Behavioral responses of wild animals to anthropogenic change: insights from domestication

Beckman, Amanda K.; Richey, Breann M. S.; Rosenthal, Gil G.

doi:10.1007/s00265-022-03205-6

Cited by 5 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 167 publications

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“…While the brains of wild animals have been shaped by relatively predictable threats encountered over their long evolutionary histories, wild animals are now being challenged at unprecedented levels by HIREC [ 11 , 109 , 110 ]. Five major categories of HIREC are recognized: habitat loss and fragmentation, environmental pollution, climate change, over-harvesting and the spread of exotic species [ 11 ].…”

Section: The Wild Brainmentioning

confidence: 99%

The endangered brain: actively preserving ex-situ animal behaviour and cognition will benefit in-situ conservation

Clark,

Greggor,

Montgomery

et al. 2023

R. Soc. open sci.

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Endangered species have small, unsustainable population sizes that are geographically or genetically restricted. Ex-situ conservation programmes are therefore faced with the challenge of breeding sufficiently sized, genetically diverse populations earmarked for reintroduction that have the behavioural skills to survive and breed in the wild. Yet, maintaining historically beneficial behaviours may be insufficient, as research continues to suggest that certain cognitive-behavioural skills and flexibility are necessary to cope with human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC). This paper begins by reviewing interdisciplinary studies on the ‘captivity effect’ in laboratory, farmed, domesticated and feral vertebrates and finds that captivity imposes rapid yet often reversible changes to the brain, cognition and behaviour. However, research on this effect in ex-situ conservation sites is lacking. This paper reveals an apparent mismatch between ex-situ enrichment aims and the cognitive-behavioural skills possessed by animals currently coping with HIREC. After synthesizing literature across neuroscience, behavioural biology, comparative cognition and field conservation, it seems that ex-situ endangered species deemed for reintroduction may have better chances of coping with HIREC if their natural cognition and behavioural repertoires are actively preserved. Evaluating the effects of environmental challenges rather than captivity per se is recommended, in addition to using targeted cognitive enrichment.

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Section: The Wild Brainmentioning

confidence: 99%

The endangered brain: actively preserving ex-situ animal behaviour and cognition will benefit in-situ conservation

Clark,

Greggor,

Montgomery

et al. 2023

R. Soc. open sci.

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“…It demonstrates that human preferences and actions can significantly shape the behavioral traits of other species. The selection imposed by humans during domestication is often intense and rapid, leading to pronounced changes in behavior within a relatively short span of time (Beckman et al 2022).…”

Section: Domestication As An Example Of Adaptive Evolution In the Ant...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, studying domestication can inform management strategies for wild populations facing HIREC. By identifying the factors that contribute to successful domestication, such as behavioral plasticity and genetic predispositions, conservation efforts can be better tailored to promote the resilience and adaptability of wild species in the face of anthropogenic disturbances (Beckman et al 2022). The process of domestication provides valuable insights into the adaptive strategies of animals in response to human presence.…”

Section: Domestication As An Example Of Adaptive Evolution In the Ant...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unveiling Behavioral Responses of Wild Animals: Insights From Domestication in the Face of Anthropogenic Change

2023

Agrobiol. Records

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In our rapidly changing world, where human activities have profound effects on nearly all forms of life, understanding the dynamics of organismal adaptation to human-induced environmental changes is of paramount importance. This paper delves into the concept of domestication as an early manifestation of the Anthropocene, shedding light on how animal populations respond to domestication selection provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay between plastic responses and evolutionary changes. By examining this relationship, we gain a deeper understanding of the fate of wild vertebrates as they navigate a human-altered world. Through a comprehensive analysis, intentional breeding, managed hunting, and extermination emerge as interconnected elements within a continuum of anthropogenic agents driving ecological selection. Moreover, we identify shared targets of selection that extend beyond domestication, encompassing a broader range of human-induced selection pressures. Remarkably, many traits that facilitate successful domestication also equip wild animals with the adaptive capacity to thrive in humandominated environments, highlighting their importance in understanding the larger context of adaptation. Additionally, domestic animals serve as a source for feral lineages and genetic exchange with their wild counterparts. This exchange, coupled with shared ecological constraints and gene flow, contributes to convergent or congruent changes across various responses to human influence. By recognizing domestication as another source of anthropogenic selection, we unlock valuable insights for conservation efforts and present a promising avenue for unraveling the mechanisms underlying behavioral adaptation. In summary, this review emphasizes the urgent need to comprehend how organisms adapt or fail to adapt to human-induced environmental changes. By elucidating the intricate relationships between domestication, human-induced selection pressures, and adaptation, we deepen our understanding of the complex dynamics within the Anthropocene and pave the way for effective conservation strategies while shedding light on the mechanisms that drive behavioral adaptation.

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“…Human-dominated environments impose novel challenges ( Ditchkoff, Saalfeld & Gibson, 2006 ), which can be perceived differently by animals that are domesticated, non-domesticated synanthropes, and non-domesticated but coerced to live around humans ( Beckman, Richey & Rosenthal, 2022 ). While the extent of damage by the Anthropocene is irrevocable ( Wagner et al, 2021 ), a wide range of animals exhibit behavioural adaptations and plasticity in traits to benefit from human-induced rapid environmental changes ( Sih et al, 2010 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does novelty influence the foraging decisions of a scavenger?

Bhattacharjee,

Sau,

Das

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Acquiring knowledge about the environment is crucial for survival. Animals, often driven by their exploratory tendencies, gather valuable information regarding food resources, shelter, mating partners, etc. However, neophobia, or avoiding novel environmental stimuli, can constrain their exploratory behaviour. While neophobia can reduce potential predation risks, decreased exploratory behaviour resulting from it may limit the ability to discover highly rewarding resources. Dogs (Canis familiaris) living in semi-urban and urban environments as free-ranging populations, although subject to various selection forces, typically have negligible predation pressure. These dogs are scavengers in human-dominated environments; thus, selection against object-neophobia can provide benefits when searching for novel food resources. Although captive pack-living dogs are known to be less neophobic than their closest living ancestors, wolves (Canis lupus), little is known about free-ranging dogs’ behavioural responses to novel objects, particularly in foraging contexts. Using an object choice experiment, we tested 259 free-ranging dogs from two age classes, adult and juvenile, to investigate their object-neophobia in a scavenging context. We employed a between-subject study design, providing dogs with a familiar and a potentially novel object, both baited with equal, hidden food items. Adult and juvenile dogs significantly inspected the novel object first compared to the familiar one, even when the hidden food item was partially visible. To validate these findings, we compared novel objects with different strengths of olfactory cues (baited vs. false-baited) and found that they were inspected comparably by adults and juveniles. No significant differences were found in the latencies to inspect the objects, suggesting that free-ranging dogs may still be cautious when exploring their environments. These results indicate that free-ranging dogs, evidently from an early ontogenetic phase, do not show object-neophobia, as demonstrated by their preference for novel over familiar food sources. We conclude that little to no constraint of neophobia on exploratory behaviour in semi-urban and urban-dwelling animals can guide foraging decision-making processes, providing adaptive benefits.

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Behavioral responses of wild animals to anthropogenic change: insights from domestication

Cited by 5 publications

References 167 publications

The endangered brain: actively preserving ex-situ animal behaviour and cognition will benefit in-situ conservation

The endangered brain: actively preserving ex-situ animal behaviour and cognition will benefit in-situ conservation

Unveiling Behavioral Responses of Wild Animals: Insights From Domestication in the Face of Anthropogenic Change

Does novelty influence the foraging decisions of a scavenger?

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