Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator
Abstract Within optimality theory, an animal’s home range can be considered a fitness-driven attempt to obtain resources for survival and reproduction while minimizing costs. We assessed whether brown bears (Ursus arctos) in two island populations maximized resource patches within home ranges (Resou...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:5bb2f810fe154de68163bfe7615cd5e4 2023-05-15T18:42:05+02:00 Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator S. P. Finnegan N. J. Svoboda N. L. Fowler S. L. Schooler J. L. Belant 2021-10-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y https://doaj.org/article/5bb2f810fe154de68163bfe7615cd5e4 EN eng Nature Portfolio https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322 doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y 2045-2322 https://doaj.org/article/5bb2f810fe154de68163bfe7615cd5e4 Scientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2021) Medicine R Science Q article 2021 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y 2022-12-31T07:51:00Z Abstract Within optimality theory, an animal’s home range can be considered a fitness-driven attempt to obtain resources for survival and reproduction while minimizing costs. We assessed whether brown bears (Ursus arctos) in two island populations maximized resource patches within home ranges (Resource Dispersion Hypothesis [RDH]) or occupied only areas necessary to meet their biological requirements (Temporal Resource Variability Hypothesis [TRVH]) at annual and seasonal scales. We further examined how intrinsic factors (age, reproductive status) affected optimal choices. We found dynamic patterns of space use between populations, with support for RDH and TRVH at both scales. The RDH was likely supported seasonally as a result of bears maximizing space use to obtain a mix of nutritional resources for weight gain. Annually, support for RDH likely reflected changing abundances and distributions of foods within different timber stand classes. TRVH was supported at both scales, with bears minimizing space use when food resources were temporally concentrated. Range sizes and optimal strategies varied among sex and reproductive classes, with males occupying larger ranges, supporting mate seeking behavior and increased metabolic demands of larger body sizes. This work emphasizes the importance of scale when examining animal movement ecology, as optimal behavioral decisions are scale dependent. Article in Journal/Newspaper Ursus arctos Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Scientific Reports 11 1 |
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Medicine R Science Q |
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Medicine R Science Q S. P. Finnegan N. J. Svoboda N. L. Fowler S. L. Schooler J. L. Belant Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator |
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Medicine R Science Q |
description |
Abstract Within optimality theory, an animal’s home range can be considered a fitness-driven attempt to obtain resources for survival and reproduction while minimizing costs. We assessed whether brown bears (Ursus arctos) in two island populations maximized resource patches within home ranges (Resource Dispersion Hypothesis [RDH]) or occupied only areas necessary to meet their biological requirements (Temporal Resource Variability Hypothesis [TRVH]) at annual and seasonal scales. We further examined how intrinsic factors (age, reproductive status) affected optimal choices. We found dynamic patterns of space use between populations, with support for RDH and TRVH at both scales. The RDH was likely supported seasonally as a result of bears maximizing space use to obtain a mix of nutritional resources for weight gain. Annually, support for RDH likely reflected changing abundances and distributions of foods within different timber stand classes. TRVH was supported at both scales, with bears minimizing space use when food resources were temporally concentrated. Range sizes and optimal strategies varied among sex and reproductive classes, with males occupying larger ranges, supporting mate seeking behavior and increased metabolic demands of larger body sizes. This work emphasizes the importance of scale when examining animal movement ecology, as optimal behavioral decisions are scale dependent. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
S. P. Finnegan N. J. Svoboda N. L. Fowler S. L. Schooler J. L. Belant |
author_facet |
S. P. Finnegan N. J. Svoboda N. L. Fowler S. L. Schooler J. L. Belant |
author_sort |
S. P. Finnegan |
title |
Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator |
title_short |
Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator |
title_full |
Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator |
title_fullStr |
Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator |
title_full_unstemmed |
Variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator |
title_sort |
variable intraspecific space use supports optimality in an apex predator |
publisher |
Nature Portfolio |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y https://doaj.org/article/5bb2f810fe154de68163bfe7615cd5e4 |
genre |
Ursus arctos |
genre_facet |
Ursus arctos |
op_source |
Scientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2021) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322 doi:10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y 2045-2322 https://doaj.org/article/5bb2f810fe154de68163bfe7615cd5e4 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00667-y |
container_title |
Scientific Reports |
container_volume |
11 |
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1 |
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1766231694737670144 |