Moonlight Avoidance Behavior in Leach's Storm-Petrels as a Defense against Slaty-Backed Gulls

The Auk ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Watanuki
Keyword(s):  
Predator Avoidance ◽  
Full Moon ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Nocturnal Activity ◽  
Oceanodroma Leucorhoa ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Reduced Activity ◽  
Moonlight Avoidance

Abstract Diurnal activity patterns of Leach's Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) and Slaty-backed Gulls (Larus schistisagus) were investigated. The petrels reduced activity in moonlight in May and June when the predation rate by gulls was relatively high. Petrel activity levels were inversely correlated with light intensities and the corresponding risk of predation by the gull. This suggests that nocturnal activity and moonlight avoidance by the petrel in its colony are an effective defense against diurnal predators. Activity synchronization of the petrel was most marked during the full moon, further supporting the predator-avoidance hypothesis.

scholarly journals Does Moonlight Increase Predation Risk for Elusive Mammals in Costa Rica?

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 194008292095240
Author(s):  
Ryan T. Botts ◽  
Amy A. Eppert ◽  
Timothy J. Wiegman ◽  
Steven R. Blankenship ◽  
Abner Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Night Vision ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
Nocturnal Activity ◽  
Related Activity ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Increased Risk

An increasing body of evidence indicates that moonlight influences the nocturnal activity patterns of tropical mammals, both predators and prey. One explanation is that brighter moonlight is associated with increased risk of predation (Predation Risk hypothesis), but it has also been proposed that nocturnal activity may be influenced by the sensory ecology of a species, with species that rely on visual detection of food and danger predicted to increase their activity during bright moonlight, while species relying on non-visual senses should decrease activity (Visual Acuity hypothesis). Lack of an objective measure of “visual acuity” has made this second hypothesis difficult to test, therefore we employed a novel approach to better understand the role of lunar illumination in driving activity patterns by using the tapetum lucidum as a proxy for “night vision” acuity. To test the alternative predictions, we analyzed a large dataset from our long-term camera trap study in Costa Rica using activity overlap, relative abundance, and circular statistical techniques. Mixed models explored the influence of illumination factors (moonrise/set, cloud cover, season) and night vision acuity (tapetum type) on nocturnal and lunar phase-related activity patterns. Our results support the underlying assumptions of the predation risk and visual acuity models, but indicate that neither can fully predict lunar-related activity patterns. With diurnal human “super predators” forcing a global increase in activity during the night by mammals, our findings can contribute to a better understanding of nocturnal activity patterns and the development of conservation approaches to mitigate forced temporal niche shifts.

Species-specific effects of moonlight on insectivorous bat activity in central Chile

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 1356-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana A Vásquez ◽  
Audrey A Grez ◽  
Annia Rodríguez-San Pedro
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Full Moon ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Tadarida Brasiliensis ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
New Moon ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Moonlight intensity influences the activity patterns of bats. Some bat species reduce their activity levels during brighter nights, a phenomenon known as “lunar phobia.” While lunar phobia of bats has been extensively studied in tropical regions, the same is not the case of bats in temperate regions. By using acoustic detectors, we examined differences in the activity of insectivorous bats on nights with different moonlight intensity in an agricultural landscape of central Chile. We also examined the hourly activity patterns throughout the night and how these varied between full and new moon nights. All bat species modified their activity based on the moonlight intensity; however, their effects were species-specific. The activity of Lasiurus varius, L. villosissimus, Myotis chiloensis, and Histiotus montanus was lower during bright nights, while Tadarida brasiliensis was the only species whose activity was higher during bright nights. Hourly activity throughout the night differed between full moon nights and new moon nights in most bat species. During full moon, bats concentrated their activities in the early hours of the nights; a more homogeneous activity pattern was exhibited during new moon night. Our study demonstrates that moonlight affects the activity of bats in Chile, a factor that should be considered when studying bats.

