A guide to sampling design for GPS‐based studies of animal societies

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(8), P. 1887 - 1905

Published: Oct. 11, 2022

Abstract GPS‐based tracking is widely used for studying wild social animals. Much like traditional observational methods, using GPS devices requires making a number of decisions about sampling that can affect the robustness study's conclusions. For example, fewer individuals per group across more distinct groups may not be sufficient to infer group‐ or subgroup‐level behaviours, while limits ability draw conclusions populations. Here, we provide quantitative recommendations when designing studies animal societies. We focus on trade‐offs between three fundamental axes effort: (1) coverage—the and allocation among in one groups; (2) duration—the total amount time over which collect data (3) frequency—the temporal resolution at record data. first test tags under field conditions quantify how these aspects design both accuracy (error absolute positional estimates) precision estimate relative position two individuals), demonstrating error have profound effects inferring distances individuals. then use from whole‐group tracked vulturine guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum demonstrate trade‐off frequency duration impact inferences interactions coverage common measures behaviour groups, identifying types are less robust lower Finally, data‐informed simulations extend insights different sizes cohesiveness. Based our results, able offer range strategies address research questions organizational scales systems—from movement network structure collective decision‐making. Our study provides practical advice empiricists navigate their decision‐making processes highlights importance optimal deployment drawing informative

Language: Английский

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How territoriality and sociality influence the habitat selection and movements of a large carnivore

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

While territoriality is one of the key mechanisms influencing carnivore space use, most studies quantify resource selection and movement in absence conspecific influence or territorial structure. Our analysis incorporated social information a framework to investigate intra-specific competition on habitat large, carnivore. We fit integrated step functions 3-h GPS data from 12 collared African wild dog packs Okavango Delta estimated coefficients using conditional Poisson likelihood with random effects. Packs selected for their neighbors' 30-day boundary (defined as 95% kernel density estimate)

Language: Английский

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How behavioural ageing affects infectious disease

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 105426 - 105426

Published: Oct. 13, 2023

Language: Английский

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Experimental modification of African wild dog movement and behavior using translocated conspecific scent

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 294, P. 110645 - 110645

Published: May 27, 2024

Human-wildlife conflict poses a significant risk to wide-ranging carnivore populations worldwide. Management techniques that promote localized, spatial separation and reduce between humans wildlife are key conservation. However, there is lack of experimentally-verified deterrent methods for maintaining wildlife. Manipulating animal movement by co-opting behavioral mechanisms, such as mimicking conspecific interactions or creating landscapes fear, offer promising, theory-driven solutions managing For territorial carnivores in particular, researchers have successfully altered behavior animals using translocated scent empirical experiments, yet most did not consider management implications. Here we experimentally tested the impact on behavior, movement, space use 5 African wild dog packs Okavango Delta, Botswana, investigate whether can be used conservation tool. This three-month experiment included simultaneous exposure all both experimental control treatments. Packs were more likely find behaviorally respond than scent. While treated areas compared controls, they reduced distance traveled beyond their territories 21.1 % average (95 confidence interval: 8.5 33.7 %, p-value = 0.0327), suggesting acts finer-scale attractant but larger-scale deterrent. Additionally, had consistently directed movements through (Pearson's r 0.81). Our results suggest manipulating potential method extra-territorial forays into, settlement within, human-dominated where may occur. We argue targeted during certain times year manage specific behaviors, den-site selection dispersers, could an effective, non-lethal deterrence strategy dogs, with other species.

Language: Английский

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Density-dependent network structuring within and across wild animal systems

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

Published: July 2, 2024

Abstract High population density should drive individuals to more frequently share space and interact, producing better-connected spatial social networks. Despite this widely-held assumption, it remains unconfirmed how local generally drives individuals’ positions within wild animal We analysed 34 datasets of simultaneous behaviour in >55,000 individual animals, spanning 28 species fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, insects. >80% systems exhibited strongly positive relationships between network centrality, providing broad empirical evidence that increases connectedness at the level. However, >75% density-connectedness were nonlinear, density’s importance declined higher values >70% systems, signifying saturating effects. Density’s effect was much stronger less for than networks, suggesting become disproportionately spatially connected rather socially. These findings reveal fundamental trends underlying societal structuring, with widespread behavioural, ecological, evolutionary implications.

