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Daniel T Blumstein - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Parasites Are Associated With Noisy Alarm Calls
    Frontiers Media S.A., 2019
    Co-Authors: Kimia Nouri, Daniel T Blumstein
    Abstract:

    Many animal signals used for mate choice assessment are condition dependent, but less is known about the condition dependence of other biologically important signals. We asked whether yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventer) alarm calls varied as a function of parasite infection and/or neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios (a measure of immunological challenge). We found that marmots infected with Eimeria, an intestinal parasite, had noisier calls. This is potentially because of an immunostimulating effect of Eimeria infection which may draw energy from nonvital functions. The results suggest calls potentially contain information about parasite status which could be used by receivers to estimate a caller's condition. Future studies are required to determine whether infection influences caller reliability and how receivers respond to alarm calls from parasitized individuals

  • social security social relationship strength and connectedness influence how marmots respond to alarm calls
    Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Daniel T Blumstein, Holly Fuong, E Palmer
    Abstract:

    Individuals vary in the number and types of social relationships they maintain. If beneficial, social relationships may reduce predation risk and thus increase an individual’s sense of security. We tested this hypothesis by studying the responses of female yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventer) to broadcast alarm calls from unfamiliar individuals. First, we quantified affiliative interactions of animals in the field to calculate a set of social network measures. Because attributes of sociality are often correlated, we used principal component analysis to reduce our social network metrics to two unrelated factors and used the social network measure that accounted for the most variance for each principal component in further analyses. We then quantified the change in time allocated to vigilance and foraging following alarm call playback from baseline levels to the first 30 s and the second 30 s period (i.e., 31–60 s) following playback. We expected that if marmots with strong affiliative relationships felt more secure, they would forage more and allocate less time to vigilance after their immediate vigilance response to the broadcast alarm calls. Using mixed effects models that controlled for variation explained by a number of biologically important covariates and permutation tests to test the significance of social network variables, we found that marmots with a higher incloseness allocated significantly more time to vigilance in both the first and second 30 s after hearing a novel alarm call. Additionally, and while not significant (the observed parameter estimate fell between the 90 and 95% CI), marmots with a higher outstrength increased foraging in the second 30 s after hearing a novel alarm call. If we assume that time allocated to foraging is a measure of security, then marmots with strong affiliative relationships reacted more to an alarm call from a novel individual and seemingly felt more secure than their counterparts. Our results, therefore, suggest that strong social relationships increase perceptions of security and illustrate an effect of social relationships on predation risk assessment. In many species, including humans, there are benefits from maintaining good social relationships. These benefits include better health and greater longevity. We studied yellow-bellied marmots, a ground-dwelling squirrel that is notable because it has variable social relationships. Capitalizing on this social variation, we found that marmots that maintain strong affiliative relationships with other marmots may indeed forage more after hearing an artificially broadcast alarm call than marmots with weaker affiliative relationships. This result suggests that marmots that are more socially connected with others in their group may feel relatively more secure, possibly because they have others that can help them assess risk, and that a benefit of maintaining strong friendly social ties is that it permits animals to forage more. Thus, we suggest a new way that social relationships can be beneficial: they increase perceptions of security and this ultimately may facilitate foraging.

  • PII: S1095-6433 Ž02.00219-2 Energetics of hibernating yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris)
    2016
    Co-Authors: Kenneth B Armitage, Daniel T Blumstein, Brett C. Woodsa
    Abstract:

    Yellow-bellied marmots (Rodentia: Sciuridae) typically hibernate for eight months. This study explored energetic costs of hibernation in young and adults at 10 and 6 8C. Age significantly affected the percent time torpid, total and mass-specific VO, use of energy during torpor, and daily mass loss at 6 8C. Thus young had a higher mass-specific VO2 2 during a torpor bout, which was attributed to higher metabolism during deep torpor. Total VO during a bout was higher2 in young and there were significant temperatureyage interactions; young had a higher VO during torpor and deep torpor2 at 6 8C than at 10 8C. VO increased at T s below 6 8C. Young had a higher daily mass loss than adults at 6 8C.2 E Euthermy increased energetic costs 19.3 times over those of torpor and 23.5 times over those of deep torpor. Energy costs are minimized by spending 88.6 % of the hibernation period in torpor, by the rapid decline of VO from euthermy2 to torpor and by allowing T to decline at low T. Torpidity results in average energy savings during winter of 83.3%B E of the costs of maintaining euthermy. Energy savings are greater than those reported for Marmota Marmota and M. monax

