@article{
 title = {Effect of spring green-up dynamics on body mass and growth of bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2026},
 pages = {194-204},
 volume = {90},
 websites = {https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/mammalia-2024-0156/html},
 month = {3},
 day = {26},
 id = {7c392ec4-757c-313b-9b47-adc4f6b5802b},
 created = {2026-04-27T19:10:05.496Z},
 accessed = {2026-04-27},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-04T18:12:46.568Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Climate change is altering phenological traits across many taxa. While northern temperate species often adjust migration or breeding to track these shifts, such adjustments may be insufficient, leading to mismatches between trophic levels. Most studies focus on changes in the timing of spring onset, but few assess how climate change affects the <italic>speed</italic> of seasonal changes. Rapid spring green-up can shorten the period of high-quality forage, potentially constraining herbivore nutrition. We investigated how both the timing and duration of vegetation green-up influence body mass in bighorn sheep ( <italic>Ovis canadensis</italic> ). Using 23 years of satellite-derived Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data, we quantified the onset, date of maximum green-up rate, and end of green-up, and assessed their effects on lamb weaning mass and female autumn mass. Green-up occurred increasingly early over time, but its duration showed no consistent trend. Green-up date weakly affected female mass, whereas neither green-up date nor duration influenced lamb weaning mass. These findings suggest that while shifts in timing are detectable, their demographic effects are limited. Future research should consider not only the onset of vegetation growth but also its rate and the timing of browning down, as both can shape forage availability and herbivore performance. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Renaud, Limoilou-Amélie and Dufour, Félix-Olivier and Rousseu, François and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1515/mammalia-2024-0156},
 journal = {Mammalia},
 number = {2}
}

Climate change is altering phenological traits across many taxa. While northern temperate species often adjust migration or breeding to track these shifts, such adjustments may be insufficient, leading to mismatches between trophic levels. Most studies focus on changes in the timing of spring onset, but few assess how climate change affects the speed of seasonal changes. Rapid spring green-up can shorten the period of high-quality forage, potentially constraining herbivore nutrition. We investigated how both the timing and duration of vegetation green-up influence body mass in bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ). Using 23 years of satellite-derived Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data, we quantified the onset, date of maximum green-up rate, and end of green-up, and assessed their effects on lamb weaning mass and female autumn mass. Green-up occurred increasingly early over time, but its duration showed no consistent trend. Green-up date weakly affected female mass, whereas neither green-up date nor duration influenced lamb weaning mass. These findings suggest that while shifts in timing are detectable, their demographic effects are limited. Future research should consider not only the onset of vegetation growth but also its rate and the timing of browning down, as both can shape forage availability and herbivore performance.

@article{
 title = {Genome size and phenotypic change: insights on contemporary evolution across biological groups},
 type = {article},
 year = {2026},
 pages = {509-522},
 volume = {39},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/jeb/article/39/4/509/8440137?login=true&guestAccessKey=},
 month = {4},
 day = {2},
 id = {26046acc-d1d3-3b36-a930-06d990f6e178},
 created = {2026-05-01T17:00:54.311Z},
 accessed = {2026-05-01},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-01T17:02:05.724Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Environmental changes threaten the persistence of wild populations and can drive adaptive phenotypic changes. However, predicting the phenotypic outcome of an environmental change based on features of the species remains challenging. Genome size has been linked to variables that could influence the amount and rate of phenotypic change on contemporary time-scales. Two contrasting hypotheses have been proposed. The first suggests that larger genome sizes are associated with greater amounts and rates of phenotypic change, due to increased genetic variance and phenotypic plasticity. The second suggests the opposite based on the negative effect of genome size on both generation time and cell duplication time. We tested these two hypotheses using the Phenotypic Rates of Change Evolutionary and Ecological Database. We analysed the relationships among genome size, phenotypic trait variability, mean trait change, and generation time. We found no support for the either of the tested hypotheses. Overall, the genome size explained less than 2% of the total variance in the amount of phenotypic change. In plants only, we found a consistent and negative effect of genome size on phenotypic change. However, we found no relationship between genome size and generation time, and we found no relationship between genome size and phenotypic variance. However, the consistent and relevant effect of phenotypic variance on the mean-scaled phenotypic change is worth highlighting from a conservation perspective because assessing the phenotypic variability of traits related to the niche breadth in different dimensions could inform us about the vulnerability of natural populations facing unexpected environmental changes.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Gorné, Lucas D and Hendry, Andrew P and Pelletier, Fanie and Gotanda, Kiyoko M},
 doi = {10.1093/jeb/voag005},
 journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology},
 number = {4}
}

Environmental changes threaten the persistence of wild populations and can drive adaptive phenotypic changes. However, predicting the phenotypic outcome of an environmental change based on features of the species remains challenging. Genome size has been linked to variables that could influence the amount and rate of phenotypic change on contemporary time-scales. Two contrasting hypotheses have been proposed. The first suggests that larger genome sizes are associated with greater amounts and rates of phenotypic change, due to increased genetic variance and phenotypic plasticity. The second suggests the opposite based on the negative effect of genome size on both generation time and cell duplication time. We tested these two hypotheses using the Phenotypic Rates of Change Evolutionary and Ecological Database. We analysed the relationships among genome size, phenotypic trait variability, mean trait change, and generation time. We found no support for the either of the tested hypotheses. Overall, the genome size explained less than 2% of the total variance in the amount of phenotypic change. In plants only, we found a consistent and negative effect of genome size on phenotypic change. However, we found no relationship between genome size and generation time, and we found no relationship between genome size and phenotypic variance. However, the consistent and relevant effect of phenotypic variance on the mean-scaled phenotypic change is worth highlighting from a conservation perspective because assessing the phenotypic variability of traits related to the niche breadth in different dimensions could inform us about the vulnerability of natural populations facing unexpected environmental changes.

@article{
 title = {Validation of the SNOWPACK model and reconstruction of multidecade snow climatology at Ram Mountain (Alberta, Canada) forced with NARR data},
 type = {article},
 year = {2026},
 volume = {58},
 websites = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15230430.2026.2627695},
 month = {12},
 day = {31},
 id = {fe5e3afb-08da-3d87-96f7-1a8b9bc82a19},
 created = {2026-05-01T17:07:55.664Z},
 accessed = {2026-05-01},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-01T17:15:45.292Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Crémel, Kallan and Langlois, Alexandre and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1080/15230430.2026.2627695},
 journal = {Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research},
 number = {1}
}

@article{
 title = {No Pedigree, No Problem: Genomic Inbreeding Tracks Genetic Rescue With High Resolution},
 type = {article},
 year = {2026},
 volume = {19},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eva.70216},
 month = {3},
 day = {11},
 id = {fdf84a68-a2ff-304a-a0c8-878d6998fc1a},
 created = {2026-05-01T17:15:40.223Z},
 accessed = {2026-05-01},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-01T17:17:04.113Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> With increasing habitat fragmentation and population isolation, inbreeding becomes a pressing concern for the persistence of wildlife populations. Detailed inbreeding monitoring is crucial for assessing extinction risk and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation management strategies. Traditionally, pedigree‐based inbreeding estimates have been used. Genomic approaches now provide more powerful alternatives. Here, we compare pedigree and genomic inbreeding estimates in a long‐term study of wild bighorn sheep ( <styled-content style="fixed-case"> <italic>Ovis canadensis</italic> </styled-content> ) from Ram Mountain, Alberta, Canada, monitored from 1972 to the present. This population experienced a severe population bottleneck followed by genetic rescue through the translocation of 35 individuals over 13 years. We found that genomic inbreeding coefficients ( <italic>F</italic> <sub>ROH</sub> ) dropped by 24% after genetic rescue efforts began. In contrast, pedigree inbreeding coefficients ( <italic>F</italic> <sub>PED</sub> ) increased, likely because greater pedigree depth improved our ability to detect inbreeding in later cohorts, highlighting a methodological bias and the need for genomic monitoring. Our findings show that genomic approaches are more effective in detecting changes in inbreeding over time in wild animals and emphasize the utility of <italic>F</italic> <sub>ROH</sub> for monitoring the genetic outcomes of conservation interventions, particularly where pedigree completeness increases through time. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Mitchell, Carson and Deakin, Samuel and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie and Coltman, David},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.70216},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {3}
}

With increasing habitat fragmentation and population isolation, inbreeding becomes a pressing concern for the persistence of wildlife populations. Detailed inbreeding monitoring is crucial for assessing extinction risk and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation management strategies. Traditionally, pedigree‐based inbreeding estimates have been used. Genomic approaches now provide more powerful alternatives. Here, we compare pedigree and genomic inbreeding estimates in a long‐term study of wild bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) from Ram Mountain, Alberta, Canada, monitored from 1972 to the present. This population experienced a severe population bottleneck followed by genetic rescue through the translocation of 35 individuals over 13 years. We found that genomic inbreeding coefficients ( F _ROH ) dropped by 24% after genetic rescue efforts began. In contrast, pedigree inbreeding coefficients ( F _PED ) increased, likely because greater pedigree depth improved our ability to detect inbreeding in later cohorts, highlighting a methodological bias and the need for genomic monitoring. Our findings show that genomic approaches are more effective in detecting changes in inbreeding over time in wild animals and emphasize the utility of F _ROH for monitoring the genetic outcomes of conservation interventions, particularly where pedigree completeness increases through time.

@article{
 title = {Individual trajectories of fertility with age highlight the costs of reproduction in a pre-industrial population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2026},
 volume = {293},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/293/2069/20252345/481501},
 month = {4},
 day = {29},
 id = {763c9553-71b0-3193-95d4-e31e7c35904f},
 created = {2026-05-01T19:08:25.787Z},
 accessed = {2026-05-01},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-01T19:14:36.971Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Evolutionary theories predict that early-life reproductive effort should be favoured by selection at the cost of faster reproductive ageing, but empirical support for this trade-off remains mixed. Previous studies typically examined whether the rate of reproductive ageing varied among groups of individuals differing in early-life reproductive allocation. However, this approach assumes that all individuals have the same age at the onset of reproductive ageing. By analysing annual birth probabilities among women aged 16–50 years in a pre-industrial population of Nouvelle-France (Quebec, Canada), we showed reproductive ageing displayed high variability between mothers both in onset (n = 7346) and rate (n = 2663). Age at the onset of reproductive ageing varied nonlinearly with the number of children produced during early life. Regardless of sex, the first child born no later than 28 years advanced the onset of reproductive ageing by 914 ± 25 days and each additional child by 220 ± 7 days. An increasing number of children born by age 28 also accelerated the rate of reproductive ageing. These results highlight the value of individual trajectories in reproductive ageing studies and may improve understanding of how early-life reproduction influences late-life reproduction, especially in low-income countries with high birth rates.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Invernizzi, Lucas and Lemaître, Jean-François and Bergeron, Patrick and Pelletier, Fanie and Douhard, Mathieu},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2025.2345},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {2069}
}

Evolutionary theories predict that early-life reproductive effort should be favoured by selection at the cost of faster reproductive ageing, but empirical support for this trade-off remains mixed. Previous studies typically examined whether the rate of reproductive ageing varied among groups of individuals differing in early-life reproductive allocation. However, this approach assumes that all individuals have the same age at the onset of reproductive ageing. By analysing annual birth probabilities among women aged 16–50 years in a pre-industrial population of Nouvelle-France (Quebec, Canada), we showed reproductive ageing displayed high variability between mothers both in onset (n = 7346) and rate (n = 2663). Age at the onset of reproductive ageing varied nonlinearly with the number of children produced during early life. Regardless of sex, the first child born no later than 28 years advanced the onset of reproductive ageing by 914 ± 25 days and each additional child by 220 ± 7 days. An increasing number of children born by age 28 also accelerated the rate of reproductive ageing. These results highlight the value of individual trajectories in reproductive ageing studies and may improve understanding of how early-life reproduction influences late-life reproduction, especially in low-income countries with high birth rates.

@article{
 title = {Large-scale source–sink dynamics in <i>Tachycineta bicolor</i> breeding in nest-boxes across eastern Canada's farmlands},
 type = {article},
 year = {2026},
 pages = {1-14},
 volume = {104},
 websites = {https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjz-2025-0105},
 month = {1},
 day = {1},
 id = {5a8b766c-0e7a-3512-9286-f9a8e5b95e67},
 created = {2026-05-01T19:16:11.326Z},
 accessed = {2026-05-01},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-01T19:16:55.882Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Many wild species are declining due to human-driven environmental changes, including landscape transformation due to agricultural intensification. This is especially true for insects and their avian predators worldwide. To understand how populations respond to human-induced environmental changes, detailed data on survival, reproduction, and dispersal are essential especially in declining populations where immigration can buffer local declines. We used multi-state capture–mark–recapture models and 14 years of data (2006–2019) on individually marked Tree Swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) breeding on farmlands in southern Québec, Canada, to quantify the effects of agricultural intensity, local weather, and interspecific competition on vital rates and population growth. Annual population growth rates were strongly influenced by immigration and adult return rates. Nest site competition from House Sparrows ( Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)), primarily present in intensively cultivated landscapes, was the main factor driving the observed decline in productivity and adult return rates. Our results suggest that intensively cultivated farmlands act as population sinks, making them unsustainable for Tree Swallows without immigration. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both landscape context and population connectivity when assessing demographic processes. They also underscore the need to study multiple populations over large geographic regions to identify drivers of large-scale declines.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Vaillant, Justine Le and Pigeon, Gabriel and Houle, Carolyne and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2025-0105},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology}
}

Many wild species are declining due to human-driven environmental changes, including landscape transformation due to agricultural intensification. This is especially true for insects and their avian predators worldwide. To understand how populations respond to human-induced environmental changes, detailed data on survival, reproduction, and dispersal are essential especially in declining populations where immigration can buffer local declines. We used multi-state capture–mark–recapture models and 14 years of data (2006–2019) on individually marked Tree Swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) breeding on farmlands in southern Québec, Canada, to quantify the effects of agricultural intensity, local weather, and interspecific competition on vital rates and population growth. Annual population growth rates were strongly influenced by immigration and adult return rates. Nest site competition from House Sparrows ( Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)), primarily present in intensively cultivated landscapes, was the main factor driving the observed decline in productivity and adult return rates. Our results suggest that intensively cultivated farmlands act as population sinks, making them unsustainable for Tree Swallows without immigration. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both landscape context and population connectivity when assessing demographic processes. They also underscore the need to study multiple populations over large geographic regions to identify drivers of large-scale declines.

@article{
 title = {Multidecadal changes in home range characteristics of grey seals in a context of environmental changes and population growth in the Northwest Atlantic},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 pages = {133-150},
 volume = {755},
 websites = {https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v755/p133-150/},
 id = {eb481acd-0d32-31f6-9a40-4b1bf5940318},
 created = {2025-02-14T13:58:30.095Z},
 accessed = {2025-03-18},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-03-18T17:44:44.019Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Cusson, PO and Bordeleau, X and Hammill, MO and Pelletier, F},
 doi = {10.3354/meps14790},
 journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series}
}

@article{
 title = {PROCEEDv6.1: Phenotypic rates of change evolutionary and ecological database},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 volume = {106},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecy.70009},
 month = {3},
 day = {3},
 id = {a2a3b730-5f92-3a23-8bd2-856d3b6d75f6},
 created = {2025-03-18T17:52:23.778Z},
 accessed = {2025-03-18},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-03-20T16:09:58.997Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Populations must continuously respond to environmental change or risk extinction. These responses can be measured as phenotypic rates of change, which allow researchers to predict their contemporary evolutionary responses. In 1999, a database of phenotypic rates of change in wild populations was compiled. Since then, researchers have used (and expanded) this database to examine the phenotypic responses as a function of the features of the study system (i.e., the population or set of populations, of a given species, that experienced a specific driver or disturbance), the measured traits, and methodological approaches. Therefore, PROCEED (Phenotypic Rates of Change Evolutionary and Ecological Database) is an ongoing compilation of rates of phenotypic change, typically calculated as Haldanes and Darwins, published in peer‐reviewed literature (but also including data from theses and technical reports). Studies in this database measure the intraspecific change in quantitative (continuous or discrete) traits and report either the time elapsed from the onset of environmental novelty, or reference a historical or biological event reported in other sources (e.g., a mine opening or a well‐documented biological invasion). Included studies either follow a single population through time (allochronic design) or compare two or more populations that diverged at a known time (synchronic design). Some included studies account for the total phenotypic variability in the field (i.e., phenotypic studies), while others employed common‐garden or other quantitative genetic approaches to account for the heritable component of the phenotypic change (i.e., genetic studies). PROCEED includes systems in both natural and experimental conditions, provided that reproduction was not manipulated (i.e., artificial selection experiments were excluded). In the included experimental systems, the environment of the focal populations was manipulated (e.g., an herbivory exclusion experiment, where the type and load of herbivory are manipulated) but the studies did not deliberately select for trait values in the study population (e.g., the plant height). PROCEED does not include systems where the phenotypic change is presumably due to interspecific hybridization, polyploidy, or other chromosomal alterations. Here, we present the most recently updated PROCEED (Version 6.1). This new, curated version has 9263 records ( <italic>n</italic> ) collated from 326 studies, 1801 systems, and 428 species. The database includes records belonging to mammals ( <italic>n</italic>  = 686), birds ( <italic>n</italic>  = 1475), reptiles ( <italic>n</italic>  = 96), amphibians ( <italic>n</italic>  = 23), fishes ( <italic>n</italic>  = 3671), invertebrates ( <italic>n</italic>  = 1141, mostly arthropods), and plants ( <italic>n</italic>  = 2171). The maximum elapsed time between the environmental change and the sampling is 500 years but is typically less than 100 years (third quartile 89.5; median 45 years). The database also includes a set of variables describing biological and methodological aspects of the study system and measured traits, along with features of the sampling design in the primary source of information. This new version of PROCEED also includes a time series dataset comprising a subset of records included in the general dataset. These are allochronic studies with three or more sampling times throughout the entire study period. The time series dataset contains 655 time series ( <italic>s</italic> )—belonging to 61 studies, from 156 systems, and 77 species—including mammals ( <italic>s</italic>  = 140), birds ( <italic>s</italic>  = 77), reptiles ( <italic>s</italic>  = 4), amphibians ( <italic>s</italic>  = 8), fishes ( <italic>s</italic>  = 404), and plants ( <italic>s</italic>  = 22). The data are released under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Gorné, Lucas D. and Hendry, Andrew P. and Pelletier, Fanie and Sanderson, Sarah and Correa, Cristian and Arias, Carlos and Beausoleil, Marc‐Olivier and Boisjoly, Maryse and Crispo, Erika and Berner, Daniel and De León, Luis F. and DiBattista, Joseph D. and Haines, Grant E. and Haller, Benjamin C. and Kinnison, Michael T. and Muttalib, Shahin and McKellar, Ann E. and O'Dea, Rose E. and Reyes‐Corral, Winer Daniel and Ritchot, Yanny and Oke, Krista B. and Wood, Zachary T. and Farrugia, Thomas and Gotanda, Kiyoko M.},
 doi = {10.1002/ecy.70009},
 journal = {Ecology},
 number = {3}
}

Populations must continuously respond to environmental change or risk extinction. These responses can be measured as phenotypic rates of change, which allow researchers to predict their contemporary evolutionary responses. In 1999, a database of phenotypic rates of change in wild populations was compiled. Since then, researchers have used (and expanded) this database to examine the phenotypic responses as a function of the features of the study system (i.e., the population or set of populations, of a given species, that experienced a specific driver or disturbance), the measured traits, and methodological approaches. Therefore, PROCEED (Phenotypic Rates of Change Evolutionary and Ecological Database) is an ongoing compilation of rates of phenotypic change, typically calculated as Haldanes and Darwins, published in peer‐reviewed literature (but also including data from theses and technical reports). Studies in this database measure the intraspecific change in quantitative (continuous or discrete) traits and report either the time elapsed from the onset of environmental novelty, or reference a historical or biological event reported in other sources (e.g., a mine opening or a well‐documented biological invasion). Included studies either follow a single population through time (allochronic design) or compare two or more populations that diverged at a known time (synchronic design). Some included studies account for the total phenotypic variability in the field (i.e., phenotypic studies), while others employed common‐garden or other quantitative genetic approaches to account for the heritable component of the phenotypic change (i.e., genetic studies). PROCEED includes systems in both natural and experimental conditions, provided that reproduction was not manipulated (i.e., artificial selection experiments were excluded). In the included experimental systems, the environment of the focal populations was manipulated (e.g., an herbivory exclusion experiment, where the type and load of herbivory are manipulated) but the studies did not deliberately select for trait values in the study population (e.g., the plant height). PROCEED does not include systems where the phenotypic change is presumably due to interspecific hybridization, polyploidy, or other chromosomal alterations. Here, we present the most recently updated PROCEED (Version 6.1). This new, curated version has 9263 records ( n ) collated from 326 studies, 1801 systems, and 428 species. The database includes records belonging to mammals ( n  = 686), birds ( n  = 1475), reptiles ( n  = 96), amphibians ( n  = 23), fishes ( n  = 3671), invertebrates ( n  = 1141, mostly arthropods), and plants ( n  = 2171). The maximum elapsed time between the environmental change and the sampling is 500 years but is typically less than 100 years (third quartile 89.5; median 45 years). The database also includes a set of variables describing biological and methodological aspects of the study system and measured traits, along with features of the sampling design in the primary source of information. This new version of PROCEED also includes a time series dataset comprising a subset of records included in the general dataset. These are allochronic studies with three or more sampling times throughout the entire study period. The time series dataset contains 655 time series ( s )—belonging to 61 studies, from 156 systems, and 77 species—including mammals ( s  = 140), birds ( s  = 77), reptiles ( s  = 4), amphibians ( s  = 8), fishes ( s  = 404), and plants ( s  = 22). The data are released under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license.

@article{
 title = {Flexibility in female spatiotemporal behavioral tactics to counter infanticide risk during the mating season},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 pages = {35},
 volume = {13},
 websites = {https://movementecologyjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40462-025-00561-6#citeas},
 month = {5},
 day = {19},
 id = {29b2d7ad-89f4-326e-9af2-0b8466e82622},
 created = {2025-06-10T16:58:36.983Z},
 accessed = {2025-06-10},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-08T14:56:06.239Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Heeres, Rick W. and Leclerc, Martin and Frank, Shane and Kopatz, Alexander and Pelletier, Fanie and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 doi = {10.1186/s40462-025-00561-6},
 journal = {Movement Ecology},
 number = {1}
}

@article{
 title = {Accuracy and precision of an umbilical‐based method for estimating birthdates of pre‐weaned harbour seal pups},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 volume = {49},
 websites = {https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wsb.1582},
 month = {6},
 day = {7},
 id = {cfdd2ea7-7f17-30ad-a98d-cfa8961abd1d},
 created = {2025-06-10T18:51:57.015Z},
 accessed = {2025-06-10},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-06-10T19:47:36.596Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Fine‐scale age estimation of animals can provide insight into important biological processes but can be logistically difficult to measure in wild populations. We evaluated the accuracy and precision of an umbilical‐based method for fine‐scale age and birthdate estimation in a wild population of harbour seal pups ( <italic>Phoca vitulina</italic> ) in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. Our method consists of attributing umbilicus degeneration scores to estimate pup age in days. To assess the methods validity, we first constructed a score attribution test with field pictures of pup umbilical cords at various stages of degeneration. The score attribution test was completed by 8 observers, and we measured the accuracy and precision of the umbilicus degeneration score attribution by calculating Cohen's kappa as well as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We used data from 758 pups (captured between 1998 and 2023) for which an umbilical degeneration score was assigned in the field to evaluate the efficiency of the score test to estimate birthdate. Our findings showed that observers can accurately and precisely attribute umbilicus scores, with a Cohen's kappa mean value of 0.93 which represent almost perfect agreement and an ICC value of 0.92 which is considered excellent precision of the method. Our results indicated that the umbilical‐based method can accurately estimate pup birthdates. We suggest the scoring method we developed provides a accurate approach to estimate age, when possible, to a previously used back‐calculation method based on body mass. Incorporating the measurement of umbilical score more broadly in research protocol has the potential to open the door to a wide range of ecological studies, including birth phenology, which are important to better understand population and ecosystem dynamics. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Laberge, Anne Ju and Cusson, Pier‐Olivier and Van de Walle, Joanie and Bordeleau, Xavier and Hammill, Mike and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/wsb.1582},
 journal = {Wildlife Society Bulletin},
 number = {2}
}

Fine‐scale age estimation of animals can provide insight into important biological processes but can be logistically difficult to measure in wild populations. We evaluated the accuracy and precision of an umbilical‐based method for fine‐scale age and birthdate estimation in a wild population of harbour seal pups ( Phoca vitulina ) in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. Our method consists of attributing umbilicus degeneration scores to estimate pup age in days. To assess the methods validity, we first constructed a score attribution test with field pictures of pup umbilical cords at various stages of degeneration. The score attribution test was completed by 8 observers, and we measured the accuracy and precision of the umbilicus degeneration score attribution by calculating Cohen's kappa as well as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We used data from 758 pups (captured between 1998 and 2023) for which an umbilical degeneration score was assigned in the field to evaluate the efficiency of the score test to estimate birthdate. Our findings showed that observers can accurately and precisely attribute umbilicus scores, with a Cohen's kappa mean value of 0.93 which represent almost perfect agreement and an ICC value of 0.92 which is considered excellent precision of the method. Our results indicated that the umbilical‐based method can accurately estimate pup birthdates. We suggest the scoring method we developed provides a accurate approach to estimate age, when possible, to a previously used back‐calculation method based on body mass. Incorporating the measurement of umbilical score more broadly in research protocol has the potential to open the door to a wide range of ecological studies, including birth phenology, which are important to better understand population and ecosystem dynamics.

@article{
 title = {Neonatal growth patterns, sexual dimorphism and compensatory growth in harbour seal pups},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 pages = {129-143},
 volume = {761},
 websites = {https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v761/meps14847},
 month = {5},
 day = {28},
 id = {4de9464f-17d1-3345-9549-5972bc88c39e},
 created = {2025-06-10T19:49:48.144Z},
 accessed = {2025-06-10},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-06-10T19:51:29.639Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Juvenile survival, a fundamental parameter in the population dynamics of long-lived species, is often tightly linked to early-life body growth. Here, based on repeated mass measurements on 555 harbour seal <italic>Phoca vitulina</italic> pups marked between 1998 and 2023 in the St. Lawrence Estuary, we first characterized the shape of neonatal growth patterns of the pups using Bayesian hierarchical nonlinear models. Second, we evaluated the effect of sex on neonatal growth to better understand the development of sexual dimorphism in this species and tested for compensatory growth. Finally, we assessed the influence of local variables (wind speed, sea surface temperature, pup abundance and breeding site) during the neonatal stage on pup weaning mass. Our results showed that neonatal growth follows a Gompertz curve, characterized by minimal growth the first few days after birth, followed by a significant increase in mass until a stabilization near weaning (~30 d of age). We found no sex difference in the growth pattern, but males were slightly heavier at birth than females. Larger pups accumulated more mass than smaller pups, suggesting increasing returns for greater body mass at birth but no compensatory growth. Finally, wind speed, sea surface temperature, pup abundance and breeding site did not affect weaning mass. This study provides insight into the characterization of nonlinear growth in harbour seal pups. Monitoring neonatal growth provides a tool to assess potential patterns of juvenile survival, which are important in studies of population dynamics. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Laberge, Anne Ju and Bordeleau, Xavier and Van de Walle, Joanie and Hammill, Mike O and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.3354/meps14847},
 journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series}
}

Juvenile survival, a fundamental parameter in the population dynamics of long-lived species, is often tightly linked to early-life body growth. Here, based on repeated mass measurements on 555 harbour seal Phoca vitulina pups marked between 1998 and 2023 in the St. Lawrence Estuary, we first characterized the shape of neonatal growth patterns of the pups using Bayesian hierarchical nonlinear models. Second, we evaluated the effect of sex on neonatal growth to better understand the development of sexual dimorphism in this species and tested for compensatory growth. Finally, we assessed the influence of local variables (wind speed, sea surface temperature, pup abundance and breeding site) during the neonatal stage on pup weaning mass. Our results showed that neonatal growth follows a Gompertz curve, characterized by minimal growth the first few days after birth, followed by a significant increase in mass until a stabilization near weaning (~30 d of age). We found no sex difference in the growth pattern, but males were slightly heavier at birth than females. Larger pups accumulated more mass than smaller pups, suggesting increasing returns for greater body mass at birth but no compensatory growth. Finally, wind speed, sea surface temperature, pup abundance and breeding site did not affect weaning mass. This study provides insight into the characterization of nonlinear growth in harbour seal pups. Monitoring neonatal growth provides a tool to assess potential patterns of juvenile survival, which are important in studies of population dynamics.

@article{
 title = {Uncovering bighorn sheep life-history trajectories in multidimensional trait space},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 volume = {122},
 websites = {https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2417158122},
 month = {3},
 day = {25},
 id = {d10b9e5f-a1c6-3618-97fb-776aefb9b8e0},
 created = {2025-06-11T12:34:33.453Z},
 accessed = {2025-06-11},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-08T14:44:38.197Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Individual heterogeneity shapes ecoevolutionary processes at multiple scales. Yet, the scarcity of long-term life-history data and limitations in classic statistical tools hinder our capacity to uncover and understand individual heterogeneity in wildlife populations. Here, we apply an underused multivariate statistical method to uncover four heterogenous life-history trajectories in wild female bighorn sheep ( <italic>Ovis canadensis</italic> ). Remarkably, these trajectories had remained unobserved in the population despite nearly five decades of monitoring. Our results indicate substantial among-trajectory heterogeneity in growth, senescence, life history trade-offs, fitness, and contributions to population growth. Some trajectories suggest the presence of life history trade-offs while others include silver spoon effects, leading to heterogenous life-history outputs. Then, we show that mother identity and year of birth are relatively good predictors of heterogeneity, indicating that individual trajectories could be largely set during early life. Critically, our results demonstrate that heterogeneity in life-history trajectories can be inconspicuous, yet substantial and structured across multiple traits within a population. Uncovering and understanding this heterogeneity in other wild populations will be key to advancing our knowledge of ecoevolutionary processes across populations and species. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Larue, Benjamin and Pelletier, Fanie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Hamel, Sandra},
 doi = {10.1073/pnas.2417158122},
 journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
 number = {12}
}

Individual heterogeneity shapes ecoevolutionary processes at multiple scales. Yet, the scarcity of long-term life-history data and limitations in classic statistical tools hinder our capacity to uncover and understand individual heterogeneity in wildlife populations. Here, we apply an underused multivariate statistical method to uncover four heterogenous life-history trajectories in wild female bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ). Remarkably, these trajectories had remained unobserved in the population despite nearly five decades of monitoring. Our results indicate substantial among-trajectory heterogeneity in growth, senescence, life history trade-offs, fitness, and contributions to population growth. Some trajectories suggest the presence of life history trade-offs while others include silver spoon effects, leading to heterogenous life-history outputs. Then, we show that mother identity and year of birth are relatively good predictors of heterogeneity, indicating that individual trajectories could be largely set during early life. Critically, our results demonstrate that heterogeneity in life-history trajectories can be inconspicuous, yet substantial and structured across multiple traits within a population. Uncovering and understanding this heterogeneity in other wild populations will be key to advancing our knowledge of ecoevolutionary processes across populations and species.

@article{
 title = {Acceleration Data Reveal Behavioural Responses to Hunting Risk in Scandinavian Brown Bears},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 volume = {15},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.71489},
 month = {6},
 day = {4},
 id = {ea95de77-9b66-3751-a648-345c6a03e689},
 created = {2025-06-11T12:57:46.422Z},
 accessed = {2025-06-11},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-08T14:56:34.421Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Predation may indirectly influence prey's fitness and population dynamics through behavioural adjustments in response to perceived predation risk. These non‐consumptive effects of predation can also arise from hunting by humans, but they remain less documented. Advances in biologging allow detailed assessments of the activity budgets of elusive wildlife, increasing the potential to uncover the non‐consumptive effects of human activities on animals. We used tri‐axial accelerometry to record the daily activity of 24 Scandinavian brown bears (20 females and 4 males) from a heavily hunted population in Sweden, for a total of 29 bear‐years (2015–2022). We used a random forest algorithm trained with observations of captive brown bears to classify the accelerometry data into four behaviours, running, walking, feeding and resting, with an overall precision of 95%. We then used these classifications to evaluate changes in bear activity budgets before and during the hunting season. Bears exhibited a bimodal daily activity pattern, being most active at dusk and dawn and resting around midday and midnight. However, during the hunting season, males became more nocturnal compared to before the hunting season, suggesting a proactive behavioural adjustment to reduce encounters with hunters. Females showed the opposite pattern and had a higher probability of being active during the day, potentially to increase nutritional gains before denning. Additionally, daily number of running bouts did not vary between the pre‐hunting and hunting seasons in both sexes, but females' proportion of running bouts occurring during legal hunting hours was higher during the hunting season than prior to it, which suggests a reactive behavioural adjustment to encounters with hunters. Detailed assessments of wild animal behaviours, allowed through recording of movement data at high frequencies, have the potential to improve our understanding of the impacts of human activity on wildlife.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Clermont, Jeanne and Zedrosser, Andreas and Brown, Ludovick and Rosell, Frank and Sydtveit Rekvik, Gunn Elisabeth and Kindberg, Jonas and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.71489},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {6}
}

Predation may indirectly influence prey's fitness and population dynamics through behavioural adjustments in response to perceived predation risk. These non‐consumptive effects of predation can also arise from hunting by humans, but they remain less documented. Advances in biologging allow detailed assessments of the activity budgets of elusive wildlife, increasing the potential to uncover the non‐consumptive effects of human activities on animals. We used tri‐axial accelerometry to record the daily activity of 24 Scandinavian brown bears (20 females and 4 males) from a heavily hunted population in Sweden, for a total of 29 bear‐years (2015–2022). We used a random forest algorithm trained with observations of captive brown bears to classify the accelerometry data into four behaviours, running, walking, feeding and resting, with an overall precision of 95%. We then used these classifications to evaluate changes in bear activity budgets before and during the hunting season. Bears exhibited a bimodal daily activity pattern, being most active at dusk and dawn and resting around midday and midnight. However, during the hunting season, males became more nocturnal compared to before the hunting season, suggesting a proactive behavioural adjustment to reduce encounters with hunters. Females showed the opposite pattern and had a higher probability of being active during the day, potentially to increase nutritional gains before denning. Additionally, daily number of running bouts did not vary between the pre‐hunting and hunting seasons in both sexes, but females' proportion of running bouts occurring during legal hunting hours was higher during the hunting season than prior to it, which suggests a reactive behavioural adjustment to encounters with hunters. Detailed assessments of wild animal behaviours, allowed through recording of movement data at high frequencies, have the potential to improve our understanding of the impacts of human activity on wildlife.

@article{
 title = {Family Breakup Dynamics in a Promiscuous Solitary Mammal},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 volume = {15},
 month = {9},
 day = {3},
 id = {c57ed8ea-4686-3693-bc0b-a612fa574e39},
 created = {2025-10-16T11:40:51.964Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-10-16T11:42:11.865Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Family breakup dynamics in mammals can be complex due to competing interests between parents and offspring. Parents need to balance their own as well as their offspring's fitness through either terminating care early or extending care. Yet, males can disrupt this trade‐off as they may force females to focus on future litters by separating or killing offspring, especially in species where sexually selected infanticide occurs. Here, we investigated the family breakup dynamics in brown bears ( <styled-content style="fixed-case"> <italic>Ursus arctos</italic> </styled-content> ) by using GPS relocation data from 144 individuals (114 unique individuals: 23 mothers, 49 offspring, and 42 adult males) in southcentral Sweden. We explored the movement of mothers, their offspring, and adjacent adult males to gain insights into the factors influencing family breakup. Our findings indicate that females with 2‐year‐olds tend to separate before the mating season, whereas females with yearlings typically experience breakups during the mating season. Our results show that females accompanied by yearlings increased their movement speeds 2 weeks before the family breakup. The movement speed of the families that separated was two to three times higher compared to families that remained together. Furthermore, males associated with family groups before and during the mating season. Several associations during the mating season between adult males and family groups occurred on the same day that the family broke up. The increased space use makes the family group more conspicuous on the landscape; this likely increases the detection probability by a male and increases the chance of family breakup. Maternal care tactics can influence both female and offspring fitness, and here we provided additional evidence of the interplay between female and adult male behavior in terminating care in a solitary carnivore. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Heeres, Rick W. and Boot, Wisse and Delen, Emile and Tovar Heid, Miriam and Leclerc, Martin and Frank, Shane and Kopatz, Alexander and Pelletier, Fanie and Kuipers, Henry and Weterings, Martijn J. A. and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.72070},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {9}
}

Family breakup dynamics in mammals can be complex due to competing interests between parents and offspring. Parents need to balance their own as well as their offspring's fitness through either terminating care early or extending care. Yet, males can disrupt this trade‐off as they may force females to focus on future litters by separating or killing offspring, especially in species where sexually selected infanticide occurs. Here, we investigated the family breakup dynamics in brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) by using GPS relocation data from 144 individuals (114 unique individuals: 23 mothers, 49 offspring, and 42 adult males) in southcentral Sweden. We explored the movement of mothers, their offspring, and adjacent adult males to gain insights into the factors influencing family breakup. Our findings indicate that females with 2‐year‐olds tend to separate before the mating season, whereas females with yearlings typically experience breakups during the mating season. Our results show that females accompanied by yearlings increased their movement speeds 2 weeks before the family breakup. The movement speed of the families that separated was two to three times higher compared to families that remained together. Furthermore, males associated with family groups before and during the mating season. Several associations during the mating season between adult males and family groups occurred on the same day that the family broke up. The increased space use makes the family group more conspicuous on the landscape; this likely increases the detection probability by a male and increases the chance of family breakup. Maternal care tactics can influence both female and offspring fitness, and here we provided additional evidence of the interplay between female and adult male behavior in terminating care in a solitary carnivore.

