scholarly journals Variation in winter site fidelity within and among individuals influences movement behavior in a partially migratory ungulate

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0258128
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Fullman ◽  
Brian T. Person ◽  
Alexander K. Prichard ◽  
Lincoln S. Parrett
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
First Passage Time ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Movement Trajectories ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
Wintering Area

Many animals migrate to take advantage of temporal and spatial variability in resources. These benefits are offset with costs like increased energetic expenditure and travel through unfamiliar areas. Differences in the cost-benefit ratio for individuals may lead to partial migration with one portion of a population migrating while another does not. We investigated migration dynamics and winter site fidelity for a long-distance partial migrant, barren ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) of the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd in northern Alaska. We used GPS telemetry for 76 female caribou over 164 annual movement trajectories to identify timing and location of migration and winter use, proportion of migrants, and fidelity to different herd wintering areas. We found within-individual variation in movement behavior and wintering area use by the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd, adding caribou to the growing list of ungulates that can exhibit migratory plasticity. Using a first passage time–net squared displacement approach, we classified 78.7% of annual movement paths as migration, 11.6% as residency, and 9.8% as another strategy. Timing and distance of migration varied by season and wintering area. Duration of migration was longer for fall migration than for spring, which may relate to the latter featuring more directed movement. Caribou utilized four wintering areas, with multiple areas used each year. This variation occurred not just among different individuals, but state sequence analyses indicated low fidelity of individuals to wintering areas among years. Variability in movement behavior can have fitness consequences. As caribou face the pressures of a rapidly warming Arctic and ongoing human development and activities, further research is needed to investigate what factors influence this diversity of behaviors in Alaska and across the circumpolar Arctic.

scholarly journals Movements of boreal caribou in the James Bay lowlands

Rangifer ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 63-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E. Hazell ◽  
Mark E. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
James Bay ◽  
Daily Movement ◽  
Gps Collars ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
James Bay Lowlands

Little is known about the movements and home range of boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in the James Bay lowlands, northern Ontario. Our preliminary study involves the use of GPS collars with Argos satellite system uplink to monitor movements of caribou and 10 animals were collared in December 2004. Animals appeared to have reduced rates of daily movement starting approximately in mid to late December and stretching until late February. Similarly, most animals appeared to have very reduced rates of movement from the beginning of May to the end of June indicating that this is their calving period (includes both parturition as well as the period immediately after parturition). Thus the over-wintering range was assumed to be where the animals were from mid-December to late February and the calving range was defined as the area they were in from the beginning of May to the end of June. Individual home-ranges were typically large, the mean 90% kernel home range for 2004 - 2007 was 41 579 km2. Over wintering areas and calving areas were small when compared to annual home-range size and reflect the reduced rates of movement during these time periods. Female caribou show site fidelity to calving grounds, using the same core areas year after year. However, the same level of site fidelity was not observed in over-wintering areas. The caribou in the James Bay lowlands display behaviours that are characteristic of both the forest-tundra and forest-forest ecotypes which may warrant the reconsideration of the validity of proposed ecotypes with respect to protection under species-at-risk legislation.

scholarly journals Movement syndromes of a Neotropical frugivorous bat inhabiting heterogeneous landscapes in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Kerches-Rogeri ◽  
Danielle Leal Ramos ◽  
Jukka Siren ◽  
Beatriz de Oliveira Teles ◽  
Rafael Souza Cruz Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Movement Activity ◽  
Landscape Features ◽  
Heterogeneous Landscapes ◽  
Movement Data ◽  
High Site

Abstract Background There is growing evidence that individuals within populations can vary in both habitat use and movement behavior, but it is still not clear how these two relate to each other. The aim of this study was to test if and how individual bats in a Stunira lilium population differ in their movement activity and preferences for landscape features in a correlated manner. Methods We collected data on movements of 27 individuals using radio telemetry. We fitted a heterogeneous-space diffusion model to the movement data in order to evaluate signals of movement variation among individuals. Results S. lilium individuals generally preferred open habitat with Solanum fruits, regularly switched between forest and open areas, and showed high site fidelity. Movement variation among individuals could be summarized in four movement syndromes: (1) average individuals, (2) forest specialists, (3) explorers which prefer Piper, and (4) open area specialists which prefer Solanum and Cecropia. Conclusions Individual preferences for landscape features plus food resource and movement activity were correlated, resulting in different movement syndromes. Individual variation in preferences for landscape elements and food resources highlight the importance of incorporating explicitly the interaction between landscape structure and individual heterogeneity in descriptions of animal movement.

scholarly journals Scaling up ideals to freedom: are densities of red knots across western Europe consistent with ideal free distribution?

