A5082132349- Marine animal studies overview
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Plant and animal studies
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research
2016-2025
Zoological Society of San Diego
2016-2025
Digital Research Alliance of Canada
2023-2025
Environment and Climate Change Canada
2021
University of Saskatchewan
2021
University of Alberta
2012-2017
Abstract Long‐term data on populations, threats, and habitat‐use changes are fundamentally important for conservation policy management decisions affecting species, but these often in short supply. Here, we analyze survey from 57,087 plots collected approximately three‐fourths of the giant panda's ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) distributional range during China's national surveys conducted 1999–2003 2011–2014. Pandas associated preferentially with several ecological factors avoided areas...
Migratory responses to climate change may vary across and within populations, particularly for species with large geographic ranges. An increase in the frequency of long‐distance swims (> 50 km) is one predicted consequence polar bears Ursus maritimus . We examined GPS satellite‐linked telemetry records 58 adult females 18 subadults from Beaufort Sea (BS), 59 Hudson Bay (HB), evidence swimming during seasonal migrations 2007–2012. identified 115 both populations. Median swim duration was...
Background Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the Beaufort Sea enter hyperphagia in spring and gain fat reserves to survive periods low prey availability. We collected information on seals killed by polar (n = 650) hunting attempts ringed seal (Pusa hispida) lairs 1396) observed from a helicopter during bear mark-recapture studies eastern 1985–2011. investigated how temporal shifts reproduction affect kill composition intraspecific vulnerabilities predation. Principal Findings primarily preyed...
Abstract Aim It is generally held that the dominant competitors in a population will occupy high‐quality habitat while forcing subordinates into lower‐quality habitats through interference competition. We examined distribution of non‐territorial apex carnivore relative to foraging assess effect two types interference: competitive asymmetries predatory ability and conspecific predation risk. Location B eaufort S ea, C anada. Methods The quality was modelled using resource selection functions...
The effects of declining Arctic sea ice on local ecosystem productivity are not well understood but have been shown to vary inter-specifically, spatially, and temporally. Because marine mammals occupy upper trophic levels in food webs, they may be useful indicators for understanding variation productivity. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) apex predators that primarily consume benthic pelagic-feeding ice-associated seals. As such, their integrates conditions the supporting them. Declining...
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have adapted to an annual cyclic regime of feeding and fasting, which is extreme in seasonal sea ice regions the Arctic. As a consequence climate change, breakup has become earlier duration open-water period through polar must rely on fat reserves increased. To date, there limited empirical data with evaluate potential energetic capacity withstand longer fasts. We measured incoming outgoing mass inactive (n = 142) that were temporarily detained by Manitoba...
Abstract Ringed seal ( Pusa hispida ) breeding distribution has been extensively studied across near‐shore habitats, but received limited attention at a seascape scale due to the difficulty in accessing offshore sea ice environments. Employing highly visible predation attempts by polar bears Ursus maritimus on ringed seals subnivean lairs observed helicopter, spatial relationship between predatory behaviour and habitat was examined. Resource selection functions were used determine relative...
Abstract Individual variation in habitat selection has emerged as an important component necessary for understanding population ecology. For threatened species, where loss and alteration affect trends, use provides insight into mechanisms of change. Polar bears, Ursus maritimus , the Western Hudson Bay subpopulation have experienced declines body condition, survival, abundance associated with delayed freeze‐up earlier break‐up sea ice due to climate Although this been intensively studied,...
Migration is a common life history strategy among Arctic vertebrates, yet some of its aspects remain poorly described for species. In February-March, post-parturient polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in western Hudson Bay, Canada, migrate from maternity den sites on land to the sea ice with three- four-month-old cubs. We investigated this migration using data 10 adult females fitted satellite-linked global positioning system collars tracked 2011 – 16. Directed movement towards coast began...