@article{
 title = {Dietary composition and sources of variability in emerging offshore grey seal colonies in the Northwest Atlantic},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 month = {12},
 day = {9},
 id = {ab7c17e1-5957-3dd7-bd95-e1f753504632},
 created = {2026-01-19T19:04:58.345Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-01-19T19:07:44.961Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Apex predators are the centre of human–wildlife conflict, particularly when their prey include commercially important species, making it critical to understand their diet and ecological impact. In sixty years, the Atlantic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus Fabricius, 1791) population of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Gulf) has increased ten-folds. In response to declining sea ice, new offshore colonies have emerged in the Magdalen Islands, now the second-largest aggregation in Canada. Yet, quantitative estimates of diet composition for these colonies are limited, hindering assessments of their impact on the recovery of valuable fish stocks. Using hard-part analyses collected between 2015 and 2023, we (I) characterized the seasonal diet of these offshore colonies, (II) compared diet offshore with long-established coastal colonies, and (III) examined inter-annual and age-sex variation. Diet at emerging offshore colonies differed drastically from coastal colonies, reflecting a distinct prey assemblage exploited by a growing number of animals. Diet variation was more pronounced across years than age–sex groups, with year-to-year differences likely driven by shifts in prey availability and age-sex patterns reflecting differences in foraging capacity. These findings provide timely insights into grey seal foraging ecology across major southern Gulf colonies, needed to support ecosystem-based fisheries management.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Irani, Alymuhammad Iqbal and Bordeleau, Xavier and Benoit, Hugues and Garnier, Théo and Cusson, Pier-Olivier and Rivard, Pierre and Hammill, Mike and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2025-0089},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology}
}

Apex predators are the centre of human–wildlife conflict, particularly when their prey include commercially important species, making it critical to understand their diet and ecological impact. In sixty years, the Atlantic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus Fabricius, 1791) population of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Gulf) has increased ten-folds. In response to declining sea ice, new offshore colonies have emerged in the Magdalen Islands, now the second-largest aggregation in Canada. Yet, quantitative estimates of diet composition for these colonies are limited, hindering assessments of their impact on the recovery of valuable fish stocks. Using hard-part analyses collected between 2015 and 2023, we (I) characterized the seasonal diet of these offshore colonies, (II) compared diet offshore with long-established coastal colonies, and (III) examined inter-annual and age-sex variation. Diet at emerging offshore colonies differed drastically from coastal colonies, reflecting a distinct prey assemblage exploited by a growing number of animals. Diet variation was more pronounced across years than age–sex groups, with year-to-year differences likely driven by shifts in prey availability and age-sex patterns reflecting differences in foraging capacity. These findings provide timely insights into grey seal foraging ecology across major southern Gulf colonies, needed to support ecosystem-based fisheries management.

@article{
 title = {“The landscape of love”: sex-specific habitat-use during the mating season in a solitary large carnivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2025},
 pages = {222},
 volume = {40},
 month = {11},
 day = {20},
 id = {a4f1d40d-9a6f-3d76-9a5e-540617b9efe9},
 created = {2026-01-19T19:06:39.475Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-01-19T19:07:41.207Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Zarzo-Arias, Alejandra and Heeres, Rick W. and Hertel, Anne G. and Leclerc, Martin and Frank, Shane and Steyaert, Sam M. J. G. and Kindberg, Jonas and Swenson, Jon E. and Penteriani, Vincenzo and Pelletier, Fanie and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 doi = {10.1007/s10980-025-02250-6},
 journal = {Landscape Ecology},
 number = {12}
}

@article{
 title = {Individual behaviour, growth, survival and vulnerability to hunting in a large mammal},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 volume = {14},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11003},
 month = {2},
 day = {13},
 id = {694d4544-7fc3-3bdd-a670-1405677914cf},
 created = {2024-02-14T16:28:20.370Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-08T14:50:40.377Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Humans have exploited wild animals for thousands of years. Recent studies indicate that harvest‐induced selection on life‐history and morphological traits may lead to ecological and evolutionary changes. Less attention has been given to harvest‐induced selection on behavioural traits, especially in terrestrial systems. We assessed in a wild population of large terrestrial mammals whether decades of hunting led to harvest‐induced selection on trappability, a proxy of risk‐taking behaviour. We investigated links between trappability, horn growth and survival across individuals in early life and quantified the correlations between early‐life trappability and horn growth with availability to hunters and probability of being shot. We found positive among‐individual correlations between early‐life trappability and horn growth, early‐life trappability and survival and early‐life horn growth and survival. Faster growing individuals were more likely to be available to hunters and shot at a young age. We found no correlations between early‐life trappability and availability to hunters or probability of being shot. Our results show that correlations between behaviour and growth can occur in wild terrestrial population but may be context dependent. This result highlights the difficulty in formulating general predictions about harvest‐induced selection on behaviour, which can be affected by species ecology, harvesting regulations and harvesting methods used. Future studies should investigate mechanisms linking physiological, behavioural and morphological traits and how this effects harvest vulnerability to evaluate the potential for harvest to drive selection on behaviour in wild animal populations.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Cusson, Pier‐Oliver and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.11003},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {2}
}

Humans have exploited wild animals for thousands of years. Recent studies indicate that harvest‐induced selection on life‐history and morphological traits may lead to ecological and evolutionary changes. Less attention has been given to harvest‐induced selection on behavioural traits, especially in terrestrial systems. We assessed in a wild population of large terrestrial mammals whether decades of hunting led to harvest‐induced selection on trappability, a proxy of risk‐taking behaviour. We investigated links between trappability, horn growth and survival across individuals in early life and quantified the correlations between early‐life trappability and horn growth with availability to hunters and probability of being shot. We found positive among‐individual correlations between early‐life trappability and horn growth, early‐life trappability and survival and early‐life horn growth and survival. Faster growing individuals were more likely to be available to hunters and shot at a young age. We found no correlations between early‐life trappability and availability to hunters or probability of being shot. Our results show that correlations between behaviour and growth can occur in wild terrestrial population but may be context dependent. This result highlights the difficulty in formulating general predictions about harvest‐induced selection on behaviour, which can be affected by species ecology, harvesting regulations and harvesting methods used. Future studies should investigate mechanisms linking physiological, behavioural and morphological traits and how this effects harvest vulnerability to evaluate the potential for harvest to drive selection on behaviour in wild animal populations.

@article{
 title = {Cadre législatif québécois pour la protection des espèces sauvages en situation précaire: évaluation critique et recommandations pour une révision majeure},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 pages = {1-14},
 volume = {9},
 websites = {https://facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2023-0167},
 month = {1},
 day = {1},
 id = {357d50ec-2d2a-3e2c-b57e-85dd9db0a13a},
 created = {2024-04-02T20:23:48.335Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:38:30.166Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>In Quebec, the Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable species (ARTV), adopted in 1989, aims to safeguard Quebec's wild genetic diversity by protecting species at risk. However, since its implementation about 30 years ago, it has been repeatedly pointed out that the application of the Quebec legislative framework for the protection of wildlife species at risk was often slow and inadequate. The aim of this article is therefore to make a series of observations on the limits of current legislation and then propose nine urgent recommendations to improve the effectiveness of conservation efforts for species at risk in Quebec. Our recommendations aim to increase the efficiency and transparency of the designation process, reconsider compensation mechanisms for the loss of critical habitat, and harmonize species status between the federal and provincial levels. We hope that our article will pave the way for a constructive discussion leading to an improved protection of wildlife species in precarious situations and their persistence for future generations.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Dumont, Pierre and de Walle, Joanie Van and Jauvin, Daniel and Rodrigue, David},
 editor = {Lesbarrères, David},
 doi = {10.1139/facets-2023-0167},
 journal = {FACETS}
}

In Quebec, the Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable species (ARTV), adopted in 1989, aims to safeguard Quebec's wild genetic diversity by protecting species at risk. However, since its implementation about 30 years ago, it has been repeatedly pointed out that the application of the Quebec legislative framework for the protection of wildlife species at risk was often slow and inadequate. The aim of this article is therefore to make a series of observations on the limits of current legislation and then propose nine urgent recommendations to improve the effectiveness of conservation efforts for species at risk in Quebec. Our recommendations aim to increase the efficiency and transparency of the designation process, reconsider compensation mechanisms for the loss of critical habitat, and harmonize species status between the federal and provincial levels. We hope that our article will pave the way for a constructive discussion leading to an improved protection of wildlife species in precarious situations and their persistence for future generations.

@article{
 title = {Direct and indirect effects of cougar predation on bighorn sheep fitness},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.4374},
 month = {7},
 day = {19},
 id = {17be91ed-8475-3844-b967-f3b321a797fb},
 created = {2024-07-25T14:47:14.392Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:41:37.560Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Predation has direct effects on prey population dynamics through mortality, and it can induce indirect effects through fear. The indirect effects of predation have been documented experimentally, but few studies have quantified them in nature so that their role in prey population dynamics remains controversial. Given the expanding or reintroduced populations of large predators in many areas, the quantification of indirect effects of predation is crucial. We sought to evaluate the direct and indirect fitness effects of intense cougar ( <italic>Puma concolor</italic> ) predation using 48 years of data on marked bighorn sheep ( <italic>Ovis canadensis</italic> ) on Ram Mountain, Alberta, Canada. We compared years of intense cougar predation with years with no or occasional cougar predation. We first quantified the effects of predation on neonatal, weaning, and overwinter lamb survival, three metrics potentially affected by direct and indirect effects. We then investigated the possible indirect effects of intense cougar predation on lamb production, female summer mass gain, and lamb mass at weaning. We found strong effects of cougar predation on lamb survival, lamb production, and seasonal mass gain of lambs and adult females. In years with high predation, neonatal, weaning, and overwinter lamb survival declined by 18.4%, 19.7% and 20.8%, respectively. Indirect effects included a 14.2% decline in lamb production. Female summer mass gain decreased by 15.6% and lamb mass at weaning declined by 8.0% in years of intense cougar predation. Our findings bring key insights on the impacts of predation on prey fitness by reporting moderate to large effects on recruitment and illustrate the importance of indirect effects of predation on population dynamics. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Cloutier, Zachary and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ecy.4374},
 journal = {Ecology}
}

Predation has direct effects on prey population dynamics through mortality, and it can induce indirect effects through fear. The indirect effects of predation have been documented experimentally, but few studies have quantified them in nature so that their role in prey population dynamics remains controversial. Given the expanding or reintroduced populations of large predators in many areas, the quantification of indirect effects of predation is crucial. We sought to evaluate the direct and indirect fitness effects of intense cougar ( Puma concolor ) predation using 48 years of data on marked bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) on Ram Mountain, Alberta, Canada. We compared years of intense cougar predation with years with no or occasional cougar predation. We first quantified the effects of predation on neonatal, weaning, and overwinter lamb survival, three metrics potentially affected by direct and indirect effects. We then investigated the possible indirect effects of intense cougar predation on lamb production, female summer mass gain, and lamb mass at weaning. We found strong effects of cougar predation on lamb survival, lamb production, and seasonal mass gain of lambs and adult females. In years with high predation, neonatal, weaning, and overwinter lamb survival declined by 18.4%, 19.7% and 20.8%, respectively. Indirect effects included a 14.2% decline in lamb production. Female summer mass gain decreased by 15.6% and lamb mass at weaning declined by 8.0% in years of intense cougar predation. Our findings bring key insights on the impacts of predation on prey fitness by reporting moderate to large effects on recruitment and illustrate the importance of indirect effects of predation on population dynamics.

@article{
 title = {Are nonsocial species more social than we think? Seasonal patterns in sociality in a solitary terrestrial carnivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 pages = {107-130},
 volume = {216},
 websites = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347224002185},
 month = {10},
 id = {5d7d5b81-dfe1-373b-b264-3eedb9c17dc2},
 created = {2024-09-12T19:23:56.705Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:41:18.053Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Heeres, Rick W. and Leclerc, Martin and Frank, Shane and Kopatz, Alexander and Pelletier, Fanie and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2024.07.022},
 journal = {Animal Behaviour}
}

@article{
 title = {Social selection analysis reveals limited effect of neighbors’ traits in Tree swallows},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/evolut/article/78/10/1710/7712142},
 month = {7},
 day = {11},
 id = {f712add6-8da7-3992-a43a-77ecd4ef845e},
 created = {2024-09-12T19:41:16.139Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:41:01.367Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Social interactions are ubiquitous in nature and can shape the fitness of individuals through social selection. This type of selection arises when phenotypes of neighbors influence the fitness of a focal individual. Quantifying social selection is crucial to better characterize the overall selective landscape. For example, if intraspecific competition is strong, traits that are beneficial for an individual could be detrimental to competitors. In this study, we quantified social selection acting on three key ecological traits (body mass, wing length, and laying date) in wild Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) females. We used reproductive success measured at three stages throughout the breeding season as fitness proxies to assess selection acting at those decisive moments. We also quantified the effects of environment on selection using measures of conspecifics’ density, type of agricultural landscape, and presence of interspecific competitors. Overall, we found no strong evidence of social selection on these traits in our study system, although there were marginally nonsignificant selection gradients suggesting the positive effect of larger neighbors. Environmental variables affected reproductive success but did not strongly affect social selection gradients. Our study calls for more social selection estimates to be reported across environments to better understand its importance in wild populations.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Labonté-Dupras, Marie-Ève and Houle, Carolyne and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1093/evolut/qpae107},
 journal = {Evolution}
}

Social interactions are ubiquitous in nature and can shape the fitness of individuals through social selection. This type of selection arises when phenotypes of neighbors influence the fitness of a focal individual. Quantifying social selection is crucial to better characterize the overall selective landscape. For example, if intraspecific competition is strong, traits that are beneficial for an individual could be detrimental to competitors. In this study, we quantified social selection acting on three key ecological traits (body mass, wing length, and laying date) in wild Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) females. We used reproductive success measured at three stages throughout the breeding season as fitness proxies to assess selection acting at those decisive moments. We also quantified the effects of environment on selection using measures of conspecifics’ density, type of agricultural landscape, and presence of interspecific competitors. Overall, we found no strong evidence of social selection on these traits in our study system, although there were marginally nonsignificant selection gradients suggesting the positive effect of larger neighbors. Environmental variables affected reproductive success but did not strongly affect social selection gradients. Our study calls for more social selection estimates to be reported across environments to better understand its importance in wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Sporadic events have a greater influence on the dynamics of small isolated populations than density-dependence and environmental conditions},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 websites = {https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/732876},
 month = {8},
 day = {26},
 id = {12b40ef4-aad8-34d9-86c4-be3ad007b0c3},
 created = {2024-09-12T19:41:30.782Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:40:45.630Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Turgeon, Roxanne and Pelletier, Fanie and D. Côté, Steeve and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Hamel, Sandra},
 doi = {10.1086/732876},
 journal = {The American Naturalist}
}

@article{
 title = {Sons Shorten Mother’s Lifespan in Preindustrial Families with a High Level of Infant Mortality},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 websites = {https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/731792},
 month = {8},
 day = {21},
 id = {c306edc2-bef5-32b4-9c55-6c1f0c2c5957},
 created = {2024-09-12T19:47:57.557Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:44:54.006Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Invernizzi, Lucas and Bergeron, Patrick and Pelletier, Fanie and Lemaître, Jean-François and Douhard, Mathieu},
 doi = {10.1086/731792},
 journal = {The American Naturalist}
}

@article{
 title = {Behavioural responses of brown bears to roads and hunting disturbance},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 volume = {14},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.11532},
 month = {6},
 day = {14},
 id = {8f85b862-3f2f-35f1-b615-0955af00437e},
 created = {2024-09-12T19:51:06.580Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:40:15.321Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p> Harvest regulations commonly attenuate the consequences of hunting on specific segments of a population. However, regulations may not protect individuals from non‐lethal effects of hunting and their consequences remain poorly understood. In this study, we compared the movement rates of Scandinavian brown bears ( <italic>Ursus arctos</italic> , <italic>n</italic>  = 47) across spatiotemporal variations in risk in relation to the onset of bear hunting. We tested two alternative hypotheses based on whether behavioural responses to hunting involve hiding or escaping. If bears try to reduce risk exposure by avoiding being detected by hunters, we expect individuals from all demographic groups to reduce their movement rate during the hunting season. On the other hand, if bears avoid hunters by escaping, we expect them to increase their movement rate in order to leave high‐risk areas faster. We found an increased movement rate in females accompanied by dependent offspring during the morning hours of the bear hunting season, a general decrease in movement rate in adult lone females, and no changes in males and subadult females. The increased movement rate that we observed in females with dependant offspring during the hunting season was likely an antipredator response because it only occurred in areas located closer to roads, whereas the decreased movement rate in lone females could be either part of seasonal activity patterns or be associated with an increased selection for better concealment. Our study suggests that female brown bears accompanied by offspring likely move faster in high‐risk areas to minimize risk exposure as well as the costly trade‐offs (i.e. time spent foraging vs. time spent hiding) typically associated with anti‐predator tactics that involve changes in resource selection. Our study also highlights the importance of modelling fine‐scale spatiotemporal variations in risk to adequately capture the complexity in behavioural responses caused by human activities in wildlife. </p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Brown, Ludovick and Zedrosser, Andreas and Kindberg, Jonas and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.11532},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {6}
}

Harvest regulations commonly attenuate the consequences of hunting on specific segments of a population. However, regulations may not protect individuals from non‐lethal effects of hunting and their consequences remain poorly understood. In this study, we compared the movement rates of Scandinavian brown bears ( Ursus arctos , n  = 47) across spatiotemporal variations in risk in relation to the onset of bear hunting. We tested two alternative hypotheses based on whether behavioural responses to hunting involve hiding or escaping. If bears try to reduce risk exposure by avoiding being detected by hunters, we expect individuals from all demographic groups to reduce their movement rate during the hunting season. On the other hand, if bears avoid hunters by escaping, we expect them to increase their movement rate in order to leave high‐risk areas faster. We found an increased movement rate in females accompanied by dependent offspring during the morning hours of the bear hunting season, a general decrease in movement rate in adult lone females, and no changes in males and subadult females. The increased movement rate that we observed in females with dependant offspring during the hunting season was likely an antipredator response because it only occurred in areas located closer to roads, whereas the decreased movement rate in lone females could be either part of seasonal activity patterns or be associated with an increased selection for better concealment. Our study suggests that female brown bears accompanied by offspring likely move faster in high‐risk areas to minimize risk exposure as well as the costly trade‐offs (i.e. time spent foraging vs. time spent hiding) typically associated with anti‐predator tactics that involve changes in resource selection. Our study also highlights the importance of modelling fine‐scale spatiotemporal variations in risk to adequately capture the complexity in behavioural responses caused by human activities in wildlife.

@article{
 title = {Des avalanches meurtrières : une menace pour la pérennité des chèvres de montagne ?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 volume = {12},
 websites = {https://climatoscope.ca/actualite/des-avalanches-meurtrieres-une-menace-pour-la-perennite-des-chevres-de-montagnes/},
 month = {9},
 id = {137d17a0-0a63-305b-9af9-d150e57f7d92},
 created = {2024-09-19T17:19:46.281Z},
 accessed = {2024-09-19},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-03T17:48:57.533Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Crémel, Kallan and Pelletier, Fanie},
 journal = {Climactualité}
}

@article{
 title = {Early and adult life environmental effects on reproductive performance in preindustrial women},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 pages = {e0290212},
 volume = {19},
 websites = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0290212},
 month = {10},
 day = {28},
 id = {50a8bec0-e2df-3db9-8aff-457cd76b8501},
 created = {2024-10-31T17:29:38.450Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:39:54.626Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Early life environments can have long-lasting effects on adult reproductive performance, but disentangling the influence of early and adult life environments on fitness is challenging, especially for long-lived species. Using a detailed dataset spanning over two centuries, we studied how both early and adult life environments impacted reproductive performance in preindustrial women. Due to a wide geographic range, agricultural production was lower in northern compared to southern parishes, and health conditions were worse in urban than rural parishes. We tested whether reproductive traits and offspring survival varied between early and adult life environments by comparing women who moved between different environments during their lifetime with those who moved parishes but remained in the same environment. Our findings reveal that urban-born women had an earlier age at first reproduction and less offspring surviving to adulthood than rural-born women. Moreover, switching from urban to rural led to increased offspring survival, while switching from rural to urban had the opposite effect. Finally, women who switched from rural to urban and from South to North had their first child at an older age compared to those who stayed in the same environment type. Our study underscores the complex and interactive effects of early and adult life environments on reproductive traits, highlighting the need to consider both when studying environmental effects on reproductive outcomes.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Colejo-Durán, Lidia and Pelletier, Fanie and Dillon, Lisa and Gagnon, Alain and Bergeron, Patrick},
 doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0290212},
 journal = {PLOS ONE},
 number = {10}
}

Early life environments can have long-lasting effects on adult reproductive performance, but disentangling the influence of early and adult life environments on fitness is challenging, especially for long-lived species. Using a detailed dataset spanning over two centuries, we studied how both early and adult life environments impacted reproductive performance in preindustrial women. Due to a wide geographic range, agricultural production was lower in northern compared to southern parishes, and health conditions were worse in urban than rural parishes. We tested whether reproductive traits and offspring survival varied between early and adult life environments by comparing women who moved between different environments during their lifetime with those who moved parishes but remained in the same environment. Our findings reveal that urban-born women had an earlier age at first reproduction and less offspring surviving to adulthood than rural-born women. Moreover, switching from urban to rural led to increased offspring survival, while switching from rural to urban had the opposite effect. Finally, women who switched from rural to urban and from South to North had their first child at an older age compared to those who stayed in the same environment type. Our study underscores the complex and interactive effects of early and adult life environments on reproductive traits, highlighting the need to consider both when studying environmental effects on reproductive outcomes.

@article{
 title = {L’Anthropocène: réalité géologique ou évènement planétaire},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 pages = {91-96},
 volume = {6},
 websites = {https://climatoscope.ca/article/lanthropocene-realite-geologique-ou-evenement-planetaire/},
 month = {10},
 city = {Sherbrooke},
 id = {43f7694e-1498-30aa-9268-720f1b61a36f},
 created = {2024-10-31T17:33:04.765Z},
 accessed = {2024-10-31},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-03T17:48:57.533Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Houle, Carolyne and Pelletier, Fanie},
 journal = {Le Climatoscope}
}

@article{
 title = {Individual variation and selection for phenotypic plasticity of laying date and clutch size across different environmental conditions in Tree swallow ( <i>Tachycineta bicolor</i> )},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/jeb/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jeb/voae156/7923933},
 month = {12},
 day = {14},
 id = {f5544f68-fa1a-3ba0-96d1-0e9d47c6a6c4},
 created = {2025-01-13T14:45:48.382Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:39:36.027Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Several studies have emphasized that phenotypic plasticity should be a key mechanism to cope with current rapid environmental changes by allowing individuals to quickly express new adaptive phenotypes. Yet, few studies have investigated the evolutionary potential of plasticity for multiple traits simultaneously and using several different environmental variables. Here, we assess the extent of variation in, and the selection acting on phenotypic plasticity of key ecological traits, laying date, and clutch size, using five environmental variables, in a Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) population monitored since 2004. While we found some variation among females in their mean laying date and plasticity, we found evidence of selection acting only on mean laying date. We found no variation among females in mean clutch size or plasticity, such that we could not assess selection acting on either. Our results suggest that the evolutionary potential of plasticity in the population under study is limited, especially for clutch size. More studies investigating plasticity in wild populations and incorporating multiple traits and environmental variables are needed to understand the future responses of animal populations to environmental changes.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Tremblay, Audrey and Pelletier, Fanie and Macdonald, Andrew and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1093/jeb/voae156},
 journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology}
}

Several studies have emphasized that phenotypic plasticity should be a key mechanism to cope with current rapid environmental changes by allowing individuals to quickly express new adaptive phenotypes. Yet, few studies have investigated the evolutionary potential of plasticity for multiple traits simultaneously and using several different environmental variables. Here, we assess the extent of variation in, and the selection acting on phenotypic plasticity of key ecological traits, laying date, and clutch size, using five environmental variables, in a Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) population monitored since 2004. While we found some variation among females in their mean laying date and plasticity, we found evidence of selection acting only on mean laying date. We found no variation among females in mean clutch size or plasticity, such that we could not assess selection acting on either. Our results suggest that the evolutionary potential of plasticity in the population under study is limited, especially for clutch size. More studies investigating plasticity in wild populations and incorporating multiple traits and environmental variables are needed to understand the future responses of animal populations to environmental changes.

@article{
 title = {Animaux urbains et changements climatiques: changement de voisinage à l’horizon!},
 type = {article},
 year = {2024},
 volume = {14},
 websites = {https://climatoscope.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Climactualite_HoulePelletier_14.pdf},
 id = {af2fd137-8419-3680-97e4-60bdc0b07cd1},
 created = {2025-01-13T17:07:28.636Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-03T17:48:57.533Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Houle, Carolyne},
 journal = {Climactualité}
}

@article{
 title = {Lead exposure in brown bears is linked to environmental levels and the distribution of moose kills},
 type = {article},
 year = {2023},
 pages = {162099},
 volume = {873},
 websites = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723007155?dgcid=coauthor},
 month = {5},
 id = {fd851016-b91c-3cb4-91cf-43f186ac8dc4},
 created = {2023-02-23T15:18:08.313Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:56:52.418Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Brown, Ludovick and Fuchs, Boris and Arnemo, Jon M. and Kindberg, Jonas and Rodushkin, Ilia and Zedrosser, Andreas and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162099},
 journal = {Science of The Total Environment}
}

@article{
 title = {Extensive regional variation in the phenology of insects and their response to temperature across <scp>N</scp> orth <scp>A</scp> merica},
 type = {article},
 year = {2023},
 volume = {104},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecy.4036},
 month = {5},
 day = {4},
 id = {9bdf0805-7cfe-3bea-bbc4-5ea327ff458a},
 created = {2023-05-10T16:59:24.396Z},
 accessed = {2023-07-27},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:56:30.722Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Dunn, Peter O. and Ahmed, Insiyaa and Armstrong, Elise and Barlow, Natasha and Barnard, Malcolm A. and Bélisle, Marc and Benson, Thomas J. and Berzins, Lisha L. and Boynton, Chloe K. and Brown, T. Anders and Cady, Melissa and Cameron, Kyle and Chen, Xuan and Clark, Robert G. and Clotfelter, Ethan D. and Cromwell, Kara and Dawson, Russell D. and Denton, Elsie and Forbes, Andrew and Fowler, Kendrick and Fraser, Kevin C. and Gandhi, Kamal J. K. and Garant, Dany and Hiebert, Megan and Houchen, Claire and Houtz, Jennifer and Imlay, Tara L. and Inouye, Brian D. and Inouye, David W. and Jackson, Michelle and Jacobson, Andrew P. and Jayd, Kristin and Juteau, Christy and Kautz, Andrea and Killian, Caroline and Kinnear, Elliot and Komatsu, Kimberly J. and Larsen, Kirk and Laughlin, Andrew and Levesque‐Beaudin, Valerie and Leys, Ryan and Long, Elizabeth and Lougheed, Stephen C. and Mackenzie, Stuart and Marangelo, Jen and Miller, Colleen and Molano‐Flores, Brenda and Morrissey, Christy A. and Nicholls, Emony and Orlofske, Jessica M. and Pearse, Ian S. and Pelletier, Fanie and Pitt, Amber L. and Poston, Joseph P. and Racke, Danielle M. and Randall, Jeannine A. and Richardson, Matthew L. and Rooney, Olivia and Ruegg, A. Rose and Rush, Scott and Ryan, Sadie J. and Sadowski, Mitchell and Schoepf, Ivana and Schulz, Lindsay and Shea, Brenna and Sheehan, Thomas N. and Siefferman, Lynn and Sikes, Derek and Stanback, Mark and Styrsky, John D. and Taff, Conor C. and Uehling, Jennifer J. and Uvino, Kathleen and Wassmer, Thomas and Weglarz, Kathryn and Weinberger, Megan and Wenzel, John and Whittingham, Linda A.},
 doi = {10.1002/ecy.4036},
 journal = {Ecology},
 number = {5}
}

@article{
 title = {Genetic rescue from protected areas is modulated by migration, hunting rate, and timing of harvest},
 type = {article},
 year = {2023},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eva.13554},
 month = {5},
 day = {12},
 id = {78194f51-dd52-3d9e-8791-c181b9dbe8f1},
 created = {2023-05-15T19:36:31.025Z},
 accessed = {2023-07-27},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:56:09.972Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Lassis, Roxane and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Van de Walle, Joanie and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.13554},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications}
}

@article{
 title = {Landscape of fear or landscape of food? Moose hunting triggers an antipredator response in brown bears},
 type = {article},
 year = {2023},
 volume = {33},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eap.2840},
 month = {6},
 day = {26},
 id = {f5d290e1-66e8-3c22-8aab-d0a32b1919a6},
 created = {2023-06-08T15:22:47.623Z},
 accessed = {2023-07-27},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:43:38.954Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Brown, Ludovick and Zedrosser, Andreas and Arnemo, Jon M. and Fuchs, Boris and Kindberg, Jonas and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/eap.2840},
 journal = {Ecological Applications},
 number = {4}
}

@article{
 title = {Spatiotemporal variation in pup abundance and pre-weaning survival of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada.},
 type = {article},
 year = {2023},
 websites = {https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2023-0005},
 month = {6},
 day = {10},
 id = {479a7541-8ac5-3bc3-9576-c0c7bca55f72},
 created = {2023-06-22T20:06:01.991Z},
 accessed = {2023-07-27},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:42:50.545Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>Marine mammal populations worldwide greatly benefitted from conservation measures put in place since the 1970s following overexploitation, and many pinniped populations have recovered. However, threats due to bycatch, interspecific interactions or climate change remain, and detailed knowledge on vital rates, population dynamics and their responses to environmental changes is essential for efficient management and conservation of wild populations. In this study, we quantified pup abundance and survival of individually marked harbour seal (Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758) pups during the preweaning period at Bic Island and Métis sites in the St. Lawrence Estuary from 1998 – 2019. We used mark-recapture models to evaluate competing hypotheses regarding variation in daily preweaning survival rates and capture probability during the pups’ first 30 days of life. Pup abundance increased from 76 (95% CI: [59, 101]) to 323 [95% CI: 233, 338] in the past two decades at Bic Island and from 66 [95% CI:47, 91] to 285 [95% CI: 204, 218] at Métis. Preweaning survival was generally higher at Bic (0.73 [95% CI: 0.58,0.82]) than at Métis (0.68 [95% CI: 0.52,0.79]). We hypothesize that differences between habitats and human disturbance contribute to lower preweaning survival at Métis, but behavioural studies are needed to understand the impacts of disturbance on mother-pup interactions during the nursing period.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Renaud, Limoilou-Amelie and Pigeon, Gabriel and Van de Walle, Joanie and Bordeleau, Xavier and Hammill, Mike and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2023-0005},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology}
}

Marine mammal populations worldwide greatly benefitted from conservation measures put in place since the 1970s following overexploitation, and many pinniped populations have recovered. However, threats due to bycatch, interspecific interactions or climate change remain, and detailed knowledge on vital rates, population dynamics and their responses to environmental changes is essential for efficient management and conservation of wild populations. In this study, we quantified pup abundance and survival of individually marked harbour seal (Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758) pups during the preweaning period at Bic Island and Métis sites in the St. Lawrence Estuary from 1998 – 2019. We used mark-recapture models to evaluate competing hypotheses regarding variation in daily preweaning survival rates and capture probability during the pups’ first 30 days of life. Pup abundance increased from 76 (95% CI: [59, 101]) to 323 [95% CI: 233, 338] in the past two decades at Bic Island and from 66 [95% CI:47, 91] to 285 [95% CI: 204, 218] at Métis. Preweaning survival was generally higher at Bic (0.73 [95% CI: 0.58,0.82]) than at Métis (0.68 [95% CI: 0.52,0.79]). We hypothesize that differences between habitats and human disturbance contribute to lower preweaning survival at Métis, but behavioural studies are needed to understand the impacts of disturbance on mother-pup interactions during the nursing period.

@article{
 title = {Individual life histories: neither slow nor fast, just diverse},
 type = {article},
 year = {2023},
 volume = {290},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2023.0511},
 month = {7},
 day = {12},
 id = {ddc6982a-7c73-3ebb-a962-f98bbeaec263},
 created = {2023-07-27T18:00:39.800Z},
 accessed = {2023-07-27},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:42:31.230Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {<p>The slow–fast continuum is a commonly used framework to describe variation in life-history strategies across species. Individual life histories have also been assumed to follow a similar pattern, especially in the pace-of-life syndrome literature. However, whether a slow–fast continuum commonly explains life-history variation among individuals within a population remains unclear. Here, we formally tested for the presence of a slow–fast continuum of life histories both within populations and across species using detailed long-term individual-based demographic data for 17 bird and mammal species with markedly different life histories. We estimated adult lifespan, age at first reproduction, annual breeding frequency, and annual fecundity, and identified the main axes of life-history variation using principal component analyses. Across species, we retrieved the slow–fast continuum as the main axis of life-history variation. However, within populations, the patterns of individual life-history variation did not align with a slow–fast continuum in any species. Thus, a continuum ranking individuals from slow to fast living is unlikely to shape individual differences in life histories within populations. Rather, individual life-history variation is likely idiosyncratic across species, potentially because of processes such as stochasticity, density dependence, and individual differences in resource acquisition that affect species differently and generate non-generalizable patterns across species.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van de Walle, Joanie and Fay, Rémi and Gaillard, Jean-Michel and Pelletier, Fanie and Hamel, Sandra and Gamelon, Marlène and Barbraud, Christophe and Blanchet, F. Guillaume and Blumstein, Daniel T. and Charmantier, Anne and Delord, Karine and Larue, Benjamin and Martin, Julien and Mills, James A. and Milot, Emmanuel and Mayer, Francine M. and Rotella, Jay and Saether, Bernt-Erik and Teplitsky, Céline and van de Pol, Martijn and Van Vuren, Dirk H. and Visser, Marcel E. and Wells, Caitlin P. and Yarrall, John and Jenouvrier, Stéphanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2023.0511},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {2002}
}

The slow–fast continuum is a commonly used framework to describe variation in life-history strategies across species. Individual life histories have also been assumed to follow a similar pattern, especially in the pace-of-life syndrome literature. However, whether a slow–fast continuum commonly explains life-history variation among individuals within a population remains unclear. Here, we formally tested for the presence of a slow–fast continuum of life histories both within populations and across species using detailed long-term individual-based demographic data for 17 bird and mammal species with markedly different life histories. We estimated adult lifespan, age at first reproduction, annual breeding frequency, and annual fecundity, and identified the main axes of life-history variation using principal component analyses. Across species, we retrieved the slow–fast continuum as the main axis of life-history variation. However, within populations, the patterns of individual life-history variation did not align with a slow–fast continuum in any species. Thus, a continuum ranking individuals from slow to fast living is unlikely to shape individual differences in life histories within populations. Rather, individual life-history variation is likely idiosyncratic across species, potentially because of processes such as stochasticity, density dependence, and individual differences in resource acquisition that affect species differently and generate non-generalizable patterns across species.

@article{
 title = {Les phoques et la banquise : réponses comportementales contrastées face aux changements des conditions de glace du golfe du Saint-Laurent.},
 type = {article},
 year = {2023},
 pages = {60-65},
 websites = {https://climatoscope.ca/article/les-phoques-et-la-banquise-reponses-comportementales-contrastees-face-aux-changements-des-conditions-de-glace-du-golfe-du-saint-laurent/},
 month = {10},
 city = {Sherbrooke},
 id = {f3dcaca3-a196-3a27-9510-f9c519143c6b},
 created = {2024-02-14T16:52:03.086Z},
 accessed = {2024-02-14},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-09-03T17:48:57.533Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {false},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Cusson, Pier-Olivier and Hammill, Mike O. and Bordeleau, Xavier and Pelletier, Fanie},
 journal = {Le Climatoscope}
}

@article{
 title = {Breeding migrations by bighorn sheep males are driven by mating opportunities},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 volume = {12},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.8692},
 month = {2},
 day = {6},
 id = {ff9dd2d8-fb87-3052-a24b-417f4b658bca},
 created = {2022-03-15T16:09:12.355Z},
 accessed = {2022-03-15},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:25:48.893Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Lassis, Roxane and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.8692},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {3}
}

@article{
 title = {Trophic niche partitioning between two prey and their incidental predators revealed various threats for an endangered species},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 volume = {12},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.8742},
 month = {3},
 day = {18},
 id = {6ba5015a-aa9a-3a29-b72e-807f3aa26487},
 created = {2022-03-21T13:45:22.586Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:25:22.221Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Rioux, Ève and Pelletier, Fanie and St‐Laurent, Martin‐Hugues},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.8742},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {3}
}

@article{
 title = {Ewe are what ewe wear: bigger horns, better ewes and the potential consequence of trophy hunting on female fitness in bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 volume = {289},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2021.2534},
 month = {3},
 day = {30},
 id = {d652cc2b-0992-31a7-953f-b48f4c6b221e},
 created = {2022-04-05T18:53:05.270Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:25:00.657Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In polygynous species, secondary sexual traits such as weapons or elaborate ornaments have evolved through intrasexual competition for mates. In some species, these traits are present in both sexes but are underdeveloped in the sex facing lower intrasexual competition for mates. It is often assumed that these underdeveloped sexually selected traits are a vestige of strong sexual selection on the other sex. Here, we challenge this assumption and investigate whether the expression of secondary sexual traits is associated with fitness in female bighorn sheep. Analyses of 45 years of data revealed that female horn length at 2 years, while accounting for mass and environmental variables, is associated with younger age at primiparity, younger age of first offspring weaned, greater reproductive lifespan and higher lifetime reproductive success. There was no association between horn length and fecundity. These findings highlight a potential conservation issue. In this population, trophy hunting selects against males with fast-growing horns. Intersexual genetic correlations imply that intense selective hunting of large-horned males before they can reproduce can decrease female horn size. Therefore, intense trophy hunting of males based on horn size could reduce female reproductive performance through the associations identified here, and ultimately reduce population growth and viability.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Deakin, Samuel and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Miller, Joshua M. and Pelletier, Fanie and Coltman, David W.},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2021.2534},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1971}
}

In polygynous species, secondary sexual traits such as weapons or elaborate ornaments have evolved through intrasexual competition for mates. In some species, these traits are present in both sexes but are underdeveloped in the sex facing lower intrasexual competition for mates. It is often assumed that these underdeveloped sexually selected traits are a vestige of strong sexual selection on the other sex. Here, we challenge this assumption and investigate whether the expression of secondary sexual traits is associated with fitness in female bighorn sheep. Analyses of 45 years of data revealed that female horn length at 2 years, while accounting for mass and environmental variables, is associated with younger age at primiparity, younger age of first offspring weaned, greater reproductive lifespan and higher lifetime reproductive success. There was no association between horn length and fecundity. These findings highlight a potential conservation issue. In this population, trophy hunting selects against males with fast-growing horns. Intersexual genetic correlations imply that intense selective hunting of large-horned males before they can reproduce can decrease female horn size. Therefore, intense trophy hunting of males based on horn size could reduce female reproductive performance through the associations identified here, and ultimately reduce population growth and viability.

