scholarly journals Bigger doesn’t mean bolder: Behavioral variation of four wild rodent species to novelty and predation risk following a fast-slow continuum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Nicholas Best ◽  
Pei-Jen Lee Shaner ◽  
Hsuan-Yi Lo ◽  
Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei ◽  
Chi-Chien Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Behavioral Variation ◽  
Defensive Behaviors ◽  
Leopard Cat ◽  
Prionailurus Bengalensis ◽  
Experimental Trials

Abstract Background: Understanding how wild species respond to novel situations with associated risk can provide valuable insights for inter-specific behavioral variation and associations with pace-of-life (POL). Rodents, a globally distributed and diverse taxonomic group, have been the subjects of countless studies emulating risky situations. Controlled laboratory experiments with a focus on wild-caught species provide the opportunity to test fine-scale behavioral responses to contexts of risk with ecological implications. For example, assessing the importance of predator cues eliciting antipredator responses, as well as whether wild rodents embody behavioral plasticity and repertoires, illustrated by habituation and variation in behavioral traits, respectively. Results: In this comparative study, we examined multiple behavioral responses of four rodent species in eastern Taiwan (three native species Mus caroli, Apodemus agrarius, Rattus losea, and one invasive, Rattus exulans) exposed to an unfamiliar microenvironment and novel cue from an allopatric predator, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). All wild-caught animals were subjected to two consecutive nights of experimental trials in a laboratory setting. Behavioral responses to a novel situation during the first trial differed between species; smaller species investing more time in non-defensive behaviors compared to the larger species. More specifically, the smaller species M. caroli and A. agrarius allocated more time to exploration and foraging, whereas the larger rat species R. exulans and R. losea spent more time motionless or concealing. During the second trial, the addition of leopard cat cues did not elicit antipredator behaviors, but rather, rodents were found to exhibit increased non-defensive behaviors, specifically foraging efforts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that these four species do largely follow a behavioral fast-slow continuum with the two smaller mice species demonstrating increased boldness in a novel context compared to the larger rat species. Also, the wild populations of rodents in eastern Taiwan may be naïve to leopard cats. Finally, the rodents in our study demonstrated habituation to the microenvironment, indicating they possess adaptive capacity.

scholarly journals Bigger doesn’t mean bolder: behavioral variation of four wild rodent species to novelty and predation risk following a fast-slow continuum

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Nicholas Best ◽  
Pei-Jen Lee Shaner ◽  
Hsuan-Yi Lo ◽  
Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei ◽  
Chi-Chien Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Behavioral Variation ◽  
Defensive Behaviors ◽  
Leopard Cat ◽  
Prionailurus Bengalensis ◽  
Experimental Trials

Abstract Background Understanding how wild species respond to novel situations with associated risk can provide valuable insights for inter-specific behavioral variation and associations with pace-of-life (POL). Rodents, a globally distributed and diverse taxonomic group, have been the subjects of countless studies emulating risky situations. Controlled laboratory experiments with a focus on wild-caught species provide the opportunity to test fine-scale behavioral responses to contexts of risk with ecological implications. For example, assessing the importance of predator cues eliciting antipredator responses, as well as whether wild rodents embody behavioral plasticity and repertoires, illustrated by habituation and variation in behavioral traits, respectively. Results In this comparative study, we examined multiple behavioral responses of four rodent species in eastern Taiwan (three native species Mus caroli, Apodemus agrarius, Rattus losea, and one invasive, Rattus exulans) exposed to an unfamiliar microenvironment and novel cue from an allopatric predator, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). All wild-caught animals were subjected to two consecutive nights of experimental trials in a laboratory setting. Behavioral responses to a novel situation during the first trial differed between species; smaller species investing more time in non-defensive behaviors compared to the larger species. More specifically, the smaller species M. caroli and A. agrarius allocated more time to exploration and foraging, whereas the larger rat species R. exulans and R. losea spent more time motionless or concealing. During the second trial, the addition of leopard cat cues did not elicit antipredator behaviors, but rather, rodents were found to exhibit increased non-defensive behaviors, specifically foraging efforts. Conclusions Our results suggest that these four species do largely follow a behavioral fast-slow continuum with the two smaller mice species demonstrating increased boldness in a novel context compared to the larger rat species. Also, the wild populations of rodents in eastern Taiwan may be naïve to leopard cats. Finally, the rodents in our study demonstrated habituation to the microenvironment, indicating they possess adaptive capacity.