2011 ◽  
Vol 278 (1719) ◽  
pp. 2728-2736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwenaël Quaintenne ◽  
Jan A. van Gils ◽  
Pierrick Bocher ◽  
Anne Dekinga ◽  
Theunis Piersma
Keyword(s):  
Uniform Distribution ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Ideal Free Distribution ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Free Distribution ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
Wintering Area ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Local studies have shown that the distribution of red knots Calidris canutus across intertidal mudflats is consistent with the predictions of an ideal distribution, but not a free distribution. Here, we scale up the study of feeding distributions to their entire wintering area in western Europe. Densities of red knots were compared among seven wintering sites in The Netherlands, UK and France, where the available mollusc food stocks were also measured and from where diets were known. We tested between three different distribution models that respectively assumed (i) a uniform distribution of red knots over all areas, (ii) a uniform distribution across all suitable habitat (based on threshold densities of harvestable mollusc prey), and (iii) an ideal and free distribution (IFD) across all suitable habitats. Red knots were not homogeneously distributed across the different European wintering areas, also not when considering suitable habitats only. Their distribution was best explained by the IFD model, suggesting that the birds are exposed to interference and have good knowledge about their resource landscape at the spatial scale of NW Europe, and that the costs of movement between estuaries, at least when averaged over a whole winter, are negligible.

First Satellite Telemetry Study of Movement Behavior of Juvenile Golden Eagles from Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lizardo Cruz-Romo ◽  
Martin Sánchez-Vilchis ◽  
Víctor Sánchez-Cordero ◽  
Robert K. Murphy ◽  
Ismael Cruz-Molina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Selection ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
First Year ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Total Distance ◽  
Golden Eagles ◽  
First Year Of Life

ABSTRACT The southern limit of the Golden Eagle's (Aquila chrysaetos) breeding range in North America is Mexico, where the eagle is the national symbol yet designated as a threatened, high priority species for conservation action. Movement information needed for conserving Mexico's Golden Eagles is sparse; knowledge of dispersal from natal areas is essential to understand the eagle's ecology and help provide for its management. Using satellite telemetry data, we analyzed movements of three males and one female from central Mexico during their first year of life; we documented (1) timing and distance of initial dispersal movements, (2) total distance traveled and maximum distance from natal site by month of age following fledging, and (3) size of areas (based on 95% adaptive local convex hulls) across which eagles ranged following initial dispersal. Individual eagles dispersed from their natal areas between mid-September and mid-November, at 6–8 mo of age. Monthly total distance traveled by males reached approximately 350–1350 km at 8–11 mo; the female's peak monthly travel was 3000 km, at age 7 mo. Monthly proximity to natal sites by individuals at ages 8–12 mo was relatively constant, averaging 17.9 km (SD = 5.7) to 129.1 km (SD = 11.3). After dispersal, the monthly ranging areas overall increased during the first year of life for all eagles, especially the female, due mainly to multiple long-distance excursions. Our data suggest that movement behavior of juvenile Golden Eagles from Mexico is mostly similar to that of conspecifics from nonmigratory populations elsewhere. Our study may help serve as a foundation for future work to better understand movement dynamics and resource selection by Mexico's Golden Eagles.

scholarly journals Horizontal-vertical movement relationships: Adélie penguins forage continuously throughout provisioning trips

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Javed Riaz ◽  
Sophie Bestley ◽  
Simon Wotherspoon ◽  
Louise Emmerson
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Vertical Movement ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Vertical Movements ◽  
Movement Trajectories ◽  
Adélie Penguins

Abstract Background Diving marine predators forage in a three-dimensional environment, adjusting their horizontal and vertical movement behaviour in response to environmental conditions and the spatial distribution of prey. Expectations regarding horizontal-vertical movements are derived from optimal foraging theories, however, inconsistent empirical findings across a range of taxa suggests these behavioural assumptions are not universally applicable. Methods Here, we examined how changes in horizontal movement trajectories corresponded with diving behaviour and marine environmental conditions for a ubiquitous Southern Ocean predator, the Adélie penguin. Integrating extensive telemetry-based movement and environmental datasets for chick-rearing Adélie penguins at Béchervaise Island, we tested the relationships between horizontal move persistence (continuous scale indicating low [‘resident’] to high [‘directed’] movement autocorrelation), vertical dive effort and environmental variables. Results Penguins dived continuously over the course of their foraging trips and lower horizontal move persistence corresponded with less intense foraging activity, likely indicative of resting behaviour. This challenges the traditional interpretation of horizontal-vertical movement relationships based on optimal foraging models, which assumes increased residency within an area translates to increased foraging activity. Movement was also influenced by different environmental conditions during the two stages of chick-rearing: guard and crèche. These differences highlight the strong seasonality of foraging habitat for chick-rearing Adélie penguins at Béchervaise Island. Conclusions Our findings advance our understanding of the foraging behaviour for this marine predator and demonstrates the importance of integrating spatial location and behavioural data before inferring habitat use.

scholarly journals A periodic Markov model to formalize animal migration on a network

