Timing and synchrony of activity in caribou

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 1999-2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie AK Maier ◽  
Robert G White
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Alaska Range ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Focal Animal ◽  
Limited Food ◽  
Free Ranging

Activity data were analyzed to assess activity patterns of caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti). We hypothesized that equal day and night activity, termed nychthemeral activity, would be expected if food constitutes a limiting resource for a highly gregarious species. To test this hypothesis, we investigated activity patterns of two caribou populations at the same latitude: one captive with no food limitation and the other wild and free-ranging in the Alaska Range in interior Alaska known to be at the end of a 3-year low plane of nutrition. For captive caribou, activity patterns were determined from focal-animal behavioural observations each month except May. Data were collected on wild caribou using activity-recording radio collars in each of three seasons: late winter, postcalving, and midsummer. Wild and captive caribou exhibited nychthemeral activity and did not time activity to sunrise or sunset. Wild caribou exhibited no among-group synchrony. Within-group synchrony was high in both herds. Wild caribou exhibited significantly fewer cycles of activity than captive caribou. Longer resting bouts in late winter, and longer active bouts postcalving and in midsummer for wild caribou, were interpreted as behavioural responses to ecological effects of limited food availability, with and without snow, and disturbance by insects.

Bridled Quail-dove Geotrygon mystacea population assessment after hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
FRANK F. RIVERA-MILÁN ◽  
HANNAH MADDEN ◽  
KEVIN VERDEL
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Detection Mode ◽  
Limited Food ◽  
Seed Eating ◽  
Free Ranging

Summary Structural vegetation damage and food limitation are important effects of major hurricanes, particularly for fruit/seed-eating, forest-dependent Caribbean birds with restricted distributions and small populations, such as the Bridled Quail-dove Geotrygon mystacea. Motivated by the lack of abundance estimates, corrected for detection probability, we conducted distance-sampling surveys inside and outside the Quill National Park each May in 2016-2019. Detection mode was the most important covariate, with others receiving no support from the data. Detectability of available single individuals and clusters of individuals within 60 m of transect centrelines averaged 0.957 ± 0.114 standard error for audio detections, 0.434 ± 0.052 for visual detections, and 0.693 ± 0.064 for detection modes combined. Availability averaged 0.475 ± 0.138 and the product of detectability and availability averaged 0.329 ± 0.098. Density averaged 1.459 ± 0.277 individuals ha-1 and population size averaged 642 ± 122 individuals in 440 ha. Density did not differ along and away from forest trails, but was higher inside than outside the park and at elevations within 201-400 m than 100-200 m and 401-600 m. Density declined by 76% after hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. We suggest that major hurricanes together with free-ranging livestock overgrazing degraded foraging habitats, limited food supply, and caused a population bottleneck. Our methodology can be implemented across the distribution range to assess population status and trends and evaluate the result of management actions at key conservation sites. Bridled Quail-dove populations probably were declining on most islands before the 2017 hurricanes and population status warrants revision.

scholarly journals Influence of diet on the morphology of the ruminal papillae in reindeer calves (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terje D. Josefsen ◽  
Tove H. Aagnes ◽  
Svein D. Mathiesen
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sample Site ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Free Ranging

