Temperature induces activity reduction in a Neotropical ungulate

Abstract

Because global climate change results in increasingly extreme temperatures and more frequent droughts, behavioral thermoregulation is one avenue by which species may adjust. Changes in activity patterns in response to temperature have been observed in a number of mammal species, but rarely have been investigated in humid tropical habitats. Here we examine the relationship between activity patterns and microclimate temperatures for white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari, Tayassuidae, Cetartiodactyla) in four distinct biomes—the Cerrado, the Pantanal, the Atlantic Forest, and the Amazon. From 2013 to 2017, we monitored 30 white-lipped peccaries fitted with GPS collars that included accelerometers and temperature sensors. White-lipped peccaries were primarily diurnal, with peaks of activity in the morning and late afternoon, except in the Amazon where activity was high throughout the day. Total time active did not vary seasonally. White-lipped peccaries were significantly less likely to be active as temperatures increased, with the probability of being active decreasing by >49% in all biomes between 30 and 40°C. Our findings indicate that white-lipped peccaries are likely to be adversely impacted by rising temperatures, through being forced to reduce foraging time during their prime active periods.

A predominantly diurnal tropical mammal increases nocturnality in response to high temperatures

“…The increase in nocturnality we observed in response to daily variation in maximum temperature provides strong evidence that seasonal changes in the behavior of white‐lipped peccaries are in large part temperature driven. White‐lipped peccaries have already been found to reduce activity during elevated temperatures (Peterson et al., 2021), so it is unsurprising that they are relatively less active in the forest in the afternoon on hotter days. This study shows that in addition to reducing activity in response to high temperatures, white‐lipped peccaries increase nocturnal activity on hot days.…”

“…However, differences in temporal activity patterns have been documented between populations (Galetti et al., 2015) and between seasons (Hofmann et al., 2016). The species is also known to reduce activity in response to high temperatures (Peterson et al., 2021) and to behaviorally thermoregulate by locating muddy areas in which to wallow (Carrillo et al., 2002). White‐lipped peccaries spend almost all their time within closed forest, entering open areas only briefly to cross between forest patches (Jorge et al., 2021; Richard‐Hansen et al., 2019), and therefore cannot be expected to thermoregulate by moving in and out of shade.…”

Maxent modeling for predicting suitable habitats for wild ungulates: a case study of typical canyons in the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve of China

“…During the daytime, the atmosphere exerts a weakening effect on solar radiation. At night, the atmosphere exerts a poor thermal insulation effect on the ground radiation; therefore, the daytime temperature increases quickly and falls equally quickly during the night, which leads to a large mean diurnal range of temperature in this area 21,22 .…”

The influence of climate and the presence of predators on the daily activity pattern of collared peccaries (Dicotyles tajacu, Cetartiodactyla)

“…: rainfall and temperature) and biotic (ex. : predation, competition) circumstances they are exposed to (Li et al., 2021; Marques & Fábian, 2018; Peterson et al., 2021). For example, collared peccaries avoid being active in periods of the day when temperature and rainfall are extreme (Fuller et al., 2016).…”