Neophobia in 10 ungulate species—a comparative approach

Neophobia (the fearful reaction to novel stimuli or situations) has a crucial effect on individual fitness and can vary within and across species. However, the factors predicting this variation are still unclear. In this study, we assessed whether individual characteristics (rank, social integration, sex) and species socio-ecological characteristics (dietary breadth, group size, domestication) predicted variation in neophobia. For this purpose, we conducted behavioral observations and experimental tests on 78 captive individuals belonging to 10 different ungulate species—an ideal taxon to study inter-specific variation in neophobia given their variety in socio-ecological characteristics. Individuals were tested in their social groups by providing them with familiar food, half of which had been positioned close to a novel object. We monitored the individual latency to approach and eat food and the proportion of time spent in its proximity. Using a phylogenetic approach and social network analyses, we showed that across ungulate species neophobia was higher in socially more integrated individuals, as compared to less integrated ones. In contrast, rank and sex did not predict inter-individual differences in neophobia. Moreover, species differed in their levels of neophobia, with Barbary sheep being on average less neophobic than all the other study species. As group size in Barbary sheep was larger than in all the other study species, these results support the hypothesis that larger group size predicts lower levels of neophobia, and confirm ungulates as a highly promising taxon to study animal behavior and cognition with a comparative perspective. Significance statement In several species, individuals may respond fearfully to novel stimuli, therefore reducing the risks they may face. However, it is yet unclear if certain individuals or species respond more fearfully to novelty. Here, we provided food to 78 individual ungulates with different characteristics (e.g., sex, rank, social integration, group size, domestication, dietary breadth) in different controlled conditions (e.g., when food was close to novel or to familiar objects). Across species, we found that socially integrated individuals responded more fearfully in all species. Moreover, being in larger groups decreased the probability of fearfully responding to novelty.

Spring diet differs among age-sex classes in Atlas Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia lervia) in a fenced nature reserve, Morocco

Atlas Barbary sheep, Ammotragus lervia lervia, are the only wild caprinid of Northwest Africa. Some studies have investigated their feeding ecology, but there is no information on intraspecific dietary variation. Therefore, we determined the spring diet and its variation between age-sex classes in Atlas Barbary sheep within a fenced nature reserve in the Western High Atlas mountain range, Morocco. We used faecal microhistological analysis to assess diet composition based on a reference epidermis catalogue. The habitat was a highly diversified open mixed forest with 61 identified species (55 genera; 24 families). The herbaceous layer was dominated by grasses, mainly Stipa capensis. Atlas Barbary sheep revealed to be opportunistic grazers, consuming 44 forage species; grasses and forbs constituted 87% of the overall diet. There were significant intraspecific dietary differences. Rams showed a more diverse (42 species) and distinct diet compared to those of ewes (22 species) and juveniles (lambs + yearlings) (only 10 species). All sex-age classes were mostly grazers, adults feeding on grasses and forbs in similar proportions, whereas juveniles feeding basically on grasses (more than 70% of their diet) and almost no forbs. Ewes and juveniles feed on browse at a higher proportion than rams do. Our findings would be useful for the restoration and management of the habitat and food resources within the reserve.

The Tunisian Barbary Sheep: Correlations among Morphometric Traits in Purebred Ewes Maintained under Arid Conditions

Background: The fat-tailed Barbary sheep are the main breed of Tunisia and their morphometry has not been deeply investigated. This study aims to estimate the degree of relationship between eight quantitative measures across eight age classes, from one to eight years. Methods: Pearson’s product-moment was calculated to evaluate the correlation among eight morphological measures, collected from 249 purebred Tunisian Barbary ewes reared under arid climate. Result: The magnitude of pairwise phenotypic correlation among morphological traits showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.84, P less than 0.001) between the shoulder and rump height at 6-7 years. The body weight was highly correlated to the height at rump during the first five years of age, whereas, it becomes more correlated to the heart girth when the ewe reaches its heavyweight at 5-6 years and older. The results of this study indicated that the rump height is the most correlated parameter to BW during the early life of this fat-tailed breed and are encouraging to fit live body weight from morphometric traits with accuracy.

Can spatial distribution of ungulates be predicted by modeling camera trap data related to landscape indices? A case study in a fragmented Mediterranean landscape

Camera trap applications range from studying wildlife habits to detecting rare species, which are difficult to capture by more traditional techniques. In this work, we aimed at finding the best model to predict the distribution pattern of wildlife and to explain the relationship between environmental conditions with the species detected by camera traps. We applied two types of statistical models in a specific Mediterranean landscape case. The results of both models shown adjustments over 80 %. First, we ran a Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Discriminant, and logistic analyses were performed for ungulates in general, and three species in particular: Barbary sheep, mouflon, and wild boar. The same environmental conditions explained the presence of these species in all the proposed models. Hence, we proved the generally positive influence of patch size on the presence of ungulates and negative influence of the fractal dimension and density edge. We quantified the relationships between a suite of landscape metrics measured in different grids to test whether spatial heterogeneity plays a major role in determining the distribution of ungulates. We explained much of the variation in distribution with metrics, specifically related to habitat heterogeneity. That outcome highlighted the potential importance of spatial heterogeneity in determining the distribution of large herbivores. We discussed our results in the forestry conservation practices context and discuss potential ways to integrate ungulate management and forestry practices better.

Coprolites from Rock Shelters: Hunter-Gatherers “Herding” Barbary Sheep in the Early Holocene Sahara

Archaeological deposits in rock shelters have enormous informative potential, particularly in arid environments where organic materials are well preserved. In these areas, sub-fossilized coprolites and dung remains have been identified as valuable proxies for inferences about past environments, subsistence economies and cultural trajectories. Here we present a multidisciplinary analysis of bovid (ovicaprine) coprolites collected from the Early Holocene hunter-gatherer occupation at Takarkori rock shelter (SW Libya, central Sahara). Our results show that Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) were managed as early as ~9500 years cal BP, mostly with the rearing of juveniles. Palynological analysis of individual pellets suggests a seasonal confinement of the animals and the selection of fodder. GIS analysis of coprolite distribution also indicates sophisticated strategies of Barbary sheep “herding” and spatial differentiation of specialized areas within the rock shelter, including the construction and use of a stone-based enclosure for corralling animals. These highly structured and organized forms of control over wild animals are interpreted as a potential co-evolutionary trigger for the subsequent rapid adoption and integration of the incoming pastoral Neolithic economy.