Evaluating behavioral syndromes in coyotes (Canis latrans)

Abstract

As more research focuses on behavioral syndromes and their role in ecological and evolutionary processes, it is imperative that methods to test behavior are valid. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess behavior in captive coyotes (Canis latrans) using three methods [agitation scores, novel object test, and flightinitiation distance (FID)] and (2) to determine whether the three tests were correlated within individuals to describe behavioral syndromes. Female coyotes had higher agitation scores during handling (2.6 ± 0.5) than males (1.5 ± 0.3; t = 1.90, p = 0.06): scores ranged from 0 to 8 on a 0-11 scale. The most common behavior observed was biting at y-stick. Only 27 % of males and 10 % of females approached a novel object within 1 m, with females (37.3 ± 18.6 s) taking less time than males (136.7 ± 50.4 s; p = 0.09). There was no difference in the distance at which males (17.5 ± 4.0 m) and females fled during FID tests (20.7 ± 5.4 m; p = 0.64, n = 30). We found no relationships between FID and agitation scores (r 2 = 0.13, p = 0.12) or time to approach a novel object and agitation scores (r 2 = 0.001, p = 0.89). There was a slightly positive relationship between FID and time to approach a novel object (r 2 = 0.15, p = 0.03), but no relationship among all three tests (r 2 = 0.15, p = 0.45). Our results suggest a behavioral syndrome for boldness and explorations, but these traits are unlikely to be coupled with aggression in coyotes. While these three tests may not be ideally combined to create a behavioral syndrome in individual coyotes, using FID and novel object testing may elucidate a type of behavioral syndrome.

Olfactory attractants and parity affect prenatal androgens and territoriality of coyote breeding pairs

“…Social territorial incursions may likely represent a prominent stressor to breeding pairs. Third, previous work has demonstrated consistent individual differences in behavior of the species [68][69][70], providing empirical foundation for the current study. Associations among consistent individual differences in behavior and hormones may suggest that behavioral profiles of the species are hormonally mediated.…”

The intrepid urban coyote: a comparison of bold and exploratory behavior in coyotes from urban and rural environments

“…Young et al . 34 used both FID and novel object tests on captive coyotes and recommended both tests would be useful for understanding how bold and exploratory behavior varies across coyote populations. We conducted our work at a rural area (central Utah, USA) and an urban area (Denver, Colorado, USA) and details of each area can be found in Mahoney et al .…”

Parental habituation to human disturbance over time reduces fear of humans in coyote offspring

“…It is well‐known that wildlife with accrued experiences of human disturbance over time become increasingly habituated to, and tolerant of, humans (Carrete & Tella, ; Carrete et al, ; Greggor, Clayton, Fulford, & Thornton, ; Perals, Griffin, Bartomeus, & Sol, ; Samia et al, ; Sol et al, ; Vincze et al, ). Moreover, prior work in coyotes has demonstrated that personality differences in risk can be successfully quantified via response to humans (Darrow & Shivik, ; Dawson & Jaeger, ; Gilbert‐Norton, Leaver, & Shivik, ; Murray, Edwards, Abercrombie, & St. Clair, ; Poessel, Gese, & Young, ; Schmidt & Timm, ; Young, Mahe, & Breck, ). The mechanisms that contribute to rapid plasticity in wildlife fear are less well‐understood (Carrete & Tella, ).…”

“…Moreover, prior work in coyotes has demonstrated that personality differences in risk can be successfully quantified via response to humans (Darrow & Shivik, 2009;Dawson & Jaeger, 2009;Gilbert-Norton, Leaver, & Shivik, 2009;Murray, Edwards, Abercrombie, & St. Clair, 2015;Poessel, Gese, & Young, 2017;Schmidt & Timm, 2007;Young, Mahe, & Breck, 2015). The mechanisms that contribute to rapid plasticity in wildlife fear are less well-understood .…”