@article{
 title = {Temporal correlations among demographic parameters are ubiquitous but highly variable across species},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ele.14026},
 month = {5},
 day = {24},
 id = {a49b3f18-8081-35a8-a2a8-17953970a0fe},
 created = {2022-06-02T20:10:33.758Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:24:44.881Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Fay, Rémi and Hamel, Sandra and Pol, Martijn and Gaillard, Jean‐Michel and Yoccoz, Nigel G. and Acker, Paul and Authier, Matthieu and Larue, Benjamin and Le Coeur, Christie and Macdonald, Kaitlin R. and Nicol‐Harper, Alex and Barbraud, Christophe and Bonenfant, Christophe and Van Vuren, Dirk H. and Cam, Emmanuelle and Delord, Karine and Gamelon, Marlène and Moiron, Maria and Pelletier, Fanie and Rotella, Jay and Teplitsky, Celine and Visser, Marcel E. and Wells, Caitlin P. and Wheelwright, Nathaniel T. and Jenouvrier, Stéphanie and Sæther, Bernt‐Erik},
 doi = {10.1111/ele.14026},
 journal = {Ecology Letters}
}

@article{
 title = {Combined influence of food availability and agricultural intensification on a declining aerial insectivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 volume = {92},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecm.1518},
 month = {8},
 day = {21},
 id = {3da3d663-1e47-3eb3-864e-c3067ea67545},
 created = {2022-08-02T18:12:43.016Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:24:55.219Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Garrett, Daniel R. and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1002/ecm.1518},
 journal = {Ecological Monographs},
 number = {3}
}

@article{
 title = {Effects of hunting pressure and timing of harvest on bighorn sheep ( <i>Ovis canadensis</i> ) horn size},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 websites = {https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2021-0082},
 month = {6},
 day = {10},
 id = {00e73d65-ee12-3fb4-bb2b-d8fd4926d1bd},
 created = {2022-08-08T15:52:36.804Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:24:08.582Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 folder_uuids = {cbcc7569-3297-4caf-9c1b-22fb9ad05085},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Trophy hunting can affect weapon size of wild animals through both demographic and evolutionary changes. In bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis Shaw, 1804), intense harvest of young males with fast-growing horns may have partly driven long-term decreases in horn size. These selective effects could be dampened if migrants from protected areas, not subject to artificial selection, survived and reproduced within hunted populations. Bighorn rams undertake long-distance breeding migrations in the weeks preceding the late-November rut. We analysed records of &gt;7800 trophy bighorn rams shot from 1974 to 2019 in Alberta, Canada, to test the hypothesis that high harvest pressure during breeding migrations was correlated with a greater decrease in horn size. We compared areas with and without a pronounced harvest peak in late October, when male breeding migrations begin. Areas without a pronounced harvest peak in late October, which likely experienced a lower harvest rate, showed a similar temporal decline in horn size, but no increase in age at harvest suggesting a possibly weaker decline in horn growth. Our study suggests that unselected immigrants from protected areas could partly buffer the effects of intense trophy hunting only if harvest pressure was reduced when breeding migrations commence.</p>},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Lassis, Roxane and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2021-0082},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology}
}

Trophy hunting can affect weapon size of wild animals through both demographic and evolutionary changes. In bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis Shaw, 1804), intense harvest of young males with fast-growing horns may have partly driven long-term decreases in horn size. These selective effects could be dampened if migrants from protected areas, not subject to artificial selection, survived and reproduced within hunted populations. Bighorn rams undertake long-distance breeding migrations in the weeks preceding the late-November rut. We analysed records of >7800 trophy bighorn rams shot from 1974 to 2019 in Alberta, Canada, to test the hypothesis that high harvest pressure during breeding migrations was correlated with a greater decrease in horn size. We compared areas with and without a pronounced harvest peak in late October, when male breeding migrations begin. Areas without a pronounced harvest peak in late October, which likely experienced a lower harvest rate, showed a similar temporal decline in horn size, but no increase in age at harvest suggesting a possibly weaker decline in horn growth. Our study suggests that unselected immigrants from protected areas could partly buffer the effects of intense trophy hunting only if harvest pressure was reduced when breeding migrations commence.

@article{
 title = {Interacting effects of cold snaps, rain, and agriculture on the fledging success of a declining aerial insectivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 pages = {e2645},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/eap.2645},
 month = {6},
 day = {13},
 id = {4089f9aa-81de-3f4e-8e49-d3aa72114e89},
 created = {2022-08-22T16:57:19.254Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:24:35.464Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Garrett, Daniel R. and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1002/eap.2645},
 journal = {Ecological Applications}
}

@article{
 title = {Negative effects of agricultural intensification on the food provisioning rate of a declining aerial insectivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 volume = {13},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecs2.4227},
 month = {9},
 day = {14},
 id = {f7aba8dc-29eb-3725-b5b5-466339845b20},
 created = {2022-09-15T13:09:42.341Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:23:37.088Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Garrett, Daniel R. and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1002/ecs2.4227},
 journal = {Ecosphere},
 number = {9}
}

@article{
 title = {A multivariate perspective of resource acquisition behaviours in bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 pages = {81-87},
 volume = {184},
 websites = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347221003742},
 month = {2},
 id = {f8d3831f-6a13-3c31-8ba7-acbe690b4f71},
 created = {2022-09-15T13:39:17.154Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:22:44.054Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Larue, Benjamin and Pelletier, Fanie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.11.012},
 journal = {Animal Behaviour}
}

@article{
 title = {Links between individual performance, trace elements and stable isotopes in an endangered caribou population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 pages = {e02234},
 volume = {38},
 websites = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989422002360},
 month = {10},
 id = {76bb3fab-0edb-328f-93e3-c046dc23c107},
 created = {2022-09-15T13:52:50.503Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:22:26.826Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Rioux, Ève and Pelletier, Fanie and Mosbacher, Jesper Bruun and Lesmerises, Frédéric and St-Louis, Richard and Kutz, Susan and St-Laurent, Martin-Hugues},
 doi = {10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02234},
 journal = {Global Ecology and Conservation}
}

@article{
 title = {Determinants of spring molt in bighorn sheep: life-history, plasticity and phenology},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 keywords = {Ecology,Hydrology/Water Resources,Phenology,Phenotypic plasticity,Plant Sciences},
 pages = {809-817},
 volume = {199},
 websites = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00442-022-05231-7},
 month = {8},
 publisher = {Springer},
 day = {14},
 id = {3a616a5a-5a92-33fc-a533-4832f25a5d15},
 created = {2022-11-22T15:34:51.280Z},
 accessed = {2022-11-22},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:33:38.848Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 folder_uuids = {cbcc7569-3297-4caf-9c1b-22fb9ad05085},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Anthropogenic climate change and habitat alterations increase the importance of understanding the causes and consequences of variation in phenological traits. Although the timing of phenological events may vary in response to both direct and mediated effects, methods to measure and distinguish direct and mediated effects have seldom been used. We used a Bayesian structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate potential direct and mediated effects of intrinsic individual and environmental factors on the timing and progression of spring molt in bighorn sheep. The SEM showed that molt phenology varied across years, was earlier in prime-aged and in heavier individuals, slower in males, and later in lactating ewes, especially if they were light. These results highlight how individual variation in intrinsic traits and life-history leads to substantial variation in a phenological trait. Indirect effects in the SEM predicted a delay in sheep molt phenology at high population density mediated through negative density effects on body mass and lactation probability. Cooler temperatures in late spring were also predicted to delay molt phenology via a negative effect on body mass. Finally, lactation reduced ewe mass which was predicted to delay molt phenology. This mediated effect thus increased the total delay (sum of direct and mediated effects) in molt phenology experience by lactating ewes. Our results underline the importance of estimating direct and indirect effects when modeling phenological traits. Because indirect effects could substantially affect estimates of total plasticity, they should be critically important to accurately predict phenological mismatches and demographic consequences of environmental change.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Larue, Benjamin and Pelletier, Fanie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1007/S00442-022-05231-7},
 journal = {Oecologia 2022 199:4},
 number = {4}
}

Anthropogenic climate change and habitat alterations increase the importance of understanding the causes and consequences of variation in phenological traits. Although the timing of phenological events may vary in response to both direct and mediated effects, methods to measure and distinguish direct and mediated effects have seldom been used. We used a Bayesian structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate potential direct and mediated effects of intrinsic individual and environmental factors on the timing and progression of spring molt in bighorn sheep. The SEM showed that molt phenology varied across years, was earlier in prime-aged and in heavier individuals, slower in males, and later in lactating ewes, especially if they were light. These results highlight how individual variation in intrinsic traits and life-history leads to substantial variation in a phenological trait. Indirect effects in the SEM predicted a delay in sheep molt phenology at high population density mediated through negative density effects on body mass and lactation probability. Cooler temperatures in late spring were also predicted to delay molt phenology via a negative effect on body mass. Finally, lactation reduced ewe mass which was predicted to delay molt phenology. This mediated effect thus increased the total delay (sum of direct and mediated effects) in molt phenology experience by lactating ewes. Our results underline the importance of estimating direct and indirect effects when modeling phenological traits. Because indirect effects could substantially affect estimates of total plasticity, they should be critically important to accurately predict phenological mismatches and demographic consequences of environmental change.

@article{
 title = {Lead exposure in American black bears increases with age and big game harvest density},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 pages = {120427},
 volume = {315},
 websites = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36243189/},
 month = {12},
 id = {5c27683d-1d5d-3971-b579-e7bf14db877f},
 created = {2022-11-23T14:21:24.450Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:59:28.780Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Brown, Ludovick and Rosabal, Maikel and Dussault, Christian and Arnemo, Jon M. and Fuchs, Boris and Zedrosser, Andreas and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120427},
 journal = {Environmental Pollution}
}

@article{
 title = {Different proxies, different stories? Imperfect correlations and different determinants of fitness in bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 volume = {12},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.9582},
 month = {12},
 day = {8},
 id = {44575302-8314-35df-ad78-6629dd3bc0f3},
 created = {2022-12-13T21:08:52.818Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:58:57.494Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van de Walle, Joanie and Larue, Benjamin and Pigeon, Gabriel and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.9582},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {12}
}

@article{
 title = {Combined effects of cold snaps and agriculture on the growth rates of Tree Swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor )},
 type = {article},
 year = {2022},
 pages = {630-646},
 volume = {100},
 websites = {https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjz-2021-0210},
 month = {10},
 day = {1},
 id = {fb7164b4-bfd3-3646-9826-ea50e6de6229},
 created = {2023-01-19T20:11:16.339Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:57:12.344Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The decline of avian aerial insectivores has been greater than any other foraging guild and both climate change and agricultural intensification are leading hypotheses explaining this decline. Spring cold snaps are predicted to increase in frequency due to climate change, and factors associated with agricultural intensification (e.g., toxicological agents, simplification of agricultural landscapes, and reductions of insect prey) potentially exacerbates the negative effects of cold snaps on aerial insectivore nestling growth and body condition. We evaluated this hypothesis using repeated measures of Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) nestling body mass and 9th primary length across an expansive gradient of agricultural intensification. Growth rate, asymptotic body mass, and near-fledging 9th primary length were lower for nestlings in landscapes consisting of more agro-intensive monocultures. This 14-year dataset of body measures occurring at 2, 6, 12, and 16 days of age showed that the negative impact of cold snaps on the growth of these two traits was stronger for nestlings reared in more agro-intensive landscapes. Our findings provide further evidence that two of the primary hypothesized drivers for the decline of many aerial insectivores may interact and aggravate their decline by reducing fledging survival.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Garrett, Daniel R. and Lamoureux, Stéphane and Rioux Paquette, Sébastien and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2021-0210},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology},
 number = {10}
}

The decline of avian aerial insectivores has been greater than any other foraging guild and both climate change and agricultural intensification are leading hypotheses explaining this decline. Spring cold snaps are predicted to increase in frequency due to climate change, and factors associated with agricultural intensification (e.g., toxicological agents, simplification of agricultural landscapes, and reductions of insect prey) potentially exacerbates the negative effects of cold snaps on aerial insectivore nestling growth and body condition. We evaluated this hypothesis using repeated measures of Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) nestling body mass and 9th primary length across an expansive gradient of agricultural intensification. Growth rate, asymptotic body mass, and near-fledging 9th primary length were lower for nestlings in landscapes consisting of more agro-intensive monocultures. This 14-year dataset of body measures occurring at 2, 6, 12, and 16 days of age showed that the negative impact of cold snaps on the growth of these two traits was stronger for nestlings reared in more agro-intensive landscapes. Our findings provide further evidence that two of the primary hypothesized drivers for the decline of many aerial insectivores may interact and aggravate their decline by reducing fledging survival.

@article{
 title = {Determinants and long‐term costs of early reproduction in males of a long‐lived polygynous mammal},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 pages = {ece3.7530},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.7530},
 month = {4},
 day = {8},
 id = {b1876520-a328-3924-a80c-9da281d12539},
 created = {2021-05-11T14:52:46.320Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:30:54.478Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In long-lived polygynous species, male reproductive success is often monopolized by a few mature dominant individuals. Young males are generally too small to be dominant and may employ alternative tactics; however, little is known about the determinants of reproductive success for young males. Understanding the causes and consequences of variability in early reproductive success may be crucial to assess the strength of sexual selection and possible long-term trade-offs among life-history traits. Selective pressures driven by fluctuating environmental conditions may depend on age class. We evaluated the determinants of reproduction in male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) aged 2–4 years using 30 years of individual-level data. These young males cannot defend estrous ewes and use alternative mating tactics. We also investigated how the age of first detected reproduction was correlated to lifetime reproductive success and longevity. We found that reproductive success of males aged 3 years was positively correlated to body mass, to the proportion of males aged 2–4 years in the competitor pool, and to the number of females available per adult male. These results suggest that reproductive success depends on both competitive ability and population age–sex structure. None of these variables, however, had significant effects on the reproductive success of males aged 2 or 4 years. Known reproduction before the age of five increased lifetime reproductive success but decreased longevity, suggesting a long-term survival cost of early reproduction. Our analyses reveal that both individual-level phenotypic and population-level demographic variables influence reproductive success by young males and provide a rare assessment of fitness trade-offs in wild polygynous males.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Ritchot, Yanny and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Coltman, David and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.7530},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution}
}

In long-lived polygynous species, male reproductive success is often monopolized by a few mature dominant individuals. Young males are generally too small to be dominant and may employ alternative tactics; however, little is known about the determinants of reproductive success for young males. Understanding the causes and consequences of variability in early reproductive success may be crucial to assess the strength of sexual selection and possible long-term trade-offs among life-history traits. Selective pressures driven by fluctuating environmental conditions may depend on age class. We evaluated the determinants of reproduction in male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) aged 2–4 years using 30 years of individual-level data. These young males cannot defend estrous ewes and use alternative mating tactics. We also investigated how the age of first detected reproduction was correlated to lifetime reproductive success and longevity. We found that reproductive success of males aged 3 years was positively correlated to body mass, to the proportion of males aged 2–4 years in the competitor pool, and to the number of females available per adult male. These results suggest that reproductive success depends on both competitive ability and population age–sex structure. None of these variables, however, had significant effects on the reproductive success of males aged 2 or 4 years. Known reproduction before the age of five increased lifetime reproductive success but decreased longevity, suggesting a long-term survival cost of early reproduction. Our analyses reveal that both individual-level phenotypic and population-level demographic variables influence reproductive success by young males and provide a rare assessment of fitness trade-offs in wild polygynous males.

@article{
 title = {Growth and reproduction trade‐offs can estimate previous reproductive history in alpine ungulates},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 pages = {869-878},
 volume = {58},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13840},
 month = {4},
 day = {31},
 id = {6657c551-2f63-3a42-8531-35a1c8d1fa7c},
 created = {2021-05-11T14:52:46.325Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:30:37.484Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Life-history theory predicts energy allocation trade-offs between traits when resources are limited. If females reduce allocation to growth when they reproduce, annual growth could reveal past reproductive effort, which would be useful to assess population dynamics and harvest sustainability. The potential and accuracy of growth measures for predicting reproductive success have rarely been evaluated with individuals with known reproductive history. We used long-term monitoring of annual growth and reproduction of marked female bighorn sheep and mountain goats, two species in which primiparity normally occurs well before growth completion, to evaluate growth versus reproduction trade-offs and their potential for predicting reproductive history of young females using mixed models and 10-fold block cross-validation. We documented a significant reduction in mass gain and horn growth in young reproducing females of both species. This trade-off was affected by individual differences in energy acquisition and allocation because population density and previous allocation to growth affected the trade-off. We then parameterized models to predict individual reproductive history of young females based on the growth traits subjected to a reproductive trade-off. The accuracy of predictive models ranged from 85.2% to 91.0% across species and traits, indicating that growth is a good predictor of reproductive history. This method is especially useful for population management of species with traits that form permanent visible yearly annuli because they retain a record of annual growth that allows retrospective estimation of reproductive history over multiple years. Synthesis and applications. We show that because growth significantly decreased in years of allocation to reproduction, annual growth increments provide insights on reproductive history of young females. Population or temporal differences in reproduction of young females affect demographic rates and sustainable harvest. Growth measures of traits that form yearly annuli, such as teeth and horns, could be easily obtained at a low cost from animals harvested or found dead in multiple species. Thus, predictive models of reproductive history based on annual growth could assist conservation and management in a broad range of species.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Larue, Benjamin and Pelletier, Fanie and Côté, Steeve D. and Hamel, Sandra and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco},
 editor = {Toit, Johan},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2664.13840},
 journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology},
 number = {4}
}

Life-history theory predicts energy allocation trade-offs between traits when resources are limited. If females reduce allocation to growth when they reproduce, annual growth could reveal past reproductive effort, which would be useful to assess population dynamics and harvest sustainability. The potential and accuracy of growth measures for predicting reproductive success have rarely been evaluated with individuals with known reproductive history. We used long-term monitoring of annual growth and reproduction of marked female bighorn sheep and mountain goats, two species in which primiparity normally occurs well before growth completion, to evaluate growth versus reproduction trade-offs and their potential for predicting reproductive history of young females using mixed models and 10-fold block cross-validation. We documented a significant reduction in mass gain and horn growth in young reproducing females of both species. This trade-off was affected by individual differences in energy acquisition and allocation because population density and previous allocation to growth affected the trade-off. We then parameterized models to predict individual reproductive history of young females based on the growth traits subjected to a reproductive trade-off. The accuracy of predictive models ranged from 85.2% to 91.0% across species and traits, indicating that growth is a good predictor of reproductive history. This method is especially useful for population management of species with traits that form permanent visible yearly annuli because they retain a record of annual growth that allows retrospective estimation of reproductive history over multiple years. Synthesis and applications. We show that because growth significantly decreased in years of allocation to reproduction, annual growth increments provide insights on reproductive history of young females. Population or temporal differences in reproduction of young females affect demographic rates and sustainable harvest. Growth measures of traits that form yearly annuli, such as teeth and horns, could be easily obtained at a low cost from animals harvested or found dead in multiple species. Thus, predictive models of reproductive history based on annual growth could assist conservation and management in a broad range of species.

@article{
 title = {Agricultural pesticides and ectoparasites: potential combined effects on the physiology of a declining aerial insectivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 volume = {9},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/conphys/article/doi/10.1093/conphys/coab025/6257589},
 month = {1},
 day = {1},
 id = {d4d0542b-40d4-35b5-8b93-322796192e9c},
 created = {2021-05-11T14:52:46.382Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:30:22.397Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Agricultural pesticides usage has been increasing globally. These compounds have been developed to disrupt pest species physiology, but because their specificity is limited, they can also have adverse effects on non-target organisms. Recent studies have shown that the damaging toxicological effects of pesticides can be amplified in stressful environments. However, few studies have documented these effects in natural settings where organisms are simultaneously exposed to pesticides and to other environmental stressors such as parasites. In this study, we assessed both pesticide and ectoparasite effects on the physiology of a free-ranging bird. We measured physiological markers including haematocrit, bacteria-killing ability (BKA) and leucocyte counts, as well as exposure to haematophagous Protocalliphora larvae, in tree swallow nestlings (Tachycineta bicolor), a declining aerial insectivore, in southern Québec, Canada, for over 3 years. We found that combined exposure to pesticides and Protocalliphora larvae was negatively related to haematocrit, suggesting possible synergistic effects. However, we found no such relationships with BKA and leucocyte counts, highlighting the complexity of physiological responses to multiple stressors in natural settings. Populations of several aerial insectivores are declining, and although sublethal pesticide effects on physiology are suspected, our results suggest that exposure to other factors, such as parasitism, should also be considered to fully assess these effects, especially because pesticides are increasingly present in the environment.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Sigouin, Audrey and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Cooke, Steven},
 doi = {10.1093/conphys/coab025},
 journal = {Conservation Physiology},
 number = {1}
}

Agricultural pesticides usage has been increasing globally. These compounds have been developed to disrupt pest species physiology, but because their specificity is limited, they can also have adverse effects on non-target organisms. Recent studies have shown that the damaging toxicological effects of pesticides can be amplified in stressful environments. However, few studies have documented these effects in natural settings where organisms are simultaneously exposed to pesticides and to other environmental stressors such as parasites. In this study, we assessed both pesticide and ectoparasite effects on the physiology of a free-ranging bird. We measured physiological markers including haematocrit, bacteria-killing ability (BKA) and leucocyte counts, as well as exposure to haematophagous Protocalliphora larvae, in tree swallow nestlings (Tachycineta bicolor), a declining aerial insectivore, in southern Québec, Canada, for over 3 years. We found that combined exposure to pesticides and Protocalliphora larvae was negatively related to haematocrit, suggesting possible synergistic effects. However, we found no such relationships with BKA and leucocyte counts, highlighting the complexity of physiological responses to multiple stressors in natural settings. Populations of several aerial insectivores are declining, and although sublethal pesticide effects on physiology are suspected, our results suggest that exposure to other factors, such as parasitism, should also be considered to fully assess these effects, especially because pesticides are increasingly present in the environment.

@article{
 title = {Harvest is associated with the disruption of social and fine‐scale genetic structure among matrilines of a solitary large carnivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 pages = {1023-1035},
 volume = {14},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eva.13178},
 month = {4},
 day = {14},
 id = {baf28e74-9312-3da8-85ba-fb31a5db3629},
 created = {2021-05-11T14:52:46.386Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:29:54.391Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Harvest can disrupt wildlife populations by removing adults with naturally high survival. This can reshape sociospatial structure, genetic composition, fitness, and potentially affect evolution. Genetic tools can detect changes in local, fine-scale genetic structure (FGS) and assess the interplay between harvest-caused social and FGS in populations. We used data on 1614 brown bears, Ursus arctos, genotyped with 16 microsatellites, to investigate whether harvest intensity (mean low: 0.13 from 1990 to 2005, mean high: 0.28 from 2006 to 2011) caused changes in FGS among matrilines (8 matrilines; 109 females ≥4 years of age), sex-specific survival and putative dispersal distances, female spatial genetic autocorrelation, matriline persistence, and male mating patterns. Increased harvest decreased FGS of matrilines. Female dispersal distances decreased, and male reproductive success was redistributed more evenly. Adult males had lower survival during high harvest, suggesting that higher male turnover caused this redistribution and helped explain decreased structure among matrilines, despite shorter female dispersal distances. Adult female survival and survival probability of both mother and daughter were lower during high harvest, indicating that matriline persistence was also lower. Our findings indicate a crucial role of regulated harvest in shaping populations, decreasing differences among “groups,” even for solitary-living species, and potentially altering the evolutionary trajectory of wild populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Frank, Shane C. and Pelletier, Fanie and Kopatz, Alexander and Bourret, Audrey and Garant, Dany and Swenson, Jon E. and Eiken, Hans Geir and Hagen, Snorre B. and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.13178},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {4}
}

Harvest can disrupt wildlife populations by removing adults with naturally high survival. This can reshape sociospatial structure, genetic composition, fitness, and potentially affect evolution. Genetic tools can detect changes in local, fine-scale genetic structure (FGS) and assess the interplay between harvest-caused social and FGS in populations. We used data on 1614 brown bears, Ursus arctos, genotyped with 16 microsatellites, to investigate whether harvest intensity (mean low: 0.13 from 1990 to 2005, mean high: 0.28 from 2006 to 2011) caused changes in FGS among matrilines (8 matrilines; 109 females ≥4 years of age), sex-specific survival and putative dispersal distances, female spatial genetic autocorrelation, matriline persistence, and male mating patterns. Increased harvest decreased FGS of matrilines. Female dispersal distances decreased, and male reproductive success was redistributed more evenly. Adult males had lower survival during high harvest, suggesting that higher male turnover caused this redistribution and helped explain decreased structure among matrilines, despite shorter female dispersal distances. Adult female survival and survival probability of both mother and daughter were lower during high harvest, indicating that matriline persistence was also lower. Our findings indicate a crucial role of regulated harvest in shaping populations, decreasing differences among “groups,” even for solitary-living species, and potentially altering the evolutionary trajectory of wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Do Early-Life Conditions Drive Variation in Senescence of Female Bighorn Sheep?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 pages = {1-9},
 volume = {9},
 websites = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.637692/full},
 month = {5},
 day = {20},
 id = {29b73eb1-f6cd-3802-bbc5-97c255f46f69},
 created = {2021-06-11T14:32:08.314Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:29:11.132Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The rate of senescence may vary among individuals of a species according to individual life histories and environmental conditions. According to the principle of allocation, changes in mortality driven by environmental conditions influence how organisms allocate resources among costly functions. In several vertebrates, environmental conditions during early life impose trade-offs in allocation between early reproduction and maintenance. The effects of conditions experienced during early life on senescence, however, remain poorly documented in wild populations. We examined how several early-life environmental conditions affected reproductive and survival senescence in wild bighorn sheep. We found long-term effects of high population density at birth, precipitations during the winter before birth, and temperature during the winter following birth that decreased survival after 7 years of age. High temperature during the first summer and autumn of life and high Pacific decadal oscillation decreased reproductive success at old ages. However, harsh early-life environment did not influence the rate of senescence in either survival or reproduction. Contrary to our expectation, we found no trade-off between reproductive allocation prior to senescence and senescence. Our results do show that early-life environmental conditions are important drivers of later survival and reproductive success and contribute to intra-specific variation in late-life fitness, but not aging patterns. These conditions should therefore be considered when studying the mechanisms of senescence and the determinants of variation in both survival and reproductive senescence at older ages.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Landes, Julie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.3389/fcell.2021.637692},
 journal = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}
}

The rate of senescence may vary among individuals of a species according to individual life histories and environmental conditions. According to the principle of allocation, changes in mortality driven by environmental conditions influence how organisms allocate resources among costly functions. In several vertebrates, environmental conditions during early life impose trade-offs in allocation between early reproduction and maintenance. The effects of conditions experienced during early life on senescence, however, remain poorly documented in wild populations. We examined how several early-life environmental conditions affected reproductive and survival senescence in wild bighorn sheep. We found long-term effects of high population density at birth, precipitations during the winter before birth, and temperature during the winter following birth that decreased survival after 7 years of age. High temperature during the first summer and autumn of life and high Pacific decadal oscillation decreased reproductive success at old ages. However, harsh early-life environment did not influence the rate of senescence in either survival or reproduction. Contrary to our expectation, we found no trade-off between reproductive allocation prior to senescence and senescence. Our results do show that early-life environmental conditions are important drivers of later survival and reproductive success and contribute to intra-specific variation in late-life fitness, but not aging patterns. These conditions should therefore be considered when studying the mechanisms of senescence and the determinants of variation in both survival and reproductive senescence at older ages.

@article{
 title = {The interplay between hunting rate, hunting selectivity, and reproductive strategies shapes population dynamics of a large carnivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 pages = {eva.13253},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eva.13253},
 month = {6},
 day = {2},
 id = {fa5ea97a-8ff7-3a67-875c-fac31362fe11},
 created = {2021-06-11T14:32:08.325Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:28:56.664Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Harvest, through its intensity and regulation, often results in selection on female reproductive traits. Changes in female traits can have demographic consequences, as they are fundamental in shaping population dynamics. It is thus imperative to understand and quantify the demographic consequences of changes in female reproductive traits to better understand and anticipate population trajectories under different harvest intensities and regulations. Here, using a dynamic, frequency-dependent, population model of the intensively hunted brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Sweden, we quantify and compare population responses to changes in four reproductive traits susceptible to harvest-induced selection: litter size, weaning age, age at first reproduction, and annual probability to reproduce. We did so for different hunting quotas and under four possible hunting regulations: (i) no individuals are protected, (ii) mothers but not dependent offspring are protected, (iii) mothers and dependent offspring of the year (cubs) are protected, and (iv) entire family groups are protected (i.e., mothers and dependent offspring of any age). We found that population growth rate declines sharply with increasing hunting quotas. Increases in litter size and the probability to reproduce have the greatest potential to affect population growth rate. Population growth rate increases the most when mothers are protected. Adding protection on offspring (of any age), however, reduces the availability of bears for hunting, which feeds back to increase hunting pressure on the nonprotected categories of individuals, leading to reduced population growth. Finally, we found that changes in reproductive traits can dampen population declines at very high hunting quotas, but only when protecting mothers. Our results illustrate that changes in female reproductive traits may have context-dependent consequences for demography. Thus, to predict population consequences of harvest-induced selection in wild populations, it is critical to integrate both hunting intensity and regulation, especially if hunting selectivity targets female reproductive strategies.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van de Walle, Joanie and Pelletier, Fanie and Zedrosser, Andreas and Swenson, Jon. E. and Jenouvrier, Stéphanie and Bischof, Richard},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.13253},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications}
}

Harvest, through its intensity and regulation, often results in selection on female reproductive traits. Changes in female traits can have demographic consequences, as they are fundamental in shaping population dynamics. It is thus imperative to understand and quantify the demographic consequences of changes in female reproductive traits to better understand and anticipate population trajectories under different harvest intensities and regulations. Here, using a dynamic, frequency-dependent, population model of the intensively hunted brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Sweden, we quantify and compare population responses to changes in four reproductive traits susceptible to harvest-induced selection: litter size, weaning age, age at first reproduction, and annual probability to reproduce. We did so for different hunting quotas and under four possible hunting regulations: (i) no individuals are protected, (ii) mothers but not dependent offspring are protected, (iii) mothers and dependent offspring of the year (cubs) are protected, and (iv) entire family groups are protected (i.e., mothers and dependent offspring of any age). We found that population growth rate declines sharply with increasing hunting quotas. Increases in litter size and the probability to reproduce have the greatest potential to affect population growth rate. Population growth rate increases the most when mothers are protected. Adding protection on offspring (of any age), however, reduces the availability of bears for hunting, which feeds back to increase hunting pressure on the nonprotected categories of individuals, leading to reduced population growth. Finally, we found that changes in reproductive traits can dampen population declines at very high hunting quotas, but only when protecting mothers. Our results illustrate that changes in female reproductive traits may have context-dependent consequences for demography. Thus, to predict population consequences of harvest-induced selection in wild populations, it is critical to integrate both hunting intensity and regulation, especially if hunting selectivity targets female reproductive strategies.

@article{
 title = {Assessing pesticides exposure effects on the reproductive performance of a declining aerial insectivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 volume = {e02415},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.2415},
 month = {8},
 day = {12},
 id = {b97f20ad-d1b0-3f39-bd48-d72e9fec3167},
 created = {2021-08-18T16:48:19.348Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:28:24.061Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In the context of increasing global environmental changes, it has become progressively important to understand the effects of human activity on wildlife populations. Declines in several avian populations have been observed since the 1970s, especially with respect to many farmland and grassland birds, which also include some aerial insectivores. Changes in farming practices referred to as agricultural intensification coincide with these major avian declines. Among those practices, increased pesticide use is hypothesized to be a key driver of avian population declines as it can lead to both toxicological and trophic effects. While numerous laboratory studies report that birds experience acute and chronic effects upon consuming pesticide treated food, little is known about the effects of the exposure to multiple pesticides on wildlife in natural settings. We monitored the breeding activities of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on 40 farms distributed over a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada, to evaluate the presence of pesticides in their diet and quantify the exposure effects of those compounds on their reproductive performance between 2013 and 2018. We first assessed the presence of 54 active agents (or derivatives) found in pesticides in 2,081 food boluses (insects) delivered to nestlings by parents and documented their spatial distribution within our study area. Second, we assessed the effect of pesticide exposure through food (number of active agents detected and number of contaminated boluses on a given farm for a given year, while controlling for sampling effort) on clutch size as well as hatching and fledging successes and nestling’s mass upon fledging. Pesticides were ubiquitous in our study system and nearly half (46%) of food boluses were contaminated by at least one active agent. Yet we found no relationship between our proxies of food contamination by pesticides and Tree Swallow reproductive performance. More studies are needed to better understand the putative role of pesticides in the decline of farmland birds and aerial insectivores as potential sublethal effects of pesticides can carry over to later life stages and impact fitness.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Poisson, Marie‐Christine and Garrett, Daniel R. and Sigouin, Audrey and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany and Haroune, Lounès and Bellenger, Jean‐Philippe and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/eap.2415},
 journal = {Ecological Applications}
}

In the context of increasing global environmental changes, it has become progressively important to understand the effects of human activity on wildlife populations. Declines in several avian populations have been observed since the 1970s, especially with respect to many farmland and grassland birds, which also include some aerial insectivores. Changes in farming practices referred to as agricultural intensification coincide with these major avian declines. Among those practices, increased pesticide use is hypothesized to be a key driver of avian population declines as it can lead to both toxicological and trophic effects. While numerous laboratory studies report that birds experience acute and chronic effects upon consuming pesticide treated food, little is known about the effects of the exposure to multiple pesticides on wildlife in natural settings. We monitored the breeding activities of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) on 40 farms distributed over a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada, to evaluate the presence of pesticides in their diet and quantify the exposure effects of those compounds on their reproductive performance between 2013 and 2018. We first assessed the presence of 54 active agents (or derivatives) found in pesticides in 2,081 food boluses (insects) delivered to nestlings by parents and documented their spatial distribution within our study area. Second, we assessed the effect of pesticide exposure through food (number of active agents detected and number of contaminated boluses on a given farm for a given year, while controlling for sampling effort) on clutch size as well as hatching and fledging successes and nestling’s mass upon fledging. Pesticides were ubiquitous in our study system and nearly half (46%) of food boluses were contaminated by at least one active agent. Yet we found no relationship between our proxies of food contamination by pesticides and Tree Swallow reproductive performance. More studies are needed to better understand the putative role of pesticides in the decline of farmland birds and aerial insectivores as potential sublethal effects of pesticides can carry over to later life stages and impact fitness.

@article{
 title = {Testing the match–mismatch hypothesis in bighorn sheep in the context of climate change},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.15923},
 id = {dceaf076-908d-3890-9164-093652763e3e},
 created = {2021-10-25T13:37:58.729Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:28:03.091Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In species with long gestation, females commit to reproduction several months before parturition. If cues driving conception date are uncoupled from spring conditions, parturition could be mistimed. Mismatch may increase with global change if the rate of temporal changes in autumn cues differs from the rate of change in spring conditions. Using 17 years of data on climate and vegetation phenology, we show that autumn temperature and precipitation, but not vegetation phenology, explain parturition date in bighorn sheep. Although autumn cues drive the timing of conception, they do not predict conditions at parturition in spring. We calculated the mismatch between individual parturition date and spring green-up, assessed whether mismatch increased over time and investigated the consequences of mismatch on lamb neonatal survival, weaning mass and overwinter survival. Mismatch fluctuated over time but showed no temporal trend. Temporal changes in green-up date did not lead to major fitness consequence of mismatch. Detailed data on individually marked animals revealed no effect of mismatch on neonatal or overwinter survival, but lamb weaning mass was negatively affected by mismatch. Capital breeders might be less sensitive to mismatch than income breeders because they are less dependent on daily food acquisition. Herbivores in seasonal environments may access sufficient forage to sustain lactation before or after the spring ‘peak’ green-up, and partly mitigate the consequences of a mismatch. Thus, the effect of phenological mismatch on fitness may be affected by species life history, highlighting the complexity in quantifying trophic mismatches in the context of climate change.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Renaud, Limoilou‐Amelie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/gcb.15923},
 journal = {Global Change Biology}
}

In species with long gestation, females commit to reproduction several months before parturition. If cues driving conception date are uncoupled from spring conditions, parturition could be mistimed. Mismatch may increase with global change if the rate of temporal changes in autumn cues differs from the rate of change in spring conditions. Using 17 years of data on climate and vegetation phenology, we show that autumn temperature and precipitation, but not vegetation phenology, explain parturition date in bighorn sheep. Although autumn cues drive the timing of conception, they do not predict conditions at parturition in spring. We calculated the mismatch between individual parturition date and spring green-up, assessed whether mismatch increased over time and investigated the consequences of mismatch on lamb neonatal survival, weaning mass and overwinter survival. Mismatch fluctuated over time but showed no temporal trend. Temporal changes in green-up date did not lead to major fitness consequence of mismatch. Detailed data on individually marked animals revealed no effect of mismatch on neonatal or overwinter survival, but lamb weaning mass was negatively affected by mismatch. Capital breeders might be less sensitive to mismatch than income breeders because they are less dependent on daily food acquisition. Herbivores in seasonal environments may access sufficient forage to sustain lactation before or after the spring ‘peak’ green-up, and partly mitigate the consequences of a mismatch. Thus, the effect of phenological mismatch on fitness may be affected by species life history, highlighting the complexity in quantifying trophic mismatches in the context of climate change.

