Predation by red fox on European roe deer fawns in relation to age, sex, and birth date

Jarnemo, Anders; Liberg, Olof; Lockowandt, Steffan; Olsson, Agneta; Wahlström, Kjell

doi:10.1139/z04-011

Cited by 50 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The powerful effect of infant mortality on ungulate population dynamics is well-documented (Gaillard et al, 1998;Gaillard et al, 2000;Raithel et al, 2007). However, the postpartum period is not usually included in studies of infant mortality (Smith & Anderson, 1996;Singer et al, 1997;Janermo et al, 2004;Olson et al, 2005;DeVivo et al, 2011;Buuveibaatar et al, 2013), suggesting that most studies underestimate infant mortality and predation risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The postpartum period is difficult to predict and observe due to its brevity and the skittishness of parturient females (Fraser, 1968). Studies of ungulate infant mortality, therefore, rely on remote monitoring of infant survival beginning hours or days after birth, once the offspring has already survived the vulnerable postpartum period (e.g., Smith & Anderson, 1996;Singer et al, 1997;Janermo et al, 2004;Olson et al, 2005;DeVivo et al, 2011;Buuveibaatar et al, 2013). Information regarding neonate mortality risk and the role of maternal decisions in determining neonate survival during the postpartum period is thus integral to our understanding of ungulate population dynamics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maternal tactics for mitigating neonate predation risk during the postpartum period in Thomson’s gazelle

Roberts

Rubenstein

2014

Behav

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The time immediately following birth is a period of high predation risk for ungulate neonates. Ungulate mothers exhibit perinatal behaviors that appear to mitigate offspring risk during this time. However, few studies of infant mortality include the postpartum period. Therefore, the function and effectiveness of these maternal behaviors are untested. We observed perinatal behavior in 11 Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsoni) mother–infant pairs in a free-ranging population under predation pressure. Five of the six fawns that were detected by predators during the perinatal period were killed. Fawn survival therefore depended on avoiding detection by predators. Considered individually, neither prepartum isolation from conspecifics nor birth site selection affected the risk of being detected by a predator. However, analyses revealed two distinct perinatal tactics: mothers either isolated and gave birth in tall grass or remained in their social groups and gave birth in short grass. Both of these tactics resulted in lower risk of predator detection compared to behavior that was inconsistent with either tactic. The tactics represent a maternal trade-off between minimizing the duration of the highly vulnerable postpartum period and minimizing conspicuousness to predators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal tactics for mitigating neonate predation risk during the postpartum period in Thomson’s gazelle

Roberts

Rubenstein

2014

Behav

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“…Vincent in sod., 1995;Hewison, 1997) in/ali zgodnja smrtnost mladičev (npr. Linnell in sod., 1995;Jarnemo, 2004;Panzacchi in sod., 2009). Poznavanje teh parametrov je odločilno za določanje najprimernejših strategij trajnostnega upravljanja z vrsto, ki bodo ustrezne tako z ekološkega kot tudi gospodarskega vidika.…”

Section: Reproductive Potential Of Roe Deerunclassified

“…Vincent et al, 1995;Hewison, 1997) and/or early fawn mortality (e.g. Linnell et al, 1995;Jarnemo, 2004;Panzacchi et al, 2009). In contrast, there has been some research on the reproduction of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.), red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) and wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) (Valentinčič, 1975;Žele, 2000;Mihelič, 2009;Jelenko et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive potential of Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

