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Global phenological insensitivity to shifting ocean temperatures among seabirds
Reproductive timing in many taxa plays a key role in determining breeding productivity1, and is often sensitive to climatic conditions2. Current climate change may alter the timing of breeding at different rates across trophic levels, potentially resulting in temporal mismatch between the resource requirements of predators and their prey3. This is of particular concern for higher-trophic-level organisms, whose longer generation times confer a lower rate of evolutionary rescue than primary producers or consumers4. However, the disconnection between studies of ecological change in marine systems makes it difficult to detect general changes in the timing of reproduction5. Here, we use a comprehensive meta-analysis of 209 phenological time series from 145 breeding populations to show that, on average, seabird populations worldwide have not adjusted their breeding seasons over time (−0.020 days yr−1) or in response to sea surface temperature (SST) (−0.272 days °C−1) between 1952 and 2015. However, marked between-year variation in timing observed in resident species and some Pelecaniformes and Suliformes (cormorants, gannets and boobies) may imply that timing, in some cases, is affected by unmeasured environmental conditions. This limited temperature-mediated plasticity of reproductive timing in seabirds potentially makes these top predators highly vulnerable to future mismatch with lower-trophic-level resources2.
Journal Article
Turtles
Learn all about scaly and cold-blooded turtles! Complete with a More Facts section and bolded glossary terms.
Book
Intraseasonal variations in the spatial behaviour of an Arctic predator
Background In highly constrained ecosystems such as in the Arctic, animals must constantly adjust their movements to cope with the highly versatile environmental conditions. However, to date most studies have focused on interseasonal differences in spatial behaviour, while intraseasonal dynamics are less described. MethodsTo fill this knowledge gap, we studied the movement patterns of an Arctic predator, the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) at the intraseasonal scale. To unravel temporal patterns in space use and movement metrics, we used GPS data collected on 20 individual foxes between 2017 and 2023 in North-East Greenland. ResultsWe showed that weekly full and core home range sizes (estimated by means of Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimates), and daily mean relative turning angles stayed constant throughout the summer. Conversely, daily distance travelled, mean daily speed and daily proportion of 'active' time showed intraseasonal variations. These fine-scale metrics had a hump-shaped distribution, peaking in mid-July, with males and non-breeding foxes travelling longer distances and being faster. Site-specific patterns were also identified, with foxes having smaller territories in the two most productive sites but moving shorter distances and at lower speeds at the poorest site. ConclusionOur study provides novel insights into how predators adjust their space use and behaviour to intraseasonal variations in environmental conditions. Specifically, we show that different movement metrics show different intraseasonal patterns. We also underline the importance of considering small spatiotemporal scales to fully understand predators' spatial behaviour.
Journal Article
Intraseasonal variations in the spatial behaviour of an Arctic predator
Background In highly constrained ecosystems such as in the Arctic, animals must constantly adjust their movements to cope with the highly versatile environmental conditions. However, to date most studies have focused on interseasonal differences in spatial behaviour, while intraseasonal dynamics are less described. MethodsTo fill this knowledge gap, we studied the movement patterns of an Arctic predator, the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) at the intraseasonal scale. To unravel temporal patterns in space use and movement metrics, we used GPS data collected on 20 individual foxes between 2017 and 2023 in North-East Greenland. ResultsWe showed that weekly full and core home range sizes (estimated by means of Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimates), and daily mean relative turning angles stayed constant throughout the summer. Conversely, daily distance travelled, mean daily speed and daily proportion of 'active' time showed intraseasonal variations. These fine-scale metrics had a hump-shaped distribution, peaking in mid-July, with males and non-breeding foxes travelling longer distances and being faster. Site-specific patterns were also identified, with foxes having smaller territories in the two most productive sites but moving shorter distances and at lower speeds at the poorest site. ConclusionOur study provides novel insights into how predators adjust their space use and behaviour to intraseasonal variations in environmental conditions. Specifically, we show that different movement metrics show different intraseasonal patterns. We also underline the importance of considering small spatiotemporal scales to fully understand predators' spatial behaviour.
Journal Article
Komodo dragons
Introduces komodo dragons, discussing their physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, diet, body parts, and life cycle.
Book
Introduction to horned lizards of North America
* Features detailed species accounts; gives information on horned lizard biology, ecology, and evolution; and describes the role of these fascinating reptiles in mythology, culture, and art * Covers the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and includes all species of horned lizards
eBook
Snapping turtles
Young readers learn about snapping turtles, including their commonly aggressive nature and the differences between the common snapper and the alligator snappers.
Book