@article{
 title = {Of war, tusks, and genes},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 pages = {394-395},
 volume = {374},
 websites = {https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abm2980},
 month = {10},
 day = {22},
 id = {7a4dd9cf-cae0-3662-8772-fdb507071d7d},
 created = {2021-10-25T13:54:06.660Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:27:45.389Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Darimont, Chris T. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1126/science.abm2980},
 journal = {Science},
 number = {6566}
}

@article{
 title = {Quantifying fixed individual heterogeneity in demographic parameters: Performance of correlated random effects for Bernoulli variables},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210X.13728},
 month = {10},
 day = {27},
 id = {0c6f7265-d8b1-3343-810e-045761fb501c},
 created = {2021-11-09T16:02:51.126Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:27:19.920Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {An increasing number of empirical studies aim to quantify individual variation in demographic parameters because these patterns are key for evolutionary and ecological processes. Advanced approaches to estimate individual heterogeneity are now using a multivariate normal distribution with correlated individual random effects to account for the latent correlations among different demographic parameters occurring within individuals. Despite the frequent use of multivariate mixed models, we lack an assessment of their reliability when applied to Bernoulli variables. Using simulations, we estimated the reliability of multivariate mixed effect models for estimating correlated fixed individual heterogeneity in demographic parameters modelled with a Bernoulli distribution. We evaluated both bias and precision of the estimates across a range of scenarios that investigate the effects of life-history strategy, levels of individual heterogeneity and presence of temporal variation and state dependence. We also compared estimates across different sampling designs to assess the importance of study duration, number of individuals monitored and detection probability. In many simulated scenarios, the estimates for the correlated random effects were biased and imprecise, which highlight the challenge in estimating correlated random effects for Bernoulli variables. The amount of fixed among-individual heterogeneity was frequently overestimated, and the absolute value of the correlation between random effects was almost always underestimated. Simulations also showed contrasting performances of mixed models depending on the scenario considered. Generally, estimation bias decreases and precision increases with slower pace of life, large fixed individual heterogeneity and large sample size. We provide guidelines for the empirical investigation of individual heterogeneity using correlated random effects according to the life-history strategy of the species, as well as, the volume and structure of the data available to the researcher. Caution is warranted when interpreting results regarding correlated individual random effects in demographic parameters modelled with a Bernoulli distribution. Because bias varies with sampling design and life history, comparisons of individual heterogeneity among species is challenging. The issue addressed here is not specific to demography, making this warning relevant for all research areas, including behavioural and evolutionary studies.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Fay, Rémi and Authier, Matthieu and Hamel, Sandra and Jenouvrier, Stéphanie and Pol, Martijn and Cam, Emmanuelle and Gaillard, Jean‐Michel and Yoccoz, Nigel G. and Acker, Paul and Allen, Andrew and Aubry, Lise M. and Bonenfant, Christophe and Caswell, Hal and Coste, Christophe F. D. and Larue, Benjamin and Le Coeur, Christie and Gamelon, Marlène and Macdonald, Kaitlin R. and Moiron, Maria and Nicol‐Harper, Alex and Pelletier, Fanie and Rotella, Jay J. and Teplitsky, Celine and Touzot, Laura and Wells, Caitlin P. and Sæther, Bernt‐Erik},
 doi = {10.1111/2041-210X.13728},
 journal = {Methods in Ecology and Evolution}
}

An increasing number of empirical studies aim to quantify individual variation in demographic parameters because these patterns are key for evolutionary and ecological processes. Advanced approaches to estimate individual heterogeneity are now using a multivariate normal distribution with correlated individual random effects to account for the latent correlations among different demographic parameters occurring within individuals. Despite the frequent use of multivariate mixed models, we lack an assessment of their reliability when applied to Bernoulli variables. Using simulations, we estimated the reliability of multivariate mixed effect models for estimating correlated fixed individual heterogeneity in demographic parameters modelled with a Bernoulli distribution. We evaluated both bias and precision of the estimates across a range of scenarios that investigate the effects of life-history strategy, levels of individual heterogeneity and presence of temporal variation and state dependence. We also compared estimates across different sampling designs to assess the importance of study duration, number of individuals monitored and detection probability. In many simulated scenarios, the estimates for the correlated random effects were biased and imprecise, which highlight the challenge in estimating correlated random effects for Bernoulli variables. The amount of fixed among-individual heterogeneity was frequently overestimated, and the absolute value of the correlation between random effects was almost always underestimated. Simulations also showed contrasting performances of mixed models depending on the scenario considered. Generally, estimation bias decreases and precision increases with slower pace of life, large fixed individual heterogeneity and large sample size. We provide guidelines for the empirical investigation of individual heterogeneity using correlated random effects according to the life-history strategy of the species, as well as, the volume and structure of the data available to the researcher. Caution is warranted when interpreting results regarding correlated individual random effects in demographic parameters modelled with a Bernoulli distribution. Because bias varies with sampling design and life history, comparisons of individual heterogeneity among species is challenging. The issue addressed here is not specific to demography, making this warning relevant for all research areas, including behavioural and evolutionary studies.

@article{
 title = {Nonideal nest box selection by tree swallows breeding in farmlands: Evidence for an ecological trap?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 pages = {16296-16313},
 volume = {11},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.8323},
 month = {11},
 day = {9},
 id = {eebf512e-98c5-35f8-a179-6d3fb1cc29c4},
 created = {2021-11-19T15:45:39.624Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:26:44.896Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Animals are expected to select a breeding habitat using cues that should reflect, directly or not, the fitness outcome of the different habitat options. However, human-induced environmental changes can alter the relationships between habitat characteristics and their fitness consequences, leading to maladaptive habitat choices. The most severe case of such nonideal habitat selection is the ecological trap, which occurs when individuals prefer to settle in poor-quality habitats while better ones are available. Here, we studied the adaptiveness of nest box selection in a tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) population breeding over a 10-year period in a network of 400 nest boxes distributed along a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada. We first examined the effects of multiple environmental and social habitat characteristics on nest box preference to identify potential settlement cues. We then assessed the links between those cues and habitat quality as defined by the reproductive performance of individuals that settled early or late in nest boxes. We found that tree swallows preferred nesting in open habitats with high cover of perennial forage crops, high spring insect biomass, and high density of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), their main competitors for nest sites. They also preferred nesting where the density of breeders and their mean number of fledglings during the previous year were high. However, we detected mismatches between preference and habitat quality for several environmental variables. The density of competitors and conspecific social information showed severe mismatches, as their relationships to preference and breeding success went in opposite direction under certain circumstances. Spring food availability and agricultural landscape context, while related to preferences, were not related to breeding success. Overall, our study emphasizes the complexity of habitat selection behavior and provides evidence that multiple mechanisms may potentially lead to an ecological trap in farmlands.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Courtois, Ève and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.8323},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {22}
}

Animals are expected to select a breeding habitat using cues that should reflect, directly or not, the fitness outcome of the different habitat options. However, human-induced environmental changes can alter the relationships between habitat characteristics and their fitness consequences, leading to maladaptive habitat choices. The most severe case of such nonideal habitat selection is the ecological trap, which occurs when individuals prefer to settle in poor-quality habitats while better ones are available. Here, we studied the adaptiveness of nest box selection in a tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) population breeding over a 10-year period in a network of 400 nest boxes distributed along a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada. We first examined the effects of multiple environmental and social habitat characteristics on nest box preference to identify potential settlement cues. We then assessed the links between those cues and habitat quality as defined by the reproductive performance of individuals that settled early or late in nest boxes. We found that tree swallows preferred nesting in open habitats with high cover of perennial forage crops, high spring insect biomass, and high density of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), their main competitors for nest sites. They also preferred nesting where the density of breeders and their mean number of fledglings during the previous year were high. However, we detected mismatches between preference and habitat quality for several environmental variables. The density of competitors and conspecific social information showed severe mismatches, as their relationships to preference and breeding success went in opposite direction under certain circumstances. Spring food availability and agricultural landscape context, while related to preferences, were not related to breeding success. Overall, our study emphasizes the complexity of habitat selection behavior and provides evidence that multiple mechanisms may potentially lead to an ecological trap in farmlands.

@article{
 title = {Determinants of nest box local recruitment and natal dispersal in a declining bird population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/oik.08349},
 month = {11},
 day = {15},
 id = {19e23bc5-b284-37d5-a9e4-b28a4a7b4c55},
 created = {2021-11-26T21:38:11.753Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:26:29.403Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Recruitment and dispersal are important demographic rates and studying their determinants is particularly important in the current context of global anthropogenic perturbations. In birds, and especially for migratory species, assessing these rates is challenging because of the difficulties involved in tracking individuals beyond fledging. Here we assessed the determinants of nest box local recruitment and natal dispersal distances in a declining aerial insectivore, the tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor. We used a 16-year dataset obtained from the long term monitoring of a population breeding within a 10 200-km2 study system located along a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada. Yearly nest box local recruitment rates ranged there in between 1.0% and 3.2%. Heavier nestlings who fledged earlier were more likely to recruit. Natal dispersal distances were generally short (mean ± SD = 12.7 ± 13.8 km) in the study system and were influenced by different factors depending on sex. Females dispersed over shorter distances when conspecific occupancy on breeding site was high, while males dispersed farther in the presence of competing house sparrows Passer domesticus and when their mother was young. Selection of breeding locations appeared to take place at multiple scales and individuals recruited in sites with characteristics similar to their natal sites. Our results provide important information concerning the factors influencing nest box local recruitment and natal dispersal dynamics of this migratory species. These factors should be considered in conservation practices for this species in order to support production of recruits in habitats favorable to their survival.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Carle‐Pruneau, Esther and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1111/oik.08349},
 journal = {Oikos}
}

Recruitment and dispersal are important demographic rates and studying their determinants is particularly important in the current context of global anthropogenic perturbations. In birds, and especially for migratory species, assessing these rates is challenging because of the difficulties involved in tracking individuals beyond fledging. Here we assessed the determinants of nest box local recruitment and natal dispersal distances in a declining aerial insectivore, the tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor. We used a 16-year dataset obtained from the long term monitoring of a population breeding within a 10 200-km2 study system located along a gradient of agricultural intensification in southern Québec, Canada. Yearly nest box local recruitment rates ranged there in between 1.0% and 3.2%. Heavier nestlings who fledged earlier were more likely to recruit. Natal dispersal distances were generally short (mean ± SD = 12.7 ± 13.8 km) in the study system and were influenced by different factors depending on sex. Females dispersed over shorter distances when conspecific occupancy on breeding site was high, while males dispersed farther in the presence of competing house sparrows Passer domesticus and when their mother was young. Selection of breeding locations appeared to take place at multiple scales and individuals recruited in sites with characteristics similar to their natal sites. Our results provide important information concerning the factors influencing nest box local recruitment and natal dispersal dynamics of this migratory species. These factors should be considered in conservation practices for this species in order to support production of recruits in habitats favorable to their survival.

@article{
 title = {The pace of modern life, revisited},
 type = {article},
 year = {2021},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/mec.16299},
 month = {12},
 day = {17},
 id = {9ef74bff-e7fe-3416-9835-ff2a9a1ed251},
 created = {2021-12-21T22:15:49.437Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:26:09.313Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Sanderson, Sarah and Beausoleil, Marc‐Olivier and O’Dea, Rose E. and Wood, Zachary T. and Correa, Cristian and Frankel, Victor and Gorné, Lucas D. and Haines, Grant E. and Kinnison, Michael T. and Oke, Krista B. and Pelletier, Fanie and Pérez‐Jvostov, Felipe and Reyes‐Corral, Winer D. and Ritchot, Yanny and Sorbara, Freedom and Gotanda, Kiyoko M. and Hendry, Andrew P.},
 doi = {10.1111/mec.16299},
 journal = {Molecular Ecology}
}

@article{
 title = {An introduction to event history analyses for ecologists},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 pages = {e03238},
 volume = {11},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.3238},
 id = {35d66fd0-03ea-3e90-ace4-a8eb7a06724c},
 created = {2020-01-14T19:59:45.032Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:58:39.525Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Landes},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Efforts to understand the emergence of an event require our ability to measure and understand the dynamics between time in a state (e.g., being alive or a behavior) and the outcome of the state. Studying the main drivers that affect changes in state over time allows researchers to better understand population dynamics and evolutionary processes. Event history analyses provide a range of theoretical and empirical tools to explore the emergence of an event. Their use is still restricted in ecology; however, they are commonly used in human demography. Event history analysis is a powerful tool for measuring the probability that an event occurs at time t. Here, we provide an introductory guide for ecologists who are interested in exploring event history analyses in their research. In the first part of this article, we outline key concepts in event history analyses and present a decision tree, statistical techniques, and their applications to ecological questions. To introduce practical applications of event history analyses, we provide four detailed tutorials, stemming from observational and longitudinal records of events in mammalian and avian species, along with relevant R scripts. We then explain how to interpret and present results of such analyses. Our results show that event history analyses are useful to quantify the effect of factors on the emergence of events. We conclude by highlighting additional strengths, pitfalls, and limitations researchers should be aware of when using such methods. We foresee the use of event history analyses for ecological studies.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Landes, Julie and Engelhard, S and Pelletier, Fanie},
 journal = {Ecosphere},
 number = {10}
}

Efforts to understand the emergence of an event require our ability to measure and understand the dynamics between time in a state (e.g., being alive or a behavior) and the outcome of the state. Studying the main drivers that affect changes in state over time allows researchers to better understand population dynamics and evolutionary processes. Event history analyses provide a range of theoretical and empirical tools to explore the emergence of an event. Their use is still restricted in ecology; however, they are commonly used in human demography. Event history analysis is a powerful tool for measuring the probability that an event occurs at time t. Here, we provide an introductory guide for ecologists who are interested in exploring event history analyses in their research. In the first part of this article, we outline key concepts in event history analyses and present a decision tree, statistical techniques, and their applications to ecological questions. To introduce practical applications of event history analyses, we provide four detailed tutorials, stemming from observational and longitudinal records of events in mammalian and avian species, along with relevant R scripts. We then explain how to interpret and present results of such analyses. Our results show that event history analyses are useful to quantify the effect of factors on the emergence of events. We conclude by highlighting additional strengths, pitfalls, and limitations researchers should be aware of when using such methods. We foresee the use of event history analyses for ecological studies.

@article{
 title = {Sons accelerate maternal aging in a wild mammal},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 pages = {4850-4857},
 volume = {117},
 websites = {http://www.pnas.org/lookup/doi/10.1073/pnas.1914654117},
 month = {3},
 day = {3},
 id = {f3a54eca-d726-31e0-b9b8-75dca14581ba},
 created = {2020-02-04T21:30:46.096Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:57:38.178Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Douhard},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Aging, or senescence, is a progressive deterioration of physiological function with age. It leads to age-related declines in reproduction (reproductive senescence) and survival (actuarial senescence) in most organisms. However, senescence patterns can be highly variable across species, populations, and individuals, and the reasons for such variations remain poorly understood. Evolutionary theories predict that increases in reproductive effort in early life should be associated with accelerated senescence, but empirical tests have yielded mixed results. Although in sexually size-dimorphic species offspring of the larger sex (typically males) commonly require more parental resources, these sex differences are not currently incorporated into evolutionary theories of aging. Here, we show that female reproductive senescence varies with both the number and sex ratio of offspring weaned during early life, using data from a long-term study of bighorn sheep. For a given number of offspring, females that weaned more sons than daughters when aged between 2 and 7 y experienced faster senescence in offspring survival in old age. By contrast, analyses of actuarial senescence showed no cost of early-life reproduction. Our results unite two important topics in evolutionary biology: life history and sex allocation. Offspring sex ratio may help explain among-individual variation in senescence rates in other species, including humans.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Douhard, Mathieu and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1073/pnas.1914654117},
 journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
 number = {9}
}

Aging, or senescence, is a progressive deterioration of physiological function with age. It leads to age-related declines in reproduction (reproductive senescence) and survival (actuarial senescence) in most organisms. However, senescence patterns can be highly variable across species, populations, and individuals, and the reasons for such variations remain poorly understood. Evolutionary theories predict that increases in reproductive effort in early life should be associated with accelerated senescence, but empirical tests have yielded mixed results. Although in sexually size-dimorphic species offspring of the larger sex (typically males) commonly require more parental resources, these sex differences are not currently incorporated into evolutionary theories of aging. Here, we show that female reproductive senescence varies with both the number and sex ratio of offspring weaned during early life, using data from a long-term study of bighorn sheep. For a given number of offspring, females that weaned more sons than daughters when aged between 2 and 7 y experienced faster senescence in offspring survival in old age. By contrast, analyses of actuarial senescence showed no cost of early-life reproduction. Our results unite two important topics in evolutionary biology: life history and sex allocation. Offspring sex ratio may help explain among-individual variation in senescence rates in other species, including humans.

@article{
 title = {Linking habitat, predators and alternative prey to explain recruitment variations of an endangered caribou population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 pages = {e00920},
 volume = {22},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2351989419301969},
 month = {6},
 id = {259de59f-4d2e-300e-9bc7-b51cd37443b4},
 created = {2020-02-04T21:30:46.115Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:57:21.735Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Frenette},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Habitat loss, fragmentation and alteration are frequently identified as important threats to biodiversity, inducing major changes in the structure and composition of species communities and the resulting interspecific interactions. North American woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations suffer from habitat modifications and most are currently in decline. It has been suggested that the conversion of old-growth coniferous forests into early-seral stages has increased cervid abundances, which have, in turn, stimulated a numerical response of predator populations, ultimately threatening caribou populations via a habitat-mediated apparent competition mechanism. Using a long-term dataset (1984–2012) of the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou population, we quantified changes in interspecific interactions triggered by apparent competition between moose (Alces americanus) and caribou via the responses of two incidental predators, coyote (Canis latrans) and black bear (Ursus americanus). We also documented calf recruitment rates and analysed temporal trends (last three decades) in this vital rate. Inter-annual variations in autumn calf recruitment were mostly affected by the proxy of regional abundance of coyotes, which was highly correlated with moose and black bear proxies of abundance. The increase in coyote abundance proxy in the Gaspésie Peninsula following anthropogenic habitat modifications seems to be the main mechanism responsible for the current decline in the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou population. Our analyses revealed some impacts of habitat alteration and the complexity of the resulting trophic cascades.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Frenette, Jonathan and Pelletier, Fanie and St-Laurent, Martin-Hugues},
 doi = {10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00920},
 journal = {Global Ecology and Conservation}
}

Habitat loss, fragmentation and alteration are frequently identified as important threats to biodiversity, inducing major changes in the structure and composition of species communities and the resulting interspecific interactions. North American woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations suffer from habitat modifications and most are currently in decline. It has been suggested that the conversion of old-growth coniferous forests into early-seral stages has increased cervid abundances, which have, in turn, stimulated a numerical response of predator populations, ultimately threatening caribou populations via a habitat-mediated apparent competition mechanism. Using a long-term dataset (1984–2012) of the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou population, we quantified changes in interspecific interactions triggered by apparent competition between moose (Alces americanus) and caribou via the responses of two incidental predators, coyote (Canis latrans) and black bear (Ursus americanus). We also documented calf recruitment rates and analysed temporal trends (last three decades) in this vital rate. Inter-annual variations in autumn calf recruitment were mostly affected by the proxy of regional abundance of coyotes, which was highly correlated with moose and black bear proxies of abundance. The increase in coyote abundance proxy in the Gaspésie Peninsula following anthropogenic habitat modifications seems to be the main mechanism responsible for the current decline in the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou population. Our analyses revealed some impacts of habitat alteration and the complexity of the resulting trophic cascades.

@article{
 title = {Trade-off between offspring mass and number: the lightest offspring bear the costs},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 pages = {20190707},
 volume = {16},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2019.0707},
 month = {2},
 day = {12},
 id = {3918194a-56ff-3e7b-a17c-c3a8c64e0340},
 created = {2020-02-04T21:30:46.352Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:57:03.438Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VandeWalle},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Life-history theory predicts a trade-off between offspring size and number. However, the role of intra-litter phenotypic variation in shaping this trade-off is often disregarded. We compared the strength of the relationship between litter size and mass from the perspective of the lightest and the heaviest yearling offspring in 110 brown bear litters in Sweden. We showed that the mass of the lightest yearlings decreased with increasing litter size, but that the mass of the heaviest yearling remained stable, regardless of litter size. Consistent with a conservative reproductive strategy, our results suggest that mothers maintained a stable investment in a fraction of the litter, while transferring the costs of larger litter size to the remaining offspring. Ignoring intra-litter phenotypic variation may obscure our ability to detect a trade-off between offspring size and number.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van de Walle, Joanie and Zedrosser, Andreas and Swenson, Jon E. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2019.0707},
 journal = {Biology Letters},
 number = {2}
}

Life-history theory predicts a trade-off between offspring size and number. However, the role of intra-litter phenotypic variation in shaping this trade-off is often disregarded. We compared the strength of the relationship between litter size and mass from the perspective of the lightest and the heaviest yearling offspring in 110 brown bear litters in Sweden. We showed that the mass of the lightest yearlings decreased with increasing litter size, but that the mass of the heaviest yearling remained stable, regardless of litter size. Consistent with a conservative reproductive strategy, our results suggest that mothers maintained a stable investment in a fraction of the litter, while transferring the costs of larger litter size to the remaining offspring. Ignoring intra-litter phenotypic variation may obscure our ability to detect a trade-off between offspring size and number.

@article{
 title = {Impacts of environmental heterogeneity on natural selection in a wild bird population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 pages = {1142-1154},
 volume = {74},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/evo.13939},
 month = {6},
 day = {3},
 id = {ca923a85-af02-3dfc-b6ef-819f429ee5a3},
 created = {2020-02-04T21:30:46.378Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:56:48.311Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Houle},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Natural selection has been studied for several decades, resulting in the computation of thousands of selection estimates. Although the importance of environmental conditions on selection has often been suggested, published estimates rarely take into account the effects of environmental heterogeneity on selection patterns. Here, we estimated linear and nonlinear viability selection gradients on morphological traits of 12-day old nestlings in a wild population of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) across a large-scale heterogeneous study system in southern Québec, Canada. We assessed the environmental drivers of nestling survival and evaluated their effects on strength and direction of selection gradients. Separate analyses of environmental variables showed that high temperatures and heavy rainfall caused stronger positive linear selection on morphological traits. Weaker linear selection was also measured in more extensively cultivated areas. Both strength and shape of nonlinear quadratic and correlational components of selection were modified by environmental variables. Considering all environmental variables revealed that precipitation since hatching affected patterns of linear selection on traits, while temperatures since hatching shaped nonlinear selection patterns. Our study underlines the importance of quantifying linear and nonlinear natural selection under various environmental conditions and how the evolutionary response of traits may be affected by ongoing human-induced environmental changes.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Houle, Carolyne and Pelletier, Fanie and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1111/evo.13939},
 journal = {Evolution},
 number = {6}
}

Natural selection has been studied for several decades, resulting in the computation of thousands of selection estimates. Although the importance of environmental conditions on selection has often been suggested, published estimates rarely take into account the effects of environmental heterogeneity on selection patterns. Here, we estimated linear and nonlinear viability selection gradients on morphological traits of 12-day old nestlings in a wild population of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) across a large-scale heterogeneous study system in southern Québec, Canada. We assessed the environmental drivers of nestling survival and evaluated their effects on strength and direction of selection gradients. Separate analyses of environmental variables showed that high temperatures and heavy rainfall caused stronger positive linear selection on morphological traits. Weaker linear selection was also measured in more extensively cultivated areas. Both strength and shape of nonlinear quadratic and correlational components of selection were modified by environmental variables. Considering all environmental variables revealed that precipitation since hatching affected patterns of linear selection on traits, while temperatures since hatching shaped nonlinear selection patterns. Our study underlines the importance of quantifying linear and nonlinear natural selection under various environmental conditions and how the evolutionary response of traits may be affected by ongoing human-induced environmental changes.

@article{
 title = {Milk composition in a wild mammal: a physiological signature of phenological changes},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 keywords = {Climate change,Lactation,Maternal effects,Timing of parturition,Vegetation phenology},
 pages = {349-358},
 volume = {193},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00442-020-04684-y},
 month = {6},
 day = {20},
 id = {a7370f72-e576-35f3-bf46-c5f97a6a1e9a},
 created = {2020-06-25T14:58:04.096Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-17T16:53:41.317Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Renaud2020a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Understanding how spring phenology influences early life can provide important insights into drivers of future development and survival. We combined unique, long-term data from a bighorn sheep population and satellite-derived phenology indices to quantify the relative importance of maternal and environmental influences on milk composition and lamb overwinter survival. Based on 216 milk samples from 34 females monitored over 6 years, we found that longer snow-free and vegetation growing seasons increased milk fatty acid, iron and lactose concentrations. Structural equation modelling revealed no causality between milk energy content, lamb weaning mass and lamb overwinter survival. Our results suggest that spring conditions can affect milk energy content, but we did not detect any effect on lamb overwinter survival either directly or indirectly through lamb weaning mass. The effect of green-up date on milk composition and energy content suggests that herbivores living in seasonal environments, such as the bighorn sheep, might rely on a strategy intermediate between ‘capital’ and ‘income’ breeding when energy demands are high.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Renaud, L.-A. and Rousseu, F. and Blanchet, F. Guillaume and Cohen, Alan A. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1007/s00442-020-04684-y},
 journal = {Oecologia},
 number = {2}
}

Understanding how spring phenology influences early life can provide important insights into drivers of future development and survival. We combined unique, long-term data from a bighorn sheep population and satellite-derived phenology indices to quantify the relative importance of maternal and environmental influences on milk composition and lamb overwinter survival. Based on 216 milk samples from 34 females monitored over 6 years, we found that longer snow-free and vegetation growing seasons increased milk fatty acid, iron and lactose concentrations. Structural equation modelling revealed no causality between milk energy content, lamb weaning mass and lamb overwinter survival. Our results suggest that spring conditions can affect milk energy content, but we did not detect any effect on lamb overwinter survival either directly or indirectly through lamb weaning mass. The effect of green-up date on milk composition and energy content suggests that herbivores living in seasonal environments, such as the bighorn sheep, might rely on a strategy intermediate between ‘capital’ and ‘income’ breeding when energy demands are high.

@article{
 title = {From diet to hair and blood: empirical estimation of discrimination factors for C and N stable isotopes in five terrestrial mammals},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 pages = {1332-1344},
 volume = {101},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa108/5917612},
 month = {10},
 day = {3},
 id = {59bbef9f-a08d-3ed8-b0f2-ea38197e0f6e},
 created = {2020-10-05T17:50:44.208Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:32:37.388Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Rioux2020},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios are used widely to describe wildlife animal diet composition and trophic interactions. To reconstruct consumer diet, the isotopic differences between consumers and their diet items—called the trophic discrimination factor (TDF)—must be known. Proxies of diet composition are sensitive to the accuracy of TDFs. However, specific TDFs are still missing for many species and tissues because only a few controlled studies have been carried out on captive animals. The aim of this study was to estimate TDFs for hair and blood for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for caribou, moose, white-tailed deer, eastern coyote, and black bear. We obtained stable isotope ratios for diet items, hair, and blood samples, of 21 captive adult mammals. Diet–tissue discrimination factors for carbon in hair (∆ 13CLE) ranged from 0.96‰ to 3.72‰ for cervids, 3.01‰ to 3.76‰ for coyote, and 5.15‰ to 6.35‰ for black bear, while nitrogen discrimination factors (∆ 15N) ranged from 2.58‰ to 5.95‰ for cervids, 2.90‰ to 3.13‰ for coyote, and 4.48‰ to 5.44‰ for black bear. The ∆ 13CLE values in coyote blood components ranged from 2.20‰ to 2.69‰ while ∆ 15N ranged from 3.30‰ to 4.41‰. In caribou serum, ∆ 13CLE reached 3.34 ± 1.28‰ while ∆ 15N reached 5.02 ± 0.07‰. The TDFs calculated in this study will allow the evaluation of diet composition and trophic relationships between these five mammal species and will have important implications for the study of endangered caribou populations for which the use of noninvasive tissue sampling is highly relevant.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Rioux, Ève and Pelletier, Fanie and St-Laurent, Martin-Hugues},
 editor = {Constantine, Rochelle},
 doi = {10.1093/jmammal/gyaa108},
 journal = {Journal of Mammalogy},
 number = {5}
}

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios are used widely to describe wildlife animal diet composition and trophic interactions. To reconstruct consumer diet, the isotopic differences between consumers and their diet items—called the trophic discrimination factor (TDF)—must be known. Proxies of diet composition are sensitive to the accuracy of TDFs. However, specific TDFs are still missing for many species and tissues because only a few controlled studies have been carried out on captive animals. The aim of this study was to estimate TDFs for hair and blood for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for caribou, moose, white-tailed deer, eastern coyote, and black bear. We obtained stable isotope ratios for diet items, hair, and blood samples, of 21 captive adult mammals. Diet–tissue discrimination factors for carbon in hair (∆ 13CLE) ranged from 0.96‰ to 3.72‰ for cervids, 3.01‰ to 3.76‰ for coyote, and 5.15‰ to 6.35‰ for black bear, while nitrogen discrimination factors (∆ 15N) ranged from 2.58‰ to 5.95‰ for cervids, 2.90‰ to 3.13‰ for coyote, and 4.48‰ to 5.44‰ for black bear. The ∆ 13CLE values in coyote blood components ranged from 2.20‰ to 2.69‰ while ∆ 15N ranged from 3.30‰ to 4.41‰. In caribou serum, ∆ 13CLE reached 3.34 ± 1.28‰ while ∆ 15N reached 5.02 ± 0.07‰. The TDFs calculated in this study will allow the evaluation of diet composition and trophic relationships between these five mammal species and will have important implications for the study of endangered caribou populations for which the use of noninvasive tissue sampling is highly relevant.

@article{
 title = {Evolutionary origins for ecological patterns in space},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 pages = {17482-17490},
 volume = {117},
 websites = {http://www.pnas.org/lookup/doi/10.1073/pnas.1918960117},
 month = {7},
 day = {28},
 id = {440b8838-6403-3bd7-8ce3-1a8306181ad0},
 created = {2020-10-05T17:50:44.391Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:32:22.405Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Urban2020},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Historically, many biologists assumed that evolution and ecology acted independently because evolution occurred over distances too great to influence most ecological patterns. Today, evidence indicates that evolution can operate over a range of spatial scales, including fine spatial scales. Thus, evolutionary divergence across space might frequently interact with the mechanisms that also determine spatial ecological patterns. Here, we synthesize insights from 500 eco-evolutionary studies and develop a predictive framework that seeks to understand whether and when evolution amplifies, dampens, or creates ecological patterns. We demonstrate that local adaptation can alter everything from spatial variation in population abundances to ecosystem properties. We uncover 14 mechanisms that can mediate the outcome of evolution on spatial ecological patterns. Sometimes, evolution amplifies environmental variation, especially when selection enhances resource uptake or patch selection. The local evolution of foundation or keystone species can create ecological patterns where none existed originally. However, most often, we find that evolution dampens existing environmental gradients, because local adaptation evens out fitness across environments and thus counteracts the variation in associated ecological patterns. Consequently, evolution generally smooths out the underlying heterogeneity in nature, making the world appear less ragged than it would be in the absence of evolution. We end by highlighting the future research needed to inform a fully integrated and predictive biology that accounts for eco-evolutionary interactions in both space and time.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Urban, Mark C. and Strauss, Sharon Y. and Pelletier, Fanie and Palkovacs, Eric P. and Leibold, Mathew A. and Hendry, Andrew P. and De Meester, Luc and Carlson, Stephanie M. and Angert, Amy L. and Giery, Sean T.},
 doi = {10.1073/pnas.1918960117},
 journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
 number = {30}
}

Historically, many biologists assumed that evolution and ecology acted independently because evolution occurred over distances too great to influence most ecological patterns. Today, evidence indicates that evolution can operate over a range of spatial scales, including fine spatial scales. Thus, evolutionary divergence across space might frequently interact with the mechanisms that also determine spatial ecological patterns. Here, we synthesize insights from 500 eco-evolutionary studies and develop a predictive framework that seeks to understand whether and when evolution amplifies, dampens, or creates ecological patterns. We demonstrate that local adaptation can alter everything from spatial variation in population abundances to ecosystem properties. We uncover 14 mechanisms that can mediate the outcome of evolution on spatial ecological patterns. Sometimes, evolution amplifies environmental variation, especially when selection enhances resource uptake or patch selection. The local evolution of foundation or keystone species can create ecological patterns where none existed originally. However, most often, we find that evolution dampens existing environmental gradients, because local adaptation evens out fitness across environments and thus counteracts the variation in associated ecological patterns. Consequently, evolution generally smooths out the underlying heterogeneity in nature, making the world appear less ragged than it would be in the absence of evolution. We end by highlighting the future research needed to inform a fully integrated and predictive biology that accounts for eco-evolutionary interactions in both space and time.

@article{
 title = {Disentangling direct and indirect determinants of the duration of maternal care in brown bears: Environmental context matters},
 type = {article},
 year = {2020},
 keywords = {brown bear,harvest,maternal care,path analysis,weaning age},
 pages = {376-386},
 volume = {90},
 websites = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33064848/},
 id = {e5117df3-736c-3f85-b679-0f9f6975c78a},
 created = {2020-10-31T23:59:00.000Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:31:58.040Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The duration of maternal care, an important life-history trait affecting population dynamics, varies greatly within species. Yet, our understanding of its predictors is limited, mostly correlative and subject to misinterpretations, due to difficulties to disentangle the role of maternal- and offspring-related characteristics. We conducted path analysis on a dataset including 217 brown bear litters captured over a 29-year period in two populations in Sweden (‘North’ and ‘South’) facing contrasting environmental conditions to identify and quantify the causes of variation in the duration of maternal care (1.5 or 2.5 years). We showed that the causal determinants of the duration of maternal care were context-dependent. Contrary to their expected central role in the determination of the duration of maternal care, yearling mass and its direct determinants (i.e. litter size and maternal mass) were only important in the North population, where environmental conditions are harsher and the cost of extended maternal care presumably higher. In the South, the duration of maternal care was not caused by yearling mass nor any maternal or litter characteristics. Extension of maternal care may thus result from factors independent from maternal and offspring condition in the South, such as an artificial hunting-induced selection for longer maternal care through the legal protection of family groups. Our results provide an important contribution to our very limited knowledge of the direct and indirect determinants of the duration of maternal care and highlight the importance of accounting for the environmental context when assessing maternal reproductive tactics.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van de Walle, J. and Zedrosser, A. and Swenson, J.E. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.13371},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {2}
}

The duration of maternal care, an important life-history trait affecting population dynamics, varies greatly within species. Yet, our understanding of its predictors is limited, mostly correlative and subject to misinterpretations, due to difficulties to disentangle the role of maternal- and offspring-related characteristics. We conducted path analysis on a dataset including 217 brown bear litters captured over a 29-year period in two populations in Sweden (‘North’ and ‘South’) facing contrasting environmental conditions to identify and quantify the causes of variation in the duration of maternal care (1.5 or 2.5 years). We showed that the causal determinants of the duration of maternal care were context-dependent. Contrary to their expected central role in the determination of the duration of maternal care, yearling mass and its direct determinants (i.e. litter size and maternal mass) were only important in the North population, where environmental conditions are harsher and the cost of extended maternal care presumably higher. In the South, the duration of maternal care was not caused by yearling mass nor any maternal or litter characteristics. Extension of maternal care may thus result from factors independent from maternal and offspring condition in the South, such as an artificial hunting-induced selection for longer maternal care through the legal protection of family groups. Our results provide an important contribution to our very limited knowledge of the direct and indirect determinants of the duration of maternal care and highlight the importance of accounting for the environmental context when assessing maternal reproductive tactics.

