Dataset Information

Effects of sexual dimorphism and landscape composition on the trophic behavior of Greater Prairie-Chicken.

ABSTRACT: Partitioning of ecological niche is expected in lekking species that show marked sexual size dimorphism as a consequence of sex-specific ecological constraints. However, niche partitioning is uncertain in species with moderate sexual dimorphism. In addition, the ecological niche of a species may also be affected by landscape composition; particularly, agricultural fragmentation may greatly influence the trophic behavior of herbivores. We studied trophic niche variation in Greater Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido), a grouse species that shows moderate sex-dimorphism. Greater Prairie-Chickens are native to tallgrass prairies of North America, although populations persist in less natural mosaics of cropland and native habitats. We used stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen in blood, claws and feathers to assess seasonal differences in trophic niche breadth and individual specialization between male and female Greater Prairie-Chickens, and between birds living in continuous and fragmented landscapes. We found that females showed broader niches and higher individual specialization than males, especially in winter and autumn. However, differences between females and males were smaller in spring when birds converge at leks, suggesting that females and males may exhibit similar feeding behaviors during the lekking period. In addition, we found that birds living in native prairies showed greater annual trophic variability than conspecifics in agricultural mosaic landscapes. Native habitats may provide greater dietary diversity, resulting in greater diversity of feeding strategies.

SUBMITTER: Blanco-Fontao B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3823567 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effects of sexual dimorphism and landscape composition on the trophic behavior of Greater Prairie-Chicken.

Blanco-Fontao Beatriz B Sandercock Brett K BK Obeso José Ramón JR McNew Lance B LB Quevedo Mario M

PloS one 20131111 11

Partitioning of ecological niche is expected in lekking species that show marked sexual size dimorphism as a consequence of sex-specific ecological constraints. However, niche partitioning is uncertain in species with moderate sexual dimorphism. In addition, the ecological niche of a species may also be affected by landscape composition; particularly, agricultural fragmentation may greatly influence the trophic behavior of herbivores. We studied trophic niche variation in Greater Prairie-Chicken ...[more]

PMID: 24244588

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Project description:Around 5 % of mammals are socially monogamous and both parents provide care to the pups (biparental, BP). Prairie voles are socially monogamous rodents extensively used to understand the neurobiological basis of pair bond formation and the consequences that the absence of one parent has in the offspring. Pair bonding, characterized by selective affiliation with a sexual partner, is facilitated in prairie voles by mating for 6 h or cohabitation without mating for 24 h. It was previously shown that prairie voles raised by their mother alone (monoparental, MP) show delayed pair bond formation upon reaching adulthood. In this study we evaluated the effects of BP and MP care provided on the offspring's development, ability to detect olfactory cues, preference for sexually relevant odors, display of sexual behavior, as well as the rewarding effects of mating. We also measured dopamine and serotonin concentration in the nucleus accumbens (ventral striatum) and dorsal striatum after cohabitation and mating (CM) to determine if differences in these neurotransmitters could underlie the delay in pair bond formation in MP voles. Our data showed that MP voles received less licking/grooming than BP voles, but no developmental differences between groups were found. No differences were found in the detection and discrimination of olfactory cues or preference for sexually relevant odors, as all groups innately preferred opposite sex odors. No differences were found in the display of sexual behavior. However, CM induced reinforcing properties only in BP males, followed by a preference for their sexual partner in BP but not MP males. BP males showed an increase in dopamine turnover (DOPAC/DA and HVA/DA) in the nucleus accumbens in comparison to MP voles. No differences in dopamine, serotonin or their metabolites were found in the dorsal striatum. Our results indicate that MP voles that received less licking behavior exhibit a delay in pair bond formation possibly because the sexual interaction is not rewarding enough.

Project description:The reduction and simplification of grasslands has led to the decline of numerous species of grassland fauna, particularly grassland-obligate birds. Prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus spp.) are an example of obligate grassland birds that have declined throughout most of their distribution and are species of conservation concern. Pyric herbivory has been suggested as a land management strategy for enhancing prairie-chicken habitat and stabilizing declining population trends. We assessed differences in vegetation structure created by pyric herbivory compared to fire-only treatments to determine whether pyric herbivory increased habitat heterogeneity for prairie-chickens, spatially or temporally. Our study was performed at four sites in the southern Great Plains, all within the current or historic distribution of either lesser (T. pallidicinctus), greater (T. cupido), or Attwater's (T. cupido attwateri) prairie-chickens. Key vegetation characteristics of grass cover and vegetation height in pyric herbivory and fire-only treatments were within the recommended range of values for prairie-chickens during their distinct life history stages. However, patches managed via pyric herbivory provided approximately 5% more forb cover than fire-only treatments for almost 30 months post-fire. Additionally, pyric herbivory extended the length of time bare ground was present after fires. Pyric herbivory also reduced vegetation height and biomass, with mean vegetation height in pyric herbivory treatments lagging behind fire-only treatments by approximately 15 months. Canopy cover in fire-only treatments exceeded levels recommended for prairie-chicken young within 12 months post-fire. However, canopy cover in pyric herbivory treatments never exceeded the maximum recommended levels. Overall, it appears that pyric herbivory improves vegetation characteristics reported as critical to prairie-chicken reproduction. Based on our results, we suggest pyric herbivory as a viable management technique to promote prairie-chicken habitat in the southern Great Plains, while still accommodating livestock production.

Dataset Information

Effects of sexual dimorphism and landscape composition on the trophic behavior of Greater Prairie-Chicken.

Publications

Effects of sexual dimorphism and landscape composition on the trophic behavior of Greater Prairie-Chicken.

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