The influence of diet on the morphology of reindeer ruminal papillae was investigated in 4 groups of 3 free-ranging reindeer calves at different seasons, and in 11 groups of 3 reindeer calves fed experimental diets. Length, cross-sectional perimeter and density (number/cm2) of the ruminal papillae were measured in 4 sample sites in the rumen wall, and the ruminal surface enlargement factor (SEF) was calculated at each sample site. The range of group means were 2.3 to 3.4 mm for overall papillary length (mean of the four sample sites), 2.2 to 3.5 mm for overall cross-sectional perimeter, 85 to 189 papillae/cm2 for overall papillar density and 5.8 to 18.6 for overall SEF. Differences between sample sites wete observed, atrium ruminis having the highest and caudodorsal blind sac the lowest SEF (25% over and 24% below overall value, respectively). The differences between sample sites were considered to be small, indicating a homogenous ruminal content. The SEF of free-ranging animals showed a seasonal pattern, with high overall SEF (18.6) in September (late summer) and lower overall SEF {9.1) in April (late winter). Groups fed timothy silage with low content of cellulose (18.7% of dry matter) showed highest overall SEFs of the fed animals (17.8 and 13.9), while groups fed timothy silage with high content of cellulose (30.4%' of dry matter) showed lowest overall SEFs (5.8 and 7.0), indicating low ability to ferment silage with high content of cellulose. The SEF in animals fed experimental diets seemed partly to be influenced by SEF at the beginning of the feeding period.

Female Activity Profile of a Polygynous Lizard (Anolis Carolinensis): Evidence of Intersexual Asymmetry

Behaviour ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 134 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 205-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven C. Nunez ◽  
Thomas A. Jenssen ◽  
Kasey Ersland
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Anolis Carolinensis ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Activity Profile ◽  
Focal Animal ◽  
Visual Signalling ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Free Ranging

Abstract1. The activity profile of free-ranging individuals should reflect how females and males are optimizing their respective reproductive efforts. By using the polygynous, sexually dimorphic lizard, Anolis carolinensis, we expected to find an example of pronounced intersexual asymmetry in daily activity patterns. 2. In contrast to males who should focus on blocking consexual access to resident females, we expected females to strategically facilitate egg production by minimizing conspicuous and unnecessary behavior, while feeding frequently from a defended food resource optimal to their needs. 3. During a 56 day period, we made a 90 h record of focal animal observations on 22 unmanipulated, reproductive females; then we compared this activity profile to a known profile for males. We found the following. 4. Females were 1.6 times more stationary (82% of day), moved 1/7th the distance (< 40 m/day), displayed at 1/8th the overall rate (< 14 displays/h), and used < 1/35th the number of displays in non-directed advertisement (1.6 displays/h) as males. 5. Females spent 1/30th the time (0.3% of day) in overt defense of territories 1/9th the volume (8 m3) as males. 6. However, both females and males had equivalent feeding rates (1.2 times/h), suggesting that the energetic needs of female egg production and male territorial maintenance are comparable. 7. The small, lightly defended territories and low feeding rates of females (along with their reptilian metabolism and insectivorous diet) indicate that females have a wide latitude in which to meet their energetic costs. 8. As expected, the proportion of intersexual contacts was similar between female and male profiles. Courtship and copulations occupied 3.2% and 3.9% of the females' day, respectively, with copula averaging 26 min in duration. 9. In a female activity profile which de-emphasized conspicuousness, we found little evidence for a pheromone-based alternative to visual signalling. 10. Predation, as an immediate threat to lizard activities, was not seen during three months of observations. We noted only four instances of avoidance behavior.

Comparative body composition strategies of breeding and nonbreeding female caribou

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 1901-1907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann C. Allaye Chan-McLeod ◽  
Robert G White ◽  
Don E Russell
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Fat Deposition ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Protein Deposition ◽  
Protein Mass ◽  
Free Ranging

We evaluated the effects of season and reproductive status on body fat and body protein masses of free-ranging female barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti). Body fat mass fluctuated markedly during the year (by a factor of at least 2) in both reproductive classes, but whereas maximum fatness occurred in autumn (September-November) in nonbreeding females, it did not occur until late winter (March-April) in breeding females. Seasonal changes in dry body protein mass were relatively modest, with annual maxima averaging only 31-43% higher than annual minima. Moreover, seasonal differences between the reproductive classes were not significant except in November-December. Absolute fat deposition by both breeding and nonbreeding females was highest in summer, though fat deposition increased relative to protein deposition in autumn. Between June and September, the primary deposition of body protein in breeding females contrasted with the primary deposition of body fat in nonbreeding females. As a result, breeding females were highly compromised in their fat deposition but not in their protein deposition, which approximated levels in nonlactating females. Differences in body composition between breeding and nonbreeding females were highest in autumn and lowest in early spring because of divergence in summer and convergence in winter.