Abstract The influence of climate change on wildlife disease dynamics is a burgeoning conservation and human health issue, but few long‐term studies empirically link to pathogen prevalence. Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are vulnerable the negative impacts sea ice loss as result accelerated Arctic warming. While have associated changes in polar bear body condition, reproductive output, survival, abundance reductions ice, no documented impact exposure. We examined 425 serum samples from 381...
The energetic gains from foraging and costs of movement are expected to be key drivers animal decision-making, as their balance is a large determinant body condition survival. This fundamental perspective often missing habitat selection studies, which mainly describe correlations between space use environmental features, rather than the mechanisms behind these correlations. To address this gap, we present novel parameterisation step functions (SSFs), that term energy function (ESF). In...
Northern Canada is warming at 3 times the global rate. Thus, changing diversity and distribution of vectors pathogens an increasing health concern. California serogroup (CSG) viruses are mosquitoborne arboviruses; wildlife reservoirs in northern ecosystems have not been identified. We detected CSG virus antibodies 63% (95% CI 58%-67%) caribou (n = 517), 4% 2%-7%) Arctic foxes 297), 12% 6%-21%) red 77), 28% 24%-33%) polar bears 377). Sex, age, summer temperatures were positively associated...
An intense public debate has fuelled governmental bans on marine mammals held in zoological institutions. The rests the assumption that survival institutions been and remains lower than wild, albeit scientific evidence support of this notion is equivocal. Here, we used statistical methods previously applied to assess historical improvements human lifespan data 8864 individuals four mammal species (harbour seal,
Predation is an ecological interaction influenced by abiotic and biotic factors acting on multiple temporal scales, yet multi‐temporal comparisons are rare in empirical studies. For polar bears Ursus maritimus , the physical configuration of habitat conditions which seals hunted may change intra‐ inter‐seasonal scales. Additionally, while effects climate have focused linking reductions sea ice to body condition survival, potential changes on‐ice hunting not been examined. Employing...
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) life history is intimately associated with the distribution of sea ice and their prey in Arctic ecosystems. These ecosystems are changing response to climate warming, resulting increased prevalence pathogens polar bears. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae has a long infection domestic species more recently wildlife Canadian Arctic. As result increasing reports E. causing morbidity mortality terrestrial mammals, we tested seroprevalence Beaufort Sea bears sampled...
The extent to which species might be able evolutionarily respond rapid environmental change relies strongly on their genetic diversity. Accurate knowledge of both patterns evolution and variation across the range is important for determining appropriate conservation management strategies. Arctic fastest-warming region planet, with rest world expected reach temperature increases currently experienced in by turn century. Here, we review synthesize research evolutionary processes polar bears....
Abstract Maternal denning plays a vital role in the development and survival of highly altricial polar bear cubs by providing protection from external conditions. The period remains challenging to study monitor because dens are often remote difficult access. Denning is typically inferred satellite telemetry data, yet accuracy these measures capturing important behaviors that relevant management monitoring unclear. We installed cameras at 13 den sites Svalbard, Norway, over 6‐year period, 9...
ABSTRACT Maximizing detection probability of elusive species enhances the robustness population and occupancy estimates, which are essential for supporting impactful conservation strategies. Although number camera trap studies on leopards is increasing, few have assessed drivers influencing leopard specifically. We used modeling embedded in a causal inference framework to provide four biologically robust site use models against test influence six factors likely detectability at level...
Climate change is one of the most pervasive threats to biodiversity globally, yet influence climate relative other drivers species depletion and range contraction remain difficult disentangle. Here, we examine climatic non-climatic correlates giant panda (
Abstract Seasonal migrations allow to access temporally varying resources and individuals may show fidelity specific locations. Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) are a sea ice dependent species that migrate between marine terrestrial habitats, the latter being important for parturition early cub rearing. However, maternity den sites is poorly understood. We assessed polar bear maternal site of Western Hudson Bay subpopulation in Manitoba, Canada. Using capture telemetry data collected 1979 −...