scholarly journals Bigger Doesn’t Mean Bolder: Testing the Pace-of-Life Syndrome Hypothesis of Four Wild Rodent Species to Novelty and Predation Risk

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Nicholas Best ◽  
Pei-Jen Lee Shaner ◽  
Hsuan-Yi Lo ◽  
Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei ◽  
Chi-Chien Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Pace Of Life ◽  
Mus Caroli ◽  
Defensive Behaviors ◽  
Leopard Cat ◽  
Prionailurus Bengalensis ◽  
Experimental Trials

Abstract Background: Rodents, a globally distributed and diverse taxonomic group, have been the subjects of countless studies emulating risky situations. In controlled laboratory experiments the majority of focus has been on captive-bred rodents, whereas far less attention has been paid to their wild counterparts. Understanding how wild species respond to novel situations with associated risk can provide valuable information toward the pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis; if their behaviors are associated with a fast-slow continuum of life history. Additionally, whether wild populations of rodents embody adaptive capacity and behavioral repertoires, illustrated by habituation and variation in behavioral traits, respectively. Results: In this comparative study, we examined multiple behavioral responses of three native rodent species Mus caroli, Apodemus agrarius, Rattus losea, and one invasive, Rattus exulans, exposed to an unfamiliar microenvironment and novel cue from an allopatric predator, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). All animals were captured and tested in a laboratory setting in Hualien County, Eastern Taiwan and subject to two consecutive nights of experimental trials. Behavioral responses to a novel situation during the first trial differed between species following the predictions of the pace-of-life syndrome; smaller species investing more time in non-defensive behaviors compared to the larger species. More specifically, the smaller species M. caroli and A. agrarius allocated more time to exploration and foraging, whereas the larger rat species R. exulans and R. losea spent more time motionless or concealing. During the second trial, leopard cat cues did not elicit antipredator behaviors, but rather, rodents were found to have opposing responses with increased non-defensive behaviors, specifically foraging efforts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that these four species do largely adhere to the pace-of-life syndrome with the two smaller mice species demonstrating increased boldness in a novel context compared to the larger rat species. Also, the wild populations of rodents in Eastern Taiwan may be naïve to leopard cats. Finally, the rodents in our study demonstrated habituation to the microenvironment, indicating they possess adaptive capacity.

scholarly journals Camera trap survey of mammals in Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 14631-14642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paris N. Marler ◽  
Solomon Calago ◽  
Mélanie Ragon ◽  
Lyca Sandrea G Castro
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Critical Habitat ◽  
Palm Civet ◽  
Leopard Cat ◽  
Prionailurus Bengalensis ◽  
Viverra Tangalunga ◽  
Latrine Site

A camera trap survey was conducted in the recently protected Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat (CNCH) in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines from February to May 2015 at 39 camera trap sites.  A bait of common pig’s blood was used at 36 sites, while the three remaining sites were surveyed without a bait and monitored a stream with a latrine site or mud bath with tracks.  Seven native species were detected and three of these species were endemic to the island province.  Species included: Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus philippinensis, Palawan Porcupine Hystrix pumila, Collared Mongoose Urva semitorquata, Palawan Stink Badger Mydaus marchei, Palawan Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis heaneyi, Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus, and Malay Civet Viverra tangalunga.  Analysis of the activity patterns of the three most commonly captured species revealed predominantly nocturnal activity for the Common Palm Civet, Palawan Porcupine, and Palawan Stink Badger.  The Philippine Palm Civet showed occasional diurnal activity.  The seven photo-captured species appeared most common, or were at the least recorded, below 750m.  Five species (the Philippine Palm Civet, Palawan Porcupine, Collared Mongoose, Palawan Stink Badger, and Palawan Leopard Cat) were also recorded above 1000m.  The CNCH supports two threatened species, the Palawan Porcupine and the Asian Small-clawed Otter, which are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, and the Collared Mongoose is listed as Near Threatened.  The Palawan Leopard Cat is considered Vulnerable within the Philippines, although it has yet to be assessed by the IUCN.  This documentation highlights the biodiversity significance within the newly protected critical habitat and the need to support ongoing conservation efforts within the critical habitat.   

scholarly journals Camera trap records of Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) from Papikonda National Park, northern Eastern Ghats, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 8818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Aditya ◽  
Thyagarajan Ganesh
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Present Note ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Leopard Cat ◽  
Prionailurus Bengalensis

