scholarly journals Demographic performance of a large herbivore: effects of winter nutrition and weather

Ecosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan J. Jackson ◽  
Kelley M. Stewart ◽  
Michael J. Wisdom ◽  
Darren A. Clark ◽  
Mary M. Rowland
Keyword(s):  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Demographic Performance

Fertility partially drives the relative success of two introduced bovines (Bubalus bubalis and Bos javanicus) in the Australian tropics

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive R. McMahon ◽  
Barry W. Brook ◽  
David M. J. S. Bowman ◽  
Grant J. Williamson ◽  
Corey J. A. Bradshaw
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Ecological Damage ◽  
Bos Javanicus ◽  
Demographic Performance

Context Some large herbivores introduced to Australia have achieved population densities so high as to cause considerable ecological damage. Intriguingly, others have been relatively less successful and have correspondingly perturbed their new environments less. An excellent example is two similar-sized bovine species that established feral populations in the Northern Territory of Australia in the mid-19th century. Asian swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) rapidly colonised the tropical savannas, causing ecological degradation, especially on freshwater swamps. In contrast, banteng (Bos javanicus) are restricted to their point of introduction and have caused relatively negligible ecological damage. Understanding the reasons of this differential success is of theoretical and applied interest and contributes to managing large herbivore populations for ex situ conservation and feral-animal control. Aims To compare the population structure of buffalo and banteng on the basis of shot samples, so as to construct life tables for four contemporary (low-density) buffalo populations, and collated data from previous work from three historical (high-density) buffalo populations and one banteng population (the only extant ex situ population in existence). Further, to provide a validation of age estimation with and without informed priors in a Bayesian model comparing horn length and ages estimated from tooth cementum annuli. Finally, to interpret our results in the context of relative invasion potential of the two bovid species. Key Results For both species, survival of juveniles was the most important demographic component influencing deterministic population growth. However, buffalo have the demographic capacity to recover swiftly after control because of high survival and fertility rates across a range of population densities. Fertility of buffalo was historically greater than that of banteng, and buffalo fertility increased as their populations were reduced. Conclusions These findings highlight how subtle differences in demographic rates and feeding ecology can influence the success (high population growth and range expansion) of large herbivores, knowledge which is increasingly important for managing invasive species effectively. Implications We show that that individual life-history traits and demographic performance, especially fertility, play an important role in determining the spread of invasive bovids in a novel environment.

scholarly journals Risky movements? Natal dispersal does not decrease survival of a large herbivore

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2731-2740
Author(s):  
Eric S. Long ◽  
Duane R. Diefenbach ◽  
Clayton L. Lutz ◽  
Bret D. Wallingford ◽  
Christopher S. Rosenberry
Keyword(s):  
Natal Dispersal ◽  
Large Herbivore

Soil engineering by ants facilitates plant compensation for large herbivore removal of aboveground biomass

Ecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiwei Zhong ◽  
Xiaofei Li ◽  
Dirk Sanders ◽  
Yiming Liu ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Plant Compensation

Plant Resistance in Some Modern Soybean Varieties May Favor Population Growth and Modify the Stylet Penetration of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricélia F Almeida ◽  
Clébson S Tavares ◽  
Euires O Araújo ◽  
Marcelo C Picanço ◽  
Eugênio E Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Bemisia Tabaci ◽  
Intrinsic Rate ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Net Reproductive Rate ◽  
Bt Toxin ◽  
Demographic Performance

Abstract Complaints of severe damage by whiteflies in soybean fields containing genetically engineered (GE) varieties led us to investigate the role of transgenic soybean varieties expressing resistance to some insects (Cry1Ac Bt toxin) and to herbicide (glyphosate) on the population growth and feeding behavior of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). In the laboratory, the whiteflies reared on the GE Bt soybeans had a net reproductive rate (R0) 100% higher and intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) 15% higher than those reared on non-GE soybeans. The increased demographic performance was associated with a higher lifetime fecundity. In electrical penetration graphs, the whiteflies reared on the GE soybeans had fewer probes and spent 50% less time before reaching the phloem phase from the beginning of the first successful probe, indicating a higher risk of transmission of whitefly-borne viruses. Data from Neotropical fields showed a higher population density of B. tabaci on two soybean varieties expressing glyphosate resistance and Cry1Ac Bt toxin. These results indicate that some GE soybean varieties expressing insect and herbicide resistances can be more susceptible to whiteflies than non-GE ones or those only expressing herbicide resistance. Most likely, these differences are related to varietal features that increase host-plant susceptibility to whiteflies. Appropriate pest management may be needed to deal with whiteflies in soybean fields, especially in warm regions, and breeders may want to consider the issue when developing new soybean varieties.

