Elsevier eBooks, Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown, С. 401 - 414
Опубликована: Окт. 20, 2023
Язык: Английский
Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 105(4)
Опубликована: Фев. 15, 2024
Understanding how landscapes affect animal movements is key to effective conservation and management (Rudnick et al., 2012; Zeller 2012). Movement defines home ranges, where animals generally access resources such as food mates, also their dispersal exploratory forays. These are important for individual survival fitness through genetic exchange within between populations colonization of unoccupied habitats (Baguette 2013; MacArthur & Wilson, 1967). Dispersal typically occur when young leave natal range establish more permanent ranges (Greenwood, 1980; Howard, 1960). In mammals, males usually frequent happens over greater distances compared with that females (Clobert 2001; Greenwood, 1980). Landscape permeability affects an animal's ability move the environment. controlled by habitat characteristics social factors reduce or security, consequently reducing (Zeller heterogenous landscapes, tend be composed offer relatively less resistance, while areas outside may impede varying degrees due hostile landscape presence predators territorial conspecifics (Jackson 2016; Rudnick features movement can help identify corridors, assess connectivity patches 2018), used metapopulation management. elusive species ranging large areas, like snow leopard (Panthera uncia), structure modeling infer barriers (e.g., Hacker 2022; Riordan 2016). must supplemented observations animals, difficult they obtain, in order reliably interpret models on permeability. Snow leopards apex adapted mountain ecosystems, live across South Central Asian high mountains. Knowledge biology limited, including behavior barriers. distribution has largely been described elevation terrain flat characterized unsuitable (Li 2020; McCarthy We examined three subadult (defined estimated <3 years old, traveling independently mothers) whether restricted mountainous routes able navigate resistance offered mountains during dispersal. Our study was conducted Altai massifs interspersed a steppe (Figure 1). The represented islands suitable metaphorical sea nonhabitat formed steppes (MacArthur 1967; show these traveled (average displacement GPS locations taken at 5-h intervals 6.4 km average 1.0 subadults mountains; Johansson Figure 1, Table Furthermore, appeared cross aiming toward distant were visible from departure points had left habitat. hypothesize decision venture into depends destination area departure, independent intervening distance Between 2008 2022, we captured 30 adult five equipped them collars (North Star, Vectronic Plus, Vertex Lite) Tost Mountains (43° N, 100° E) (see 2013 details capture immobilization). Collars programmed acquire fix every 5 h uplink via Globalstar Iridium satellite communication. followed contours closely only 12 53,828 located steppe. Young separate mothers begin 20–22 months age (Johansson 2021). leopards, (named F2, F11, F13) two (M9 M17), collared prior separation GPS-collared mothers, phase. Of individuals collared, female (F11) did not settled just east her range, male (M17) dispersed along hills. One (M9) neighboring (F2 made significant forays For who (M9, F2 F13), visited sites last venturing out determined all cases there travel direction foray four excursions onto 23 March 2011 27 May (Table On first excursion she went south border Mongolia China, covering least 60.3 point until reached This fences no-man's land them. reported act absolute barrier other wildlife Khulan (Equus hemionus) Mongolian gazelles (Procapra gutturosa) (Ito Linnell seems case well. moved fence 9.7 possibly up 40 before turning back again another before, returning once 2). Thereafter northern edge crossed 41.8 Nemegt remained 8 days after which returned 3 4). GPS-location acquisition rate deteriorated excursion, preventing us determining detailed information about path, much time spent Nemegt. Shortly Tost, collar's prescheduled release mechanism activated. lost contact fate unknown. M9 his 18 April 2012. Two later, he Nemegt, established 5). Camera trap data confirmed 2015. F13 ~10 19 2019. She ventured 24 6). Similar then turned north, 28 June 36.3 reach 6 July 7 8). day after, July, headed but 9 9). Both north started range. eventually partially overlapping eastern side camera revealed reproduced 2020. Studies landscape-level planning have theoretical based suitability 2016) relatedness among (Hacker 2022). al. (2016) suggested maximum lifetime 50 100 unfavorable (2022) showed China genetically separated, suggesting substantial populations. contrast, dispersing our steppe, each covered minimum km. 84 km, alongside fence, total 157 It appears if route attempted follow aligns least-cost path identified Li (2020) connecting southern Qilian Shan China. that, do stretches than previously assumed. although could vulnerable predation, example, wolves (Canis lupus) dictated extent steppes, but, rather might include physical ones psychological lack aim disperse to. thankful Ministry Environment Green Development, Government Mongolia, Academy Sciences supporting work. thank Disney Conservation Fund, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Columbus Zoo Aquarium, National Geographic Society, Whitley Fund Nature support. authors declare no conflicts interest. Data this research sensitive available publicly. GPS-collar owned Leopard Trust ([email protected]) qualified researchers requesting IDs F13, M17.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
