Effects of Coastal Lighting on Foraging Behaviorof Beach Mice

Abstract

Introduction of artificial light into wildlife habitat represents a rapidly expanding form of human encroachment, particularly in coastal systems. Light pollution alters the behavior of sea turtles during nesting; therefore, long-wavelength lights-low-pressure sodium vapor and bug lights-that minimize impacts on turtles are required for beach lighting in Florida (U.S.A.). We investigated the effects of these two kinds of lights on the foraging behavior of Santa Rosa beach mice ( Peromyscus polionotus leucocephalus). We compared patch use and giving-up densities of mice for experimental food patches established along a gradient of artificial light in the field. Mice exploited fewer food patches near both types of artificial light than in areas with little light and harvested fewer seeds within patches near bug lights. Our results show that artificial light affects the behavior of terrestrial species in coastal areas and that light pollution deserves greater consideration in conservation planning.Resumen: La introducción de luz artificial al hábitat de vida silvestre representa una forma de intrusión humana que se expande rápidamente, particularmente en sistemas costeros. Durante la anidación, la polución por luz altera el comportamiento de tortugas marinas; por tanto, para la iluminación de playas en Florida (E. U. A) se requieren luces de longitud de onda larga -luces de vapor de sodio de baja presión y contra insectos -que minimizan impactos sobre las tortugas. Investigamos los efectos de estos dos tipos de luces sobre el comportamiento de forrajeo de ratones de playa de Santa Rosa ( Peromyscus polionotus leucocephalus). Comparamos el uso de parches y las densidades de rendición de ratones en parches alimenticios experimentales establecidos a lo largo de un gradiente de luz artificial en el campo. Los ratones utilizaron menos parches de forrajeo cercanos a ambos tipos de luz artificial que enáreas con poca iluminación y cosecharon menos semillas en parches cercanos a luces contra insectos. Nuestros resultados muestran que la luz artificial afecta el comportamiento de especies terrestres enáreas costeras y que la polución por luz merece mayor consideración en la planificación de la conservación.Palabras Clave: comportamiento de forrajeo, iluminación artificial, polución por luz, ratones de playa (Peromyscus polionotus leucocephalus)

Chronobiology by moonlight

“…Rotics et al [140] found reduced nocturnal activity and increased intraspecific encounters in nocturnal common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) kept in a field enclosure with artificial illumination [140]. Similarly, nocturnal Santa Rosa beach mice (Peromyscus polionotus l.) fed less and had less foraging success in heavily lit beach patches [141]. In bat colonies roosting inside lit buildings, dusk emergence was significantly delayed and of longer duration, and juveniles were smaller and lighter [142].…”

Influence of human footprint and sensory disturbances on night-time space use of an owl

“…Conversely, although light increases the detectability of prey, it could be detrimental if prey availability decreases because prey remain closer to cover when it is brighter (Lockard & Owings 1974, Kaufman & Kaufman 1982, Clarke 1983, Wolfe & Tan Summerlin 1989, Kotler et al 1991, Daly et al 1992. With increased illumination, prey move and forage less (Abramsky et al 2004, Bird et al 2004, Rotics et al 2011, likely in response to in creased predation risk (Clarke 1983, Kotler et al 1991, so predators may need to search larger areas to find the same amount of prey under such conditions (Rockhill et al 2013).…”

Effects of photophase illuminance on locomotor activity, urine production and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in nocturnal and diurnal South African rodents

“…However, when it intrudes into the natural dark phase, it may lead to the disruption of circadian organization and desynchronization in timing of the different biological rhythms, which is associated with various health risks and the disturbance of ecological systems (Bird et al, 2004;Navara and Nelson, 2007;Haim and Portnov, 2013). Although the effects of night-time light exposure on circadian organization are widespread, few studies have investigated the effects of varying intensities of daytime lighting on photoentrainment.…”