Circadian Activity Rhythms of Captive Heath Rats (Pseudomys shortridgei)

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 459
Author(s):  
Richard Woods ◽  
Gerard Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Nocturnal Activity ◽  
Infrared Sensors ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Natural Lighting ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
In Captivity

The activity rhythms of four male and four female heath rats (Pseudomys shortridgei) were monitored under natural lighting for 35 days. Activity was detected with passive infrared sensors and recorded on data loggers. Data down-loaded from the loggers were plotted as actograms on a line-printer. During the 35-day recording period, all heath rats showed a markedly nocturnal activity pattern, with 87·7% of activity occurring during the night. In all heath rats, activity levels increased markedly across the night. Activity was bimodally distributed, with the highest levels occurring just prior to dawn. However, a second smaller peak in activity occurred just after dusk. With increasing seasonal photoperiod, all heath rats showed a concomitant compression of nocturnal activity. Little difference was found between activity patterns of males and females. Male heath rats displayed 85·7% (s.d. 4·8%) of their activity at night while females showed 89·7% (s.d. 5·4%) of their activity at night. During the daylight hours, heath rats remained in their nest boxes and emerged on most days just prior to, or at, sunset. The pattern of activity observed in these captive heath rats appears to be more nocturnal than that of heath rats living under natural conditions. This difference may reflect the fact that, in captivity, food was available ad libitum and was of high quality. In the natural habitat, heath rats probably have to spend more time foraging, and food may be of poorer quality. The additional time spent foraging would extend activity into the daylight hours.

scholarly journals Novel approach to modeling high-frequency activity data to assess therapeutic effects of analgesics in chronic pain conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zekun Xu ◽  
Eric Laber ◽  
Ana-Maria Staicu ◽  
B. Duncan X. Lascelles
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
High Frequency Activity ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Chronic Pain Conditions

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition often associated with pain, affecting approximately fourteen percent of the population, and increasing in prevalence. A globally aging population have made treating OA-associated pain as well as maintaining mobility and activity a public health priority. OA affects all mammals, and the use of spontaneous animal models is one promising approach for improving translational pain research and the development of effective treatment strategies. Accelerometers are a common tool for collecting high-frequency activity data on animals to study the effects of treatment on pain related activity patterns. There has recently been increasing interest in their use to understand treatment effects in human pain conditions. However, activity patterns vary widely across subjects; furthermore, the effects of treatment may manifest in higher or lower activity counts or in subtler ways like changes in the frequency of certain types of activities. We use a zero inflated Poisson hidden semi-Markov model to characterize activity patterns and subsequently derive estimators of the treatment effect in terms of changes in activity levels or frequency of activity type. We demonstrate the application of our model, and its advance over traditional analysis methods, using data from a naturally occurring feline OA-associated pain model.

Do prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) change their activity and space use in response to domestic cat (Felis catus) excreta?

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Keane ◽  
Phillip J. Long ◽  
Yasmeen Fleifil ◽  
Nancy G. Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Space Use ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Microtus Ochrogaster ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Odor Cues ◽  
Risk Of Predation

AbstractBehavioral changes that reduce the risk of predation in response to predator-derived odor cues are widespread among mammalian taxa and have received a great deal of attention. Although voles of the genus Microtus are staples in the diet of many mammalian predators, including domestic cats (Felis catus), there are no previous studies on vole space utilization and activity levels in response to odor cues from domestic cats. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate responses of adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) living in semi-natural habitats to odor cues from domestic cat excreta. Contrary to expectations, neither adult males or females showed significant changes in space use or willingness to enter traps in response to cat odors. One hypothesis to explain our results are that prairie voles have not co-evolved with domestic cats long enough to respond to their odors. Other possible explanations include whether levels of odors in the environment were sufficient to trigger a response or that the perceived risk of predation from odor cues alone did not outweigh relative costs of changing space use and activity levels. Future studies should consider multiple factors when determining what cues are sufficient to elicit antipredatory behavior.

The effects of moonlight on nocturnal activity in bushy-tailed wood rats (Neotoma cinerea)

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G Topping ◽  
John S Millar ◽  
James A Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Light Level ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Nocturnal Activity ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Neotoma Cinerea ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Rocky Outcrops ◽  
Breeding Seasons

The nocturnal activity of bushy-tailed wood rats (Neotoma cinerea) was monitored for two breeding seasons (1993 and 1994) in the Canadian Rockies. Radiotelemetry was used under three levels of moonlight to assess two measures of nocturnal activity: (i) the proportion of animals crossing rocky outcrops and entering the surrounding forest to forage, search for mates, or both, and (ii) the distance moved from the den site while in the forest. Males and females exhibited significant differences among moonlight levels, with greater activity on nights of intermediate-level moonlight and less activity on nights with bright or dark moonlight. There was no difference in the proportions of males and females active at any moonlight level. The distances moved from the den did not differ among moonlight levels for either males or females. Having traversed the rocks and entered the forest, individuals moved similar distances regardless of light level. These results suggest that wood rats respond to moonlight only when making the decision to cross rocks and enter the forest. This behaviour presumably serves to counteract the increased risk of predation on bright nights.

