scholarly journals Ecological and Behavioral Drivers of Supplemental Feeding Use by Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus in a Peri-Urban Context

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2088
Author(s):  
Federico Ossi ◽  
Nathan Ranc ◽  
Paul Moorcroft ◽  
Priscilla Bonanni ◽  
Francesca Cagnacci
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Circular Statistics ◽  
Supplemental Feeding ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
Use Of Resources

Winter supplemental feeding of ungulates potentially alters their use of resources and ecological interactions, yet relatively little is known about the patterns of feeding sites use by target populations. We used camera traps to continuously monitor winter and spring feeding site use in a roe deer population living in a peri-urban area in Northern Italy. We combined circular statistics with generalized additive and linear mixed models to analyze the diel and seasonal pattern of roe deer visits to feeding sites, and the behavioral drivers influencing visit duration. Roe deer visits peaked at dawn and dusk, and decreased from winter to spring when vegetation regrows and temperature increases. Roe deer mostly visited feeding sites solitarily; when this was not the case, they stayed longer at the site, especially when conspecifics were eating, but maintained a bimodal diel pattern of visits. These results support an opportunistic use of feeding sites, following seasonal cycles and the roe deer circadian clock. Yet, the attractiveness of these artificial resources has the potential to alter intra-specific relationships, as competition for their use induces gatherings and may extend the contact time between individuals, with potential behavioral and epidemiological consequences.

Scale-dependent trade-offs in foraging by European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) during winter

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 1486-1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atle Mysterud ◽  
Lise-Berith Lian ◽  
Dag Øystein Hjermann
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Food Preference ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Cold Weather ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Availability Index

We studied food preferences of and patch and habitat selection by European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) by snow-tracking radio-tagged individuals. To account for the possible biases caused by patch/habitat selection on measures of food preference, we adopted a new method in which diet choice is compared with availability within each forage patch successively rather than to some home-range or study-area average. There was no difference in food preference between males and females or between day and night. When compared with that in random sites 50 m from feeding sites (patch scale), selection was random with regard to cover; however, the food availability index was higher for feeding sites than for random sites. Roe deer selected feeding sites with more cover during cold weather, whereas the food availability index had no effect at this scale (habitat scale). Roe deer selected more open habitat and feeding sites closer to human settlement at night and as snow depth increased. Females tended to select foraging sites that were more hidden than those of males. There was direct evidence of a trade-off between selection of food availability and both canopy cover and distance to human settlement but not between food availability and concealment cover.

scholarly journals Habitat preference by the Anatolian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana Valenciennes, 1856) in North-eastern Anatolia, Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alptuğ Sarı ◽  
Ebubekir Gündoğdu ◽  
Şağdan Başkaya ◽  
Ahmet Arpacık
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Local People ◽  
Eastern Anatolia ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Study Region ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Rocky Habitats

This study aims to document the existence and habitat preferences of the Anatolian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana Valenciennes, 1856) in north-eastern Anatolia, Turkey. We sampled eleven study areas in 2013–2017, primarily based on our previous field experiences, reports from local people, and literature. Based on the findings from initial surveys, camera traps and leopard studies were mostly used in parts of the Giresun (Sarıçiçek Mountain), Erzincan (Sansa Strait), and Bingöl (Yedisu Valley) Provinces. We employed both direct observations and indirect observations. A total of 58 observations were recorded, ranging from 1176–3050 meters in altitude: six camera trap pictures, three thermal video camera images, three sightings by local people, 28 sets of tracks, 13 pieces of scat, two ground-scrapings, and three tree-scratches belonging to the Anatolian leopard. We defined eight habitat types and found that leopards preferred sparse forest areas, rocky habitats, and agriculture and pasture regions the most. Furthermore, 49 of 58 observations made in the sampling areas were detected in the southerly aspects of the study region. The Anatolian leopard habitat selection is mainly based on prey abundance, and we found that leopards prefer wild boar (Sus scrofa) the most, followed by wild goat (Capra aegagrus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Behavioural responses of ungulates to indirect cues of an ambush predator

Behaviour ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 152 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1019-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Wikenros ◽  
Dries P.J. Kuijper ◽  
Robert Behnke ◽  
Krzysztof Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Eurasian Lynx ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Ambush Predator ◽  
Risk Of Predation

Ambush predators provide more persistent cues of predation risk compared to coursing predators and are predicted to exert stronger effects on behaviour of their prey. We studied anti-predator responses of ungulates by means of camera traps to an olfactory cue (fresh scat) of an ambush predator, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) both important prey species for lynx were not more vigilant when exposed to lynx scent, but reduced their visitation duration. Our results contrast with previously reported responses of red deer to scent from a coursing predator, the wolf (Canis lupus), where only vigilance and foraging behaviour but not visitation duration changed in response to wolf scat. This indicates that ungulates are able to recognize the risk of predation from predators with differing hunting modes based on olfactory cues and adjust their anti-predatory behaviour.