  • does locomotor ability influence flight initiation distance in yellow bellied marmots
    Ethology, 2015
    Co-Authors: Daniel T Blumstein, Guadalupe Flores, Nicole E Munoz
    Abstract:

    Flight initiation distance (FID) is the distance between a potential threat and the point at which a potential prey flees. Animals may modify their FID to compensate for increased risk generated by external/extrinsic factors such as habitat type, visibility, group size, time of year, predator-approach velocity, and distance to burrow, as well as internal/intrinsic factors such as physical condition, body temperature, crypsis, and morphological antipredator defenses. The intrinsic speed at which an animal can escape a predator is a factor that should influence FID. We studied the relationship between an individual's intrinsic escape speed and FID in yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) to determine whether marmots compensated for slower escape speeds by fleeing at greater distances. We found no evidence of risk compensation. Rather, we found that slower marmots tolerated closer approaches. This behavioral syndrome may be explained by a coevolution of FID and escape speed in determining an individual's antipredator behavior, an idea upon which we expand.

  • do marmots display a dear enemy phenomenon in response to anal gland secretions
    Journal of Zoology, 2013
    Co-Authors: H B Cross, Daniel T Blumstein, Frank Rosell
    Abstract:

    The ‘dear enemy phenomenon’ (DEP) is a form of neighbour–stranger discrimination in which resident territorial individuals respond less agonistically to intrusions by known neighbouring conspecifics than they do to strangers. We tested philopatric female yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) for the presence of DEP. We hypothesized that dominant females discriminated between the anal gland secretion (AGS) from female neighbours and strangers, and predicted that they would respond more agonistically (as reflected by the duration of both sniffing and physical behaviour) towards AGS from strangers than neighbours. We also hypothesized that female marmots would respond differently to kin and non-kin female neighbours, and predicted a reduced agonistic response to related individuals. Direct observations of resident marmot's responses to the olfactory trials showed that marmots spent significantly longer durations sniffing the AGS of both neighbours and strangers than a neutral scent-free control. However, there was no significant difference in the sniffing response duration towards AGS from a neighbour or a stranger. In addition, kinship was not found to influence the responses of residents to neighbours or strangers. We conclude that, although female yellow-bellied marmots detect AGS, they do not seem to discriminate between neighbours and strangers via AGS scent marks. Other secretions may be used in territorial identification.

Walter Arnold - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • rewarming rates of two large hibernators comparison of a monotreme and a eutherian
    Journal of Thermal Biology, 2009
    Co-Authors: S C Nicol, Walter Arnold, N A Andersen, Thomas Ruf
    Abstract:

    We measured body temperatures in two large hibernating mammals, the eutherian alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota) and the egg-laying echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) from unrestrained animals in their natural environment. In both species hibernation is broken every 13 days on average by rewarming to euthermic temperatures. We found that the time course of a rewarming could be closely fitted with a sigmoid curve, allowing calculation of peak rewarming rate and corresponding body temperature. Maximum rewarming rates were twice as high in marmots as in echidnas (12.1±1.3 °C h−1, n=10 cf. 6.2±1.2 °C h−1, n=10). Peak rewarming rates were positively correlated with body temperature in echidnas, but negatively correlated in marmots.

  • seasonal changes in morphology and function of the gastrointestinal tract of free living alpine marmots Marmota Marmota
    Journal of Comparative Physiology B-biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology, 2002
    Co-Authors: D Hume, Thomas Ruf, Christoph Beiglbock, Fredy Freyroos, Ute Bruns, Walter Arnold
    Abstract:

    The gastrointestinal tracts of 76 free-living alpine marmots ( Marmota Marmota) shot during a population control program in Switzerland were collected and analysed for patterns of change in morphology and function over the period from emergence from hibernation in April to just before re-entry into hibernation in September. Between first emergence and mid-summer (July) the fresh tissue mass of the stomach increased by 105%, the small intestine by 259% (among the largest recorded for a mammal), caecum by 185%, proximal colon by 138%, and distal colon by 144%. Mitotic activity was greatest in the small intestine; the mitotic index was high (40%) compared with indexes in the stomach and hindgut (approximately 4%) even at emergence, and increased to approximately 60% by mid-summer. Microbial activity in the caecum was also significant at emergence. The stomach (length) and caecum (length and fresh mass) increased in response to ingested food earlier than did the small intestine. Between mid-summer and September there were decreases in small intestinal tissue mass and mitotic activity. It is concluded that the gastrointestinal tract of alpine marmots probably continues to function throughout hibernation at a low level, with a mid-winter trough as part of an endogenous circannual rhythm. However, after emergence in spring, increases in size and activity of the tract appear to be a response to ingested food rather than to an endogenous signal. The early signs of down-regulation of the small intestine before re-entry into hibernation, together with its delayed up-regulation in response to food in spring, are consistent with the high costs of maintaining this section of the digestive system.