Flajšman¹,

Jelenko²,

Poličnik³

et al. 2013

Acta Silvae et Ligni

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(1) Gozdarski inštitut Slovenije, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, katarina.flajsman@gozdis.si (2) ERICo Velenje, Inštitut za ekološke raziskave d.o.o., Koroška cesta 58, 3320 Velenje, ida.jelenko@erico.si (3) ERICo Velenje, Inštitut za ekološke raziskave d.o.o., Koroška cesta 58, 3320 Velenje, helena.policnik@erico.si (4) ERICo Velenje, Inštitut za ekološke raziskave d.o.o., Koroška cesta 58, 3320 Velenje; Visoka šola za varstvo okolja, Trg mladosti 2, 3320 Velenje; Gozdarski inštitut Slovenije, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, bostjan.pokorny@erico.si ABSTRACTEuropean roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) is the most important game-management species not only in Slovenia but also in other European countries. For effective game management it is crucial to have an understanding of the ecology and population parameters that shape the population dynamics of the species. Knowledge about the variability of its reproductive potential, i.e. the proportion of fertilized females, litter size and fawn sex ratio, apart from the parameters that are already in use, would be very beneficial for methods of control as it could lead to more efficient adaptive game management, including proper planning of culling measures. Factors affecting the reproductive potential of roe deer include individual (particularly maternal phenotype, i.e. body size, body mass, physical condition), population (e.g. population density, demographic structure, social stress, genetics) and environmental characteristics (habitat quality, weather conditions, interspecific interactions, etc.). The final output of reproductive potential is the sum of all influencing factors and several combinations between them and therefore varies among different populations and environments. Higher densities can lower roe deer fertility rates and furthermore number of fawns per doe. Litter size is influenced by doe's body mass, as heavier females have more fawns in a litter. There are some contradictory findings in studies of sex ratio variation in connection to female body mass. Litter size can also be influenced by age of does, as primiparous females have smaller litters than adults, but also decreases with animal senescence. Roe deer populations from northern environments (Scandinavia) have higher body masses and larger litters than those from the south (e.g. Italy, Spain), which shows the importance of environment for roe deer reproduction. However, in Slovenia this issue has been neglected until now. In the following report we present an overview of the recent European research on factors affecting the fertility and reproductive potential of roe deer. Similar research in Slovenia would also be valuable, as roe deer is exposed to various environmental factors in this area. In addition, it is also involved in unique interspecific interactions that have not been studied in recent foreign research. Furthermore, Slovene distinguishing databases provide an outstanding platform for proficient understanding of different effects on roe deer yield in Central Europe.Key words: roe deer, re...

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“…In higher vertebrates, sex-selective abortion is rather unlikely as the costs will usually be much higher than the expected benefits. This is particularly significant in roe deer, as fawn mortality is generally high (up to 90%) in both sexes as a result of external influences such as harsh weather conditions (Gaillard et al 1993a) and predation (Aanes & Linnell et al 1995;Andersen 1996;Jarnemo et al 2004). Furthermore, parents are able to adjust their investment levels to their Sex ratio variation in roe deer offspring s sex, thereby minimizing any costs of an inability to control their offspring s sex ratio.…”

Section: General Assumption: Females Affect the Sex Ratio Prenatalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Existing theories do not explain sex ratio variation at birth in monomorphic roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Vreugdenhil

Breukelen²,

Wieren

2007

Integrative Zoology

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The phenomenon of skewed sex ratios at birth has been reported in many ungulate species. So far, no consistent trend has emerged for roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), because male-biased, female-biased and equal sex ratios at birth have all been found. Nevertheless, both the Trivers-Willard hypothesis and the theory of local resource competition have gained support. Despite the great number of studies carried out regarding the ecology of roe deer, too many aspects remain unclear, and contradictory results have been produced with respect to several crucial elements. Without further research, the discussion on which theory applies will therefore remain inconclusive. We put forward the argument that eventually the theories of Trivers-Willard and local resource competition can be considered as being not essentially different. After all, both theories explain the observed skewed sex ratios as being due to the effect of the progeny s sex on the mother s body condition and hence her reproductive success in subsequent years. Furthermore, neither theory is likely to prove to be suitable for roe deer, as several assumptions are unlikely to be met. In roe deer, skewed ratios probably only have a temporal character. As a matter of fact, several observations of skewed sex ratios in birds and mammals did not withstand the accumulation of further data, as sex ratios that were initially believed to be biased turned out to be equal in the long term. This is likely to be the case in roe deer as well. We hypothesize that roe deer, as r-strategists, will produce as many offspring as possible, regardless of sex.

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Predation by red fox on European roe deer fawns in relation to age, sex, and birth date

Cited by 50 publications

References 37 publications

Maternal tactics for mitigating neonate predation risk during the postpartum period in Thomson’s gazelle

Maternal tactics for mitigating neonate predation risk during the postpartum period in Thomson’s gazelle

Reproductive potential of Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

Existing theories do not explain sex ratio variation at birth in monomorphic roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

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