7
Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 57, С. e03423 - e03423
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0
Ecological Informatics, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 77, С. 102214 - 102214
Опубликована: Июль 18, 2023
Photo-identification of individual snow leopards (Panthera uncia) is the primary data source for density estimation via capture-recapture statistical methods. To identify in camera trap imagery, it necessary to match individuals from a large number images multiple cameras and historical catalogues, which both time-consuming costly. The camouflaged also make difficult machine learning classify photos, as they blend so well with surrounding mountain environment, rendering applicable software solutions unavailable species. potentially leopard identification available an artificial intelligence (AI) interface, we first trained evaluated image classification techniques convolutional neural network, pose invariant embeddings (PIE) (a triplet loss network), compared accuracy PIE that HotSpotter algorithm SIFT-based algorithm). Data were acquired curated library free-ranging taken Afghanistan between 2012 2019 captive animals zoos Finland, Sweden, Germany, United States. We discovered several flaws initial model, such small amount background matching, was addressed, albeit likely not fixed, using subtraction (BGS) left-right mirroring (LR) demonstrated reasonable (Rank 1: 74% Rank-5: 92%) comparable Hotspotter results Rank 2: 84%)The BGS LR conjunction Hotspotter, yielded following results: Rank-1: 85%, 95%, Rank-20: 99%. In general, our findings indicate LR, HotSpotter, can more accurately than either alone.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
8
Landscape Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 38(7), С. 1847 - 1868
Опубликована: Май 2, 2023
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
4
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown
Опубликована: Дек. 15, 2023
Abstract Snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ) serve as an umbrella species whose conservation benefits their high-elevation Asian habitat. Their numbers are believed to be in decline due numerous Anthropogenic threats; however, is hindered by knowledge gaps. They the least studied genetically of all big cat with more learn regarding population structure, historical size, and current levels genetic diversity. Here, we use whole-genome sequencing data for 41 snow (37 newly sequenced) offer new insights into these unresolved questions. Among our samples, find evidence a primary divide between northern southern part range around Dzungarian Basin, previously identified, secondary south Kyrgyzstan Taklamakan Desert. Most noteworthy, that have lowest diversity any species, persistently small size (relative other species) throughout evolutionary history rather than recent inbreeding. Without large or ample standing variation help buffer them from forthcoming challenges, leopard persistence may tenuous currently appreciated.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
4
Ecological Modelling, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 494, С. 110759 - 110759
Опубликована: Июнь 8, 2024
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
1
Biodiversity and Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(14), С. 3961 - 3979
Опубликована: Окт. 12, 2024
Abstract Snow leopards ( Panthera uncia ) inhabit the mountainous regions of High Asia, which experienced serial glacial contraction and expansion during climatic cycles Pleistocene. The corresponding impacts vicariance may have alternately promoted or constrained genetic differentiation to shape distribution lineages population structure. We studied snow leopard phylogeography across Asia by examining range-wide historical contemporary structure with mitochondrial DNA microsatellite markers. genotyped 182 individuals from range sequenced portions mitogenome in a spatially stratified subset 80 infer biogeographic patterns diversity. observed lack phylogeographic structure, analyses suggested single refugial origin for all sampled populations. Molecular data provided tentative evidence hypothesized refugia Tian Shan-Pamir-Hindu Kush-Karakoram mountain ranges, detected mixed signatures expansion. Concordant assessments indicated two global populations, though we geographic differences between connectivity inferred data, respectively. Using largest sample size coverage date, demonstrate novel information on history leopards, corroborate existing interpretations recommend that conservation efforts incorporate define protect meaningful units their underlying diversity, maintain leopard’s adaptive potential continued resilience environmental changes.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