Late-winter activity patterns of moose (Alces alces gigas) in western Alaska

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Gillingham ◽  
David R. Klein
Keyword(s):  
Alces Alces ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Time Budgets ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Winter Activity ◽  
Gravel Bars ◽  
Alces Alces Gigas ◽  
Free Ranging

Activity patterns of free-ranging moose (Alces alces gigas) on the central Seward Peninsula were polyphasic but not highly synchronized among individuals from March through May 1987. Female–calf pairs, however, showed nearly identical activity patterns (92.6% of 2353 five-minute scans). Based on data collected between 06:00 and 24:00, we estimate that moose exhibit ~5 or 6 active bouts per 24-h period. Our direct observations of moose (980 moose-h) showed that moose were active 57.2% of the time from 06:00 to 24:00. Inactive bouts lasted ~2.5 times longer than active bouts. Calves tended to lie for longer [Formula: see text] than adult females (143.1 ± 15.5 min) or males (109.0 ± 17.9 min). Time budgets for moose in late winter were intermediate between values reported in previous studies for moose in midwinter and late spring. Our data showed that moose spend much more time walking (8%) than previously reported. We think this reflects their use of the snow-packed river and gravel bars as movement and feeding corridors. Direct observations of moose showed that many active and inactive bouts were less than 10 min in duration; these bouts are not detected by most telemetric systems. We also present evidence that without predation in winter, ambient conditions (e.g., operative temperature) may cause synchrony in the activity patterns of individual moose in northwestern Alaska.

Platypus Activity Areas and Patterns in a Sub-Alpine Tasmanian Lake System.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
H.M. Otley ◽  
S.A. Munks ◽  
M.A. Hindell
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Kernel Analysis ◽  
Lake System ◽  
Foraging Area ◽  
Portable Radio ◽  
Yagi Antenna ◽  
North Western ◽  
Activity Areas

The seasonal activity patterns and habitat usage of platypuses were examined in Lake Lea, a sub-alpine lake system in north western Tasmania. Activity data were collected by radio tracking individuals for one 24 hour period (in two 12 hour blocks) using a portable radio-receiver and 3-element Yagi antenna. In addition, the location of other individuals was recorded periodically during the 24 hour period. Information collected so far for ten individuals during late winter and mid spring will be presented. Preliminary analysis suggests that a high proportion of the population may be diurnally active. Out of five adult platypuses tracked during late winter, three were predominantly diurnally active and only two were nocturnal. Day-active individuals emerged from burrows between 0530 and 0700 and returned before 1930, thus foraging for at least 13.5 hours per day. Nocturnal individuals emerged between 1730 and 1900, foraged for approximately 12.5 hours and returned between 0600 and 0700. Mean dive times of three day-active individuals were between 29 and 34 seconds, with an intervening surface period of between 12 and 20 seconds. Maximum foraging area of three individuals were between 14 and 30 hectares (95% isopleth, Kernel analysis).

scholarly journals Derivation of Time-Activity Data Using Wearable Cameras and Measures of Personal Inhalation Exposure among Workers at an Informal Electronic-Waste Recovery Site in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 829-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoey Laskaris ◽  
Chad Milando ◽  
Stuart Batterman ◽  
Bhramar Mukherjee ◽  
Niladri Basu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Waste ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Kappa Statistic ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
World Health ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Waste Recovery ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Wearable Cameras