@article{
 title = {Influence of lipids on stable isotope ratios in mammal hair: highlighting the importance of validation},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {Rangifer tarandus caribou,lipid correction,lipid extraction,mathematical normalization,stable isotopes,terrestrial ecosystems,δ13C,δ15N},
 volume = {10},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ecs2.2723},
 month = {5},
 day = {3},
 id = {423ea2a8-6f71-3ad4-aa5f-973becc12bbb},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.232Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:04:46.733Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Rioux2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios are increasingly used in ecological studies to evaluate diet composition and trophic relationships. However, lipids may influence stable isotope ratios due to the depletion of 13C in adipose tissues relative to proteins and carbohydrates. δ13C values can be corrected by lipid extraction or normalization models. The aims of our study were to evaluate the effects of lipid extraction on stable isotope ratios in a terrestrial mammal, the caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), and to propose relevant lipid normalization models that are method- and tissue-specific for δ13C values. We also evaluated whether four δ13C lipid normalization and correction models proposed in the literature were applicable to our study species. Stable isotope ratios were obtained for hair, plasma, and red blood cell samples of 44 caribou in the Gaspésie National Park (Québec, Canada). The effects of lipid extraction on stable isotope ratios were tested using a paired t-test. A simple linear model was used to correct for the effects of lipid extraction and to assess its performance compared to that of published equations. Lipid content significantly influenced δ13C values in caribou hair. The four lipid normalization equations commonly used in the literature did not accurately predict δ13Clipid-free values of caribou hair. Based on our results, we recommend controlling systematically for lipids in terrestrial systems and analyzing δ13C (lipid-free) and δ15N (bulk) from two separate aliquots to reach a greater precision. We also recommend controlling for lipids in hair tissue. If not possible, we recommend using a lipid normalization model that is tissue-, method-, and species-specific or applying a model that has been previously validated for the tissue and species of interest.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Rioux, Ève and Pelletier, Fanie and St‐Laurent, Martin‐Hugues},
 doi = {10.1002/ecs2.2723},
 journal = {Ecosphere},
 number = {5}
}

Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios are increasingly used in ecological studies to evaluate diet composition and trophic relationships. However, lipids may influence stable isotope ratios due to the depletion of 13C in adipose tissues relative to proteins and carbohydrates. δ13C values can be corrected by lipid extraction or normalization models. The aims of our study were to evaluate the effects of lipid extraction on stable isotope ratios in a terrestrial mammal, the caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), and to propose relevant lipid normalization models that are method- and tissue-specific for δ13C values. We also evaluated whether four δ13C lipid normalization and correction models proposed in the literature were applicable to our study species. Stable isotope ratios were obtained for hair, plasma, and red blood cell samples of 44 caribou in the Gaspésie National Park (Québec, Canada). The effects of lipid extraction on stable isotope ratios were tested using a paired t-test. A simple linear model was used to correct for the effects of lipid extraction and to assess its performance compared to that of published equations. Lipid content significantly influenced δ13C values in caribou hair. The four lipid normalization equations commonly used in the literature did not accurately predict δ13Clipid-free values of caribou hair. Based on our results, we recommend controlling systematically for lipids in terrestrial systems and analyzing δ13C (lipid-free) and δ15N (bulk) from two separate aliquots to reach a greater precision. We also recommend controlling for lipids in hair tissue. If not possible, we recommend using a lipid normalization model that is tissue-, method-, and species-specific or applying a model that has been previously validated for the tissue and species of interest.

@article{
 title = {Long‐term studies of bighorn sheep and mountain goats reveal fitness costs of reproduction},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {individual differences,long-term monitoring,mountain ungulates,population dynamics,predation,reproductive potential,reproductive strategies,wildlife conservation},
 pages = {1118-1133},
 volume = {88},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2656.13002},
 month = {8},
 day = {10},
 id = {d8a6337b-309b-3437-8422-49ebbf5cce63},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.581Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:05:06.507Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {FestaBianchet2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2019 British Ecological Society Fitness costs of reproduction are expected when resources are limited. Costs drive the evolution of life-history strategies and can affect population dynamics if females change their allocation of resources to reproduction. We studied fitness costs of reproduction in mountain ungulates in Alberta, Canada. We monitored two populations of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) for 44 and 30 years, and one of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) for 30 years. Both species are highly iteroparous. Heterogeneity in individual reproductive potential makes fitness costs of reproduction difficult to detect and quantify without manipulations. In capital breeders, individual differences can be partly accounted for by considering body mass and other correlates of reproductive potential. Long-term monitoring can reveal costs that only manifest under stressful conditions such as disease or resource scarcity. Despite individual differences in reproductive potential, we detected fitness costs of reproduction in females. Costs, in terms of mass gain and survival, are almost entirely born by subsequent offspring, as mothers prioritize their own maintenance and survival. Costs are greater for primiparous females, decrease with increasing body mass and increase as resource availability declines, and sons are costlier than daughters. Costs may increase for senescent females that appear to reduce allocation to reproduction. In bighorn sheep, costs mostly involve reduced mass gain and lower survival of subsequent offspring. In mountain goats, costs include reductions in mass gain, subsequent fecundity and juvenile survival. In males, fitness costs derive mostly from attempts to reproduce rather than from siring success and likely depend upon individual competitiveness. In the absence of selective harvests, dominant males may enjoy high fitness and possibly lower costs compared to subordinates. The conservative reproductive tactic of mountain ungulate females likely explains why density dependence mostly involves later primiparity and lower recruitment, but rarely affects adult survival. Future research will seek to better account for heterogeneity in reproductive potential, assess cumulative reproductive costs and investigate the potential effects of fathers on maternal allocation tactics.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Côté, Steeve D. and Hamel, Sandra and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Gaillard, Jean‐Michel},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.13002},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {8}
}

© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2019 British Ecological Society Fitness costs of reproduction are expected when resources are limited. Costs drive the evolution of life-history strategies and can affect population dynamics if females change their allocation of resources to reproduction. We studied fitness costs of reproduction in mountain ungulates in Alberta, Canada. We monitored two populations of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) for 44 and 30 years, and one of mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) for 30 years. Both species are highly iteroparous. Heterogeneity in individual reproductive potential makes fitness costs of reproduction difficult to detect and quantify without manipulations. In capital breeders, individual differences can be partly accounted for by considering body mass and other correlates of reproductive potential. Long-term monitoring can reveal costs that only manifest under stressful conditions such as disease or resource scarcity. Despite individual differences in reproductive potential, we detected fitness costs of reproduction in females. Costs, in terms of mass gain and survival, are almost entirely born by subsequent offspring, as mothers prioritize their own maintenance and survival. Costs are greater for primiparous females, decrease with increasing body mass and increase as resource availability declines, and sons are costlier than daughters. Costs may increase for senescent females that appear to reduce allocation to reproduction. In bighorn sheep, costs mostly involve reduced mass gain and lower survival of subsequent offspring. In mountain goats, costs include reductions in mass gain, subsequent fecundity and juvenile survival. In males, fitness costs derive mostly from attempts to reproduce rather than from siring success and likely depend upon individual competitiveness. In the absence of selective harvests, dominant males may enjoy high fitness and possibly lower costs compared to subordinates. The conservative reproductive tactic of mountain ungulate females likely explains why density dependence mostly involves later primiparity and lower recruitment, but rarely affects adult survival. Future research will seek to better account for heterogeneity in reproductive potential, assess cumulative reproductive costs and investigate the potential effects of fathers on maternal allocation tactics.

@article{
 title = {Trophy hunting mediates sex‐specific associations between early‐life environmental conditions and adult mortality in bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {cox models,early life,life history,predictive adaptive response,sex differences,survival,trophy hunting},
 pages = {734-745},
 volume = {88},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2656.12970},
 month = {5},
 day = {21},
 id = {58db2c1e-f2eb-3de3-aa5e-d59693dfe0af},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.652Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:05:24.659Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Douhard2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Environmental conditions during early development, from conception to sexual maturity, can have lasting consequences on fitness components. Although adult life span often accounts for much of the variation in fitness in long-lived animals, we know little about how early environment affects adult life span in the wild, and even less about whether these effects differ between the sexes. Using data collected over 45 years from wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we investigated the effects of early environment on adult mortality in both sexes, distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sources of mortality. We used the average body mass of yearlings (at about 15 months of age) as a yearly index of environmental quality. We first examined sex differences in natural mortality responses to early environment by censoring harvested males in the year they were shot. We then investigated sex differences in the effects of early environment on overall mortality (natural and hunting mortality combined). Finally, we used path analysis to separate the direct influence of early environment from indirect influences, mediated by age at first reproduction, adult mass and horn length. As early environmental conditions improved, natural adult mortality decreased in both sexes, although for males the effect was not statistically supported. Sex differences in the effects of early environment on adult mortality were detected only when natural and hunting mortality were pooled. Males that experienced favourable early environment had longer horns as adults and died earlier because of trophy hunting, which does not mimic natural mortality. Females that experienced favourable early environment started to reproduce earlier and early primiparity was associated with reduced mortality, suggesting a silver-spoon effect. Our results show that early conditions affect males and females differently because of trophy hunting. These findings highlight the importance of considering natural and anthropogenic environmental factors across different life stages to understand sex differences in mortality.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Douhard, Mathieu and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Landes, Julie and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Gaillard, Jean‐Michel},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.12970},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {5}
}

Environmental conditions during early development, from conception to sexual maturity, can have lasting consequences on fitness components. Although adult life span often accounts for much of the variation in fitness in long-lived animals, we know little about how early environment affects adult life span in the wild, and even less about whether these effects differ between the sexes. Using data collected over 45 years from wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we investigated the effects of early environment on adult mortality in both sexes, distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sources of mortality. We used the average body mass of yearlings (at about 15 months of age) as a yearly index of environmental quality. We first examined sex differences in natural mortality responses to early environment by censoring harvested males in the year they were shot. We then investigated sex differences in the effects of early environment on overall mortality (natural and hunting mortality combined). Finally, we used path analysis to separate the direct influence of early environment from indirect influences, mediated by age at first reproduction, adult mass and horn length. As early environmental conditions improved, natural adult mortality decreased in both sexes, although for males the effect was not statistically supported. Sex differences in the effects of early environment on adult mortality were detected only when natural and hunting mortality were pooled. Males that experienced favourable early environment had longer horns as adults and died earlier because of trophy hunting, which does not mimic natural mortality. Females that experienced favourable early environment started to reproduce earlier and early primiparity was associated with reduced mortality, suggesting a silver-spoon effect. Our results show that early conditions affect males and females differently because of trophy hunting. These findings highlight the importance of considering natural and anthropogenic environmental factors across different life stages to understand sex differences in mortality.

@article{
 title = {Using geographic distance as a potential proxy for help in the assessment of the grandmother hypothesis},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {cooperative breeding,life-history traits,reproductive success,senescence},
 pages = {651-656.e3},
 volume = {29},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982219300296},
 month = {2},
 id = {9183b8f3-8d49-3f30-b0d8-ad3021961b89},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.455Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:05:41.577Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Engelhardt2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Life-history theory predicts that selection could favor the decoupling of somatic and reproductive senescence if post-reproductive lifespan (PRLS) provides additional indirect fitness benefits [1, 2]. The grandmother hypothesis proposes that prolonged PRLS evolved because post-reproductive grandmothers gain inclusive fitness benefits by helping their daughters and grandchildren [3, 4]. Because most historical human data do not report direct evidence of help, we hypothesized that geographic distance between individuals may be inversely related to their capacity to help. Using an exceptionally detailed dataset of pre-industrial French settlers in the St. Lawrence Valley during the 17 th and 18 th centuries, we assessed the potential for grandmothers to improve their inclusive fitness by helping their descendants, and we evaluated how this effect varied with geographic distance, ranging between 0 and 325 km, while accounting for potential familial genetic and environmental effects [5–9]. Grandmothers (F0) who were alive allowed their daughters (F1) to increase their number of offspring (F2) born by 2.1 and to increase their number of offspring surviving to 15 years of age by 1.1 compared to when grandmothers were dead. However, the age at first reproduction was not influenced by the life status (alive or dead) of grandmothers. As geographic distance increased, the number of offspring born and lifetime reproductive success decreased, while the age at first reproduction increased, despite the grandmother being alive in these analyses. Our study suggests that geographic proximity has the potential to modulate inclusive fitness, supporting the grandmother hypothesis, and to contribute to our understanding of the evolution of PRLS. Engelhardt et al. show that the indirect fitness benefits accrued by grandmothers, after accounting for potential familial genetic and environmental effects, supports the proposition that the grandmother hypothesis can, in part, explain post-reproductive lifespan. Geographic proximity potentially modulates the inclusive fitness benefits.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Engelhardt, Sacha C. and Bergeron, Patrick and Gagnon, Alain and Dillon, Lisa and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2019.01.027},
 journal = {Current Biology},
 number = {4}
}

Life-history theory predicts that selection could favor the decoupling of somatic and reproductive senescence if post-reproductive lifespan (PRLS) provides additional indirect fitness benefits [1, 2]. The grandmother hypothesis proposes that prolonged PRLS evolved because post-reproductive grandmothers gain inclusive fitness benefits by helping their daughters and grandchildren [3, 4]. Because most historical human data do not report direct evidence of help, we hypothesized that geographic distance between individuals may be inversely related to their capacity to help. Using an exceptionally detailed dataset of pre-industrial French settlers in the St. Lawrence Valley during the 17 th and 18 th centuries, we assessed the potential for grandmothers to improve their inclusive fitness by helping their descendants, and we evaluated how this effect varied with geographic distance, ranging between 0 and 325 km, while accounting for potential familial genetic and environmental effects [5–9]. Grandmothers (F0) who were alive allowed their daughters (F1) to increase their number of offspring (F2) born by 2.1 and to increase their number of offspring surviving to 15 years of age by 1.1 compared to when grandmothers were dead. However, the age at first reproduction was not influenced by the life status (alive or dead) of grandmothers. As geographic distance increased, the number of offspring born and lifetime reproductive success decreased, while the age at first reproduction increased, despite the grandmother being alive in these analyses. Our study suggests that geographic proximity has the potential to modulate inclusive fitness, supporting the grandmother hypothesis, and to contribute to our understanding of the evolution of PRLS. Engelhardt et al. show that the indirect fitness benefits accrued by grandmothers, after accounting for potential familial genetic and environmental effects, supports the proposition that the grandmother hypothesis can, in part, explain post-reproductive lifespan. Geographic proximity potentially modulates the inclusive fitness benefits.

@article{
 title = {Genetic decline, restoration and rescue of an isolated ungulate population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis),bottleneck,conservation management,fitness,genetic rescue,inbreeding depression,translocation},
 pages = {1318-1328},
 volume = {12},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/eva.12706},
 month = {8},
 day = {27},
 id = {a6407706-a5a0-3743-b2ee-90314c49374b},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.458Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:05:55.165Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Poirier2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Isolation of small populations is expected to reduce fitness through inbreeding and loss of genetic variation, impeding population growth and compromising population persistence. Species with long generation time are the least likely to be rescued by evolution alone. Management interventions that maintain or restore genetic variation to assure population viability are consequently of significant importance. We investigated, over 27 years, the genetic and demographic consequences of a demographic bottleneck followed by artificial supplementation in an isolated population of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Based on a long-term pedigree and individual monitoring, we documented the genetic decline, restoration and rescue of the population. Microsatellite analyses revealed that the demographic bottleneck reduced expected heterozygosity and allelic diversity by 6.2% and 11.3%, respectively, over two generations. Following supplementation, first-generation admixed lambs were 6.4% heavier at weaning and had 28.3% higher survival to 1 year compared to lambs of endemic ancestry. Expected heterozygosity and allelic diversity increased by 4.6% and 14.3% after two generations through new alleles contributed by translocated individuals. We found no evidence for outbreeding depression and did not see immediate evidence of swamping of local genes. Rapid intervention following the demographic bottleneck allowed the genetic restoration and rescue of this bighorn sheep population, likely preventing further losses at both the genetic and demographic levels. Our results provide further empirical evidence that translocation can be used to reduce inbreeding depression in nature and has the potential to mitigate the effect of human-driven environmental changes on wild populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Poirier, Marc‐Antoine and Coltman, David W. and Pelletier, Fanie and Jorgenson, Jon and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.12706},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {7}
}

Isolation of small populations is expected to reduce fitness through inbreeding and loss of genetic variation, impeding population growth and compromising population persistence. Species with long generation time are the least likely to be rescued by evolution alone. Management interventions that maintain or restore genetic variation to assure population viability are consequently of significant importance. We investigated, over 27 years, the genetic and demographic consequences of a demographic bottleneck followed by artificial supplementation in an isolated population of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Based on a long-term pedigree and individual monitoring, we documented the genetic decline, restoration and rescue of the population. Microsatellite analyses revealed that the demographic bottleneck reduced expected heterozygosity and allelic diversity by 6.2% and 11.3%, respectively, over two generations. Following supplementation, first-generation admixed lambs were 6.4% heavier at weaning and had 28.3% higher survival to 1 year compared to lambs of endemic ancestry. Expected heterozygosity and allelic diversity increased by 4.6% and 14.3% after two generations through new alleles contributed by translocated individuals. We found no evidence for outbreeding depression and did not see immediate evidence of swamping of local genes. Rapid intervention following the demographic bottleneck allowed the genetic restoration and rescue of this bighorn sheep population, likely preventing further losses at both the genetic and demographic levels. Our results provide further empirical evidence that translocation can be used to reduce inbreeding depression in nature and has the potential to mitigate the effect of human-driven environmental changes on wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Genetic structure and effective size of an endangered population of woodland caribou},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {Dispersal,Effective population size,Gene flow,Genetic structure,Population dynamics,Rangifer tarandus},
 pages = {203-213},
 volume = {20},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10592-018-1124-1},
 month = {4},
 day = {22},
 id = {39cfa1e0-4791-3b33-b8b3-6726365917bf},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.497Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:06:08.495Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Human-driven habitat fragmentation is increasing worldwide, and consequently many wild populations are subdivided, isolated and reduced in size. These changes in population structure reduce dispersal among subpopulations, limiting gene flow, accelerating genetic differentiation, and reducing genetic diversity and effective population sizes. Habitat fragmentation is associated with a reduced ability for populations and species to respond to changing environments, exacerbating extinction risks. The Atlantic-Gaspésie population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is isolated and genetically differentiated from other populations in Canada. It has been declining dramatically during the last century and is now considered Endangered. From a management perspective, this population is considered as a single unit of ~ 80 individuals, but GPS telemetry suggests that three subgroups use separate geographical areas and show limited dispersal. In this study, we used 16 microsatellite loci to (1) quantify and compare the genetic diversity observed within the three subgroups of the Atlantic-Gaspésie population, (2) evaluate the extent of the spatiotemporal genetic substructure among them by assessing whether the fine-scale genetic structure differs between subgroups and if it has changed over 15 years, and (3) estimate their effective population size. We found no change in genetic diversity among/within subgroups over time. We detected genetic substructure among subgroups based on their geographical locations (Logan-Albert vs. McGerrigle) and found evidence that this substructure has increased in recent years. The effective population size of this population appears to have declined by 53% over the last 15 years and is now estimated at N e = 16 individuals. Management plans and conservation actions should consider this spatial genetic substructure to prevent further decline of this endangered population.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Turgeon, Geneviève and Bourret, Audrey and Garant, Dany and St-Laurent, Martin Hugues},
 doi = {10.1007/s10592-018-1124-1},
 journal = {Conservation Genetics},
 number = {2}
}

Human-driven habitat fragmentation is increasing worldwide, and consequently many wild populations are subdivided, isolated and reduced in size. These changes in population structure reduce dispersal among subpopulations, limiting gene flow, accelerating genetic differentiation, and reducing genetic diversity and effective population sizes. Habitat fragmentation is associated with a reduced ability for populations and species to respond to changing environments, exacerbating extinction risks. The Atlantic-Gaspésie population of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is isolated and genetically differentiated from other populations in Canada. It has been declining dramatically during the last century and is now considered Endangered. From a management perspective, this population is considered as a single unit of ~ 80 individuals, but GPS telemetry suggests that three subgroups use separate geographical areas and show limited dispersal. In this study, we used 16 microsatellite loci to (1) quantify and compare the genetic diversity observed within the three subgroups of the Atlantic-Gaspésie population, (2) evaluate the extent of the spatiotemporal genetic substructure among them by assessing whether the fine-scale genetic structure differs between subgroups and if it has changed over 15 years, and (3) estimate their effective population size. We found no change in genetic diversity among/within subgroups over time. We detected genetic substructure among subgroups based on their geographical locations (Logan-Albert vs. McGerrigle) and found evidence that this substructure has increased in recent years. The effective population size of this population appears to have declined by 53% over the last 15 years and is now estimated at N e = 16 individuals. Management plans and conservation actions should consider this spatial genetic substructure to prevent further decline of this endangered population.

@article{
 title = {Don't poke the bear: using tracking data to quantify behavioural syndromes in elusive wildlife},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {GPS collar,Ursus arctos,activity sensors,brown bear,multivariate mixed model,personality,repeatability},
 pages = {91-104},
 volume = {147},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003347218303440},
 month = {1},
 id = {a0face7d-b3ca-35db-b822-d3b5ba2be46d},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.195Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:06:25.110Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Hertel2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Animal personality traits and the emergence of behavioural syndromes, i.e. between-individual correlation of behaviours, are commonly quantified from behavioural observations in controlled environments. Subjecting large and elusive wildlife to controlled test situations is, however, rarely possible, suggesting that ecologists should exploit alternative measures of behaviours for quantifying differences between individuals. Our goal was to test whether movement and space use data can be used to quantify behavioural syndromes in the wild. We quantified six behaviours from GPS and dual motion sensor tracking devices of 46 adult female brown bears followed in southcentral Sweden over the summer and early autumn. As well as daily travel distance, an indicator for activity, and daily displacement, an indicator for exploration, we quantified four behaviours that increase a bear's likelihood of encountering humans and could thus serve as indicators for boldness: diurnality, selection for roads and selection for two open habitat types, bogs and clearcuts, with low lateral cover. We tested (1) whether behaviours showed repeatable between-individual variation (animal personality) and (2) whether behaviours were correlated between individuals and thus formed a behavioural syndrome. Repeatability of behaviours ranged from 0.16 to 0.61 confirming between-individual variation in movement, activity and space use. A multivariate mixed model revealed significant positive correlations between travel distance, displacement and diurnality, suggesting the existence of an activity–exploration and potentially partial boldness syndrome in our bear population. Selection for exposed or human-frequented habitats were uncorrelated with the activity–exploration syndrome and with each other, albeit there was a trend for stronger road avoidance by bears that readily used clearcuts. We show that large tracking data sets can be used to quantify between-individual correlation in spatial behaviours. We suggest that delineating behavioural types from wildlife tracking data will be of increasing interest because of the importance of animal personality for ecological processes, wildlife conservation and human–wildlife coexistence.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Hertel, Anne G. and Leclerc, Martin and Warren, Dan and Pelletier, Fanie and Zedrosser, Andreas and Mueller, Thomas},
 doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.11.008},
 journal = {Animal Behaviour}
}

Animal personality traits and the emergence of behavioural syndromes, i.e. between-individual correlation of behaviours, are commonly quantified from behavioural observations in controlled environments. Subjecting large and elusive wildlife to controlled test situations is, however, rarely possible, suggesting that ecologists should exploit alternative measures of behaviours for quantifying differences between individuals. Our goal was to test whether movement and space use data can be used to quantify behavioural syndromes in the wild. We quantified six behaviours from GPS and dual motion sensor tracking devices of 46 adult female brown bears followed in southcentral Sweden over the summer and early autumn. As well as daily travel distance, an indicator for activity, and daily displacement, an indicator for exploration, we quantified four behaviours that increase a bear's likelihood of encountering humans and could thus serve as indicators for boldness: diurnality, selection for roads and selection for two open habitat types, bogs and clearcuts, with low lateral cover. We tested (1) whether behaviours showed repeatable between-individual variation (animal personality) and (2) whether behaviours were correlated between individuals and thus formed a behavioural syndrome. Repeatability of behaviours ranged from 0.16 to 0.61 confirming between-individual variation in movement, activity and space use. A multivariate mixed model revealed significant positive correlations between travel distance, displacement and diurnality, suggesting the existence of an activity–exploration and potentially partial boldness syndrome in our bear population. Selection for exposed or human-frequented habitats were uncorrelated with the activity–exploration syndrome and with each other, albeit there was a trend for stronger road avoidance by bears that readily used clearcuts. We show that large tracking data sets can be used to quantify between-individual correlation in spatial behaviours. We suggest that delineating behavioural types from wildlife tracking data will be of increasing interest because of the importance of animal personality for ecological processes, wildlife conservation and human–wildlife coexistence.

@article{
 title = {Maternal longevity and offspring sex in wild ungulates},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {Cost of reproduction,Disposable soma,Lifespan,Mammals,Sex ratio,Trade-offs},
 pages = {20181968},
 volume = {286},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.1968},
 month = {2},
 day = {13},
 id = {8860f3e1-73b3-3c58-80de-b714a29b6632},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.401Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:06:36.852Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Douhard2019a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In species with sexual size dimorphism, the offspring of the larger sex usually have greater energy requirements and may lead to greater fitness costs for parents. The effects of offspring sex on maternal longevity, however, have only been tested in humans. Human studies produced mixed results and considerable debate mainly owing to the difficulty of distinguishing the effects of sexual dimorphism from sociocultural factors. To advance this debate, we examined how the relative number of sons influenced maternal longevity in four species of free-living ungulates (Soay sheep Ovis aries; bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis; red deer, Cervus elaphus; mountain goat, Oreamnos americanus), with high male-biased sexual size dimorphism but without complicating sociocultural variables. We found no evidence for a higher cumulative cost of sons than of daughters on maternal longevity. For a given number of offspring, most females with many sons in all four populations lived longer than females with few sons. The higher cost of sons over daughters on maternal lifespan reported by some human studies may be the exception rather than the rule in long-lived iteroparous species.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Douhard, Mathieu and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Hamel, Sandra and Nussey, Daniel H. and Côté, Steeve D. and Pemberton, Josephine M. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2018.1968},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1896}
}

In species with sexual size dimorphism, the offspring of the larger sex usually have greater energy requirements and may lead to greater fitness costs for parents. The effects of offspring sex on maternal longevity, however, have only been tested in humans. Human studies produced mixed results and considerable debate mainly owing to the difficulty of distinguishing the effects of sexual dimorphism from sociocultural factors. To advance this debate, we examined how the relative number of sons influenced maternal longevity in four species of free-living ungulates (Soay sheep Ovis aries; bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis; red deer, Cervus elaphus; mountain goat, Oreamnos americanus), with high male-biased sexual size dimorphism but without complicating sociocultural variables. We found no evidence for a higher cumulative cost of sons than of daughters on maternal longevity. For a given number of offspring, most females with many sons in all four populations lived longer than females with few sons. The higher cost of sons over daughters on maternal lifespan reported by some human studies may be the exception rather than the rule in long-lived iteroparous species.

@article{
 title = {Nonbreeding season movements of a migratory songbird are related to declines in resource availability},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {NDVI,Tachycineta bicolor,Tree Swallow,aerial insectivore,itinerancy,light-level geolocator,migration},
 volume = {136},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/auk/article/136/3/ukz028/5486171},
 id = {3b3c93fd-9d5f-3903-82b9-784bdf6b7274},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.828Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:06:52.776Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Knight2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {There have been an increasing number of observations of itinerancy in migratory songbirds, where individuals move among 2 or more widely separated areas during the "stationary" nonbreeding season. Knowledge of such movements and an understanding of what drives them are important for predicting how migratory populations will respond to environmental change. In this study, we investigated nonbreeding movements of the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), an aerial insectivore that breeds across North America and spends the nonbreeding season around the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. With year-round tracking data obtained from 133 light-level geolocators deployed at 12 breeding sites ranging from Alaska to Nova Scotia to North Carolina, we show that 44% of individuals made at least one large-scale movement (range: 301-1,744 km) within the nonbreeding range. The frequency of itinerancy decreased with longitude, such that 75% of individuals made a movement in the western portion of the nonbreeding range compared to only 31% in the east. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a proxy for resource availability, we found that when individuals did move, they were more likely to move from sites where resources were deteriorating faster (a more negative change in NDVI prior to departure) than their destination sites. There was also evidence that individuals moved to destination sites with higher NDVI and temperature in the autumn, but not in the winter. Our results suggest movements of Tree Swallows during the nonbreeding season are influenced by resource availability, but because not all individuals used multiple nonbreeding sites, the density of individuals at a site and the level of competition may have also been a factor influencing nonbreeding season movements.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Knight, S.M. and Gow, E.A. and Bradley, D.W. and Clark, R.G. and Bélisle, M. and Berzins, L.L. and Blake, T. and Bridge, E.S. and Burke, L. and Dawson, R.D. and Dunn, P.O. and Garant, D. and Holroyd, G.L. and Hussell, D.J.T. and Lansdorp, O. and Laughlin, A.J. and Leonard, M.L. and Pelletier, F. and Shutler, D. and Siefferman, L. and Taylor, C.M. and Trefry, H.E. and Vleck, C.M. and Vleck, D. and Whittingham, L.A. and Winkler, D.W. and Ryan Norris, D.},
 doi = {10.1093/auk/ukz028},
 journal = {Auk},
 number = {3}
}

There have been an increasing number of observations of itinerancy in migratory songbirds, where individuals move among 2 or more widely separated areas during the "stationary" nonbreeding season. Knowledge of such movements and an understanding of what drives them are important for predicting how migratory populations will respond to environmental change. In this study, we investigated nonbreeding movements of the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), an aerial insectivore that breeds across North America and spends the nonbreeding season around the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. With year-round tracking data obtained from 133 light-level geolocators deployed at 12 breeding sites ranging from Alaska to Nova Scotia to North Carolina, we show that 44% of individuals made at least one large-scale movement (range: 301-1,744 km) within the nonbreeding range. The frequency of itinerancy decreased with longitude, such that 75% of individuals made a movement in the western portion of the nonbreeding range compared to only 31% in the east. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a proxy for resource availability, we found that when individuals did move, they were more likely to move from sites where resources were deteriorating faster (a more negative change in NDVI prior to departure) than their destination sites. There was also evidence that individuals moved to destination sites with higher NDVI and temperature in the autumn, but not in the winter. Our results suggest movements of Tree Swallows during the nonbreeding season are influenced by resource availability, but because not all individuals used multiple nonbreeding sites, the density of individuals at a site and the level of competition may have also been a factor influencing nonbreeding season movements.

@article{
 title = {Effects of spring migration distance on tree swallow reproductive success within and among flyways},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {geolocation,migration,migration distance,path analysis,tree swallow,young fledged},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fevo.2019.00380/full},
 month = {10},
 day = {11},
 id = {a1af4ec9-02a5-3af4-9113-8613a7ad4fd0},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.897Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:07:06.455Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Gow2019a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {During migration, animals may experience high rates of mortality, but costs of migration could also be manifested through non-lethal carry-over effects that influence individual success in subsequent periods of the annual cycle. Using tracking data collected from light-level geolocators, we estimated total spring migration distance (from the last wintering sites to breeding sites) of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) within three major North American flyways. Using path analysis, we then assessed direct and indirect effects of spring migration distance on reproductive performance of individuals of both sexes. When these data were standardized by flyway, females fledged 1.3 fewer young for every 1,017 km they traveled, whereas there was no effect of migration distance on reproductive success in males. In comparison, when these data were standardized across all individuals and not by flyway, longer migrations were associated with 0.74 more young fledged for every 1,017 km traveled by females and 0.26 more young fledged for every 1,186 km migrated by males. Our results suggest that migration distance carries over to negatively influence female reproductive success within flyways but the overall positive effect of migration distance across flyways likely reflects broader life-history differences that occur among breeding populations across the tree swallow range.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Gow, Elizabeth A. and Knight, Samantha M. and Bradley, David W. and Clark, Robert G. and Winkler, David W. and Bélisle, Marc and Berzins, Lisha L. and Blake, Tricia and Bridge, Eli S. and Burke, Lauren and Dawson, Russell D. and Dunn, Peter O. and Garant, Dany and Holroyd, Geoff and Horn, Andrew G. and Hussell, David J.T. and Lansdorp, Olga and Laughlin, Andrew J. and Leonard, Marty L. and Pelletier, Fanie and Shutler, Dave and Siefferman, Lynn and Taylor, Caz M. and Trefry, Helen and Vleck, Carol M. and Vleck, David and Whittingham, Linda A. and Norris, D. Ryan},
 doi = {10.3389/fevo.2019.00380},
 journal = {Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution}
}

During migration, animals may experience high rates of mortality, but costs of migration could also be manifested through non-lethal carry-over effects that influence individual success in subsequent periods of the annual cycle. Using tracking data collected from light-level geolocators, we estimated total spring migration distance (from the last wintering sites to breeding sites) of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) within three major North American flyways. Using path analysis, we then assessed direct and indirect effects of spring migration distance on reproductive performance of individuals of both sexes. When these data were standardized by flyway, females fledged 1.3 fewer young for every 1,017 km they traveled, whereas there was no effect of migration distance on reproductive success in males. In comparison, when these data were standardized across all individuals and not by flyway, longer migrations were associated with 0.74 more young fledged for every 1,017 km traveled by females and 0.26 more young fledged for every 1,186 km migrated by males. Our results suggest that migration distance carries over to negatively influence female reproductive success within flyways but the overall positive effect of migration distance across flyways likely reflects broader life-history differences that occur among breeding populations across the tree swallow range.

@article{
 title = {A range-wide domino effect and resetting of the annual cycle in a migratory songbird},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {Carry-over effects,Life history,Migration,Tachycineta bicolor,Timing of breeding,Tree swallow},
 pages = {20181916},
 volume = {286},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.1916},
 month = {1},
 day = {16},
 id = {6c10800e-33c5-32fc-b4b8-012540f1c96f},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.954Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:07:21.505Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Gow2019},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Latitudinal differences in timing of breeding are well documented but how such differences carry over to influence timing of events in the annual cycle of migratory birds is not well understood. We examined geographical variation in timing of events throughout the year using light-level geolocator tracking data from 133 migratory tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) originating from 12 North American breeding populations. A swallow's breeding latitude influenced timing of breeding, which then carried over to affect breeding ground departure. This resulted in subsequent effects on the arrival and departure schedules at autumn stopover locations and timing of arrival at non-breeding locations. This 'domino effect' between timing events was no longer apparent by the time individuals departed for spring migration. Our range-wide analysis demonstrates the lasting impact breeding latitude can have on migration schedules but also highlights how such timing relationships can reset when individuals reside at non-breeding sites for extended periods of time.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Gow, Elizabeth A. and Burke, Lauren and Winkler, David W. and Knight, Samantha M. and Bradley, David W. and Clark, Robert G. and Bélisle, Marc and Berzins, Lisha L. and Blake, Tricia and Bridge, Eli S. and Dawson, Russell D. and Dunn, Peter O. and Garant, Dany and Holroyd, Geoff and Horn, Andrew G. and Hussell, David J. T. and Lansdorp, Olga and Laughlin, Andrew J. and Leonard, Marty L. and Pelletier, Fanie and Shutler, Dave and Siefferman, Lynn and Taylor, Caz M. and Trefry, Helen and Vleck, Carol M. and Vleck, David and Whittingham, Linda A. and Norris, D. Ryan},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2018.1916},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1894}
}

Latitudinal differences in timing of breeding are well documented but how such differences carry over to influence timing of events in the annual cycle of migratory birds is not well understood. We examined geographical variation in timing of events throughout the year using light-level geolocator tracking data from 133 migratory tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) originating from 12 North American breeding populations. A swallow's breeding latitude influenced timing of breeding, which then carried over to affect breeding ground departure. This resulted in subsequent effects on the arrival and departure schedules at autumn stopover locations and timing of arrival at non-breeding locations. This 'domino effect' between timing events was no longer apparent by the time individuals departed for spring migration. Our range-wide analysis demonstrates the lasting impact breeding latitude can have on migration schedules but also highlights how such timing relationships can reset when individuals reside at non-breeding sites for extended periods of time.

@inbook{
 type = {inbook},
 year = {2019},
 pages = {56-63},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780124095489105482},
 publisher = {Elsevier},
 city = {Oxford, UK},
 edition = {2nd},
 id = {885bc58a-cce3-3903-9a7d-3ca466489838},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:45:58.996Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.499Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pigeon2019},
 source_type = {incollection},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Understanding the consequences of environmental change on both long- and short-term ecological and evolutionary dynamics is a basic pre-requisite for any effective conservation or management programme but inherently problematic because of the complex interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes. Components of such complexity have been described in isolation or within conceptual models on numerous occasions. What remains lacking are studies that characterise effectively the coupled ecological and evolutionary dynamics, to demonstrate feedback mechanisms that influence both phenotypic change, and its effects on population demography, in organisms with complex life histories. We present a systems-based approach that brings together multiple effects that 'shape' an organism's life history (e.g. direct and delayed life-history consequences of environmental variation) and the resulting eco-evolutionary population dynamics. Using soil mites in microcosms, we characterise ecological, phenotypic and evolutionary dynamics in replicated populations in response to experimental manipulations of environment (e.g. the competitive environment, female age, male quality). Our results demonstrate that population dynamics are complex and are affected by both plastic and evolved responses to past and present environments, and that the emergent population dynamic itself shaped the landscape for natural selection to act on in subsequent generations. Evolutionary and ecological effects on dynamics can therefore be almost impossible to partition, which needs to be considered and appreciated in research, management and conservation. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.},
 bibtype = {inbook},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Wertheim, Bregje},
 doi = {10.1016/b978-0-12-409548-9.10548-2},
 chapter = {Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics},
 title = {Encyclopedia of Ecology}
}

Understanding the consequences of environmental change on both long- and short-term ecological and evolutionary dynamics is a basic pre-requisite for any effective conservation or management programme but inherently problematic because of the complex interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes. Components of such complexity have been described in isolation or within conceptual models on numerous occasions. What remains lacking are studies that characterise effectively the coupled ecological and evolutionary dynamics, to demonstrate feedback mechanisms that influence both phenotypic change, and its effects on population demography, in organisms with complex life histories. We present a systems-based approach that brings together multiple effects that 'shape' an organism's life history (e.g. direct and delayed life-history consequences of environmental variation) and the resulting eco-evolutionary population dynamics. Using soil mites in microcosms, we characterise ecological, phenotypic and evolutionary dynamics in replicated populations in response to experimental manipulations of environment (e.g. the competitive environment, female age, male quality). Our results demonstrate that population dynamics are complex and are affected by both plastic and evolved responses to past and present environments, and that the emergent population dynamic itself shaped the landscape for natural selection to act on in subsequent generations. Evolutionary and ecological effects on dynamics can therefore be almost impossible to partition, which needs to be considered and appreciated in research, management and conservation. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

@article{
 title = {Testing the importance of harvest refuges for phenotypic rescue of trophy hunted populations},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 pages = {526-535},
 volume = {57},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2664.13562},
 month = {12},
 day = {20},
 id = {33288b46-0482-37ae-bf8c-e8894a4e5601},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:45:59.249Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:09:51.899Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Poisson2019},
 source_type = {techreport},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Sustainable exploitation must minimize its impact on the ecology and evolution of exploited wildlife. Intense phenotype-based selective harvests can induce evolutionary change. Refuges could mitigate those evolutionary effects if individuals not subject to selective hunting in harvest refuges migrated and reproduced in hunted areas. The role of harvest refuges on phenotypic rescue of trophy-hunted species, however, has rarely been tested. We investigated spatial and temporal variation in the effect of refuges on horn size and age at harvest in bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis. We analysed data on 5,826 males harvested over 39 years in Alberta, Canada. Horn length, a trait targeted by hunters, and age at harvest increased with the amount of protected areas 5–40 km around each kill. Horn base circumference, however, was independent of proximity to refuges. The number of males harvested increased during the last 10 days of the hunting season in late October, corresponding to the timing of bighorn male breeding migrations. Males shot during those 10 days were on average 17% closer to a refuge than males shot earlier in the season. Apparently, some large males exit refuges late in the hunting season, are shot, and cannot contribute to rescue. Uncertainty remains about the proportion of males exiting refuges after the hunting season and how many survive to reproduce. Synthesis and applications. Harvest refuges are unlikely to rescue hunted populations of bighorn sheep in Alberta, because some males exiting refuges are at risk of harvest before they mate. For phenotypic rescue to be effective, unselected males must reproduce before they are shot. Closing the hunting season 10 days earlier would increase survival of unselected rams exiting refuges.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Poisson, Yoanna and Festa‐Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2664.13562},
 journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology},
 number = {3}
}

Sustainable exploitation must minimize its impact on the ecology and evolution of exploited wildlife. Intense phenotype-based selective harvests can induce evolutionary change. Refuges could mitigate those evolutionary effects if individuals not subject to selective hunting in harvest refuges migrated and reproduced in hunted areas. The role of harvest refuges on phenotypic rescue of trophy-hunted species, however, has rarely been tested. We investigated spatial and temporal variation in the effect of refuges on horn size and age at harvest in bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis. We analysed data on 5,826 males harvested over 39 years in Alberta, Canada. Horn length, a trait targeted by hunters, and age at harvest increased with the amount of protected areas 5–40 km around each kill. Horn base circumference, however, was independent of proximity to refuges. The number of males harvested increased during the last 10 days of the hunting season in late October, corresponding to the timing of bighorn male breeding migrations. Males shot during those 10 days were on average 17% closer to a refuge than males shot earlier in the season. Apparently, some large males exit refuges late in the hunting season, are shot, and cannot contribute to rescue. Uncertainty remains about the proportion of males exiting refuges after the hunting season and how many survive to reproduce. Synthesis and applications. Harvest refuges are unlikely to rescue hunted populations of bighorn sheep in Alberta, because some males exiting refuges are at risk of harvest before they mate. For phenotypic rescue to be effective, unselected males must reproduce before they are shot. Closing the hunting season 10 days earlier would increase survival of unselected rams exiting refuges.