1
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024
The rapidly changing environments resulting from anthropogenic activities and climate change present challenges to biodiversity protection efforts. China, in its pursuit of sustainable economic growth urban development, grapple with the increasing challenge designating national protected areas for conservation a proactive ecologically effective manner. In this study, we collected occurrence data snow leopard (Panthera uncia), species high concern, A'nyamaqen Bortala China's Qinghai Xinjiang provinces, respectively. Using random forest analysis, conducted multi-scale habitat selection modeling quantify compared habitats between two sites. Three models were created utilizing either Qinghai, Xinjiang, or combination both sites, enabling investigation nonstationarity limiting factors different landscapes. Although there minor differences variable ranking optimal scales among models, they consistently indicated strong negative relationship proximity roads suitability at broader scales. These findings provide insights into spatially varying leading divergent realized niches parts their Chinese range. Understanding these context-dependent preferences is vital assessing impact infrastructure development on populations. Overall, study underscores importance understanding face environments. contribute ongoing efforts emphasize need adaptive approaches that address posed by environmental transformations. By integrating spatial analysis techniques, enhanced our ecology, strategies China beyond.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
1
Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 291, С. 110440 - 110440
Опубликована: Фев. 9, 2024
The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) has experienced dramatic range and population contractions over the last century. Conservation efforts for this felid focused on captive breeding identification of suitable conditions reintroductions. With study, we unravelled historical collaring direct observations data to understand spatial use leopards recorded in region Israel West Bank (IWB). Through datasets occurrence, characterised habitats, assessed niche overlap with leopard's main prey, Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana), evaluated their distributions respect currently protected habitats. We estimated home-ranges employing area-corrected density kernel methods investigated through multiple scales habitat modelling. Average home ranges were 73.24 ± 47.91 km2 77.46 54.94 km2, depending time lag adopted. Ecological response predictors highlighted reliance by both predator prey same characteristics, suggesting they occupied essentially identical niches. These characteristics intermediately rugged topographic high indices vegetation scarcely populated desert environments, mostly encompassed within areas. distribution overlapped substantially according several metrics. Notably, more than half potential species is areas military zones. Given coincidence ecological requirements, highly congruent distributions, an important step towards future reintroduction will include gaining a better understanding populations, alongside attention practicality enforcing protection.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024
ContextFew evaluations exist on the effectiveness of connectivity modelling methods for assessing landscape structure and genetic diversity relationships. It is crucial to broadly evaluate how these models perform across resistance, movement, population conditions in predicting patterns complex landscapes.ObjectivesOur goal was investigate different affect prediction spatial landscapes, considering factors such as structure, drift, disequilibrium, organism movement abilities.MethodsWe used CDPOP simulate various resistance surfaces examined capability popular methods, including Resistant Kernels, Circuitscape, Pathwalker, predict diversity.ResultsResistant Kernel outperformed other diversity. Agent-based simulations did not well explaining The strongest relationships occurred when process has created but hasn't yet led significant loss due drift. time lag disequilibrium relatively short. Long simulation times resulted severe reduction ability drift.ConclusionsResistant predictions were much more strongly related than produced by Circuitscape a large combination structures. Strong between functional diversity, with clearer stronger associations seen allelic richness compared heterozygosity or effective size.
Язык: Английский
Процитировано
0