Abstract Objectives Approximately 2 billion workers globally are employed in informal settings, which are characterized by substantial risk from hazardous exposures and varying job tasks and schedules. Existing methods for identifying occupational hazards must be adapted for unregulated and challenging work environments. We designed and applied a method for objectively deriving time-activity patterns from wearable camera data and matched images with continuous measurements of personal inhalation exposure to size-specific particulate matter (PM) among workers at an informal electronic-waste (e-waste) recovery site. Methods One hundred and forty-two workers at the Agbogbloshie e-waste site in Accra, Ghana, wore sampling backpacks equipped with wearable cameras and real-time particle monitors during a total of 171 shifts. Self-reported recall of time-activity (30-min resolution) was collected during the end of shift interviews. Images (N = 35,588) and simultaneously measured PM2.5 were collected each minute and processed to identify activities established through worker interviews, observation, and existing literature. Descriptive statistics were generated for activity types, frequencies, and associated PM2.5 exposures. A kappa statistic measured agreement between self-reported and image-based time-activity data. Results Based on image-based time-activity patterns, workers primarily dismantled, sorted/loaded, burned, and transported e-waste materials for metal recovery with high variability in activity duration. Image-based and self-reported time-activity data had poor agreement (kappa = 0.17). Most measured exposures (90%) exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) 24-h ambient PM2.5 target of 25 µg m−3. The average on-site PM2.5 was 81 µg m−3 (SD: 94). PM2.5 levels were highest during burning, sorting/loading and dismantling (203, 89, 83 µg m−3, respectively). PM2.5 exposure during long periods of non-work-related activities also exceeded the WHO standard in 88% of measured data. Conclusions In complex, informal work environments, wearable cameras can improve occupational exposure assessments and, in conjunction with monitoring equipment, identify activities associated with high exposures to workplace hazards by providing high-resolution time-activity data.

279 WACSAW: A Statistical and Individually Adaptive Method to Determine Sleep and Wakefulness from Activity

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A111-A112
Author(s):  
Austin Vandegriffe ◽  
V A Samaranayake ◽  
Matthew Thimgan
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Optimal Transport ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Adaptive Method ◽  
Wasserstein Distance ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Commercial Grade ◽  
Movement Data ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Levene Test

Abstract Introduction Technological innovations have broadened the type and amount of activity data that can be captured in the home and under normal living conditions. Yet, converting naturalistic activity patterns into sleep and wakefulness states has remained a challenge. Despite the successes of current algorithms, they do not fill all actigraphy needs. We have developed a novel statistical approach to determine sleep and wakefulness times, called the Wasserstein Algorithm for Classifying Sleep and Wakefulness (WACSAW), and validated the algorithm in a small cohort of healthy participants. Methods WACSAW functional routines: 1) Conversion of the triaxial movement data into a univariate time series; 2) Construction of a Wasserstein weighted sum (WSS) time series by measuring the Wasserstein distance between equidistant distributions of movement data before and after the time-point of interest; 3) Segmenting the time series by identifying changepoints based on the behavior of the WSS series; 4) Merging segments deemed similar by the Levene test; 5) Comparing segments by optimal transport methodology to determine the difference from a flat, invariant distribution at zero. The resulting histogram can be used to determine sleep and wakefulness parameters around a threshold determined for each individual based on histogram properties. To validate the algorithm, participants wore the GENEActiv and a commercial grade actigraphy watch for 48 hours. The accuracy of WACSAW was compared to a detailed activity log and benchmarked against the results of the output from commercial wrist actigraph. Results WACSAW performed with an average accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of &gt;95% compared to detailed activity logs in 10 healthy-sleeping individuals of mixed sexes and ages. We then compared WACSAW’s performance against a common wrist-worn, commercial sleep monitor. WACSAW outperformed the commercial grade system in each participant compared to activity logs and the variability between subjects was cut substantially. Conclusion The performance of WACSAW demonstrates good results in a small test cohort. In addition, WACSAW is 1) open-source, 2) individually adaptive, 3) indicates individual reliability, 4) based on the activity data stream, and 5) requires little human intervention. WACSAW is worthy of validating against polysomnography and in patients with sleep disorders to determine its overall effectiveness. Support (if any):

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.

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