The temporal niche and seasonal differences in predation risk to translocated and resident woodland caribou (Rangifertaranduscaribou)

Leech, Heather; DeGroot, Leo; Kuzyk, Gerald W.

doi:10.1139/cjz-2016-0076

Cited by 19 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…In the future, if translocation actions will be considered, ideal source populations will be those that are closer genetically (in particular with regard to selected traits), ecologically and behaviourally. Such conclusions are warranted inference form this study, but results in this direction are just emerging, as translocated caribou seem to keep migration patterns of their source populations and seem maladapted to local environments and predators (Leech, Jelinski, DeGroot, & Kuzyk, ). More broadly, our findings indicate that unique genetic traits under selection might exist in different caribou populations, and also within populations, and similar patterns might be present in other species characterized by differences among populations and their environments and by intraspecific trait variation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Genomics, environment and balancing selection in behaviourally bimodal populations: The caribou case

et al. 2019

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Selection forces that favour different phenotypes in different environments can change frequencies of genes between populations along environmental clines. Clines are also compatible with balancing forces, such as negative frequency‐dependent selection (NFDS), which maintains phenotypic polymorphisms within populations. For example, NFDS is hypothesized to maintain partial migration, a dimorphic behavioural trait prominent in species where only a fraction of the population seasonally migrates. Overall, NFDS is believed to be a common phenomenon in nature, yet a scarcity of studies were published linking naturally occurring allelic variation with bimodal or multimodal phenotypes and balancing selection. We applied a Pool‐seq approach and detected selection on alleles associated with environmental variables along a North–South gradient in western North American caribou, a species displaying partially migratory behaviour. On 51 loci, we found a signature of balancing selection, which could be related to NFDS and ultimately the maintenance of the phenotypic polymorphisms known within these populations. Yet, remarkably, we detected directional selection on a locus when our sample was divided into two behaviourally distinctive groups regardless of geographic provenance (a subset of GPS‐collared migratory or sedentary individuals), indicating that, within populations, phenotypically homogeneous groups were genetically distinctive. Loci under selection were linked to functional genes involved in oxidative stress response, body development and taste perception. Overall, results indicated genetic differentiation along an environmental gradient of caribou populations, which we found characterized by genes potentially undergoing balancing selection. We suggest that the underlining balancing force, NFDS, plays a strong role within populations harbouring multiple haplotypes and phenotypes, as it is the norm in animals, plants and humans too.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Genomics, environment and balancing selection in behaviourally bimodal populations: The caribou case

et al. 2019

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“…Recently, the translocation of 20 adult females to the Purcell‐South population of caribou in BC resulted in the mortality of most animals within one year (Leech et al. ). The translocation of 30 caribou to the Telkwa population of BC resulted in a temporary increase in abundance that was followed by a steep decline (Stronen et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, St‐Laurent and Dussault , Leech et al. ). For those two scenarios, we assumed that the supplemented animals had immediate survival depression of 20% (DeCesare et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modeling multispecies predator–prey dynamics: predicting the outcomes of conservation actions for woodland caribou

2019

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Woodland caribou is a Threatened or Endangered subspecies across much of Canada. In many cases, these caribou are declining because of human‐mediated predation in the form of apparent competition. Provincial and federal agencies have employed a number of conservation actions to arrest the decline, but insufficient time and limited replication make it difficult to test the efficacy of those activities. We built a three‐species population model that served as a tool to integrate current knowledge, explore uncertainties, and assess activities focused on the recovery of caribou. We applied the model to interconnected populations of caribou, moose, and wolves at two locations in Canada (Chinchaga [British Columbia], Charlevoix [Québec]) and explored the efficacy of conservation actions unique to each population: predator control, restoration of linear features, reduction of habitat for moose, supplementation, maternal pens, and predator exclosures. Results confirmed that caribou at these two locations faced different recovery challenges, dictated by specific population dynamics and threats. Wolf predation, enhanced by seismic lines and resource roads, was responsible for the decline of the simulated Chinchaga population. The most cost‐effective recovery actions for that population were long‐term lethal wolf control (λ1–50 = 1.014, $25,665/caribou), a large‐scale predator exclosure (λ1–50 = 1.015, $170,767/caribou), and the aggressive restoration of linear features (λ1–50 = 1.002, $531,675/caribou). In contrast, simulations suggested that calf predation by black bears, a fixed source of mortality in the model, limited the growth of the Charlevoix population. Assuming high survival of adult caribou and poor recruitment of juveniles, a maternal pen was the most effective action for the recovery of those caribou (λ1–50 = 1.004, $148,473/caribou). Short‐term population supplementation provided only a temporary increase in abundance (λ1–50 = 0.994, $62,143/caribou). The model was limited by ecological and data uncertainties, but served as an effective platform for representing and testing our understanding of the complex interspecific interactions that underlie the recovery of woodland caribou.

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“…Anthropogenic disturbances represent a relatively “new” threat at the evolutionary scale, and caribou may have yet to evolve strong and consistent population responses to the cumulative effects of natural and human disturbances. Maladaptive habitat selection tactics have been suspected to lead to increased predation rates in declining caribou populations (Leech, Jelinski, DeGroot, & Kuzyk, ), including our study population (Dussault, Pinard, Ouellet, Courtois, & Fortin, ; Leblond et al, ). Our study provides insights as to why caribou populations may be susceptible to human development; that is, behavioral adaptation to anthropogenic disturbances is unlikely to occur quickly in caribou, if at all, because individuals tend to repeat the same habitat selection tactics across matrilines.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Natal habitat preference induction in large mammals—Like mother, like child?

Larue

Côté

St‐Laurent

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Habitat selection has received considerable attention from ecologists during the last decades, yet the underlying forces shaping individual differences in habitat selection are poorly documented. Some of these differences could be explained by the early experience of individuals in their natal habitat. By selecting habitat attributes like those encountered early in life, individuals could improve resource acquisition, survival, and ultimately fitness. This behavior, known as natal habitat preference induction (NHPI), could be particularly common in large mammals, because offspring generally stay with their mother for an extended period. We used three complementary approaches to assess NHPI in a marked population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou): (a) population‐based resource selection functions (RSFs), (b) individual‐based RSFs, and (c) behavioral repeatability analyses. All approaches compared the behavior of calves in their natal range to their behavior as independent subadults during the snow‐covered (Dec–Apr) and snow‐free (May–Nov) seasons. Using RSFs, we found that the magnitude of habitat selection between calf and subadult stages differed for most covariates, yet the signs of statistically significant effects (selection vs. avoidance) were generally the same. We also found that some habitat selection tactics were highly repeatable across life stages. Notably, caribou responses to habitat disturbances were highly repeatable year‐round, meaning that different individuals reacted differently, but consistently, to disturbances. This study highlights the potential role of natal habitat preference induction in shaping individual differences in habitat selection in large mammals and provides valuable knowledge for the management and conservation of a threatened species.

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The temporal niche and seasonal differences in predation risk to translocated and resident woodland caribou (Rangifertaranduscaribou)

Cited by 19 publications

References 70 publications

Genomics, environment and balancing selection in behaviourally bimodal populations: The caribou case

Genomics, environment and balancing selection in behaviourally bimodal populations: The caribou case

Modeling multispecies predator–prey dynamics: predicting the outcomes of conservation actions for woodland caribou

Natal habitat preference induction in large mammals—Like mother, like child?

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