Pedestrian Activity Among California Adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Mathews ◽  
Natalie Colabianchi ◽  
Brent Hutto ◽  
Delores M. Pluto ◽  
Steve P. Hooker
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Random Digit Dial

Background:The objectives of this study were to assess (1) pedestrian activity levels among adults, (2) where and why adults engage in pedestrian activity, and (3) what adults consider when deciding where to engage in pedestrian activity.Methods:Pedestrian activity was assessed in 12,036 California adults, ≥18 years, using a random digit-dial telephone survey.Results:Significant differences were identified by race, sex, age, and physical activity level in the type, location, and purpose of pedestrian activities. Men engage in pedestrian activity at work, and women engage in pedestrian activity while escorting children to school and running errands. Whites primarily engage in leisure-time pedestrian activity, and non-whites are more likely to engage in pedestrian activity for transportation. Older adults were less active than their younger counterparts.Conclusions:These findings should be considered by public health agencies and their partners as they continue to increase and promote opportunities for pedestrian activity. Additional research is needed to assess older adults’ physical activity patterns and preferences, barriers, and facilitators to effectively tailor physical activity promotion efforts to this at-risk group.

scholarly journals The Intricacies of Children’s Physical Activity

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A Brusseau
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Patterns ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
Before And After ◽  
School Recess ◽  
Physical Activity Programming ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

AbstractUnderstanding the physical activity patterns of youth is an essential step in preparing programming and interventions needed to change behavior. To date, little is known about the intricacies of youth physical activity across various physical activity segments (i.e. in school, out of school, recess, classroom physical activity, physical education, weekends, etc.). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the physical activity patterns of elementary school children across various segments and during two seasons. A total of 287 fourth and fifth graders from the Southwest US wore the Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer for 7 consecutive days during the Fall and Spring seasons. Children were prompted to record their step counts when arriving and leaving school, before and after physical education and recess, as well as on the weekends. Means and standard deviations were calculated and ANOVAs and t tests were utilized to examine difference by sex, season, and segment. Youth were more active outside of school and on weekdays (p<0.05). Boys were generally more active than girls and all youth were more active during the milder Spring season. There is a clear need for Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming and weekend physical activity opportunities. Furthermore, greater emphasis is needed on PE and across other activity segments for girls to increase their physical activity levels.

The active nightlife of diurnal birds: extraterritorial forays and nocturnal activity patterns

2014 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Ward ◽  
Mark Alessi ◽  
Thomas J. Benson ◽  
Scott J. Chiavacci
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Nocturnal Activity

scholarly journals Youth Physical Activity Patterns During School and Out-of-School Time

Children ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Saint-Maurice ◽  
Yang Bai ◽  
Spyridoula Vazou ◽  
Gregory Welk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Discrete Time ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
After School ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
School Students ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Out Of School

This study describes age, sex, and season patterns in children’s physical activity behaviors during discrete time periods, both in school and at home. Participants were 135 elementary, 67 middle, and 89 high-school students (128 boys and 163 girls) involved in a larger school activity monitoring project. We examined time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at recess, physical education (PE), lunch, commuting to/from school, before-school, after-school, evening, and weekend segments. Differences in MVPA by age, sex, and season were examined using a three-way analysis of variance and separately for each individual segment. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels varied by context and were higher during recess (15.4 ± 8.5 min) while at school, and on Saturdays (97.4 ± 89.5 min) when youth were out-of-school. Elementary children were more active than their older counterparts only during lunch time, after-school, and Sunday (p < 0.05). Boys were consistently more active than girls at all segments. Participants were only more active during non-winter than winter months during PE (p = 0.006), after-school (p < 0.001), and Sunday (p = 0.008) segments. These findings showed that activity levels in youth vary during the day and season. The segments reflect discrete time periods that can potentially be targeted and evaluated to promote physical activity in this population.

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