  • ecology and social behavior of golden marmots Marmota caudata aurea
    Journal of Mammalogy, 1998
    Co-Authors: Daniel T Blumstein, Walter Arnold
    Abstract:

    We studied golden marmots (Marmota caudata aurea), a little-studied, hibernating Eurasian sciurid, for 6 years at Dhee Sar, Pakistan, to evaluate their social behavior in light of existing thoughts about social evolution of marmots. Golden marmots most commonly were found in apparently monogamous associations (37/89 social groups consisted of one adult male and one adult female) but lived in larger groups containing up to seven adults, where group members shared a common home range and burrow system. When multiple adults lived together, contrary to the typical sciurid pattern, they lived in male-biased social groups. When multiple adult females shared a home range, only a single female in a given group lactated and weaned young. Reproduction was infrequent; >80% of social groups failed to wean a litter in any given year. Golden marmots delayed leaving their natal home range until after they had reached adult body size (2::3 years old) and were presumably sexually mature. Groups with mUltiple adults were largely a consequence of delayed dis­ persal. Resident marmots commonly tolerated adult immigrants. Golden marmots hiber­ nated socially; the active season of all members of a group was identical. Overwinter mortality of juveniles (30%) was higher than that of yearlings or adults « 10%). Some evidence of benefits from social hibernation was found; juveniles hibernating with only parents and littermate siblings suffered lower overwinter mortality than juveniles hibernat­ ing with other individuals. While general predictions about sociality in marmots were up­ held, an economic model combining defense costs and resource distribution failed to ex­ plain the mechanism of social monogamy.

  • low genetic variability in a natural alpine marmot population Marmota Marmota sciuridae revealed by dna fingerprinting
    Molecular Ecology, 1994
    Co-Authors: Knut Rassmann, Walter Arnold, Diethard Tautz
    Abstract:

    Genetic heterogeneity is usually considered an important factor for the viability of a population, yet there are cases in which populations sustain themselves despite virtual homozygosity. A prior step to studying the effects of such low levels of genetic variability can be the analysis of its causes. We analysed a population of the highly social alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota, Sciuridae) by multilocus DNA fingerprinting. The fingerprint patterns revealed a very low degree of polymorphism in our main study population. We show that this lack of hypervariability is caused by a low effective population size, rather than by an unusual low mutation rate of the fingerprint loci studied. However, the current number of breeding pairs was found to be about an order of magnitude larger than the one that would be expected to lead to such a low degree of heterozygosity. We conclude that there must have been bottlenecks in the history of the Berchtesgaden marmot population that have severely affected its genetic heterozygosity.

Andrea Cardini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • postnatal ontogeny of marmot rodentia sciuridae crania allometric trajectories and species divergence
    Journal of Mammalogy, 2006
    Co-Authors: Andrea Cardini, Richard W Thorington
    Abstract:

    Marmots are the largest extant representatives of the squirrel family (Sciuridae). Members of this clade are believed to have conservative skeletal characters and are inclined to convergence in species with similar size and ecology. However, this does not seem to hold for the mandible and cranium of marmots; instead, similarities reflect subgeneric classification or geographic distribution. To understand the pattern of morphological evolution in the genus Marmota, the ontogeny of the cranium is investigated in 7 of the 14 living marmot species. In particular, the role of allometry in producing intra- and interspecific differences is analyzed. Sexual dimorphism in allometric trajectories is found to be negligible, whereas shape traits that characterize a specific age are mostly allometric. Allometry accounts for an important proportion, although not for the majority, of shape variation during postnatal ontogeny of the cranium. Interspecific differences in allometric trajectories are generally small and the majority of shape differences in relation to phylogeny appear early in ontogeny. Thus, allometry might have had a limited role in producing the morphological variation of living marmot species or it might even have constrained the range of evolutionary changes in this clade. A very different role of allometry as a source of morphological novelties can be speculated to exist in earlier stages of marmot evolutionary history, when a highly distinctive cranial shape evolved concomitant with a 2-fold increase in size. Three sets of analyses are performed to investigate the ontogeny of cranial form in Marmota. Three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of anatomical landmarks are used to describe the whole marmot cranium in the first 3D geometric morphometric analysis of a sciurid taxon. Also, anatomical landmarks that describe the dorsal and lateral sides of the cranium are used for 2-dimensional (2D) analyses complementary to previous studies on the ventral cranium. Despite the complexity of the cranium, which makes it a poor candidate for 2D studies, results of 2D and 3D analyses are generally in good agreement.