scholarly journals Preference and familiarity mediate spatial responses of a large herbivore to experimental manipulation of resource availability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Ranc ◽  
Paul R. Moorcroft ◽  
K. Whitney Hansen ◽  
Federico Ossi ◽  
Tobia Sforna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Individual Preference ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Spatio Temporal

AbstractThe link between spatio-temporal resource patterns and movement behaviour is a key ecological process, however, limited experimental support has been produced at the home range scale. In this study, we analysed the spatial responses of a resident large herbivore (roe deer Capreolus capreolus) during an in situ manipulation of a concentrated food resource. Specifically, we experimentally altered feeding site accessibility to roe deer and recorded (for 25 animal-years) individual responses by GPS tracking. We found that, following the loss of their preferred resource, roe deer actively tracked resource dynamics leading to more exploratory movements, and larger, spatially-shifted home ranges. Then, we showed, for the first time experimentally, the importance of site fidelity in the maintenance of large mammal home ranges by demonstrating the return of individuals to their familiar, preferred resource despite the presence of alternate, equally-valuable food resources. This behaviour was modulated at the individual level, where roe deer characterised by a high preference for feeding sites exhibited more pronounced behavioural adjustments during the manipulation. Together, our results establish the connections between movement, space-use, individual preference, and the spatio-temporal pattern of resources in home ranging behaviour.

Enamel Thickness Differs between Field and Forest European Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Jan Demesko ◽  
Marta Kurek ◽  
Patrycja Podlaszczuk ◽  
Janusz Markowski
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Enamel Thickness

scholarly journals The modular organization of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) body during ontogeny: the effects of sex and habitat

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Milošević-Zlatanović ◽  
Tanja Vukov ◽  
Srđan Stamenković ◽  
Marija Jovanović ◽  
Nataša Tomašević Kolarov
Keyword(s):  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Modular Organization

scholarly journals Testicular Melatonin and Its Pathway in Roe Deer Bucks (Capreolus capreolus) during Pre- and Post-Rut Periods: Correlation with Testicular Involution

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1874
Author(s):  
Alberto Elmi ◽  
Nadia Govoni ◽  
Augusta Zannoni ◽  
Martina Bertocchi ◽  
Chiara Bernardini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Melatonin Receptors ◽  
Local Synthesis ◽  
Testicular Weight ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gene Expression Levels

Roe deer are seasonal breeders with a complete yearly testicular cycle. The peak in reproductive activity is recorded during summer, the rutting period, with the highest levels of androgens and testicular weight. Melatonin plays a pivotal role in seasonal breeders by stimulating the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonads axis and acting locally; in different species, its synthesis within testes has been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological melatonin pattern within roe deer testes by comparing data obtained from animals sampled during pre- and post-rut periods. Melatonin was quantified in testicular parenchyma, along with the genetic expression of enzymes involved in its local synthesis (AANAT and ASMT) and function (UCP1). Melatonin receptors, MT1-2, were quantified both at protein and gene expression levels. Finally, to assess changes in reproductive hormonal profiles, testicular dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was quantified and used for a correlation analysis. Melatonin and AANAT were detected in all samples, without significant differences between pre- and post-rut periods. Despite DHEA levels confirming testicular involution during the post-rut period, no correlations appeared between such involution and melatonin pathways. This study represents the first report regarding melatonin synthesis in roe deer testes, opening the way for future prospective studies in the physiology of this species.

scholarly journals Occurrence and Activity of Roe Deer in Urban Forests of Warsaw

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Karolina D. Jasińska ◽  
Mateusz Jackowiak ◽  
Jakub Gryz ◽  
Szymon Bijak ◽  
Katarzyna Szyc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbances ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Big Cities ◽  
High Level

Human presence or activities are perceived by animals as those associated with predation risk so activity and exploration patterns of animals should be shaped by indices of anthropogenic disturbances. The high level of human disturbances is noticed in big cities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of roe deer in Warsaw and its activity in the Warsaw urban forests. We used snow tracking on transect routes (winter seasons 2016, 2017, 2018; 115.1 km in total) to determine roe deer occurrence in four habitats: forests, open areas, parks, and built-up areas. The number of tracks was highest in forests (4.6 tracks/1 km/24 h), followed by open areas, built-up areas, and parks. We used camera traps to determine the activity of roe deer in selected urban forests. We collected 697 observations of roe deer in Warsaw forests in the years 2016–2019 (per 4826 trap-days in total). The peak of roe deer activity was noticed between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. Animals were least active at 1:00–2:00 p.m. and between 11:00 p.m.–01:00 a.m. Our research showed that roe deer inhabiting the urban area avoided human presence by using well-covered habitats and being active in periods when humans’ disturbances’ level is lower.

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