@article{
 title = {Offspring mass variation in tree swallows: A case of bet‐hedging?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {2019 the authors,accepted 17 december 2018,access article under the,any medium,birds,c,commons attribution,copyright,corresponding editor,debra p,distribution and reproduction in,diversi fi ed bet-hedging,intra-brood mass variation,is properly cited,license,peters,provided the original work,received 10 december 2018,reproductive success,terms of the creative,this is an open,which permits use},
 pages = {e02607},
 volume = {10},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ecs2.2607},
 month = {3},
 day = {7},
 id = {bf70940b-2691-3d63-a693-5b2bda070619},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:46:14.021Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:10:13.860Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Gossieaux2019},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The evolution of reproductive strategies is affected by the ability of organisms to deal with future environmental conditions. When environments are temporally unpredictable, however, it is difficult to anticipate optimal offspring phenotype. Diversification of offspring phenotypes, a strategy called diversified bet-hedging, may allow parents to maximize their fitness by reducing between-year variation in reproductive success. The link between diversification of offspring phenotypes and individual reproductive success, however, has rarely been documented empirically. We used an eight-year dataset (1215 broods, 870 females) on individually marked tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to assess whether intra-brood mass variation was compatible with a diversified bet-hedging strategy. Intra-brood mass variation was weakly, but significantly repeatable within females, suggesting consistent individual differences. Greater intra-brood mass variation, however, was not associated with reduced between-year variation in reproductive success or increased female reproductive success. Moreover, contrary to diversified bet-hedging expectations, fledging success of large broods was greater when hatchlings had similar rather than variable masses. Our results suggest that intra-brood mass variation may not result from diversified bet-hedging, but rather from complex interactions between environmental, brood, and maternal characteristics.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Gossieaux, Philippine and Leclerc, Martin and Van de Walle, Joanie and Poisson, Yoanna and Toni, Pauline and Landes, Julie and Bourret, Audrey and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1002/ecs2.2607},
 journal = {Ecosphere},
 number = {3}
}

The evolution of reproductive strategies is affected by the ability of organisms to deal with future environmental conditions. When environments are temporally unpredictable, however, it is difficult to anticipate optimal offspring phenotype. Diversification of offspring phenotypes, a strategy called diversified bet-hedging, may allow parents to maximize their fitness by reducing between-year variation in reproductive success. The link between diversification of offspring phenotypes and individual reproductive success, however, has rarely been documented empirically. We used an eight-year dataset (1215 broods, 870 females) on individually marked tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to assess whether intra-brood mass variation was compatible with a diversified bet-hedging strategy. Intra-brood mass variation was weakly, but significantly repeatable within females, suggesting consistent individual differences. Greater intra-brood mass variation, however, was not associated with reduced between-year variation in reproductive success or increased female reproductive success. Moreover, contrary to diversified bet-hedging expectations, fledging success of large broods was greater when hatchlings had similar rather than variable masses. Our results suggest that intra-brood mass variation may not result from diversified bet-hedging, but rather from complex interactions between environmental, brood, and maternal characteristics.

@article{
 title = {Proximity to humans is associated with longer maternal care in brown bears},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {10,1007,Brown bear,Maternal care,Sexual conflict,Spatial segregation,article,brown bear,communicated by k,contains supplementary,doi,e,electronic supplementary material the,https,maternal care,online version of this,org,ruckstuhl,s00265-019-2764-y,sexual conflict,spatial segregation},
 pages = {158},
 volume = {73},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-019-2764-y},
 month = {12},
 publisher = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 day = {27},
 id = {d97cdc8c-291f-3e5b-8d80-d2a434219368},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.200Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:10:29.278Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VandeWalle2019},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {© 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Abstract: In the sexual conflict over the duration of maternal care, male mammals may improve their reproductive success by forcing early mother–offspring separation in species where lactation supresses estrus. However, when individual females benefit from continuing to care for their current offspring, they should adopt counter-strategies to avoid separation from offspring. Here, we tested whether spatial segregation from adult males and proximity to humans during the mating season could be associated with longer maternal care in the Scandinavian brown bear (Ursus arctos). Using resource selection functions (RSFs), we contrasted habitat selection patterns of adult males and those of adult females with yearlings that either provided 1.5 years of maternal care (“short-care females”) or continued care for an additional year (“long-care females”) during the mating season, the period when family break-ups typically occur. Males and short-care females had similar habitat selection patterns during the mating season. In contrast, habitat selection patterns differed between males and long-care females, suggesting spatial segregation between the two groups. In particular, long-care females used areas closer to human habitations compared with random locations (defined here as selection), whereas males used areas further to human habitations compared with random locations (defined here as avoidance). Our results show a correlation between habitat selection behavior and the duration of maternal care. We suggest that proximity to humans during the mating season may represent a female tactic to avoid adverse interactions with males that may lead to early weaning of offspring. Significance statement: In mammalian species where lactation supresses ovulation, males may gain a reproductive advantage by forcing early mother-offspring separation; however females can respond through behavioral tactics. We show that female brown bears with yearling cubs can spatially segregate from males during the mating season and that this behavior is associated with longer maternal care. Females selecting areas close to human habitations tend to keep their yearlings for an additional year, suggesting that human presence could have a shielding effect from males. Our study is among the few to explore sexual conflicts over the duration of maternal care close to weaning and shows that animals have the potential to adjust their behavioral tactics to make use of human-dominated landscapes.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van de Walle, Joanie and Leclerc, Martin and Steyaert, Sam M. J. G. and Zedrosser, Andreas and Swenson, Jon E. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-019-2764-y},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {12}
}

© 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Abstract: In the sexual conflict over the duration of maternal care, male mammals may improve their reproductive success by forcing early mother–offspring separation in species where lactation supresses estrus. However, when individual females benefit from continuing to care for their current offspring, they should adopt counter-strategies to avoid separation from offspring. Here, we tested whether spatial segregation from adult males and proximity to humans during the mating season could be associated with longer maternal care in the Scandinavian brown bear (Ursus arctos). Using resource selection functions (RSFs), we contrasted habitat selection patterns of adult males and those of adult females with yearlings that either provided 1.5 years of maternal care (“short-care females”) or continued care for an additional year (“long-care females”) during the mating season, the period when family break-ups typically occur. Males and short-care females had similar habitat selection patterns during the mating season. In contrast, habitat selection patterns differed between males and long-care females, suggesting spatial segregation between the two groups. In particular, long-care females used areas closer to human habitations compared with random locations (defined here as selection), whereas males used areas further to human habitations compared with random locations (defined here as avoidance). Our results show a correlation between habitat selection behavior and the duration of maternal care. We suggest that proximity to humans during the mating season may represent a female tactic to avoid adverse interactions with males that may lead to early weaning of offspring. Significance statement: In mammalian species where lactation supresses ovulation, males may gain a reproductive advantage by forcing early mother-offspring separation; however females can respond through behavioral tactics. We show that female brown bears with yearling cubs can spatially segregate from males during the mating season and that this behavior is associated with longer maternal care. Females selecting areas close to human habitations tend to keep their yearlings for an additional year, suggesting that human presence could have a shielding effect from males. Our study is among the few to explore sexual conflicts over the duration of maternal care close to weaning and shows that animals have the potential to adjust their behavioral tactics to make use of human-dominated landscapes.

@article{
 title = {Hunters select for behavioral traits in a large carnivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 pages = {12371},
 volume = {9},
 websites = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-48853-3,http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-48853-3},
 month = {12},
 publisher = {Springer US},
 day = {26},
 id = {7be61abc-fc21-3757-b127-4da9ee34a5ff},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.348Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:10:44.606Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Leclerc2019},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Human harvest can induce selection on life history and morphological traits, leading to ecological and evolutionary responses. Our understanding of harvest-induced selection on behavioral traits is, however, very limited. Here, we assessed whether hunters harvest, consciously or not, individuals with specific behavioral traits. We used long-term, detailed behavioral and survival data of a heavily harvested brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Sweden. We found that hunters harvested male bears that were less active during legal hunting hours and had lower movement rates. Also, hunters harvested male and female bears that used habitats closer to roads. We provide an empirical example that individual behavior can modulate vulnerability to hunting and that hunters could exert a selective pressure on wildlife behaviors. This study increases our understanding of the complex interactions between harvest method, human behavior, and animal behavior that are at play in harvest-induced selection and provides better insight into the full effects of human harvest on wild populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Leclerc, M. and Zedrosser, A. and Swenson, J.E. E and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-48853-3},
 journal = {Scientific Reports},
 number = {1}
}

Human harvest can induce selection on life history and morphological traits, leading to ecological and evolutionary responses. Our understanding of harvest-induced selection on behavioral traits is, however, very limited. Here, we assessed whether hunters harvest, consciously or not, individuals with specific behavioral traits. We used long-term, detailed behavioral and survival data of a heavily harvested brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Sweden. We found that hunters harvested male bears that were less active during legal hunting hours and had lower movement rates. Also, hunters harvested male and female bears that used habitats closer to roads. We provide an empirical example that individual behavior can modulate vulnerability to hunting and that hunters could exert a selective pressure on wildlife behaviors. This study increases our understanding of the complex interactions between harvest method, human behavior, and animal behavior that are at play in harvest-induced selection and provides better insight into the full effects of human harvest on wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Causes and short‐term consequences of variation in milk composition in wild sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {hmsc,milk,multivariate},
 pages = {1365-2656.12977},
 volume = {88},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2656.12977},
 month = {4},
 day = {12},
 id = {86977719-9420-3529-be18-12521f4fefba},
 created = {2020-01-10T22:05:04.795Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:58:57.537Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Renaud2019b},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Ecologists seek to understand the fitness consequences of variation in physiological markers, under the hypothesis that physiological state is linked to variability in individual condition and life history. Thus, ecologists are often interested in estimating correlations between entire suites of correlated traits, or biomarkers, but sample size limitations often do not allow us to do this properly when large numbers of traits or biomarkers are considered. Latent variables are a powerful tool to overcome this complexity. Recent statistical advances have enabled a new class of multivariate models—multivariate hierarchical modelling (MHM) with latent variables—which allow to statistically estimate unstructured covariances/correlations among traits with reduced constraints on the number of degrees of freedom to account in the model. It is thus possible to highlight correlated structures in potentially very large numbers of traits. Here, we apply MHM to evaluate the relative importance of individual differences and environmental effects on milk composition and identify the drivers of this variation. We ask whether variation in bighorn sheep milk affects offspring fitness. We evaluate whether mothers show repeatable individual differences in the concentrations of 11 markers of milk composition, and we investigate the relative importance of annual variability, maternal identity and morphological traits in structuring milk composition. We then use variance estimates to investigate how a subset of repeatable milk markers influence lamb summer survival. Repeatability of milk markers ranged from 0.05 to 0.64 after accounting for year-to-year variations. Milk composition was weakly but significantly associated with maternal mass in June and September, summer mass gain and winter mass loss. Variation explained by year-to-year fluctuations ranged from 0.07 to 0.91 suggesting a strong influence of environmental variability on milk composition. Milk composition did not affect lamb survival to weaning. Using joint models in ecological, physiological or behavioural contexts has the major advantage of decomposing a (co)variance/correlation matrix while being estimated with fewer parameters than in a “traditional” mixed-effects model. The joint models presented here complement a growing list of tools to analyse correlations at different hierarchical levels separately and may thus represent a partial solution to the conundrum of physiological complexity.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Renaud, Limoilou‐Amelie and Blanchet, F. Guillaume and Cohen, Alan A. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Dingemanse, Niels},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.12977},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {6}
}

Ecologists seek to understand the fitness consequences of variation in physiological markers, under the hypothesis that physiological state is linked to variability in individual condition and life history. Thus, ecologists are often interested in estimating correlations between entire suites of correlated traits, or biomarkers, but sample size limitations often do not allow us to do this properly when large numbers of traits or biomarkers are considered. Latent variables are a powerful tool to overcome this complexity. Recent statistical advances have enabled a new class of multivariate models—multivariate hierarchical modelling (MHM) with latent variables—which allow to statistically estimate unstructured covariances/correlations among traits with reduced constraints on the number of degrees of freedom to account in the model. It is thus possible to highlight correlated structures in potentially very large numbers of traits. Here, we apply MHM to evaluate the relative importance of individual differences and environmental effects on milk composition and identify the drivers of this variation. We ask whether variation in bighorn sheep milk affects offspring fitness. We evaluate whether mothers show repeatable individual differences in the concentrations of 11 markers of milk composition, and we investigate the relative importance of annual variability, maternal identity and morphological traits in structuring milk composition. We then use variance estimates to investigate how a subset of repeatable milk markers influence lamb summer survival. Repeatability of milk markers ranged from 0.05 to 0.64 after accounting for year-to-year variations. Milk composition was weakly but significantly associated with maternal mass in June and September, summer mass gain and winter mass loss. Variation explained by year-to-year fluctuations ranged from 0.07 to 0.91 suggesting a strong influence of environmental variability on milk composition. Milk composition did not affect lamb survival to weaning. Using joint models in ecological, physiological or behavioural contexts has the major advantage of decomposing a (co)variance/correlation matrix while being estimated with fewer parameters than in a “traditional” mixed-effects model. The joint models presented here complement a growing list of tools to analyse correlations at different hierarchical levels separately and may thus represent a partial solution to the conundrum of physiological complexity.

@article{
 title = {Phenotypic plasticity in bighorn sheep reproductive phenology: from individual to population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 keywords = {Climate change,Large vertebrate,Parturition date,Phenotypic plasticity,Precipitation,Temperature},
 pages = {50},
 volume = {73},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-019-2656-1},
 month = {4},
 publisher = {Springer Verlag},
 day = {27},
 id = {43023eb0-729e-3f72-97af-2fc5f11dd185},
 created = {2020-04-27T14:27:06.167Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-20T18:59:11.409Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Renaud2019d},
 folder_uuids = {78ba9090-da20-464c-bff8-a0b21e0d9400},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Abstract: Climate change can lead to a mismatch between resource availability and key life history events. Without plasticity in reproductive traits, that mismatch can lower fitness and decrease population size. In birds, phenotypic plasticity is frequently reported as the main mechanism to track environmental changes, but evidence for plasticity in large mammals is scarce. Using long-term individual-based data, we quantified phenotypic plasticity in 394 parturition dates of 137 bighorn sheep ewes (average 2.9 per ewe, range 1–11 parturition dates) in response to environmental drivers. Over 26 years, we detected a population response to environmental drivers, as median parturition date advanced by 15 days. Our study area showed temporal trends in population density, precipitation in October–November and temperature in August–November. Increasing autumn precipitation was associated with later parturition. Increasing autumn temperature was associated with earlier parturition but the effect was weak. Analyses of the between- and within-individual components of weather, climate and density revealed an individual adjustment to autumn precipitation. We detected no plasticity in response to variation in temperature and density and no variation in plasticity (no I × E) in response to any determinants of parturition date. Our results suggest that the reproductive phenology of species with long and fixed gestation may respond more to environmental drivers in autumn than in spring. Significance statement: Many organisms time reproductive events based on seasonal availability of food resources. Climate change, however, can affect the timing of food availability. Organisms can change the timing of reproduction over the short term through phenotypic plasticity. Little is known, however, about how much individual plasticity in reproductive timing exists in wild mammals. We examined phenotypic plasticity in parturition date in bighorn sheep in response to changes in autumn precipitation, autumn temperature, a global climate index and adult female density. Temporal trends in these variables over 26 years partly explained a 15-day advance in average parturition date. Individual ewes only appeared to show plasticity in response to autumn precipitation, suggesting some capacity to cope with rapid global environmental changes over the short term.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Renaud, L.-A. and Pigeon, Gabriel and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-019-2656-1},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {4}
}

Abstract: Climate change can lead to a mismatch between resource availability and key life history events. Without plasticity in reproductive traits, that mismatch can lower fitness and decrease population size. In birds, phenotypic plasticity is frequently reported as the main mechanism to track environmental changes, but evidence for plasticity in large mammals is scarce. Using long-term individual-based data, we quantified phenotypic plasticity in 394 parturition dates of 137 bighorn sheep ewes (average 2.9 per ewe, range 1–11 parturition dates) in response to environmental drivers. Over 26 years, we detected a population response to environmental drivers, as median parturition date advanced by 15 days. Our study area showed temporal trends in population density, precipitation in October–November and temperature in August–November. Increasing autumn precipitation was associated with later parturition. Increasing autumn temperature was associated with earlier parturition but the effect was weak. Analyses of the between- and within-individual components of weather, climate and density revealed an individual adjustment to autumn precipitation. We detected no plasticity in response to variation in temperature and density and no variation in plasticity (no I × E) in response to any determinants of parturition date. Our results suggest that the reproductive phenology of species with long and fixed gestation may respond more to environmental drivers in autumn than in spring. Significance statement: Many organisms time reproductive events based on seasonal availability of food resources. Climate change, however, can affect the timing of food availability. Organisms can change the timing of reproduction over the short term through phenotypic plasticity. Little is known, however, about how much individual plasticity in reproductive timing exists in wild mammals. We examined phenotypic plasticity in parturition date in bighorn sheep in response to changes in autumn precipitation, autumn temperature, a global climate index and adult female density. Temporal trends in these variables over 26 years partly explained a 15-day advance in average parturition date. Individual ewes only appeared to show plasticity in response to autumn precipitation, suggesting some capacity to cope with rapid global environmental changes over the short term.

@article{
 title = {Testing evolutionary predictions in wild mice: An experimental demonstration of a “simple” evolutionary path for camouflage in nature},
 type = {article},
 year = {2019},
 volume = {363},
 websites = {https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaw3097},
 id = {1fedc312-3fe3-31c9-840d-45edccbd9054},
 created = {2019-02-09T23:59:00.000Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:31:26.325Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1126/science.aaw3097},
 journal = {Science},
 number = {6426}
}

@article{
 title = {Environmental determinants of haemosporidian parasite prevalence in a declining population of Tree swallows},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Anthropogenic perturbations,North America,Tree swallow,environmental factors,haemosporidian parasites,landscape heterogeneity},
 pages = {961-970},
 volume = {145},
 websites = {https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0031182017002128/type/journal_article},
 month = {6},
 day = {23},
 id = {fe041f54-d16a-31c7-8162-ea6251f9902c},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.670Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:11:11.767Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Turcotte2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The prevalence of vector-borne parasites such as haemosporidian species is influenced by several environmental factors. While the negative effects of parasitism on hosts are well documented, these can also be amplified by interactions with environmental stressors, many of which are anthropogenic. Yet, we know little about the possible effects of anthropogenic perturbations on parasite prevalence. The goals of this study were to assess the prevalence and environmental determinants of haemosporidian parasites in a declining population of Tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor ) living in an agricultural landscape in southern Québec, Canada. Overall, a low prevalence and a moderate lineage diversity were identified in both adults and nestlings, confirming that transmission can occur during the breeding period. Anthropic areas, extensive cultures (hayfields and pastures) and forest cover within 500 km of nest boxes, as well as daily temperature fluctuations, were all related to infection by haemosporidian parasites. These findings suggest that anthropogenic alterations of landscape composition can modulate the prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in Tree swallows. Our results represent a baseline for future comparative studies assessing haemosporidian parasite prevalence in human-modified landscapes.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Turcotte, Audrey and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1017/S0031182017002128},
 journal = {Parasitology},
 number = {7}
}

The prevalence of vector-borne parasites such as haemosporidian species is influenced by several environmental factors. While the negative effects of parasitism on hosts are well documented, these can also be amplified by interactions with environmental stressors, many of which are anthropogenic. Yet, we know little about the possible effects of anthropogenic perturbations on parasite prevalence. The goals of this study were to assess the prevalence and environmental determinants of haemosporidian parasites in a declining population of Tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor ) living in an agricultural landscape in southern Québec, Canada. Overall, a low prevalence and a moderate lineage diversity were identified in both adults and nestlings, confirming that transmission can occur during the breeding period. Anthropic areas, extensive cultures (hayfields and pastures) and forest cover within 500 km of nest boxes, as well as daily temperature fluctuations, were all related to infection by haemosporidian parasites. These findings suggest that anthropogenic alterations of landscape composition can modulate the prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in Tree swallows. Our results represent a baseline for future comparative studies assessing haemosporidian parasite prevalence in human-modified landscapes.

@article{
 title = {Interplay between contact risk, conspecific density, and landscape connectivity: An individual-based modeling framework},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Animal movement,Contact rate,Individual-based model,Infectious disease management,Landscape connectivity,Raccoon},
 pages = {25-38},
 volume = {373},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0304380018300504},
 month = {4},
 id = {8da0b997-7e1b-3d6a-9ada-74520948e60c},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.704Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:11:33.297Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Tardy2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In many host-pathogen systems, pathogen transmission requires close contact between infectious and susceptible hosts. The contact rates among individuals depend upon how they move in the landscape because functional connectivity can affect interactions between individuals. Yet few studies have explored the interplay between contact rates, conspecific density, and functional connectivity. Using a spatially explicit individual-based model, we investigated how empirical movement rules translate into spatial patterns of contact rates among disease hosts in complex landscapes. We developed dynamic models of functional connectivity by characterizing movement behaviors of radio-collared raccoons, which are the main hosts of the raccoon rabies virus. On this basis, we simulated space-use dynamics of raccoons in virtual landscapes varying in conspecific density, forest availability, and landscape connectivity. We then characterized spatial patterns in the density of per capita contact rates of simulated raccoons. Radio-collared raccoons were more likely to choose large habitat patches that were reached by traveling along least-cost paths, and had relatively long residence times in anthropogenic areas, especially during daytime. These movement rules that were applied to simulated raccoons in virtual landscapes revealed three key patterns in contact rates. First, few simulated raccoons were responsible for most contacts between individuals, a pattern that emerged even though all simulated raccoons obeyed the same movement rules. Second, per capita contact rates increased linearly with individual density under most conditions, which indicates that raccoon rabies transmission should be density-dependent rather than frequency-dependent. Third, functional connectivity created a broad range of patterns in the density of per capita contact rates from decreasing to increasing values, depending upon the availability of land cover types. Overall, the contacts between hosts tended to occur at highest densities in forests, anthropogenic areas, and agricultural corridors. We show that complex patterns of contact rates can emerge from simple empirical movement rules and, therefore, can be key drivers of disease spread dynamics. The strong spatial heterogeneity observed in contact rates implies that the effectiveness of particular control interventions can strongly vary depending upon host density, landscape composition, and functional connectivity. This study provides key functional relationships for tailoring interventions to changes in local conditions.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Tardy, Olivia and Massé, Ariane and Pelletier, Fanie and Fortin, Daniel},
 doi = {10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.02.003},
 journal = {Ecological Modelling}
}

In many host-pathogen systems, pathogen transmission requires close contact between infectious and susceptible hosts. The contact rates among individuals depend upon how they move in the landscape because functional connectivity can affect interactions between individuals. Yet few studies have explored the interplay between contact rates, conspecific density, and functional connectivity. Using a spatially explicit individual-based model, we investigated how empirical movement rules translate into spatial patterns of contact rates among disease hosts in complex landscapes. We developed dynamic models of functional connectivity by characterizing movement behaviors of radio-collared raccoons, which are the main hosts of the raccoon rabies virus. On this basis, we simulated space-use dynamics of raccoons in virtual landscapes varying in conspecific density, forest availability, and landscape connectivity. We then characterized spatial patterns in the density of per capita contact rates of simulated raccoons. Radio-collared raccoons were more likely to choose large habitat patches that were reached by traveling along least-cost paths, and had relatively long residence times in anthropogenic areas, especially during daytime. These movement rules that were applied to simulated raccoons in virtual landscapes revealed three key patterns in contact rates. First, few simulated raccoons were responsible for most contacts between individuals, a pattern that emerged even though all simulated raccoons obeyed the same movement rules. Second, per capita contact rates increased linearly with individual density under most conditions, which indicates that raccoon rabies transmission should be density-dependent rather than frequency-dependent. Third, functional connectivity created a broad range of patterns in the density of per capita contact rates from decreasing to increasing values, depending upon the availability of land cover types. Overall, the contacts between hosts tended to occur at highest densities in forests, anthropogenic areas, and agricultural corridors. We show that complex patterns of contact rates can emerge from simple empirical movement rules and, therefore, can be key drivers of disease spread dynamics. The strong spatial heterogeneity observed in contact rates implies that the effectiveness of particular control interventions can strongly vary depending upon host density, landscape composition, and functional connectivity. This study provides key functional relationships for tailoring interventions to changes in local conditions.

@article{
 title = {Ecology of harvest-driven trait changes and implications for ecosystem management},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 pages = {20-28},
 volume = {16},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/fee.1743},
 month = {2},
 id = {bfab4b5b-2fd6-383c-8341-0dad974ef961},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.743Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:11:58.264Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Palkovacs2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Harvest of wild animals and plants is pervasive, exerts ecological and evolutionary pressure on populations, and is known to drive rapid changes in organismal traits. Although the factors that lead to rapid trait changes have received increased attention, the ecological consequences of harvest-driven trait changes are less appreciated. We review recent evidence that harvest-driven trait changes can affect community and ecosystem processes. Growing experimental evidence, modeling studies, and field observations have revealed that common responses to harvest include changes in life-history and behavioral traits, which have the potential to reshape the ecology of harvested systems. On the basis of existing evidence, we propose a set of general mechanisms that link harvest-driven trait changes to ecological processes, including trophic cascades, nutrient dynamics, keystone interactions, ecosystem stability, and habitat use. Managing harvested ecosystems sustainably may require strategies that account for harvest-driven trait changes. We recommend that trait changes be monitored closely as part of ecosystem-based management plans, especially in cases where targeted traits are known to affect important aspects of ecosystem function.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Palkovacs, Eric P and Moritsch, Monica M and Contolini, Gina M and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/fee.1743},
 journal = {Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment},
 number = {1}
}

Harvest of wild animals and plants is pervasive, exerts ecological and evolutionary pressure on populations, and is known to drive rapid changes in organismal traits. Although the factors that lead to rapid trait changes have received increased attention, the ecological consequences of harvest-driven trait changes are less appreciated. We review recent evidence that harvest-driven trait changes can affect community and ecosystem processes. Growing experimental evidence, modeling studies, and field observations have revealed that common responses to harvest include changes in life-history and behavioral traits, which have the potential to reshape the ecology of harvested systems. On the basis of existing evidence, we propose a set of general mechanisms that link harvest-driven trait changes to ecological processes, including trophic cascades, nutrient dynamics, keystone interactions, ecosystem stability, and habitat use. Managing harvested ecosystems sustainably may require strategies that account for harvest-driven trait changes. We recommend that trait changes be monitored closely as part of ecosystem-based management plans, especially in cases where targeted traits are known to affect important aspects of ecosystem function.

@article{
 title = {Influence of agricultural intensification on prey availability and nestling diet in Tree Swallows (<i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Aerial insectivorous bird,Agricultural intensification,Arthropods,Diptera,Redundancy analysis (RDA),Tachycineta bicolor,Tree swallow},
 pages = {1053-1065},
 volume = {96},
 websites = {http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/cjz-2017-0229},
 month = {9},
 id = {07a2163a-4f6e-39e2-bd21-0fa8edaae4b8},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.501Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:12:13.983Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bellavance2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Over the last decades, aerial insectivorous birds have been declining in both North America and Europe. Those declines have been hypothetically attributed to a decrease in prey availability caused by agricultural intensification, but empirical evidence remains scarce. Here, we quantify the effect of landscape composition on the abundance and diversity of potential prey of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) and on nestling diet in southern Quebec, Canada. We collected food boluses from nestlings and compared their composition with spatiotemporally corresponding samples from traps on farms distributed along a gradient of agricultural intensification. The diet of nestlings was mostly composed of Diptera, both in biomass and abundance, but by mid-June, these decreased with increasing proportions of intensively cultivated crops within 500 m of the nests. Trap catches for Diptera and all arthropods combined followed the same trends. Yet, the associations between Diptera subgroups (Nematocera, non-schizophoran Brachycera, Schizophora (Calyptratae), and Schizophora (Acalyptratae)) and landscape composition differed between traps and boluses, suggesting that prey selection was altered by agricultural intensification. Our results suggest that agriculture can alter the availability of preferred prey for aerial insectivores, and further studies should evaluate the impact of prey availability to explain the decline of aerial insectivores.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bellavance, Véronique and Bélisle, M. and Savage, J. and Pelletier, F. and Garant, D.},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2017-0229},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology},
 number = {9}
}

Over the last decades, aerial insectivorous birds have been declining in both North America and Europe. Those declines have been hypothetically attributed to a decrease in prey availability caused by agricultural intensification, but empirical evidence remains scarce. Here, we quantify the effect of landscape composition on the abundance and diversity of potential prey of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) and on nestling diet in southern Quebec, Canada. We collected food boluses from nestlings and compared their composition with spatiotemporally corresponding samples from traps on farms distributed along a gradient of agricultural intensification. The diet of nestlings was mostly composed of Diptera, both in biomass and abundance, but by mid-June, these decreased with increasing proportions of intensively cultivated crops within 500 m of the nests. Trap catches for Diptera and all arthropods combined followed the same trends. Yet, the associations between Diptera subgroups (Nematocera, non-schizophoran Brachycera, Schizophora (Calyptratae), and Schizophora (Acalyptratae)) and landscape composition differed between traps and boluses, suggesting that prey selection was altered by agricultural intensification. Our results suggest that agriculture can alter the availability of preferred prey for aerial insectivores, and further studies should evaluate the impact of prey availability to explain the decline of aerial insectivores.

@article{
 title = {Parasite prevalence, infection intensity and richness in an endangered population, the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Capillaria,Eimeria,Moniezia,Nematodirinae,Parelaphostrongylus andersoni,Rangifer tarandus},
 pages = {90-94},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2213224417300329},
 month = {4},
 id = {7e399f4f-fe63-37fd-a6d6-baeb2f6a73a5},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.539Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:12:31.340Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Turgeon2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population is a small isolated relict herd considered endangered according to the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA). This population has low recruitment and survival rates but the potential role of parasites on individual fitness is unknown. In this context, we explored the parasite status of this population with the aim of 1) assessing the occurrence and intensity of parasite infections and the spatial, temporal and individual variations, 2) quantifying parasite richness and investigating factors such as sex and host body condition that may be associated with this variable and 3) evaluating the effects of parasite infections on survival in the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou population. We examined fecal samples from 32 animals captured in 2013–2014 for eggs, oocysts and larvae of parasites and detected 7 parasite species: dorsal-spined larvae protostrongylids, presumably Parelaphostrongylus andersoni based on PCR identification of a subset, Nematodirus odocoilei and other unidentified Strongyles, Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Moniezia sp. and Eimeria sp. For each caribou, mean parasite species richness was 1.8 ± 1.1 (SD). Sex, body condition, year and capture location did not explain parasite prevalence, intensity of infection or richness except for intensity of infection of Capillaria sp. that was positively influenced by body condition. Parasites did not influence survival although mortality was higher for males than for females. We suggest that the relatively low and common gastrointestinal and protostrongylid parasite infections will not be a short-term threat leading to extinction.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Turgeon, Geneviève and Kutz, Susan J. and Lejeune, Manigandan and St-Laurent, Martin-Hugues and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.02.001},
 journal = {International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife},
 number = {1}
}

The Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population is a small isolated relict herd considered endangered according to the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA). This population has low recruitment and survival rates but the potential role of parasites on individual fitness is unknown. In this context, we explored the parasite status of this population with the aim of 1) assessing the occurrence and intensity of parasite infections and the spatial, temporal and individual variations, 2) quantifying parasite richness and investigating factors such as sex and host body condition that may be associated with this variable and 3) evaluating the effects of parasite infections on survival in the Atlantic-Gaspésie caribou population. We examined fecal samples from 32 animals captured in 2013–2014 for eggs, oocysts and larvae of parasites and detected 7 parasite species: dorsal-spined larvae protostrongylids, presumably Parelaphostrongylus andersoni based on PCR identification of a subset, Nematodirus odocoilei and other unidentified Strongyles, Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Moniezia sp. and Eimeria sp. For each caribou, mean parasite species richness was 1.8 ± 1.1 (SD). Sex, body condition, year and capture location did not explain parasite prevalence, intensity of infection or richness except for intensity of infection of Capillaria sp. that was positively influenced by body condition. Parasites did not influence survival although mortality was higher for males than for females. We suggest that the relatively low and common gastrointestinal and protostrongylid parasite infections will not be a short-term threat leading to extinction.

@article{
 title = {Effects of blood parasite infection and innate immune genetic diversity on mating patterns in a passerine bird breeding in contrasted habitats},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Haemosporidian parasites,Human-driven changes,Immune genes,Mating patterns,Tree swallow},
 pages = {e6004},
 volume = {6},
 websites = {https://peerj.com/articles/6004},
 month = {11},
 day = {23},
 id = {c56b26cb-26ad-3899-a7c7-435207221442},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.228Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:13:04.239Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Garant2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Genetic diversity at immune genes and levels of parasitism are known to affect patterns of (dis)assortative mating in several species. Heterozygote advantage and/or good genes should shape mate choice originating from pathogen/parasite-driven selection at immune genes. However, the stability of these associations, and whether they vary with environmental conditions, are still rarely documented. In this study, we describe mating patterns in a wild population of tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor ) over 4 years and assess the effects of haemosporidian parasite infection and immune genetic diversity at β-defensin genes on those patterns within two habitats of contrasting environmental quality, in southern Québec, Canada. We first show that mating patterns were only very weakly related to individual status of infection by haemosporidian parasites. However, we found a difference between habitats in mating patterns related to infection status, which was likely due to a non-random distribution of individuals, as non-infected mating pairs were more frequent in lower quality habitats. Mating patterns also differed depending on β-defensin heterozygosity at AvBD2, but only for genetic partners outside of the social couple, with heterozygous individuals pairing together. Our study underlines the importance of considering habitat heterogeneity in studies of sexual selection.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Garant, Dany and Bourret, Audrey and Schmitt, Clarence and Turcotte, Audrey and Pelletier, Fanie and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.7717/peerj.6004},
 journal = {PeerJ},
 number = {11}
}

Genetic diversity at immune genes and levels of parasitism are known to affect patterns of (dis)assortative mating in several species. Heterozygote advantage and/or good genes should shape mate choice originating from pathogen/parasite-driven selection at immune genes. However, the stability of these associations, and whether they vary with environmental conditions, are still rarely documented. In this study, we describe mating patterns in a wild population of tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor ) over 4 years and assess the effects of haemosporidian parasite infection and immune genetic diversity at β-defensin genes on those patterns within two habitats of contrasting environmental quality, in southern Québec, Canada. We first show that mating patterns were only very weakly related to individual status of infection by haemosporidian parasites. However, we found a difference between habitats in mating patterns related to infection status, which was likely due to a non-random distribution of individuals, as non-infected mating pairs were more frequent in lower quality habitats. Mating patterns also differed depending on β-defensin heterozygosity at AvBD2, but only for genetic partners outside of the social couple, with heterozygous individuals pairing together. Our study underlines the importance of considering habitat heterogeneity in studies of sexual selection.