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 180438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Kölzsch ◽  
Erik Kleyheeg ◽  
Helmut Kruckenberg ◽  
Michael Kaatz ◽  
Bernd Blasius
Keyword(s):  
Markov Model ◽  
Network Flow ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Complex Model ◽  
Transition Rates ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Animal Migration

Regular, long-distance migrations of thousands of animal species have consequences for the ecosystems that they visit, modifying trophic interactions and transporting many non-pathogenic and pathogenic organisms. The spatial structure and dynamic properties of animal migrations and population flyways largely determine those trophic and transport effects, but are yet poorly studied. As a basis, we propose a periodic Markov model on the spatial migration network of breeding, stopover and wintering sites to formally describe the process of animal migration on the population level. From seasonally changing transition rates we derived stable, seasonal densities of animals at the network nodes. We parametrized the model with high-quality GPS and satellite telemetry tracks of white storks ( Ciconia ciconia ) and greater white-fronted geese ( Anser a. albifrons ). Topological and network flow properties of the two derived networks conform to migration properties like seasonally changing connectivity and shared, directed movement. Thus, the model realistically describes the migration movement of complete populations and can become an important tool to study the effects of climate and habitat change and pathogen spread on migratory animals. Furthermore, the property of periodically changing transition rates makes it a new type of complex model and we need to understand its dynamic properties.

scholarly journals Observations of Long-distance Post-release Dispersal by Reintroduced Bison (Bison bison)

2018 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S. Jung ◽  
Nicholas C. Larter
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Initial Population ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Straight Line Distance

Key objectives of wildlife reintroduction projects should include encouraging post-release site fidelity and high survival rates of founding individuals. Yet, few studies empirically evaluate these performance metrics for released individuals. Bison(Bison bison) restoration is receiving renewed interest by wildlife managers. To inform new bison reintroduction projects, we provide an observation of a 375-km (straight-line distance) post-release movement of three bison bulls from a release site in Yukon, Canada, in 1988. In addition, we note 250-km and 155-km post-release movements of bison in the Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1980 and 1998, respectively. These observations demonstrate the dispersal ability of bison encountering new environments. Wildlife managers planning for new bison reintroductions should consider means to enhance post-release site fidelity to limit long-distance dispersal and mortality and maximize initial population growth.

Are we underestimating the threat to Australia’s migratory land birds?

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh A Ford
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
The South ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Wintering Grounds ◽  
Limited Knowledge ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Near Threatened

Few migratory land birds in Australia are currently regarded as threatened or near threatened. In contrast, many of Australia’s migratory seabirds and shorebirds are threatened or near threatened, with most of the latter being added over the last two decades. Furthermore, many long-distance migratory land birds that breed in North America and Europe have experienced major declines, probably due to threats in their breeding or wintering grounds or both. I suggest that knowledge of our migratory land birds is limited, and almost non-existent outside their breeding areas. Some are already declining and I predict that others will decline in the near future. The priority now is to increase our knowledge of the locations of major wintering areas in northern Australia of land birds that breed in the south, and to study their ecology and behaviour outside the breeding season. We also have limited knowledge of how migrants in Australia prepare physiologically and behaviourally for migration. If they migrate in large hops, then we need to find and protect departure, refuelling and arrival sites.

scholarly journals Use of stable isotopes (δ2H, δ13C and δ15N) to infer the migratory connectivity of Terek Sandpipers (Xenus cinereus) at stopover sites in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
Young-Min Moon ◽  
Kwanmok Kim ◽  
Jinhan Kim ◽  
Hwajung Kim ◽  
Jeong-Chil Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Migratory Connectivity ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Stopover Sites ◽  
Wintering Areas

Stable isotopes are well documented as effective intrinsic markers to infer migratory connectivity which provides key information for establishing an effective conservation strategy in migratory birds. However, there are few studies using stable isotopes that have been applied to long-distance migratory shorebirds globally and such studies are especially scarce along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. We used stable isotope analysis (δ2H, δ13C and δ15N) to infer breeding and wintering areas and examine the differences in those values among populations of Terek Sandpipers ( Xenus cinereus) at stopover sites in South Korea. The range of δ2H in feathers sampled from birds caught in the Korean peninsula at spring and autumn migration stopover sites was consistent with them being grown at sites throughout their flyway as confirmed by leg flag resightings of birds on this flyway. The eastern Siberia region from Yakutsk to Norilsk and Chukotka in Russia was inferred as the most probable breeding area of the population. Papua New Guinea in the Melanesia region, Malaysia and Indonesia were identified as the most probable wintering areas. Isotope values of populations at different stopover sites and different seasons were consistent. These results suggest that stable isotopes can be effectively used alongside other existing methods (e.g. ringing, coloured leg flags, light level geolocation, satellite tag telemetry) to infer the migratory connectivity for long-distance migratory shorebird species that occur over many countries and continents.

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