  • morphological evolution in marmots rodentia sciuridae size and shape of the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the cranium
    Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2005
    Co-Authors: Andrea Cardini, Robert S Hoffmann, Richard W Thorington
    Abstract:

    Marmots are the largest ground squirrels and have been extensively studied by sociobiologists investigating the evolution of mammal societies. Being a member of the sciurid clade, traditionally considered inclined to convergence, they are also a group on which to test the hypothesis of sciurid propensity to homoplasy of osteological characters. In the present analysis, the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the cranium of all living marmot species are compared with geometric morphometric techniques. Phenetic groups are found which reflect the subgeneric classification of marmots and are consistent with previous morphometric analyses of the mandible and ventral cranium. Two species have distinctive morphologies and phenetic relationships not congruent with phylogeny. Marmota vancouverensis is highly divergent for osteological characters, fur colour and behaviour despite its young age and close genetic similarity to Marmota caligata. Its small population may represent a rare chance to study evolutionary processes during rapid allopatric speciation in mammals, but strong conservation efforts are required to preserve this unique component of the Vancouver Island biodiversity. Also, Marmota monax has distinctive cranial traits. These are possibly related to its long separate evolutionary history and unique ecology and behaviour. Size-related convergence is not evident in Marmota. When outgroup species are included, Spermophilus, Cynomys, Tamias, and Sciurus group together on one branch, Marmota on the other. This is best explained as a retention of the ancestral morphology in the smaller members of the Marmotini (Spermophilus, Cynomys, and Tamias) and the evolution of derived morphology in Marmota. Riassunto Le marmotte sono i piu grandi sciuridi viventi e sono state intensamente studiate dai sociobiologi nel tentativo di comprendere le dinamiche evolutive delle societa mammaliane. Questa linea di scoiattoli terricoli rappresenta, inoltre, un ambito per la verifica dell'ipotesi di propensione all'omoplasia nella forma delle ossa degli sciuridi. Nella presente indagine, le superifici dorsale e laterale del cranio di tutte le specie viventi di marmotte sono state analizzate e confrontate servendosi di tecniche di morfometria geometrica. I raggruppamenti fenetici scoperti rispecchiano la classificazione in sottogeneri delle marmotte e sono congruenti con i risultati di precedenti studi sulla morfologia della mandibola e del lato ventrale del cranio. Due specie, tuttavia, hanno caratteristiche peculiari e le loro relazioni fenetiche con gli altri membri del genere non-riflettono i rapporti filogenetici. Marmota vancouverensis, a dispetto della recente origine evolutiva e della somiglianza genetica con M. caligata, possiede caratteri osteologici fortemente divergenti, oltre a tratti del comportamento e colore della mantello unici tra le marmotte. La piccola popolazione di M. vancouverensis potrebbe rappresentare una rara opportunita di indagare i meccanismi evolutivi dei processi di speciazione rapida in allopatria. La sopravvivenza di questa componente unica della biodiversita dell'isola di Vancouver dipendera, tuttavia, da un'efficace e duratura politica conservazionista. Anche Marmota monax presenta caratteri craniometrici peculiari parallelamente ad aspetti singolari della sua ecologia ed etologia, ma, diversamente da M. vancouverensis, ha alle spalle una lunga storia evolutiva. Le marmotte non-sembrano, invece, caratterizzate da forme convergenti in specie di taglia simile. I rappresentanti dei generi Spermophilus, Cynomys, Tamias e Sciurus, adoperati come outgroup, si raggruppano insieme, ben separati dalle marmotte. Questo si puo spiegare con la conservazione di caratteri plesiomorfici nei membri di piccola taglia dei Marmotini (Spermophilus, Cynomys, and Tamias) e con l'evoluzione di tratti autoapomorfici nelle ben piu grosse marmotte.