@article{
 title = {Quantifying individual heterogeneity and its influence on life-history trajectories: different methods for different questions and contexts},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 pages = {687-704},
 volume = {127},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/oik.04725},
 month = {5},
 id = {28567b90-76b5-38b9-912d-45980744abcc},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.235Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:13:34.065Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Hamel2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Heterogeneity among individuals influences the life-history trajectories we observe at the population level because viability selection, selective immigration and emigration processes, and ontogeny change the proportion of individuals with specific trait values with increasing age. Here, we review the two main approaches that have been proposed to account for these processes in life-history trajectories, contrasting how they quantify ontogeny and selection, and proposing ways to overcome some of their limitations. Nearly all existing approaches to model individual heterogeneity assume either a single normal distribution or a priori known groups of individuals. Ontogenetic processes, however, can vary across individuals through variation in life-history tactics. We show the usefulness of describing ontogenetic processes by modelling trajectories with a mixture model that focuses on heterogeneity in life-history tactics. Additionally, most methods examine individual heterogeneity in a single trait, ignoring potential correlations among multiple traits caused by latent common sources of individual heterogeneity. We illustrate the value of using a joint modelling approach to assess the presence of a shared latent correlation and its influence on life-history trajectories. We contrast the strengths and limitations of different methods for different research questions, and we exemplify the differences among methods using empirical data from long-term studies of ungulates.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Hamel, Sandra and Gaillard, Jean-Michel and Douhard, Mathieu and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie and Yoccoz, Nigel G.},
 doi = {10.1111/oik.04725},
 journal = {Oikos},
 number = {5}
}

Heterogeneity among individuals influences the life-history trajectories we observe at the population level because viability selection, selective immigration and emigration processes, and ontogeny change the proportion of individuals with specific trait values with increasing age. Here, we review the two main approaches that have been proposed to account for these processes in life-history trajectories, contrasting how they quantify ontogeny and selection, and proposing ways to overcome some of their limitations. Nearly all existing approaches to model individual heterogeneity assume either a single normal distribution or a priori known groups of individuals. Ontogenetic processes, however, can vary across individuals through variation in life-history tactics. We show the usefulness of describing ontogenetic processes by modelling trajectories with a mixture model that focuses on heterogeneity in life-history tactics. Additionally, most methods examine individual heterogeneity in a single trait, ignoring potential correlations among multiple traits caused by latent common sources of individual heterogeneity. We illustrate the value of using a joint modelling approach to assess the presence of a shared latent correlation and its influence on life-history trajectories. We contrast the strengths and limitations of different methods for different research questions, and we exemplify the differences among methods using empirical data from long-term studies of ungulates.

@article{
 title = {Sociodemographic factors modulate the spatial response of brown bears to vacancies created by hunting},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Ursus arctos,competition,harvest,kinship,mortality,social structure,spatial reorganization,spatial response},
 pages = {247-258},
 volume = {87},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1365-2656.12767},
 month = {1},
 day = {13},
 id = {880eeda5-d4a2-3d3f-aa5b-68ed49af3b14},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.664Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:13:42.367Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Frank2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {There is a growing recognition of the importance of indirect effects from hunting on wildlife populations, e.g. social and behavioural changes due to harvest, which occur after the initial offtake. Nonetheless, little is known about how the removal of members of a population influences the spatial configuration of the survivors. We studied how surviving brown bears (Ursus arctos) used former home ranges that had belonged to casualties of the annual bear hunting season in southcentral Sweden (2007–2015). We used resource selection functions to explore the effects of the casualty's and survivor's sex, age and their pairwise genetic relatedness, population density and hunting intensity on survivors' spatial responses to vacated home ranges. We tested the competitive release hypothesis, whereby survivors that increase their use of a killed bear's home range are presumed to have been released from intraspecific competition. We found strong support for this hypothesis, as survivors of the same sex as the casualty consistently increased their use of its vacant home range. Patterns were less pronounced or absent when the survivor and casualty were of opposite sex. Genetic relatedness between the survivor and the casualty emerged as the most important factor explaining increased use of vacated male home ranges by males, with a stronger response from survivors of lower relatedness. Relatedness was also important for females, but it did not influence use following removal; female survivors used home ranges of higher related female casualties more, both before and after death. Spatial responses by survivors were further influenced by bear age, population density and hunting intensity. We have shown that survivors exhibit a spatial response to vacated home ranges caused by hunting casualties, even in nonterritorial species such as the brown bear. This spatial reorganization can have unintended consequences for population dynamics and interfere with management goals. Altogether, our results underscore the need to better understand the short- and long-term indirect effects of hunting on animal social structure and their resulting distribution in space.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Frank, Shane C. and Leclerc, Martin and Pelletier, Fanie and Rosell, Frank and Swenson, Jon. E. and Bischof, Richard and Kindberg, Jonas and Eiken, Hans Geir and Hagen, Snorre B. and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 editor = {Loison, Anne},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.12767},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {1}
}

There is a growing recognition of the importance of indirect effects from hunting on wildlife populations, e.g. social and behavioural changes due to harvest, which occur after the initial offtake. Nonetheless, little is known about how the removal of members of a population influences the spatial configuration of the survivors. We studied how surviving brown bears (Ursus arctos) used former home ranges that had belonged to casualties of the annual bear hunting season in southcentral Sweden (2007–2015). We used resource selection functions to explore the effects of the casualty's and survivor's sex, age and their pairwise genetic relatedness, population density and hunting intensity on survivors' spatial responses to vacated home ranges. We tested the competitive release hypothesis, whereby survivors that increase their use of a killed bear's home range are presumed to have been released from intraspecific competition. We found strong support for this hypothesis, as survivors of the same sex as the casualty consistently increased their use of its vacant home range. Patterns were less pronounced or absent when the survivor and casualty were of opposite sex. Genetic relatedness between the survivor and the casualty emerged as the most important factor explaining increased use of vacated male home ranges by males, with a stronger response from survivors of lower relatedness. Relatedness was also important for females, but it did not influence use following removal; female survivors used home ranges of higher related female casualties more, both before and after death. Spatial responses by survivors were further influenced by bear age, population density and hunting intensity. We have shown that survivors exhibit a spatial response to vacated home ranges caused by hunting casualties, even in nonterritorial species such as the brown bear. This spatial reorganization can have unintended consequences for population dynamics and interfere with management goals. Altogether, our results underscore the need to better understand the short- and long-term indirect effects of hunting on animal social structure and their resulting distribution in space.

@article{
 title = {Constructing and evaluating a continent-wide migratory songbird network across the annual cycle},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Tree Swallow,flyway,geolocator,migration,migratory connectivity,network theory},
 pages = {445-460},
 volume = {88},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ecm.1298},
 month = {8},
 id = {77e81586-e7fd-3f9c-9c07-44165c45f204},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.884Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:13:59.385Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Knight2018},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Determining how migratory animals are spatially connected between breeding and non-breeding periods is essential for predicting the effects of environmental change and for developing optimal conservation strategies. Yet, despite recent advances in tracking technology, we lack comprehensive information on the spatial structure of migratory networks across a species’ range, particularly for small-bodied, long-distance migratory animals. We constructed a migratory network for a songbird and used network-based metrics to characterize the spatial structure and prioritize regions for conservation. The network was constructed using year-round movements derived from 133 archival light-level geolocators attached to Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) originating from 12 breeding sites across their North American breeding range. From these breeding sites, we identified 10 autumn stopover nodes (regions) in North America, 13 non-breeding nodes located around the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Florida, and the Caribbean, and 136 unique edges (migratory routes) connecting nodes. We found strong migratory connectivity between breeding and autumn stopover sites and moderate migratory connectivity between the breeding and non-breeding sites. We identified three distinct “communities” of nodes that corresponded to western, central, and eastern North American flyways. Several regions were important for maintaining network connectivity, with South Florida and Louisiana as the top ranked non-breeding nodes and the Midwest as the top ranked stopover node. We show that migratory songbird networks can have both a high degree of mixing between seasons yet still show regionally distinct migratory flyways. Such information will be crucial for accurately predicting factors that limit and regulate migratory songbirds throughout the annual cycle. Our study highlights how network-based metrics can be valuable for identifying overall network structure and prioritizing specific regions within a network for conserving a wide variety of migratory animals.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Knight, Samantha M. and Bradley, David W. and Clark, Robert G. and Gow, Elizabeth A. and Bélisle, Marc and Berzins, Lisha L. and Blake, Tricia and Bridge, Eli S. and Burke, Lauren and Dawson, Russell D. and Dunn, Peter O. and Garant, Dany and Holroyd, Geoffrey L. and Hussell, David J. T. and Lansdorp, Olga and Laughlin, Andrew J. and Leonard, Marty L. and Pelletier, Fanie and Shutler, Dave and Siefferman, Lynn and Taylor, Caz M. and Trefry, Helen E. and Vleck, Carol M. and Vleck, David and Winkler, David W. and Whittingham, Linda A. and Norris, D. Ryan},
 doi = {10.1002/ecm.1298},
 journal = {Ecological Monographs},
 number = {3}
}

Determining how migratory animals are spatially connected between breeding and non-breeding periods is essential for predicting the effects of environmental change and for developing optimal conservation strategies. Yet, despite recent advances in tracking technology, we lack comprehensive information on the spatial structure of migratory networks across a species’ range, particularly for small-bodied, long-distance migratory animals. We constructed a migratory network for a songbird and used network-based metrics to characterize the spatial structure and prioritize regions for conservation. The network was constructed using year-round movements derived from 133 archival light-level geolocators attached to Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) originating from 12 breeding sites across their North American breeding range. From these breeding sites, we identified 10 autumn stopover nodes (regions) in North America, 13 non-breeding nodes located around the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Florida, and the Caribbean, and 136 unique edges (migratory routes) connecting nodes. We found strong migratory connectivity between breeding and autumn stopover sites and moderate migratory connectivity between the breeding and non-breeding sites. We identified three distinct “communities” of nodes that corresponded to western, central, and eastern North American flyways. Several regions were important for maintaining network connectivity, with South Florida and Louisiana as the top ranked non-breeding nodes and the Midwest as the top ranked stopover node. We show that migratory songbird networks can have both a high degree of mixing between seasons yet still show regionally distinct migratory flyways. Such information will be crucial for accurately predicting factors that limit and regulate migratory songbirds throughout the annual cycle. Our study highlights how network-based metrics can be valuable for identifying overall network structure and prioritizing specific regions within a network for conserving a wide variety of migratory animals.

@article{
 title = {Will human influences on evolutionary dynamics in the wild pervade the Anthropocene?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 pages = {7},
 volume = {16},
 websites = {https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-017-0476-1},
 month = {12},
 publisher = {BioMed Central Ltd.},
 day = {15},
 id = {fc98e9b0-3946-36ae-af4b-13fd398cc1cd},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.221Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:14:25.808Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2018},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The five most pervasive anthropogenic threats to biodiversity are over-exploitation, habitat changes, climate change, invasive species, and pollution. Since all of these threats can affect intraspecific biodiversity-including genetic variation within populations-humans have the potential to induce contemporary microevolution in wild populations. We highlight recent empirical studies that have explored the effects of these anthropogenic threats to intraspecific biodiversity in the wild. We conclude that it is critical that we move towards a predictive framework that integrates a better understanding of contemporary microevolution to multiple threats to forecast the fate of natural populations in a changing world.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Coltman, David W.},
 doi = {10.1186/s12915-017-0476-1},
 journal = {BMC Biology},
 number = {1}
}

The five most pervasive anthropogenic threats to biodiversity are over-exploitation, habitat changes, climate change, invasive species, and pollution. Since all of these threats can affect intraspecific biodiversity-including genetic variation within populations-humans have the potential to induce contemporary microevolution in wild populations. We highlight recent empirical studies that have explored the effects of these anthropogenic threats to intraspecific biodiversity in the wild. We conclude that it is critical that we move towards a predictive framework that integrates a better understanding of contemporary microevolution to multiple threats to forecast the fate of natural populations in a changing world.

@article{
 title = {Direct and indirect effects of early-life environment on lifetime fitness of bighorn ewes},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {Cohort effects,Delayed density-dependence,Density,Fitness,Path analysis,Silver-spoon},
 pages = {20171935},
 volume = {285},
 websites = {http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/285/1870/20171935.abstract,http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/lookup/doi/10.1098/rspb.2017.1935,https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2017.1935},
 month = {1},
 day = {10},
 id = {81cdb75b-3eaa-3bb8-b544-4d1266407cb2},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.634Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:02:08.195Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pigeon2018},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Cohort effects, when a common environment affects long-term performance, can have a major impact on population dynamics. Very few studies of wild animals have obtained the necessary data to study the mechanisms leading to cohort effects. We exploited 42 years of individual-based data on bighorn sheep to test for causal links between birth density, body mass, age at first reproduction (AFR), longevity and lifetime reproductive success (LRS) using path analysis. Specifically, we investigated whether the effect of early-life environment on lifetime fitness was the result of indirect effects through body mass or direct effects of early-life environment on fitness. Additionally, we evaluated whether the effects of early-life environment were dependant on the environment experienced during adulthood. Contrary to expectation, the effect on LRS mediated through body mass was weak compared to the effects found via a delay in AFR, reduced longevity and the direct effect of birth density. Birth density also had an important indirect effect on LRS through reduced longevity, but only when adult density was high. Our results show that the potential long-term consequences of a harsh early-life environment on fitness are likely to be underestimated if investigations are limited to body mass instead of fitness at several life stages, or if the interactions between past and present environment are ignored.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2017.1935},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1870}
}

Cohort effects, when a common environment affects long-term performance, can have a major impact on population dynamics. Very few studies of wild animals have obtained the necessary data to study the mechanisms leading to cohort effects. We exploited 42 years of individual-based data on bighorn sheep to test for causal links between birth density, body mass, age at first reproduction (AFR), longevity and lifetime reproductive success (LRS) using path analysis. Specifically, we investigated whether the effect of early-life environment on lifetime fitness was the result of indirect effects through body mass or direct effects of early-life environment on fitness. Additionally, we evaluated whether the effects of early-life environment were dependant on the environment experienced during adulthood. Contrary to expectation, the effect on LRS mediated through body mass was weak compared to the effects found via a delay in AFR, reduced longevity and the direct effect of birth density. Birth density also had an important indirect effect on LRS through reduced longevity, but only when adult density was high. Our results show that the potential long-term consequences of a harsh early-life environment on fitness are likely to be underestimated if investigations are limited to body mass instead of fitness at several life stages, or if the interactions between past and present environment are ignored.

@misc{
 title = {Hunting regulation favors slow life histories in a large carnivore},
 type = {misc},
 year = {2018},
 source = {Nature Communications},
 volume = {9},
 issue = {1},
 websites = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03506-3},
 month = {12},
 publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},
 day = {1},
 id = {13e7f0d2-eceb-3195-90b9-f0829d8f4e40},
 created = {2020-01-29T16:24:12.705Z},
 accessed = {2025-01-13},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:16:24.182Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanDeWalle2018},
 folder_uuids = {78ba9090-da20-464c-bff8-a0b21e0d9400},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {As an important extrinsic source of mortality, harvest should select for fast reproduction and accelerated life histories. However, if vulnerability to harvest depends upon female reproductive status, patterns of selectivity could diverge and favor alternative reproductive behaviors. Here, using more than 20 years of detailed data on survival and reproduction in a hunted large carnivore population, we show that protecting females with dependent young, a widespread hunting regulation, provides a survival benefit to females providing longer maternal care. This survival gain compensates for the females' reduced reproductive output, especially at high hunting pressure, where the fitness benefit of prolonged periods of maternal care outweighs that of shorter maternal care. Our study shows that hunting regulation can indirectly promote slower life histories by modulating the fitness benefit of maternal care tactics. We provide empirical evidence that harvest regulation can induce artificial selection on female life history traits and affect demographic processes.},
 bibtype = {misc},
 author = {Van De Walle, Joanie and Pigeon, Gabriel and Zedrosser, Andreas and Swenson, Jon E. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-03506-3}
}

As an important extrinsic source of mortality, harvest should select for fast reproduction and accelerated life histories. However, if vulnerability to harvest depends upon female reproductive status, patterns of selectivity could diverge and favor alternative reproductive behaviors. Here, using more than 20 years of detailed data on survival and reproduction in a hunted large carnivore population, we show that protecting females with dependent young, a widespread hunting regulation, provides a survival benefit to females providing longer maternal care. This survival gain compensates for the females' reduced reproductive output, especially at high hunting pressure, where the fitness benefit of prolonged periods of maternal care outweighs that of shorter maternal care. Our study shows that hunting regulation can indirectly promote slower life histories by modulating the fitness benefit of maternal care tactics. We provide empirical evidence that harvest regulation can induce artificial selection on female life history traits and affect demographic processes.

@article{
 title = {Drivers and demographic consequences of seasonal mass changes in an alpine ungulate},
 type = {article},
 year = {2018},
 keywords = {bighorn sheep,body mass,capital breeder,climate change,nutrition,primary production,reproductive allocation,seasons,weather},
 pages = {724-734},
 volume = {99},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.2141},
 id = {befc238b-b561-3f86-b76b-0417529db7d8},
 created = {2021-11-19T15:39:12.126Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:26:59.780Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {We know little about the determinants and demographic consequences of the marked seasonal mass changes exhibited by many northern and alpine mammals. We analysed 43 years of data on individual winter mass loss (the difference between mass in early June and mass in mid-September the previous year) and summer mass gain (the difference between mass in mid-September and in early June of the same year) in adult bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). We calculated relative seasonal mass change as a proportion of individual body mass at the start of each season. We first examined the effects of weather and population density on relative changes in body mass. We then assessed the consequences of relative seasonal mass changes on reproduction. Mean April-May temperature was the main driver of relative seasonal mass changes: warm springs reduced both relative winter mass loss and summer mass gain of both sexes, likely partially due to a trade-off between growth rate of plants and duration of access to high-quality forage. Because these effects cancelled each other, spring temperature did not influence mass in mid-September. Mothers that lost relatively more mass during the winter had lambs that gained less mass during summer, likely because these females allocated fewer resources to lactation. Winter survival of lambs increased with their summer mass gain. In males, relative mass loss during winter, which includes the rut, did not influence the probability of siring at least one lamb, possibly indicating that greater mating effort did not necessarily translate into greater reproductive success. Our findings improve our understanding of how weather influences recruitment and underline the importance of cryptic mechanisms behind the effects of climate change on demographic traits.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Douhard, Mathieu and Guillemette, Simon and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ecy.2141},
 journal = {Ecology},
 number = {3}
}

We know little about the determinants and demographic consequences of the marked seasonal mass changes exhibited by many northern and alpine mammals. We analysed 43 years of data on individual winter mass loss (the difference between mass in early June and mass in mid-September the previous year) and summer mass gain (the difference between mass in mid-September and in early June of the same year) in adult bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). We calculated relative seasonal mass change as a proportion of individual body mass at the start of each season. We first examined the effects of weather and population density on relative changes in body mass. We then assessed the consequences of relative seasonal mass changes on reproduction. Mean April-May temperature was the main driver of relative seasonal mass changes: warm springs reduced both relative winter mass loss and summer mass gain of both sexes, likely partially due to a trade-off between growth rate of plants and duration of access to high-quality forage. Because these effects cancelled each other, spring temperature did not influence mass in mid-September. Mothers that lost relatively more mass during the winter had lambs that gained less mass during summer, likely because these females allocated fewer resources to lactation. Winter survival of lambs increased with their summer mass gain. In males, relative mass loss during winter, which includes the rut, did not influence the probability of siring at least one lamb, possibly indicating that greater mating effort did not necessarily translate into greater reproductive success. Our findings improve our understanding of how weather influences recruitment and underline the importance of cryptic mechanisms behind the effects of climate change on demographic traits.

@article{
 title = {Harvesting as a potential selective pressure on behavioural traits},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {angling,evolutionary consequences,exploitation,fisheries,gillnet,harvest-induced selection,hunting,passive and active gear,vulnerability},
 pages = {1941-1945},
 volume = {54},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/1365-2664.12893},
 month = {12},
 id = {84d17b22-8834-322b-9e57-eca3d162ba98},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.271Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:17:02.419Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Leclerc2017a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Human activities are a major evolutionary force affecting wild populations. Selective pressure from harvest has mainly been documented for life-history and morphological traits. The probability for an individual to be harvested, however, may also depend on its behaviour. We report empirical studies that examined whether harvesting can exert selective pressures on behavioural traits. We show that harvest-induced selection on behavioural traits is not specific to a particular harvest method and can occur throughout the animal kingdom. Synthesis and applications. Managers need to recognize that artificial selection caused by harvesting is possible. More empirical studies integrating physiological, behavioural, and life-history traits should be carried out to test specific predictions of the potential for harvest-induced selection on heritable traits using models developed in fisheries. To limit selective pressure on behaviour imposed by harvesting, managers could reduce harvest quotas or vary harvest regulations over time and/or space to reduce the strength of selection on a particular phenotype.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Leclerc, Martin and Zedrosser, Andreas and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Villard, Marc-André},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2664.12893},
 journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology},
 number = {6}
}

Human activities are a major evolutionary force affecting wild populations. Selective pressure from harvest has mainly been documented for life-history and morphological traits. The probability for an individual to be harvested, however, may also depend on its behaviour. We report empirical studies that examined whether harvesting can exert selective pressures on behavioural traits. We show that harvest-induced selection on behavioural traits is not specific to a particular harvest method and can occur throughout the animal kingdom. Synthesis and applications. Managers need to recognize that artificial selection caused by harvesting is possible. More empirical studies integrating physiological, behavioural, and life-history traits should be carried out to test specific predictions of the potential for harvest-induced selection on heritable traits using models developed in fisheries. To limit selective pressure on behaviour imposed by harvesting, managers could reduce harvest quotas or vary harvest regulations over time and/or space to reduce the strength of selection on a particular phenotype.

@article{
 title = {Linking innate immunogenetic variation with phenotypic traits in a wild population of tree swallows, <i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Bacterial killing ability,Beta(β)-defensin,Eggshell bacteria,Fledging success,Innate immunity,Passerine bird,Synonymous and non-synonymous SNPs},
 pages = {685-697},
 volume = {121},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/biolinnean/blx022},
 month = {7},
 id = {a6dda1a3-7073-387a-a028-7aa9c4b50b1f},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.763Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:17:41.311Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Schmitt2017b},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Unravelling the genetic basis of phenotypic variation among individuals is an important step in our understanding of evolution. Recent studies of innate immune genes, such as β-defensins, revealed that these genes had high levels of polymorphism. However, researchers have yet to quantify the effects of such variability on immune responses and fitness-related traits in wild populations. In this study, we assessed how the variability at six avian β-defensin (AvBD) genes was linked to an immune function and reproductive success in adult tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). We investigated the links between genetic variations using single nucleotide polymorphisms at AvBD genes, immune function as the bacterial killing ability (BKA) and fledging success. We assessed how female immunogenetics were linked to the presence of eggshell bacteria in their clutches and hatching success. We found weak associations between the presence of AvBD genes, BKA and eggshell bacteria. Our results suggested that homozygosity at some loci may be advantageous for defence against bacteria. Variability at β-defensin genes was not related to either hatching or fledging success. BKA of parents was positively linked with fledging success. More studies are needed to assess whether or not β-defensin genes are significantly affecting fitness-related traits in wild populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Schmitt, Clarence and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1093/biolinnean/blx022},
 journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnean Society},
 number = {3}
}

Unravelling the genetic basis of phenotypic variation among individuals is an important step in our understanding of evolution. Recent studies of innate immune genes, such as β-defensins, revealed that these genes had high levels of polymorphism. However, researchers have yet to quantify the effects of such variability on immune responses and fitness-related traits in wild populations. In this study, we assessed how the variability at six avian β-defensin (AvBD) genes was linked to an immune function and reproductive success in adult tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). We investigated the links between genetic variations using single nucleotide polymorphisms at AvBD genes, immune function as the bacterial killing ability (BKA) and fledging success. We assessed how female immunogenetics were linked to the presence of eggshell bacteria in their clutches and hatching success. We found weak associations between the presence of AvBD genes, BKA and eggshell bacteria. Our results suggested that homozygosity at some loci may be advantageous for defence against bacteria. Variability at β-defensin genes was not related to either hatching or fledging success. BKA of parents was positively linked with fledging success. More studies are needed to assess whether or not β-defensin genes are significantly affecting fitness-related traits in wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Hunting, age structure, and horn size distribution in bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {National Bison Range,Ovis canadensis,Ram Mountain,Sheep River,agent-based model,bighorn sheep,harvest management,horn growth,trophy hunting},
 pages = {792-799},
 volume = {81},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/jwmg.21259},
 month = {7},
 id = {15e868f3-5c31-3c97-ad3b-9f1e3c169c71},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.807Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:17:56.467Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Schindler2017},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Trophy hunting, the selective removal of animals for human recreation, can contribute to conservation when appropriately managed. Yet, little is known about how harvest rates or different definitions of trophy affect age structure and trophy size in harvested animals and in survivors because no controlled studies exist. To investigate the impacts of different management regimes, we developed an individual-based model for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), based on empirical data on survival from a protected population and data on horn growth from 2 populations that differed in their growth rates. One population showed slow horn growth and the other population fast horn growth. We subjected these model populations to varying harvest rates and 2 different hunting regulations: 4/5 curl and full-curl definitions of a trophy male. We found that the effect of hunting regulations depends on horn growth rate. In populations with fast horn growth, the effects of trophy hunting on male age structure and horn size were greater and the effect of a change in the definition of legal male smaller than in populations with slow growth rates. High harvest rates led to a younger age structure and smaller horn size. Both effects were weakened by a more restrictive definition of trophy male. As harvest rates increased past 40% of legal males, the number of males harvested increased only marginally because an increasing proportion of the harvested males included those that had just become legal. Although our simulation focused on bighorn sheep, the link between horn growth rate and harvest effects may be applicable for any size-selective harvest regime. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Schindler, Susanne and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Hogg, John T. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/jwmg.21259},
 journal = {The Journal of Wildlife Management},
 number = {5}
}

Trophy hunting, the selective removal of animals for human recreation, can contribute to conservation when appropriately managed. Yet, little is known about how harvest rates or different definitions of trophy affect age structure and trophy size in harvested animals and in survivors because no controlled studies exist. To investigate the impacts of different management regimes, we developed an individual-based model for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), based on empirical data on survival from a protected population and data on horn growth from 2 populations that differed in their growth rates. One population showed slow horn growth and the other population fast horn growth. We subjected these model populations to varying harvest rates and 2 different hunting regulations: 4/5 curl and full-curl definitions of a trophy male. We found that the effect of hunting regulations depends on horn growth rate. In populations with fast horn growth, the effects of trophy hunting on male age structure and horn size were greater and the effect of a change in the definition of legal male smaller than in populations with slow growth rates. High harvest rates led to a younger age structure and smaller horn size. Both effects were weakened by a more restrictive definition of trophy male. As harvest rates increased past 40% of legal males, the number of males harvested increased only marginally because an increasing proportion of the harvested males included those that had just become legal. Although our simulation focused on bighorn sheep, the link between horn growth rate and harvest effects may be applicable for any size-selective harvest regime. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

@article{
 title = {Agricultural intensification is linked to constitutive innate immune function in a wild bird population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Bacteria-killing ability,Eggshell bacteria,Interindividual variability,Tachycineta bicolor,Tree swallow},
 pages = {201-209},
 volume = {90},
 websites = {https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/689679},
 month = {3},
 id = {d99a9f07-6402-3ec1-8e2b-3e46618254bc},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.825Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:18:20.742Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Schmitt2017},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Immunity represents an important defense mechanism against pathogens and is intimately linked to fitness. Previous studies have found significant interindividual variation of immune responses in wild populations and have emphasized the importance of ecological factors in explaining this variability. A deterioration of environmental conditions, such as agricultural intensification, can modify resource availability and, as a result, alter immune functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of agricultural intensification on innate immune functions in breeding adult tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) over 6 yr. We investigated the relationship between agricultural intensification and bacteria-killing ability (BKA) against a strain of E. coli. We also assessed how the presence and the number of bacteria on the surface of eggshells changed with agricultural intensification. Contrary to our expectations, we found a positive relationship between agricultural intensification and BKA, where individuals had higher BKA in intensive compared to nonintensive farmlands. While this trend was observed through the 6-yr study, we also found a tendency for a reduction of BKA over time. We found no relationships between the presence or number of different types of eggshell bacteria and agricultural intensification or an association between BKA of females and eggshell bacteria of their clutch. Our results suggest that differences in immune function observed between intensive and nonintensive farmlands could reflect genetic differences among individuals and/or trade-offs with other traits expressed among habitats within our study system.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Schmitt, Clarence and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1086/689679},
 journal = {Physiological and Biochemical Zoology},
 number = {2}
}

Immunity represents an important defense mechanism against pathogens and is intimately linked to fitness. Previous studies have found significant interindividual variation of immune responses in wild populations and have emphasized the importance of ecological factors in explaining this variability. A deterioration of environmental conditions, such as agricultural intensification, can modify resource availability and, as a result, alter immune functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of agricultural intensification on innate immune functions in breeding adult tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) over 6 yr. We investigated the relationship between agricultural intensification and bacteria-killing ability (BKA) against a strain of E. coli. We also assessed how the presence and the number of bacteria on the surface of eggshells changed with agricultural intensification. Contrary to our expectations, we found a positive relationship between agricultural intensification and BKA, where individuals had higher BKA in intensive compared to nonintensive farmlands. While this trend was observed through the 6-yr study, we also found a tendency for a reduction of BKA over time. We found no relationships between the presence or number of different types of eggshell bacteria and agricultural intensification or an association between BKA of females and eggshell bacteria of their clutch. Our results suggest that differences in immune function observed between intensive and nonintensive farmlands could reflect genetic differences among individuals and/or trade-offs with other traits expressed among habitats within our study system.

@article{
 title = {Evolutionary potential of morphological traits across different life-history stages},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Breeder's equation,body mass,primary feather length,quantitative genetics,secondary theorem of selection,tree swallow},
 pages = {616-626},
 volume = {30},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jeb.13031},
 month = {3},
 id = {049d73ba-7c3d-38c0-898f-ebc64ee87bd0},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.849Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:18:40.191Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bourret2017},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Despite accumulating examples of selection acting on heritable traits in the wild, predicted evolutionary responses are often different from observed phenotypic trends. Various explanations have been suggested for these mismatches. These include within-individual changes across lifespan that can create important variation in genetic architecture of traits and selection acting on them, but also potential problems with the methodological approach used to predict evolutionary responses of traits. Here, we used an 8-year data set on tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) to first assess the effects of differences among three nestling life-history stages on the genetic (co)variances of two morphological traits (body mass and primary feather length) and the selection acting on them over three generations. We then estimated the evolutionary potential of these traits by predicting their evolutionary responses using the breeder's equation and the secondary theorem of selection approaches. Our results showed variation in strength and direction of selection and slight changes in trait variance across ages. Predicted evolutionary responses differed importantly between both approaches for half of the trait–age combinations we studied, suggesting the presence of environmentally induced correlations between focal traits and fitness possibly biasing breeder's equation predictions. Our results emphasize that predictions of evolutionary potential for morphological traits are likely to be highly variable, both in strength and direction, depending on the life stage and method used, thus mitigating our capacity to predict adaptation and persistence of wild populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bourret, A. and Bélisle, M. and Pelletier, F. and Garant, D.},
 doi = {10.1111/jeb.13031},
 journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology},
 number = {3}
}

Despite accumulating examples of selection acting on heritable traits in the wild, predicted evolutionary responses are often different from observed phenotypic trends. Various explanations have been suggested for these mismatches. These include within-individual changes across lifespan that can create important variation in genetic architecture of traits and selection acting on them, but also potential problems with the methodological approach used to predict evolutionary responses of traits. Here, we used an 8-year data set on tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) to first assess the effects of differences among three nestling life-history stages on the genetic (co)variances of two morphological traits (body mass and primary feather length) and the selection acting on them over three generations. We then estimated the evolutionary potential of these traits by predicting their evolutionary responses using the breeder's equation and the secondary theorem of selection approaches. Our results showed variation in strength and direction of selection and slight changes in trait variance across ages. Predicted evolutionary responses differed importantly between both approaches for half of the trait–age combinations we studied, suggesting the presence of environmentally induced correlations between focal traits and fitness possibly biasing breeder's equation predictions. Our results emphasize that predictions of evolutionary potential for morphological traits are likely to be highly variable, both in strength and direction, depending on the life stage and method used, thus mitigating our capacity to predict adaptation and persistence of wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Hunting promotes spatial reorganization and sexually selected infanticide},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 pages = {45222},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {http://www.nature.com/articles/srep45222},
 month = {5},
 day = {23},
 id = {f823c84a-4143-3a0f-a190-13ac0363ea09},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.616Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:18:51.693Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Leclerc2017},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Harvest can affect the ecology and evolution of wild species. The removal of key individuals, such as matriarchs or dominant males, can disrupt social structure and exacerbate the impact of hunting on population growth. We do not know, however, how and when the spatiotemporal reorganization takes place after removal and if such changes can be the mechanism that explain a decrease in population growth. Detailed behavioral information from individually monitored brown bears, in a population where hunting increases sexually selected infanticide, revealed that adult males increased their use of home ranges of hunter-killed neighbors in the second year after their death. Use of a hunter-killed male's home range was influenced by the survivor's as well as the hunter-killed male's age, population density, and hunting intensity. Our results emphasize that hunting can have long-term indirect effects which can affect population viability.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Leclerc, M. and Frank, S. C. and Zedrosser, A. and Swenson, J. E. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1038/srep45222},
 journal = {Scientific Reports},
 number = {1}
}

Harvest can affect the ecology and evolution of wild species. The removal of key individuals, such as matriarchs or dominant males, can disrupt social structure and exacerbate the impact of hunting on population growth. We do not know, however, how and when the spatiotemporal reorganization takes place after removal and if such changes can be the mechanism that explain a decrease in population growth. Detailed behavioral information from individually monitored brown bears, in a population where hunting increases sexually selected infanticide, revealed that adult males increased their use of home ranges of hunter-killed neighbors in the second year after their death. Use of a hunter-killed male's home range was influenced by the survivor's as well as the hunter-killed male's age, population density, and hunting intensity. Our results emphasize that hunting can have long-term indirect effects which can affect population viability.

@article{
 title = {Towards robust evolutionary inference with integral projection models},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {bighorn sheep,body size,development,evolutionary responses,inheritance,integral projection models,regression to the mean},
 pages = {270-288},
 volume = {30},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jeb.13000},
 month = {2},
 id = {e656fc6d-34f7-3e6a-9e73-16364a037c24},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.652Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:19:11.482Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Janeiro2017},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Integral projection models (IPMs) are extremely flexible tools for ecological and evolutionary inference. IPMs track the distribution of phenotype in populations through time, using functions describing phenotype-dependent development, inheritance, survival and fecundity. For evolutionary inference, two important features of any model are the ability to (i) characterize relationships among traits (including values of the same traits across ages) within individuals, and (ii) characterize similarity between individuals and their descendants. In IPM analyses, the former depends on regressions of observed trait values at each age on values at the previous age (development functions), and the latter on regressions of offspring values at birth on parent values as adults (inheritance functions). We show analytically that development functions, characterized this way, will typically underestimate covariances of trait values across ages, due to compounding of regression to the mean across projection steps. Similarly, we show that inheritance, characterized this way, is inconsistent with a modern understanding of inheritance, and underestimates the degree to which relatives are phenotypically similar. Additionally, we show that the use of a constant biometric inheritance function, particularly with a constant intercept, is incompatible with evolution. Consequently, current implementations of IPMs will predict little or no phenotypic evolution, purely as artefacts of their construction. We present alternative approaches to constructing development and inheritance functions, based on a quantitative genetic approach, and show analytically and through an empirical example on a population of bighorn sheep how they can potentially recover patterns that are critical to evolutionary inference.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Janeiro, M. J. and Coltman, D. W. and Festa-Bianchet, M. and Pelletier, F. and Morrissey, M. B.},
 doi = {10.1111/jeb.13000},
 journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology},
 number = {2}
}

Integral projection models (IPMs) are extremely flexible tools for ecological and evolutionary inference. IPMs track the distribution of phenotype in populations through time, using functions describing phenotype-dependent development, inheritance, survival and fecundity. For evolutionary inference, two important features of any model are the ability to (i) characterize relationships among traits (including values of the same traits across ages) within individuals, and (ii) characterize similarity between individuals and their descendants. In IPM analyses, the former depends on regressions of observed trait values at each age on values at the previous age (development functions), and the latter on regressions of offspring values at birth on parent values as adults (inheritance functions). We show analytically that development functions, characterized this way, will typically underestimate covariances of trait values across ages, due to compounding of regression to the mean across projection steps. Similarly, we show that inheritance, characterized this way, is inconsistent with a modern understanding of inheritance, and underestimates the degree to which relatives are phenotypically similar. Additionally, we show that the use of a constant biometric inheritance function, particularly with a constant intercept, is incompatible with evolution. Consequently, current implementations of IPMs will predict little or no phenotypic evolution, purely as artefacts of their construction. We present alternative approaches to constructing development and inheritance functions, based on a quantitative genetic approach, and show analytically and through an empirical example on a population of bighorn sheep how they can potentially recover patterns that are critical to evolutionary inference.