Language: Английский

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A guide to sampling design for GPS-based studies of animal societies

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 29, 2022

ABSTRACT GPS-based tracking is widely used for studying wild social animals. Much like traditional observational methods, using GPS devices requires making a number of decisions about sampling that can affect the robustness study’s conclusions. For example, fewer individuals per group across more distinct groups may not be sufficient to infer group- or subgroup-level behaviours, while limits ability draw conclusions populations. Here, we provide quantitative recommendations when designing studies animal societies. We focus on trade-offs between three fundamental axes effort: 1) coverage—the and allocation among in one groups; 2) duration—the total amount time over which collect data; 3) frequency—the temporal resolution at record data. first test tags under field conditions quantify how these aspects design both accuracy (error absolute positional estimates) precision estimate relative position two individuals), demonstrating error have profound effects inferring distances individuals. then use data from whole-group tracked vulturine guineafowl ( Acryllium vulturinum ) demonstrate trade-off frequency duration impact inferences interactions coverage common measures behaviour groups, identifying types are less robust lower Finally, data-informed simulations extend insights different sizes cohesiveness. Based our results, able offer range strategies address research questions organizational scales systems—from movement network structure collective decision-making. Our study provides practical advice empiricists navigate their decision-making processes highlights importance optimal deployment drawing informative

Language: Английский

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Effects of the social environment on movement-integrated habitat selection

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 11, 2021

Abstract Movement links the distribution of habitats with social environment animals using those habitats; yet integrating movement, habitat selection, and socioecology remains an opportunity for further study. Here, our objective was to disentangle roles selection association as drivers collective movement in a gregarious ungulate. To accomplish this objective, we (1) assessed whether socially familiar individuals form discrete communities have high spatial, but not necessarily temporal, overlap; (2) modelled relationship between foraging informed integrated step analysis. We used network analysis assign determine short long-term preference among individuals. Using functions (iSSF), then effect processes, i.e., nearest neighbour distance preference, behaviour on patterns selection. Based assignment home range overlap analyses, assorted into communities, these had spatial overlap. By unifying iSSF, identified movement-dependent association, where foraged more individuals, moved collectively any patches. Our study demonstrates that space use are inter-related based Movement, linked theory. put concepts practice demonstrate is glue connecting individual environment.

Language: Английский

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Comparing the effects of social environments and life history traits on sex allocation in a haplodiploid spider mite

Systematic and Applied Acarology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

N/A

Language: Английский

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The socio-spatial ecology of giant anteaters in the Brazilian Cerrado

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 6, 2023

Abstract Movement is a key component of an animal’s life history. While there are numerous factors that influence movement, inherent link between species’ social ecology and its movement ecology. Despite this relationship, the socio-spatial many species remains unknown, hampering ecological theory conservation alike. Here, we use fine-scale GPS location data continuous-time stochastic processes to study 23 giant anteaters ( Myrmecophaga tridactyla ) in Brazilian Cerrado. We found individuals occupied stable home ranges with mean area 5.45 km 2 males having significantly larger than females. The average amount home-range overlap was low (0.20, n = 121 dyads), no evidence anteater were structured based on territorial, mate guarding, nor other behaviour. also identified total 2774 encounter events. Interestingly, both female-male male-male dyads had more encounters female-female dyads, two pronounced seasonal peaks encounters. Though occurred frequently, associations generally weak little any correlated (mean correlation 0.01). Collectively, these findings suggest solitary largely asocial readily share space conspecifics. their present capacity space, combined pressures being condensed into smaller areas decreased food availability due increased pesticide may see behavioural changes radiating throughout population. Our provides insight heretofore unknown aspects iconic, but understudied species, as well crucial information for proactive area-based management. Ultimately, contribute towards sustainable development while potentially maintaining integrity habitats.

Language: Английский

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Different types of social links contrastingly shape reproductive wellbeing in a multi-level society of wild songbirds

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

Published: Feb. 7, 2024

Abstract The social environment has diverse consequences for individuals’ welfare, health, reproductive success, and survival. This consists of different kinds dyadic bonds that exist at levels; in many species, smaller units come together larger groups, creating multilevel societies. In great tits ( Parus major ), individuals have four types bonds: pair mates, breeding neighbours, flockmates, spatial associates, all which been previously linked to fitness outcomes. Here, we show these are differentially with subsequent success metrics this wild population considering effects provides further insights into relationships. We provide evidence more had a higher number fledglings, associates clutch sizes. also stronger their mate earlier lay dates. Our study highlights the importance relationships when investigating relationship between wellbeing sociality, need future work aimed experimentally testing relationships, particularly spatially structured populations.

Language: Английский

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