Accounting for cloud cover and circannual variation puts the effect of lunar phase on deer–vehicle collisions into perspective

Cerri, Jacopo; Stendardi, Laura; Bužan, Elena; Pokorny, Benno

doi:10.1111/1365-2664.14432

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…In addition, it remains unclear why the relationship between parturition timing and moon illumination was not influenced by nocturnal cloud cover. Cloud cover often mediates the influence of moon illumination on other aspects of ungulate behavior, including antipredator behavior (Cerri et al., 2023 ; Ladine & Settles, 2020 ). Parturition events for mule deer were more diurnal than crepuscular, which may explain why we did not observe relationships between moon illumination, nocturnal cloud cover, and parturition timing for mule deer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A fine‐scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates

Turnley,

Hughes,

Larsen

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Parturition timing has long been a topic of interest in ungulate research. However, few studies have examined parturition timing at fine scale (e.g., <1 day). Predator activity and environmental conditions can vary considerably with diel timing, which may result in selective pressure for parturition to occur during diel times that maximize the likelihood of neonate survival. We monitored parturition events and early‐life survival of elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Utah, USA to better understand diel timing of parturition in temperate ungulates. Diel timing of parturition was moderately synchronous among conspecifics and influenced by environmental variables on the date of parturition. For elk, parturition events were most common during the morning crepuscular period and generally occurred later (i.e., closer to 12:00) when a relatively large proportion of the moon was illuminated. For mule deer, parturition events were most common during the diurnal period and generally occurred later (i.e., closer to 15:00) on cold, wet dates. Diel timing of parturition did not influence neonate survival, but larger datasets may be required to verify the apparent lack of influence. Although additional work could evaluate alternative variables that might affect parturition timing, our data provide an improved and finer scale understanding of reproductive ecology and phenology in ungulates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%