  • Evolution of marmots (Rodentia, Sciuridae): combining information on labial and lingual sides of the mandible
    Acta Theriologica, 2004
    Co-Authors: Andrea Cardini
    Abstract:

    The morphology of the lingual side of the mandible was analysed in the genus Marmota . Adults from 12 of 14 living species were compared using geometric morphometric techniques. The information on the lingual side was then combined with that of the labial side from a previous analysis. The combined dataset is the most complete description of a marmot mandible ever used in an interspecific comparison in this genus and it represents the second morphological study ever realized that includes a large sample with all marmot species. The study confirmed the uniqueness of M. vancouverensis for mandible morphology, with atypical traits likely to have evolved in a relatively young but small population of marmots isolated on the Vancouver Island since the end of the Pleistocene (10 000–100 000 ybp), stressing the importance of a strong effort to save this species from extinction. Marmota olympus also has a distinctive mandibular trait undetected in a previous analysis using information on the lingual side only. The Olympic marmot has a longer evolutionary history but it is presently found only in the Olympic Peninsula and shares with M. vancouverensis a similar history of geographic isolation and population bottlenecks. Genetic bottlenecks might have profoundly affected marmot morphological evolution and may have increased the rate of shape change in marmot radiations. Both the analysis of the lingual side alone and the combined dataset (lingual and labial information) failed to clearly discriminate the two main marmot subgenera but the combined description of the mandible supports the similarity of the two main species ( M. caligata and M. flaviventris ) of the subgenus PetroMarmota , and the proximity of the North American M. monax to Palaearctic marmots. Surprisingly, the analysis of the lingual side indicated that M. camtschatica and M. Marmota have unusual traits for the subgenus Marmota . At least for the latter species, this finding is congruent with peculiarities in fur and parasitic relationships, and may be related to an ancient phylogenetic origin for M. Marmota .

  • patterns of morphological evolution in Marmota rodentia sciuridae geometric morphometrics of the cranium in the context of marmot phylogeny ecology and conservation
    Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, 2004
    Co-Authors: Andrea Cardini, Paul Ohiggins
    Abstract:

    Marmots are of great interest for both sociobiologists studying the evolution of mammal societies and conservationists trying to protect them from extinction. In contrast, their phylogeny and morphological evolution are poorly understood and studied. Recently, a phylogenetic analysis using cytochrome b provided the first reconstruction of marmot evolutionary history and suggested that a high level of sociality evolved at least twice independently in the two proposed marmot subgenera. A morphological analysis of the marmot mandible supported this subgeneric classification and showed interesting, and unexpected, patterns in the evolution of marmot skeletal characters. In the present study we investigated a more complex, and potentially informative structure, the ventral cranium. Geometric morphometric techniques were applied in the first analysis of cranial morphology including all marmot species. Three main phenetic groups were found, which reflect phylogeny (subgenus PetroMarmota, and Palaearctic subgenus Marmota) or geographical distribution (Palaearctic vs. Nearctic subgenus Marmota). Convergence in skeletal characters due to size similarities, a common finding in the sciurid skeleton according to traditional morphological analyses, did not occur in the marmot ventral cranium. Despite a genetic distance between Marmota vancouverensis and Marmota caligata similar to that among different populations of the latter species, the Vancouver Island marmot had the most atypical ventral cranium in the subgenus PetroMarmota. This finding confirmed results obtained with the mandible, and emphasized the uniqueness of M. vancouverensis and the usefulness of complementing molecular analyses with morphological studies for a thorough characterization of population divergence, and a careful planning of conservation strategies.

  • the geometry of the marmot rodentia sciuridae mandible phylogeny and patterns of morphological evolution
    Systematic Biology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Andrea Cardini
    Abstract:

    Marmots have a prominent role in the study of mammalian social evolution, but only recently has their systematics received the attention it deserves if sociobiological studies are to be placed in a phylogenetic context. Sciurid morphology can be used as model to test the congruence between morphological change and phylogeny because sciurid skeletal characters are considered to be inclined to convergence. However, no morphological study involving all marmot species has ever been undertaken. Geometric morphometric techniques were applied in a comparative study of the marmot mandible. The adults of all 14 living marmot species were compared, and mean mandible shape were used to investigate morphological evolution in the genus Marmota. Three major trends were observed. First, the phylogenetic signal in the variation of landmark geometry, which describes mandible morphology, seems to account for the shape differences at intermediate taxonomic levels. The subgenera Marmota and PetroMarmota, recently proposed on the basis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence, receive support from mandible morphology. When other sciurid genera were included in the analysis, the monophyly of the genus Marmota and that of the tribe Marmotini (i.e., marmots, prairie dogs, and ground squirrels) was strengthened by the morphological data. Second, the marmotine mandible may have evolved as a mosaic of characters and does not show convergence determined by size similarities. Third, allopatric speciation in peripheral isolates may have acted as a powerful force for modeling shape. This hypothesis is strongly supported by the peculiar mandible of M. vancouverensis and, to a lesser degree, by that of M. olympus, both thought to have originated as isolated populations in Pleistocene ice-free refugia.

Nikol'skii A.a. - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The alarm call of Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana, Rodentia, Sciuridae)
    2020
    Co-Authors: Nikol'skii A.a., Formozov N.a.
    Abstract:

    Alarm calls of Himalayan man-not were recorded in Kun-Lun (China), Central (Nepal) and Western (India) Himalayans in field conditions. The alarm call is a series of sounds. The interval between the series is typically 5-20 s. Each series consists of short rapidly emitted sounds. Usually, series last less than 1 s; the duration of each sound is less than 80 ms. Quite often, additional sounds may appear between the main sounds. They are significantly shorter and have less amplitude than the main sounds. The intersound period of the main sounds is 2-3 times longer than the duration of sound. The distinctive feature of alarm call in Himalayan marmot, if to compare with other species of Marmota genus, is a close position of the first and the second sounds in series as a result of the fading phase of frequency modulation in the end of the first sound and beginning of the second one. As a result, the interval between the first and the second sounds in series becomes much shorter. The value of the high-frequency component grows rapidly in the beginning of the sound within a relatively wide range and has short fading part in the end of the sound. The first and the second sounds in series are exceptions. Similar to alarm call in marmots from the bobak group, each sound of alarm call in Hymalayan marmot starts with the low-frequency component. Its expression varies in different animals. This study confirms the species specificity and relationships between alarm calls in Hymalayan marmot and marmot of the bobak group based on the presence of the low-frequency component. The name M. bobak used for Hymalayan marmot (prevalent in scientific literature) is mistaken. The spectral structure of the Hymalayan marmot alarm calls leads to the assumption that the call forms are a result of biphonation. In vocalization, the animals use simultaneously two acoustic sources. The low-frequency component is formed by one of the sources, the high-frequency component, by the other one

  • On a range of Marmota himalayana (Rodentia, sciuridae) in Nepal as the southernmost border of its distribution
    2020
    Co-Authors: Nikol'skii A.a., Ulak A.
    Abstract:

    The southernmost border of distribution of Marmota himalayana (Hodson 1841) is at the same time the southernmost one for the genus Marmota. Besed on the map of "Horizontal and vertical distribution of vegetation in the Himalayas (Schweinfurth 1957), the subalpine and alpine belts are distinguished as the area of the most probable distribution of marmots in Nepal. The localities of marmot settlements in the territory of Nepal are shown. The southern border of distribution of M. himalayana, as well as the southernmost border of Marmota genus is between 28°N and 27°N in the Nepal Himalayas

  • Key factors determining the ecological niche of the Himalayan marmot, Marmota himalayana Hodgson (1841)
    'Pleiades Publishing Ltd', 2020
    Co-Authors: Nikol'skii A.a., Ulak A.
    Abstract:

    Four key factors determining the ecological niche of the Himalayan marmot, Marmota himalayana Hodgson (1841), in the Central Himalayas (Nepal) have been identified. These are elevation above sea level, temperature, the presence of accumulative formations, and feeding conditions. The Himalayan marmot ecologically differs from all other marmots of the world fauna, and the main difference is that the lower boundary of its range lies very high - 3000 m above sea level. © Pleiades Publishing, Inc., 2006

  • The hibernation temperature niche of the steppe marmot Marmota bobak Müller 1776
    'Informa UK Limited', 2020
    Co-Authors: Nikol'skii A.a.
    Abstract:

    Before hibernation, steppe marmots (Marmota bobak Müller 1776) close their burrows to prevent convection transfer of heat to the inside of the burrow. As a result, the temperature inside the burrow differs only slightly from that of the surrounding soil. Using data on soil temperature, I described the temperature regime of steppe marmot burrows (depth from 140 to 450 cm) during hibernation (from August to April), within the species and subspecies ranges. Taking into account the total soil depth of the hibernation chamber and the dates for the beginning and end of hibernation, the steppe marmot enters hibernation at a temperature of 8-16 °C, and ends hibernation at a temperature of 2-4 °C. The hibernation temperature regime differs significantly between the subspecies. M. b. bobak winters at a temperature of 3-4 °C higher than M. b. schaganensis. In the range of M. b. schaganensis marmots start hibernation 1 to 2 months earlier than in the range of M. b. bobak. The cause of subspecies differences in dates of onset of hibernation appear to lie in the zonal properties of seasonal changes in air temperature. In the course of hibernation, the soil temperature declines gradually at a rate approaching 1 °C per month

  • Influence of spatial and temporal factors on vocal activity of the steppe marmot, Marmota bobak
    2020
    Co-Authors: Nikol'skii A.a.
    Abstract:

    The vocal activity (number of call per minute) of Marmota bobak, provoking a sound response of animals to humans, was recorded in field conditions (Kharkov oblast, Ukraine). In order to estimate the influence of spatial and temporal factors on vocal activity of the steppe marmot, a distance from a stimulus, the current time measured in minutes, and the time of adaptation, in days were taken into account. When the distance from the stimulus increases, the vocal activity is lowered. For the first minutes it increases drastically, reaches maximum at the 4th min, and then is reduced; in several days, marmots become adapted to the stimulus. The vocal activity of marmots is suggested to be their integral response to the complex of several factors acting simultaneously. A similar vocal activity of animals is possible within a wide range of combinations of various parameters which characterize the stimulus. A graph of isolines (lines of equal vocal activity values in the coordinates "distance from stimulus-current time" is given. The function of alarm call in marmots is suggested not to give information about specific characteristics of the stimulus, but to create and keep the particular level of the alertness corresponding to the situation

Von Hardenberg Achaz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Social Network Analysis of small social groups: application of a hurdle GLMM approach in the Alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota)
    'Wiley', 2021
    Co-Authors: Stanley Christina, Ferrari Caterina, Von Hardenberg Achaz, Panaccio Matteo, Bassano Bruno
    Abstract:

    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Panaccio, M., Ferrari, C., Bassano, B., Stanley, C.R. & von Hardenberg, A. (2021). Social Network Analysis of small social groups: application of a hurdle GLMM approach in the Alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota). Ethology, 127(6), 453-464, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13151. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-ArchivingSocial Network Analysis (SNA) has recently emerged as a fundamental tool to study animal behavior. While many studies have analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and behavior across large, complex animal populations, few have focused on species living in small groups due to limitations of the statistical methods currently employed. Some of the difficulties are often in comparing social structure across different sized groups and accounting for zero-inflation generated by analyzing small social units. Here we use a case study to highlight how Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) and hurdle models can overcome the issues inherent to study of social network metrics of groups that are small and variable in size. We applied this approach to study aggressive behavior in the Alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota) using an eight-year long dataset of behavioral interactions across 17 small family groups (7.4 ± 3.3 individuals). We analyzed the effect of individual and group-level factors on aggression, including predictors frequently inferred in species with larger groups, as the closely related yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris). Our approach included the use of hurdle GLMMs to analyze the zero-inflated metrics that are typical of aggressive networks of small social groups. Additionally, our results confirmed previously reported effects of dominance and social status on aggression levels, thus supporting the efficacy of our approach. We found differences between males and females in terms of levels of aggression and on the roles occupied by each in agonistic networks that were not predicted in a socially monogamous species. Finally, we provide some perspectives on social network analysis as applied to small social groups to inform subsequent studies

  • Marginal habitats provide unexpected survival benefits to the Alpine marmot
    'Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG)', 2021
    Co-Authors: Ferrari Caterina, Zanet Stefania, Bassano Bruno, Rolando Antonio, Bertolino Sandro, Von Hardenberg Achaz
    Abstract:

    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Ferrari, C., Zanet, S., Rolando, A., Bertolino, S., Bassano, B. & von Hardenberg, A. (2021 - in press). Marginal habitats provide unexpected survival benefits to the Alpine marmot. Population ecology. Vol. Iss. TBC, which has been published in final form at DOI TBC. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-ArchivingAge-specific survival trajectories can vary significantly among wild populations. Identifying the environmental conditions associated with such variability is of primary importance to understand the dynamics of free-ranging populations. In this study, we investigated survival variations among alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota) families living in areas with opposite environmental characteristics: the typical habitat of the species (alpine meadow) and a marginal area bordering the forest. We used data collected during an 11-year study in the Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy) and performed a Bayesian survival trajectory analysis on marked individuals. Furthermore, we investigated, at a territorial level, the relationships among demographic parameters and habitat variables by using a path analysis approach. Contrary to our expectations, for most of the marmot’s lifespan, survival rate was higher in the marginal site closer to the forest and with lower visibility than in the alpine meadow site. Path analysis indicated that the number of families living close to each other negatively affected the stability of the dominant couple, which in turn affected both juvenile survival and reproduction. Given the lower number of neighbouring families which inhabited the marginal site and the potentially different predation pressure by the most effective predator in the area (Aquila chrysaetos), our results suggest that species adapted to live in open habitats may benefit from living in a marginal habitat. This study highlights the importance of habitats bordering the forest in the conservation of alpine marmots

  • Social network analysis of small social groups: Application of a hurdle GLMM approach in the Alpine marmot ( Marmota Marmota )
    2021
    Co-Authors: Panaccio Matteo, Ferrari Caterina, Bassano Bruno, Stanley, Christina R., Von Hardenberg Achaz
    Abstract:

    From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-09-21, rev-recd 2021-03-09, accepted 2021-03-10, pub-electronic 2021-03-24, pub-print 2021-06Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedAbstract: Social network analysis (SNA) has recently emerged as a fundamental tool to study animal behavior. While many studies have analyzed the relationship between environmental factors and behavior across large, complex animal populations, few have focused on species living in small groups due to limitations of the statistical methods currently employed. Some of the difficulties are often in comparing social structure across different sized groups and accounting for zero‐inflation generated by analyzing small social units. Here, we use a case study to highlight how Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) and hurdle models can overcome the issues inherent to study of social network metrics of groups that are small and variable in size. We applied this approach to study aggressive behavior in the Alpine marmot (Marmota Marmota) using an eight‐year long dataset of behavioral interactions across 17 small family groups (7.4 ± 3.3 individuals). We analyzed the effect of individual and group‐level factors on aggression, including predictors frequently inferred in species with larger groups, as the closely related yellow‐bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris). Our approach included the use of hurdle GLMMs to analyze the zero‐inflated metrics that are typical of aggressive networks of small social groups. Additionally, our results confirmed previously reported effects of dominance and social status on aggression levels, thus supporting the efficacy of our approach. We found differences between males and females in terms of levels of aggression and on the roles occupied by each in agonistic networks that were not predicted in a socially monogamous species. Finally, we provide some perspectives on social network analysis as applied to small social groups to inform subsequent studies

  • Higher risk of gastrointestinal parasite infection at lower elevation suggests possible constraints in the distributional niche of Alpine marmots
    'Public Library of Science (PLoS)', 2017
    Co-Authors: Zanet Stefania, Miglio Giacomo, Ferrari Caterina, Bassano Bruno, Ferroglio Ezio, Von Hardenberg Achaz
    Abstract:

    Alpine marmots Marmota Marmota occupy a narrow altitudinal niche within high elevation alpine environments. For animals living at such high elevations where resources are limited, parasitism represents a potential major cost in life history. Using occupancy models, we tested if marmots living at higher elevation have a reduced risk of being infected with gastrointestinal helminths, possibly compensating the lower availability of resources (shorter feeding season, longer snow cover and lower temperature) than marmots inhabiting lower elevations. Detection probability of eggs and oncospheres of two gastro-intestinal helminthic parasites, Ascaris laevis and Ctenotaenia Marmotae, sampled in marmot feces, was used as a proxy of parasite abundance. As predicted, the models showed a negative relationship between elevation and parasite detectability (i.e. abundance) for both species, while there appeared to be a negative effect of solar radiance only for C. Marmotae. Site-occupancy models are used here for the first time to model the constrains of gastrointestinal parasitism on a wild species and the relationship existing between endoparasites and environmental factors in a population of free-living animals. The results of this study suggest the future use of site-occupancy models as a viable tool to account for parasite imperfect detection in ecoparasitological studies, and give useful insights to further investigate the hypothesis of the contribution of parasite infection in constraining the altitudinal niche of Alpine marmots

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