals had proportion genome derived from also rattle. Parental snakes exhibited varying defensiveness exploratory yet further necessary determine they impact fitness by creating mismatches between predation pressures under natural conditions.

Language: Английский

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Bayesian updating for self-assessment explains social dominance and winner–loser effects

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 224, P. 123191 - 123191

Published: April 28, 2025

Language: Английский

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Metabolic rate and foraging behaviour: A mechanistic link across body size and temperature gradients

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 6, 2024

Abstract The mechanistic link between metabolic rate and foraging behaviour is a crucial aspect of several energy-based ecological theories. Despite its importance to ecology however, it remains unclear whether how energy requirements behavioural patterns are mechanistically connected. Here we aimed assess modes behaviour, in terms cumulative space use, patch selection time spent an experimental resource patchy environment, influenced by the foragers’ (SMR) main determinants i.e. body mass temperature. We tested individual rates model organism, amphipod Gammarus insensibilis , across range masses temperatures. demonstrated that temperature exert major influence on decisions use via their effects rates. Individual was found scale allometrically with exponentially temperature, giving-up falling as increased. Moreover, SMR had greater predictive power for patterns, explaining variation beyond accounted combined. Our results showed scaled positively Mass- and-Temperature-independent (residual). Furthermore, regarding choice partitioning were strongly related M-T independent SMR; individuals higher initially preferred most profitable and, progressed, abandoned earlier compared others. findings relationship shed light higher-order processes, implications face climate change.

Language: Английский

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Aggressiveness predicts dominance rank in greylag geese: mirror tests and agonistic interactions

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Individual differences in aggressiveness, if consistent across time and contexts, may contribute to the long-term maintenance of social hierarchies complex animal societies. Although agonistic interactions have previously been used calculate individuals' positions within a dominance hierarchy, date repeatability behaviour has not tested when calculating rank. Here, we examined consistency relevance aggressiveness as personality trait free-flying population greylag geese (

Language: Английский

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Multi-assay approach shows species-associated personality patterns in two socially distinct gerbil species

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(4), P. e0296214 - e0296214

Published: April 16, 2024

We aimed to investigate whether two closely related but socially distinct species of gerbils differ in personality patterns. Using a suit multivariate repeated assays (docility test, dark-light emergence startle novel object elevated platform and stranger test), we assessed contextual temporal consistency docility, boldness, exploration, anxiety, sociability the solitary midday gerbil, Meriones meridianus , social Mongolian M . unguiculatus revealed contextually consistent highly repeatable sex-independent species-specific traits. Species differed repeatability different behaviours, was more pronounced than This finding contradicts niche specialization hypothesis, which suggests that traits should be species. Instead, hypothesize complexity favour flexible less behavioural The habituation effect indicative learning abilities weak both yet stronger supporting relationship between sociality level cognitive skills. In species, only few covaried, sets correlated behaviours were such did not share any pair Between-species differences traits, habituation, syndromes may linked sociality. lack prominent is with idea context-specific individual might favoured allow adequate responses changing environments functionally behaviours.

Language: Английский

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Group phenotypic composition drives task performances in ants

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Differences in individual behaviour within a group can give rise to functional dissimilarities between groups, particularly social animals. However, how behavioural phenotypes translate into the phenotype remains unclear. Here, we investigate whether type affects performance eusocial species, ant Aphaenogaster senilis . We measured traits and created groups of workers with similar type, either high-exploratory or low-exploratory workers. tested these four different, ecologically relevant, tasks: reaction an intruder, prey retrieval from maze, nest relocation tool use. show that, compared workers, were more aggressive towards intruders, efficient collecting prey, faster likely perform Our results demonstrate strong link collective ants. This supports ‘behavioural hypothesis' for dynamics, which suggests that individual's environment reflects its own type. The average therefore be predicted types members.

Language: Английский

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