An application of upscaled optimal foraging theory using hidden Markov modelling: year-round behavioural variation in a large arctic herbivore

Movement Ecology
Larissa T BeumerFloris M van Beest

Abstract

In highly seasonal environments, animals face critical decisions regarding time allocation, diet optimisation, and habitat use. In the Arctic, the short summers are crucial for replenishing body reserves, while low food availability and increased energetic demands characterise the long winters (9-10 months). Under such extreme seasonal variability, even small deviations from optimal time allocation can markedly impact individuals' condition, reproductive success and survival. We investigated which environmental conditions influenced daily, seasonal, and interannual variation in time allocation in high-arctic muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and evaluated whether results support qualitative predictions derived from upscaled optimal foraging theory. Using hidden Markov models (HMMs), we inferred behavioural states (foraging, resting, relocating) from hourly positions of GPS-collared females tracked in northeast Greenland (28 muskox-years). To relate behavioural variation to environmental conditions, we considered a wide range of spatially and/or temporally explicit covariates in the HMMs. While we found little interannual variation, daily and seasonal time allocation varied markedly. Scheduling of daily activities was distinct through...Continue Reading

References

May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Nathalie PettorelliNils Chr Stenseth
Jun 17, 2006·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Philip D McLoughlinTim Clutton-Brock
Nov 30, 2006·Die Naturwissenschaften·Bob E H van OortKarl-Arne Stokkan
Jul 1, 2009·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Toby A PattersonJohn S Gunn
Jun 23, 2010·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·N Owen-SmithE H Merrill
Jun 23, 2010·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Mark Hebblewhite, Daniel T Haydon
Jul 10, 2013·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Jeffrey Kerby, Eric Post
Apr 3, 2014·PLoS Biology·Floriane PlardChristophe Bonenfant
Oct 1, 1995·Oecologia·Mads C Forchhammer, Jacobus J Boomsma
Aug 1, 1986·Oecologia·G E Belovsky, J B Slade
Aug 4, 2018·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Peter J MahoneyLaura R Prugh
Dec 29, 2018·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Carsten GrøndahlNiels M Schmidt

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 24, 2021·Movement Ecology·Stine Højlund PedersenJeffrey M Welker

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

wildlifeDI R
R
moveHMM
W4 INTAKE
NET
W4 NET
SnowModel
OFT
MicroMet
W2

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.