The genus Prionailurus consists of forest dwelling spotted cats ranging across most of India (Sunquist and Sunquist 2002, Menon 2003). Few studies have been done on their presence and distribution across the Eastern Ghats. The present note reports the first camera trap records of the Leopard Cat Prionailurus benghalensis Kerr, 1792 and Rusty Spotted Cat, Prionailurus rubiginosus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831 from the Papikonda National Park, situated in the northern Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. 

scholarly journals Genetic Characterization of Feline Parvovirus Isolate Fe–P2 in Korean Cat and Serological Evidence on Its Infection in Wild Leopard Cat and Asian Badger

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Ji Kim ◽  
Sun-Woo Yoon ◽  
Jin Ho Jang ◽  
Dae Gwin Jeong ◽  
Beom Jun Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Sequence ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Raccoon Dog ◽  
Serological Evidence ◽  
Eurasian Otter ◽  
Animal Rescue ◽  
Feline Parvovirus ◽  
Leopard Cat ◽  
Prionailurus Bengalensis ◽  
Stray Cat

Feline parvovirus (FPV) is a small, non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA virus that infects cats. We recently isolated a feline parvovirus Fe–P2 strain from a dead stray cat in Iksan, 2017. Its partial genomic sequence (4,643 bases) was obtained, and phylogenetic analysis based on the VP2 nucleotide sequence showed that the FPV Fe-P2 strain was closely related to the FPV isolate Gigucheon in cat, 2017 (MN400978). In addition, we performed a serum neutralization (SN) test with the FPV isolates in various mammalian sera. These were from raccoon dog, water deer, Eurasian otter, Korean hare, leopard cat, and Asian badger, which were kindly provided by Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center. Notably, serological evidence of its infection was found in Asian badger, Meles leucurus (2/2) and leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis (5/8) through SN tests, whereas there was no evidence in raccoon dog, water deer, Eurasian otter, and Korean hare based on the collected sera in this study. These findings might provide partial evidence for the possible circulation of FPV or its related viruses among wild leopard cat and Asian badger in Korea. There should be additional study to confirm this through direct detection of FPVs in the related animal samples.

scholarly journals Fecal Shedding of Zoonotic Food-Borne Pathogens by Wild Rodents in a Major Agricultural Region of the Central California Coast

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (20) ◽  
pp. 6337-6344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Kilonzo ◽  
Xunde Li ◽  
Eduardo J. Vivas ◽  
Michele T. Jay-Russell ◽  
Kristine L. Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rodent Species ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Wild Rodents ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fecal Shedding ◽  
Wildlife Reservoirs ◽  
Food Borne Pathogens ◽  
Farm Type ◽  
Food Borne

ABSTRACTRecent outbreaks of food-borne illness associated with the consumption of produce have increased concern over wildlife reservoirs of food-borne pathogens. Wild rodents are ubiquitous, and those living close to agricultural farms may pose a food safety risk should they shed zoonotic microorganisms in their feces near or on agricultural commodities. Fecal samples from wild rodents trapped on 13 agricultural farms (9 produce, 3 cow-calf operations, and 1 beef cattle feedlot) in Monterey and San Benito Counties, CA, were screened to determine the prevalence and risk factors for shedding of several food-borne pathogens. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were the most abundant rodent species trapped (72.5%).Cryptosporidiumspecies (26.0%) andGiardiaspecies (24.2%) were the predominant isolates from rodent feces, followed bySalmonella entericaserovars (2.9%) andEscherichia coliO157:H7 (0.2%). Rodent trap success was significantly associated with detection ofSalmonellain rodent feces, while farm type was associated with fecal shedding ofCryptosporidiumandGiardia. Seasonal shedding patterns were evident, with rodents trapped during the spring and summer months being significantly less likely to be sheddingCryptosporidiumoocysts than those trapped during autumn. Higher rodent species diversity tended to correlate with lower fecal microbial prevalence, and most spatiotemporal pathogen clusters involved deer mice. Rodents in the study area posed a minimal risk as environmental reservoirs ofE. coliO157:H7, but they may play a role in environmental dissemination ofSalmonellaand protozoa. Rodent control efforts that potentially reduce biodiversity may increase pathogen shedding, possibly through promotion of intraspecific microbial transmission.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document