scholarly journals Continuous presence of proto-cereals in Anatolia since 2.3 Ma, and their possible co-evolution with large herbivores and hominins

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Andrieu-Ponel ◽  
Pierre Rochette ◽  
François Demory ◽  
Hülya Alçiçek ◽  
Nicolas Boulbes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Large Lakes ◽  
Coprophilous Fungi ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Genetic Modifications ◽  
Bioclimatic Zone ◽  
Central Resource ◽  
Sedimentary Core ◽  
Continuous Presence ◽  
Lake Acıgöl

AbstractCereals are a central resource for the human diet and are traditionally assumed to have evolved from wild grasses at the onset of the Neolithic under the pressure of agriculture. Here we demonstrate that cereals may have a significantly longer and more diverse lineage, based on the study of a 0–2.3 Ma, 601 m long sedimentary core from Lake Acıgöl (South-West Anatolia). Pollen characteristic of cereals is abundant throughout the sedimentary sequence. The presence of large lakes within this arid bioclimatic zone led to the concentration of large herbivore herds, as indicated by the continuous occurrence of coprophilous fungi spores in the record. Our hypothesis is that the effects of overgrazing on soils and herbaceous stratum, during this long period, led to genetic modifications of the Poaceae taxa and to the appearance of proto-cereals. The simultaneous presence of hominins is attested as early as about 1.4 Ma in the lake vicinity, and 1.8 Ma in Georgia and Levant. These ancient hominins probably benefited from the availability of these proto-cereals, rich in nutrients, as well as various other edible plants, opening the way, in this region of the Middle East, to a process of domestication, which reached its full development during the Neolithic.

Multiple nutritional currencies shape pregnancy in a large herbivore

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 307-315
Author(s):  
J.R. Newby ◽  
N.J. DeCesare
Keyword(s):  
Body Fat ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Reproductive Consequences ◽  
Fat Body Mass

Nutritional condition embodies environmental conditions experienced by animals with survival and reproductive consequences. Body fat is often associated with ungulate fecundity; however, other nutritional currencies may limit fecundity. Using data from 129 moose (Alces alces (Linnaeus, 1758)) monitored over 429 moose-years, we examined the limiting role of multiple nutritional currencies on pregnancy rates while concurrently assessing the influence of age and prior reproduction. Females tended to be pregnant in successive years, suggesting differences in individual or habitat quality. However, probability of pregnancy declined with survival of calves from prior litters, indicating a reproductive cost to rearing offspring. Pregnancy was positively associated with serum iron (Fe), body fat, body mass, and serum protein. The best model predicting pregnancy included serum Fe, body fat, and age class, with serum Fe being the strongest single predictor. Moose with Fe concentrations considered deficient in cattle (Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758) had pregnancy rates of 33%–35%, whereas 89%–91% of individuals with sufficient Fe were pregnant. We subsequently evaluated hypotheses concerning factors potentially limiting Fe concentrations, including Fe-deficient diet, chronic infection, parasitism, and malnutrition. The best supported hypothesis was energy and protein malnutrition constrained Fe stores. We conclude that subclinical anemia due to nutritional constraints can limit or indicate limits in moose fecundity.

Population structure, density and biomass of large herbivores in the tropical forests of Nagarahole, India

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (01) ◽  
pp. 21-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ullas Karanth ◽  
Melvin E. Sunquist
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Transect Sampling ◽  
Structure Density ◽  
Density And Biomass ◽  
Turn Over

ABSTRACTWe studied the population structure, density and biomass of seven ungulate and two primate species in the tropical forests of Nagarahole, southern India, using line transect sampling and roadside/platform counts, during 1986–87. The estimated ecological densities of large herbivore species in the study area are: 4.2 muntjac km−2, 50.6 chital km−2, 5.5 sambar km−2, 0.8 four-horned antelope km−2, 9.6 gaur km−2, 4.2 wild pig km−2, 3.3 elephant km−2, 23.8 hanuman langur km−2and 0.6 bonnet macaque km−2. Most ungulates have female-biased adult sex ratios. Among common ungulate species, yearlings and young of the year comprise about a third of the population, suggesting relatively high turn-over rates. Three species (muntjac, sambar and four-horned antelope) are solitary, while others form groups. The study area supports a wild herbivore biomass density of 14,744 kg km−2. Among the three habitat types within the study area, biomass is lower in dry deciduous forests when compared with moist deciduous or teak plantation dominant forests. Using our results, we have examined the factors that may contribute towards maintenance of high ungulate biomass in tropical forests.

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