@article{
 title = {Hunting promotes sexual conflict in brown bears},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Scandinavia,Ursus arctos,cub survival,hunting,male reproductive strategy,sexually selected infanticide,social restructuration},
 pages = {35-42},
 volume = {86},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/1365-2656.12576},
 month = {1},
 id = {7e62a85e-d064-3767-a52c-74e652edf1be},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.272Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:19:30.703Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Gosselin2017},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The removal of individuals through hunting can destabilize social structure, potentially affecting population dynamics. Although previous studies have shown that hunting can indirectly reduce juvenile survival through increased sexually selected infanticide (SSI), very little is known about the spatiotemporal effects of male hunting on juvenile survival. Using detailed individual monitoring of a hunted population of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden (1991–2011), we assessed the spatiotemporal effect of male removal on cub survival. We modelled cub survival before, during and after the mating season. We used three proxies to evaluate spatial and temporal variation in male turnover; distance and timing of the closest male killed and number of males that died around a female's home range centre. Male removal decreased cub survival only during the mating season, as expected in seasonal breeders with SSI. Cub survival increased with distance to the closest male killed within the previous 1·5 years, and it was lower when the closest male killed was removed 1·5 instead of 0·5 year earlier. We did not detect an effect of the number of males killed. Our results support the hypothesis that social restructuring due to hunting can reduce recruitment and suggest that the distribution of the male deaths might be more important than the overall number of males that die. As the removal of individuals through hunting is typically not homogenously distributed across the landscape, spatial heterogeneity in hunting pressure may cause source–sink dynamics, with lower recruitment in areas of high human-induced mortality.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Gosselin, Jacinthe and Leclerc, Martin and Zedrosser, Andreas and Steyaert, Sam M. J. G. and Swenson, Jon E. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Loison, Anne},
 doi = {10.1111/1365-2656.12576},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {1}
}

The removal of individuals through hunting can destabilize social structure, potentially affecting population dynamics. Although previous studies have shown that hunting can indirectly reduce juvenile survival through increased sexually selected infanticide (SSI), very little is known about the spatiotemporal effects of male hunting on juvenile survival. Using detailed individual monitoring of a hunted population of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden (1991–2011), we assessed the spatiotemporal effect of male removal on cub survival. We modelled cub survival before, during and after the mating season. We used three proxies to evaluate spatial and temporal variation in male turnover; distance and timing of the closest male killed and number of males that died around a female's home range centre. Male removal decreased cub survival only during the mating season, as expected in seasonal breeders with SSI. Cub survival increased with distance to the closest male killed within the previous 1·5 years, and it was lower when the closest male killed was removed 1·5 instead of 0·5 year earlier. We did not detect an effect of the number of males killed. Our results support the hypothesis that social restructuring due to hunting can reduce recruitment and suggest that the distribution of the male deaths might be more important than the overall number of males that die. As the removal of individuals through hunting is typically not homogenously distributed across the landscape, spatial heterogeneity in hunting pressure may cause source–sink dynamics, with lower recruitment in areas of high human-induced mortality.

@article{
 title = {Assessment of individual and conspecific reproductive success as determinants of breeding dispersal of female tree swallows: A capture–recapture approach},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {capture–recapture data,dispersal,multievent model,reproductive success,social information,tree swallow},
 pages = {7334-7346},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ece3.3241},
 month = {9},
 day = {9},
 id = {02306ab6-e63c-364f-a675-cdd2a569ad54},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.434Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:19:53.203Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Lagrange2017},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Breeding dispersal is a key process of population structure and dynamics and is often triggered by an individual's breeding failure. In both colonial and territorial birds, reproductive success of conspecifics (RSc) can also lead individuals to change breeding sites after a failure on a site. Yet, few studies have simultaneously investigated the independent contribution of individual reproductive success (RSi) and of RSc on dispersal decision. Here, we develop a modeling framework to disentangle the effects of RSi and RSc on demographic parameters, while accounting for imperfect individual detection and other confounding factors such as age or dispersal behavior in the previous year. Using a 10-year capture–recapture dataset composed of 1,595 banded tree swallows, we assessed the effects of nonmanipulated RSi and RSc on female breeding dispersal in this semicolonial passerine. Dispersal was strongly driven by RSi, but not by RSc. Unsuccessful females were 9.5–2.5 times more likely to disperse than successful ones, depending if they had dispersed or not in the previous year, respectively. Unsuccessful females were also three times less likely to be detected than successful ones. Contrary to theoretical and empirical studies, RSc did not drive the decision to disperse but influenced the selection of the following breeding site once dispersal had been initiated. Because detection of individuals was driven by RSi, which was positively correlated to RSc, assuming a perfect detection as in previous studies may have lead us to conclude that RSc affected dispersal patterns, yet our approach corrected for this bias. Overall, our results suggest that the value and use of RSc as public information to guide dispersal decisions are likely dictated by multiple ecological determinants, such as landscape structure and extent, if this cue is indeed used.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Lagrange, Paméla and Gimenez, Olivier and Doligez, Blandine and Pradel, Roger and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.3241},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {18}
}

Breeding dispersal is a key process of population structure and dynamics and is often triggered by an individual's breeding failure. In both colonial and territorial birds, reproductive success of conspecifics (RSc) can also lead individuals to change breeding sites after a failure on a site. Yet, few studies have simultaneously investigated the independent contribution of individual reproductive success (RSi) and of RSc on dispersal decision. Here, we develop a modeling framework to disentangle the effects of RSi and RSc on demographic parameters, while accounting for imperfect individual detection and other confounding factors such as age or dispersal behavior in the previous year. Using a 10-year capture–recapture dataset composed of 1,595 banded tree swallows, we assessed the effects of nonmanipulated RSi and RSc on female breeding dispersal in this semicolonial passerine. Dispersal was strongly driven by RSi, but not by RSc. Unsuccessful females were 9.5–2.5 times more likely to disperse than successful ones, depending if they had dispersed or not in the previous year, respectively. Unsuccessful females were also three times less likely to be detected than successful ones. Contrary to theoretical and empirical studies, RSc did not drive the decision to disperse but influenced the selection of the following breeding site once dispersal had been initiated. Because detection of individuals was driven by RSi, which was positively correlated to RSc, assuming a perfect detection as in previous studies may have lead us to conclude that RSc affected dispersal patterns, yet our approach corrected for this bias. Overall, our results suggest that the value and use of RSc as public information to guide dispersal decisions are likely dictated by multiple ecological determinants, such as landscape structure and extent, if this cue is indeed used.

@article{
 title = {Patterns of diversity and spatial variability of β-defensin innate immune genes in a declining wild population of tree swallows},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Agricultural intensification,Beta(?)-defensin,Selective pressure,Tachycineta bicolor},
 pages = {262-269},
 volume = {108},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/jhered/esx005},
 month = {4},
 id = {e29bd882-b41d-3ad8-94ba-6e3422a3e6d6},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.476Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:21:25.334Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Schmitt2017a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Assessing the genetic variation and distribution of immune genes across heterogeneous environmental conditions in wild species is essential to further our understanding of the role of pathogen pressure and potential resistance or prevalence in hosts. Researchers have recently investigated ?-defensin genes in the wild, because their variability suggests that they may play an important role in innate host defense. This study investigated the variation occurring at 6 innate immune genes of the ?-defensin family in a declining population of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in southern Québec, Canada (N = 160). We found that all 6 genes showed synonymous and nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the exon coding for the mature peptide. These results indicated that this group of genes was diverse in tree swallows. Our results suggested a potential interaction of this group of genes with fluctuating pathogen diversity, however, we found no sign of positive or negative selection. We assessed whether or not the distribution of genetic diversity of ?-defensin genes in our study population differed between 2 regions that strongly differ in their level of agricultural intensification. Adults are highly philopatric to their breeding sites and their immunological responses differ between these 2 regions. However, we found little evidence that the level and distribution of genetic variability differed between these heterogeneous environmental conditions. Further studies should aim to assess the link between genetic diversity of ?-defensin genes and fitness-related traits in wild populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Schmitt, Clarence and Garant, Dany and Doyon, Kathy and Bousquet, Nicolas and Gaudreau, Luc and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1093/jhered/esx005},
 journal = {Journal of Heredity},
 number = {3}
}

Assessing the genetic variation and distribution of immune genes across heterogeneous environmental conditions in wild species is essential to further our understanding of the role of pathogen pressure and potential resistance or prevalence in hosts. Researchers have recently investigated ?-defensin genes in the wild, because their variability suggests that they may play an important role in innate host defense. This study investigated the variation occurring at 6 innate immune genes of the ?-defensin family in a declining population of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in southern Québec, Canada (N = 160). We found that all 6 genes showed synonymous and nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the exon coding for the mature peptide. These results indicated that this group of genes was diverse in tree swallows. Our results suggested a potential interaction of this group of genes with fluctuating pathogen diversity, however, we found no sign of positive or negative selection. We assessed whether or not the distribution of genetic diversity of ?-defensin genes in our study population differed between 2 regions that strongly differ in their level of agricultural intensification. Adults are highly philopatric to their breeding sites and their immunological responses differ between these 2 regions. However, we found little evidence that the level and distribution of genetic variability differed between these heterogeneous environmental conditions. Further studies should aim to assess the link between genetic diversity of ?-defensin genes and fitness-related traits in wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Eco-evolutionary dynamics in a contemporary human population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 pages = {15947},
 volume = {8},
 websites = {http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/ncomms15947,http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15947},
 month = {8},
 day = {4},
 id = {b4ee76af-3dbd-353d-9031-b6d805a0511e},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:11.731Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:21:33.859Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2017},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Recent studies of the joint dynamics of ecological and evolutionary processes show that changes in genotype or phenotype distributions can affect population, community and ecosystem processes. Such eco-evolutionary dynamics are likely to occur in modern humans and may influence population dynamics. Here, we study contributions to population growth from detailed genealogical records of a contemporary human population. We show that evolutionary changes in women's age at first reproduction can affect population growth: 15.9% of variation in individual contribution to population growth over 108 years is explained by mean age at first reproduction and at least one-third of this variation (6.1%) is attributed to the genetic basis of this trait, which showed an evolutionary response to selection during the period studied. Our study suggests that eco-evolutionary processes have modulated the growth of contemporary human populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Pigeon, Gabriel and Bergeron, Patrick and Mayer, Francine M. and Boisvert, Mireille and Réale, Denis and Milot, Emmanuel},
 doi = {10.1038/ncomms15947},
 journal = {Nature Communications},
 number = {1}
}

Recent studies of the joint dynamics of ecological and evolutionary processes show that changes in genotype or phenotype distributions can affect population, community and ecosystem processes. Such eco-evolutionary dynamics are likely to occur in modern humans and may influence population dynamics. Here, we study contributions to population growth from detailed genealogical records of a contemporary human population. We show that evolutionary changes in women's age at first reproduction can affect population growth: 15.9% of variation in individual contribution to population growth over 108 years is explained by mean age at first reproduction and at least one-third of this variation (6.1%) is attributed to the genetic basis of this trait, which showed an evolutionary response to selection during the period studied. Our study suggests that eco-evolutionary processes have modulated the growth of contemporary human populations.

@article{
 title = {Fluctuating effects of genetic and plastic changes in body mass on population dynamics in a large herbivore},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Animal model,Biological evolution,Breeding values,Eco-evolutionary dynamics,Population dynamics,Ungulates,animal model,biological evolution,breeding values,eco-evolutionary dynamics,population dynamics,ungulates},
 pages = {2456-2467},
 volume = {98},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ecy.1940},
 month = {9},
 publisher = {Ecological Society of America},
 id = {dd47f57c-a358-3712-8cb3-54680d32850d},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:11.888Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:21:52.485Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pigeon2017},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Recent studies suggest that evolutionary changes can occur on a contemporary time scale. Hence, evolution can influence ecology and vice-versa. To understand the importance of eco-evolutionary dynamics in population dynamics, we must quantify the relative contribution of ecological and evolutionary changes to population growth and other ecological processes. To date, however, most eco-evolutionary dynamics studies have not partitioned the relative contribution of plastic and evolutionary changes in traits on population, community, and ecosystem processes. Here, we quantify the effects of heritable and non-heritable changes in body mass distribution on survival, recruitment, and population growth in wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and compare their importance to the effects of changes in age structure, population density, and weather. We applied a combination of a pedigree-based quantitative genetics model, statistical analyses of demography, and a new statistical decomposition technique, the Geber method, to a long-term data set of bighorn sheep on Ram Mountain (Canada), monitored individually from 1975 to 2012. We show three main results: (1) The relative importance of heritable change in mass, non-heritable change in mass, age structure, density, and climate on population growth rate changed substantially over time. (2) An increase in body mass was accompanied by an increase in population growth through higher survival and recruitment rate. (3) Over the entire study period, changes in the body mass distribution of ewes, mostly through non-heritable changes, affected population growth to a similar extent as changes in age structure or in density. The importance of evolutionary changes was small compared to that of other drivers of changes in population growth but increased with time as evolutionary changes accumulated. Evolutionary changes became increasingly important for population growth as the length of the study period considered increased. Our results highlight the complex ways in which ecological and evolutionary changes can affect population dynamics and illustrate the large potential effect of trait changes on population processes.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Ezard, Thomas H. G. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Coltman, David W. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ecy.1940},
 journal = {Ecology},
 number = {9}
}

Recent studies suggest that evolutionary changes can occur on a contemporary time scale. Hence, evolution can influence ecology and vice-versa. To understand the importance of eco-evolutionary dynamics in population dynamics, we must quantify the relative contribution of ecological and evolutionary changes to population growth and other ecological processes. To date, however, most eco-evolutionary dynamics studies have not partitioned the relative contribution of plastic and evolutionary changes in traits on population, community, and ecosystem processes. Here, we quantify the effects of heritable and non-heritable changes in body mass distribution on survival, recruitment, and population growth in wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and compare their importance to the effects of changes in age structure, population density, and weather. We applied a combination of a pedigree-based quantitative genetics model, statistical analyses of demography, and a new statistical decomposition technique, the Geber method, to a long-term data set of bighorn sheep on Ram Mountain (Canada), monitored individually from 1975 to 2012. We show three main results: (1) The relative importance of heritable change in mass, non-heritable change in mass, age structure, density, and climate on population growth rate changed substantially over time. (2) An increase in body mass was accompanied by an increase in population growth through higher survival and recruitment rate. (3) Over the entire study period, changes in the body mass distribution of ewes, mostly through non-heritable changes, affected population growth to a similar extent as changes in age structure or in density. The importance of evolutionary changes was small compared to that of other drivers of changes in population growth but increased with time as evolutionary changes accumulated. Evolutionary changes became increasingly important for population growth as the length of the study period considered increased. Our results highlight the complex ways in which ecological and evolutionary changes can affect population dynamics and illustrate the large potential effect of trait changes on population processes.

@article{
 title = {Indirect effects of bear hunting: a review from Scandinavia},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Sweden,Ursus arctos,brown bear,harvest,hunting,indirect effects,population growth,population structure},
 pages = {150-164},
 volume = {28},
 websites = {http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.2192/URSU-D-16-00028.1},
 month = {11},
 id = {18edda0f-c8c0-3edc-b7c4-f20dda2bf4fa},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.382Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:23:07.410Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Frank2017},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Harvest by means of hunting is a commonly used tool in large carnivore management. To evaluate the effects of harvest on populations, managers usually focus on numerical or immediate direct demographic effects of harvest mortality on a population’s size and growth. However, we suggest that managers should also give consideration to indirect and potential evolutionary effects of hunting (e.g., the consequences of a change in the age, sex, and social structure), and their effects on population growth rate. We define “indirect effects” as hunting-induced changes in a population, including humaninduced selection, that result in an additive change to the population growth rate “lambda” beyond that due to the initial offtake from direct mortality. We considered 4 major sources of possible indirect effects from hunting of bears: (1) changes to a population’s age and sex structure, (2) changes to a population’s social structure, (3) changes in individual behavior, and (4) human-induced selection. We identified empirically supported, as well as expected, indirect effects of hunting based primarily on >30 years of research on the Scandinavian brown bear (Ursus arctos) population. We stress that some indirect effects have been documented (e.g., habitat use and daily activity patterns of bears change when hunting seasons start, and changes in male social structure induce sexually selected infanticide and reduce population growth). Other effects may be more difficult to document and quantify in wild bear populations (e.g., how a younger age structure in males may lead to decreased offspring survival). We suggest that managers of bear and other large carnivore populations adopt a precautionary approach and assume that indirect effects do exist, have a potential impact on population structure, and, ultimately, may have an effect on population growth that differs from that predicted by harvest models based on direct effects alone.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Frank, Shane C and Ordiz, Andrés and Gosselin, Jacinthe and Hertel, Anne and Kindberg, Jonas and Leclerc, Martin and Pelletier, Fanie and Steyaert, Sam M. J. G. and Støen, Ole-Gunnar and Van de Walle, Joanie and Zedrosser, Andreas and Swenson, Jon E},
 doi = {10.2192/URSU-D-16-00028.1},
 journal = {Ursus},
 number = {2}
}

Harvest by means of hunting is a commonly used tool in large carnivore management. To evaluate the effects of harvest on populations, managers usually focus on numerical or immediate direct demographic effects of harvest mortality on a population’s size and growth. However, we suggest that managers should also give consideration to indirect and potential evolutionary effects of hunting (e.g., the consequences of a change in the age, sex, and social structure), and their effects on population growth rate. We define “indirect effects” as hunting-induced changes in a population, including humaninduced selection, that result in an additive change to the population growth rate “lambda” beyond that due to the initial offtake from direct mortality. We considered 4 major sources of possible indirect effects from hunting of bears: (1) changes to a population’s age and sex structure, (2) changes to a population’s social structure, (3) changes in individual behavior, and (4) human-induced selection. We identified empirically supported, as well as expected, indirect effects of hunting based primarily on >30 years of research on the Scandinavian brown bear (Ursus arctos) population. We stress that some indirect effects have been documented (e.g., habitat use and daily activity patterns of bears change when hunting seasons start, and changes in male social structure induce sexually selected infanticide and reduce population growth). Other effects may be more difficult to document and quantify in wild bear populations (e.g., how a younger age structure in males may lead to decreased offspring survival). We suggest that managers of bear and other large carnivore populations adopt a precautionary approach and assume that indirect effects do exist, have a potential impact on population structure, and, ultimately, may have an effect on population growth that differs from that predicted by harvest models based on direct effects alone.

@article{
 title = {Long-term fitness consequences of early environment in a long-lived ungulate},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Climate,Cohort effects,Density dependence,Predictive adaptive response,Silver-spoon,Ungulate},
 pages = {20170222},
 volume = {284},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2017.0222},
 month = {4},
 publisher = {Royal Society},
 day = {26},
 id = {6e74dd5f-400f-3df6-a7ee-b6b554bba03c},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.603Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:02:28.351Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pigeon2017a},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Cohort effects can be a major source of heterogeneity and play an important role in population dynamics. Silver-spoon effects, when environmental quality at birth improves future performance regardless of the adult environment, can induce strong lagged responses on population growth. Alternatively, the external predictive adaptive response (PAR) hypothesis predicts that organisms will adjust their developmental trajectory and physiology during early life in anticipation of expected adult conditions but has rarely been assessed in wild species. We used over 40 years of detailed individual monitoring of bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) to quantify long-term cohort effects on survival and reproduction. We then tested both the silver-spoon and the PAR hypotheses. Cohort effects involved a strong interaction between birth and current environments: reproduction and survival were lowest for ewes that were born and lived at high population densities. This interaction, however, does not support the PAR hypothesis because individuals with matching high-density birth and adult environments had reduced fitness. Instead, individuals born at high density had overall lower lifetime fitness suggesting a silver-spoon effect. Early-life conditions can induce long-term changes in fitness components, and their effects on cohort fitness vary according to adult environment.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2017.0222},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1853}
}

Cohort effects can be a major source of heterogeneity and play an important role in population dynamics. Silver-spoon effects, when environmental quality at birth improves future performance regardless of the adult environment, can induce strong lagged responses on population growth. Alternatively, the external predictive adaptive response (PAR) hypothesis predicts that organisms will adjust their developmental trajectory and physiology during early life in anticipation of expected adult conditions but has rarely been assessed in wild species. We used over 40 years of detailed individual monitoring of bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) to quantify long-term cohort effects on survival and reproduction. We then tested both the silver-spoon and the PAR hypotheses. Cohort effects involved a strong interaction between birth and current environments: reproduction and survival were lowest for ewes that were born and lived at high population densities. This interaction, however, does not support the PAR hypothesis because individuals with matching high-density birth and adult environments had reduced fitness. Instead, individuals born at high density had overall lower lifetime fitness suggesting a silver-spoon effect. Early-life conditions can induce long-term changes in fitness components, and their effects on cohort fitness vary according to adult environment.

@article{
 title = {Successes and challenges of long-term field studies of marked ungulates},
 type = {article},
 year = {2017},
 keywords = {Conservation,Large herbivores,Life-history evolution,Long-term monitoring,Population dynamics,Population genetics,Sociality,Ungulates,Wildlife management},
 pages = {612-620},
 volume = {98},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/jmammal/gyw227},
 month = {5},
 day = {29},
 id = {bd431643-822d-34d5-8faf-81ac6a3da7cc},
 created = {2020-02-12T16:15:57.882Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-20T18:59:24.300Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Festa-Bianchet2017a},
 folder_uuids = {78ba9090-da20-464c-bff8-a0b21e0d9400},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Studies of marked free-ranging ungulates have provided major contributions to ecology, evolution, and conservation. We focus on research areas where these studies have been particularly important: the role of individual differences in population dynamics, temporal changes in factors limiting populations, variation in reproductive success, quantitative genetics in the wild, population management, and conservation. We underline some strengths and limitations of these studies and call for more research on populations subjected to hunting, coexisting with large predators, and living in tropical or arid environments. Long-term research on ungulates requires long-term commitment, funding, access to study areas where animals can be monitored, and, usually, support from government agencies. Logistical difficulties limit the number of these important studies.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Douhard, Mathieu and Gaillard, J.-M. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1093/jmammal/gyw227},
 journal = {Journal of Mammalogy},
 number = {3}
}

Studies of marked free-ranging ungulates have provided major contributions to ecology, evolution, and conservation. We focus on research areas where these studies have been particularly important: the role of individual differences in population dynamics, temporal changes in factors limiting populations, variation in reproductive success, quantitative genetics in the wild, population management, and conservation. We underline some strengths and limitations of these studies and call for more research on populations subjected to hunting, coexisting with large predators, and living in tropical or arid environments. Long-term research on ungulates requires long-term commitment, funding, access to study areas where animals can be monitored, and, usually, support from government agencies. Logistical difficulties limit the number of these important studies.

@article{
 title = {Maternal condition and previous reproduction interact to affect offspring sex in a wild mammal},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Bighorn sheep,Cost of reproduction,Environmental conditions,Sex allocation,Trivers-Willard hypothesis,Ungulates},
 pages = {20160510},
 volume = {12},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0510},
 month = {8},
 day = {31},
 id = {26641771-a993-3e49-abf7-9f91cdb834b0},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.277Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2021-05-10T15:43:44.048Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Douhard2016a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Trivers and Willard proposed that offspring sex ratio should vary with maternal condition when condition, meant as maternal capacity to care, has different fitness consequences for sons and daughters. In polygynous and dimorphic species, mothers in good condition should preferentially produce sons, whereas mothers in poor condition should produce more daughters. Despite its logical appeal, support for this hypothesis has been inconsistent. Sex-ratio variation may be influenced by additional factors, such as environmental conditions and previous reproduction, which are often ignored in empirical studies. We analysed 39 years of data on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) that fit all the assumptions of the Trivers-Willard hypothesis. Production of sons increased with maternal condition only for mothers that weaned a son the previous year. This relationship likely reflects a mother's ability to bear the higher reproductive costs of sons. The interaction between maternal condition and previous weaning success on the probability of producing a son was independent of the positive effect of paternal reproductive success. Maternal and paternal effects accounted for similar proportions of the variance in offspring sex. Maternal reproductive history should be considered in addition to current condition in studies of sex allocation.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Douhard, Mathieu and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2016.0510},
 journal = {Biology Letters},
 number = {8}
}

Trivers and Willard proposed that offspring sex ratio should vary with maternal condition when condition, meant as maternal capacity to care, has different fitness consequences for sons and daughters. In polygynous and dimorphic species, mothers in good condition should preferentially produce sons, whereas mothers in poor condition should produce more daughters. Despite its logical appeal, support for this hypothesis has been inconsistent. Sex-ratio variation may be influenced by additional factors, such as environmental conditions and previous reproduction, which are often ignored in empirical studies. We analysed 39 years of data on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) that fit all the assumptions of the Trivers-Willard hypothesis. Production of sons increased with maternal condition only for mothers that weaned a son the previous year. This relationship likely reflects a mother's ability to bear the higher reproductive costs of sons. The interaction between maternal condition and previous weaning success on the probability of producing a son was independent of the positive effect of paternal reproductive success. Maternal and paternal effects accounted for similar proportions of the variance in offspring sex. Maternal reproductive history should be considered in addition to current condition in studies of sex allocation.

@article{
 title = {Demographic drivers of age-dependent sexual selection},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {drivers of selection,linear selection,selection analysis,sexual selection,sexually selected characters,target of selection},
 pages = {1437-1446},
 volume = {29},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jeb.12883},
 month = {7},
 id = {21e906ea-8f8a-3432-a318-6582718e328a},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.781Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:23:32.956Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Martin2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Sexual selection has a critical role in evolution, and it is fundamental to identify what ecological factors drive its variation. Disentangling the ecological correlates of sexual selection over the long term, however, is challenging and has rarely been done in nature. We sought to assess how demographic changes influenced the intensity, direction and form of sexual selection and whether selective pressures varied with age. We tested whether breeder sex ratio, number of competitors and age structure influenced selection differentials on horn length of wild bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) of different age classes on Ram Mountain, Alberta. We used 21 years of data including a detailed pedigree, demographic parameters and repeated morphological measurements. Sexual selection on horn length of males of all ages was directional and positive. Selection intensity increased with the number of competitors, reflecting male-male encounter rate during the rut, but was independent of breeder sex ratio or age structure. This result can also be linked to changes in population size because the number of competitors was highly correlated to total number of sheep. This demographic effect likely arises from age-dependent mating tactics. Males aged 2-4 years are weakly competitive and experienced stronger sexual selection as they accounted for a greater proportion of all males. Selection experienced by mature males appeared independent of demography. Our study provides a rare description of the demographic determinants of sexual selection in nature.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Martin, A. M. and Festa-Bianchet, M. and Coltman, D. W. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1111/jeb.12883},
 journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology},
 number = {7}
}

Sexual selection has a critical role in evolution, and it is fundamental to identify what ecological factors drive its variation. Disentangling the ecological correlates of sexual selection over the long term, however, is challenging and has rarely been done in nature. We sought to assess how demographic changes influenced the intensity, direction and form of sexual selection and whether selective pressures varied with age. We tested whether breeder sex ratio, number of competitors and age structure influenced selection differentials on horn length of wild bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) of different age classes on Ram Mountain, Alberta. We used 21 years of data including a detailed pedigree, demographic parameters and repeated morphological measurements. Sexual selection on horn length of males of all ages was directional and positive. Selection intensity increased with the number of competitors, reflecting male-male encounter rate during the rut, but was independent of breeder sex ratio or age structure. This result can also be linked to changes in population size because the number of competitors was highly correlated to total number of sheep. This demographic effect likely arises from age-dependent mating tactics. Males aged 2-4 years are weakly competitive and experienced stronger sexual selection as they accounted for a greater proportion of all males. Selection experienced by mature males appeared independent of demography. Our study provides a rare description of the demographic determinants of sexual selection in nature.

@article{
 title = {Dyadic associations and individual sociality in bighorn ewes},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {bighorn sheep,dominance rank,fission fusion,kinship,social network},
 pages = {560-566},
 volume = {27},
 websites = {https://academic.oup.com/beheco/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/beheco/arv193},
 id = {98628203-a807-38bb-8e5b-72ba2a0c4495},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.862Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:35:27.714Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanderWal2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Sociality presumably evolved because it leads to fitness benefits; yet we know little about what drives individual variability in sociality, particularly with respect to hierarchical levels of social organization. Social network architecture is based upon dyadic interactions, but the factors affecting pairwise relationships are not necessarily those affecting higher-level network-derived measures of social behavior. We examined the influence of relatedness, age, dominance, and reproductive status on proximal associations and social network centrality of individuals in the fission-fusion society of bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Canada. From 2011 to 2013, 63-81% of adult ewes were equipped with proximity loggers, recording when they were within 1.5 m of one another. Ewe social structure was not random and individuals exhibited a tendency to have proximal associations that were consistent across years. Age and reproductive status appeared to have a weak effect on network centrality, but this effect was largely absent for frequency of proximal association. Furthermore, we found no effect of dominance rank on either proximal associations or network centrality. We speculate that interannual variation in these relationships may be indicative of predation affecting social dynamics. The disconnect between determinants that affect the costs and benefits of dyadic associations and those that emerge from network-derived behaviors highlights the importance of testing effects at multiple levels of social organization in animal societies.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Vander Wal, Eric and Gagné-Delorme, Audrey and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1093/beheco/arv193},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology},
 number = {2}
}

Sociality presumably evolved because it leads to fitness benefits; yet we know little about what drives individual variability in sociality, particularly with respect to hierarchical levels of social organization. Social network architecture is based upon dyadic interactions, but the factors affecting pairwise relationships are not necessarily those affecting higher-level network-derived measures of social behavior. We examined the influence of relatedness, age, dominance, and reproductive status on proximal associations and social network centrality of individuals in the fission-fusion society of bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Canada. From 2011 to 2013, 63-81% of adult ewes were equipped with proximity loggers, recording when they were within 1.5 m of one another. Ewe social structure was not random and individuals exhibited a tendency to have proximal associations that were consistent across years. Age and reproductive status appeared to have a weak effect on network centrality, but this effect was largely absent for frequency of proximal association. Furthermore, we found no effect of dominance rank on either proximal associations or network centrality. We speculate that interannual variation in these relationships may be indicative of predation affecting social dynamics. The disconnect between determinants that affect the costs and benefits of dyadic associations and those that emerge from network-derived behaviors highlights the importance of testing effects at multiple levels of social organization in animal societies.

@article{
 title = {A reliable technique to quantify the individual variability of iridescent coloration in birds},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 pages = {227-234},
 volume = {47},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jav.00750},
 month = {3},
 id = {ac398df4-4e33-35ff-88e0-b47cfa64fd74},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.887Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:36:00.504Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanWijk2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The study of iridescent coloration in birds emerged only recently, mainly due to the difficulty inherent in quantifying its directionality. Directionality restrains color perception to a limited angle and thereby causes drastic changes in brightness when an animal is in motion. Although a versatile goniometer for quantifying iridescent coloration has been developed recently, so far, it has only been applied to measuring the highly directional iridescent coloration in a hummingbird species. Thus, the reliability of the goniometer for species displaying more common and less directional iridescent coloration has yet to be evaluated. Additionally, two important methodological aspects remain to be assessed before this apparatus can be used confidently: 1) whether directionality, which could be subject to sexual selection, can be quantified in a repeatable way; and 2) whether the apparatus gives more precise and accurate measurements than a less complex traditional method. Using feathers collected from 271 male tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor over two years, we found that the goniometer provided repeatable measurements of directionality across individuals and across three body regions, namely the crown, mantle and rump. The apparatus was also more repeatable than a traditional method involving a bifurcated probe and reduced a brightness bias associated with individual differences in barbule tilt. We strongly encourage researchers to invest in this methodological change considering the multiple advantages demonstrated and to quantify the directionality of iridescent coloration as to unveil its role in signaling and sexual selection. Journal of Avian Biology},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van Wijk, Sonia and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/jav.00750},
 journal = {Journal of Avian Biology},
 number = {2}
}

The study of iridescent coloration in birds emerged only recently, mainly due to the difficulty inherent in quantifying its directionality. Directionality restrains color perception to a limited angle and thereby causes drastic changes in brightness when an animal is in motion. Although a versatile goniometer for quantifying iridescent coloration has been developed recently, so far, it has only been applied to measuring the highly directional iridescent coloration in a hummingbird species. Thus, the reliability of the goniometer for species displaying more common and less directional iridescent coloration has yet to be evaluated. Additionally, two important methodological aspects remain to be assessed before this apparatus can be used confidently: 1) whether directionality, which could be subject to sexual selection, can be quantified in a repeatable way; and 2) whether the apparatus gives more precise and accurate measurements than a less complex traditional method. Using feathers collected from 271 male tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor over two years, we found that the goniometer provided repeatable measurements of directionality across individuals and across three body regions, namely the crown, mantle and rump. The apparatus was also more repeatable than a traditional method involving a bifurcated probe and reduced a brightness bias associated with individual differences in barbule tilt. We strongly encourage researchers to invest in this methodological change considering the multiple advantages demonstrated and to quantify the directionality of iridescent coloration as to unveil its role in signaling and sexual selection. Journal of Avian Biology

@article{
 title = {Paternal reproductive success drives sex allocation in a wild mammal},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Male quality,Maternal resource allocation,Paternity analysis,Sex ratio,Trivers-Willard hypothesis},
 pages = {358-368},
 volume = {70},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/evo.12860},
 month = {2},
 id = {204abe27-9e8c-3006-8909-923ec86d9dbc},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.898Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:36:20.077Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Douhard2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Parents should bias sex allocation toward offspring of the sex most likely to provide higher fitness returns. Trivers and Willard proposed that for polygynous mammals, females should adjust sex-ratio at conception or bias allocation of resources toward the most profitable sex, according to their own body condition. However, the possibility that mammalian fathers may influence sex allocation has seldom been considered. Here, we show that the probability of having a son increased from 0.31 to 0.60 with sire reproductive success in wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Furthermore, our results suggest that females fertilized by relatively unsuccessful sires allocated more energy during lactation to daughters than to sons, while the opposite occurred for females fertilized by successful sires. The pattern of sex-biased offspring production appears adaptive because paternal reproductive success reduced the fitness of daughters and increased the average annual weaning success of sons, independently of maternal allocation to the offspring. Our results illustrate that sex allocation can be driven by paternal phenotype, with profound influences on the strength of sexual selection and on conflicts of interest between parents.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Douhard, Mathieu and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Coltman, David W. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/evo.12860},
 journal = {Evolution},
 number = {2}
}

Parents should bias sex allocation toward offspring of the sex most likely to provide higher fitness returns. Trivers and Willard proposed that for polygynous mammals, females should adjust sex-ratio at conception or bias allocation of resources toward the most profitable sex, according to their own body condition. However, the possibility that mammalian fathers may influence sex allocation has seldom been considered. Here, we show that the probability of having a son increased from 0.31 to 0.60 with sire reproductive success in wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Furthermore, our results suggest that females fertilized by relatively unsuccessful sires allocated more energy during lactation to daughters than to sons, while the opposite occurred for females fertilized by successful sires. The pattern of sex-biased offspring production appears adaptive because paternal reproductive success reduced the fitness of daughters and increased the average annual weaning success of sons, independently of maternal allocation to the offspring. Our results illustrate that sex allocation can be driven by paternal phenotype, with profound influences on the strength of sexual selection and on conflicts of interest between parents.

@article{
 title = {The influence of iridescent coloration directionality on male tree swallows’ reproductive success at different breeding densities},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Extra-pair paternity,Mate choice,Structural coloration,Tachycineta bicolor},
 pages = {1557-1569},
 volume = {70},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-016-2164-5},
 month = {9},
 day = {23},
 id = {bba1fa0a-f132-389b-949a-bda3c20a082a},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.659Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:36:33.952Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanWijk2016a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Abstract: Conspicuous coloration in males of numerous bird species has been related to sexual selection. However, iridescent coloration is a complex trait that has received little attention despite its potential importance as a signal of individual condition. Directionality, the change in brightness when the animal moves under direct sunlight, has never been linked to fitness although being an integral part of iridescent coloration. Using 214 male tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) from a 2-year study, we investigated how different components of iridescent coloration were related to four measures of fitness (number of extra-pair and within-pair young produced, proportion of within-pair young in the nest and annual reproductive success) across different breeding densities. In addition to classical components of coloration (hue, brightness, saturation), we used directionality—measured as an angular breadth of color reflection—to quantify the iridescent coloration of male crown and back. Our results showed that all components of iridescent coloration we studied were related to at least one of the four measures of fitness. A negative association was detected between directionality and the number of within-pair young produced, suggesting that this plumage characteristic could be a signal of paternal care. Crown and back coloration were associated to different fitness components, and density modulated the slope of some of these relationships. Altogether, our results showed that different selective pressures could act on the multiple components of iridescent coloration via both within-pair and extra-pair components of reproductive success. Also, environmental conditions like breeding density are important factors influencing sexual selection processes. Significance statement: The idea that colorful plumage in males is the result of sexual selection is widely recognized. However, evidence of sexual selection on iridescent plumage is scarce. In birds displaying iridescent plumage, the brightness change occurring when the bird moves, called directionality, is striking and could be informative for females when choosing a mate. Using 214 male tree swallows, we found that directionality was related to the number of young produced by a male. As nests were distributed in 40 different farms, a high variability of breeding densities occurred in the study system. Breeding density highly influenced the relationship between color components of iridescent plumage and the number of young produced by a male. This study emphasizes the importance to quantify the angular properties of iridescent plumage as well as to take into account breeding density when studying sexual selection.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Van Wijk, Sonia and Bourret, Audrey and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-016-2164-5},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {9}
}

Abstract: Conspicuous coloration in males of numerous bird species has been related to sexual selection. However, iridescent coloration is a complex trait that has received little attention despite its potential importance as a signal of individual condition. Directionality, the change in brightness when the animal moves under direct sunlight, has never been linked to fitness although being an integral part of iridescent coloration. Using 214 male tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) from a 2-year study, we investigated how different components of iridescent coloration were related to four measures of fitness (number of extra-pair and within-pair young produced, proportion of within-pair young in the nest and annual reproductive success) across different breeding densities. In addition to classical components of coloration (hue, brightness, saturation), we used directionality—measured as an angular breadth of color reflection—to quantify the iridescent coloration of male crown and back. Our results showed that all components of iridescent coloration we studied were related to at least one of the four measures of fitness. A negative association was detected between directionality and the number of within-pair young produced, suggesting that this plumage characteristic could be a signal of paternal care. Crown and back coloration were associated to different fitness components, and density modulated the slope of some of these relationships. Altogether, our results showed that different selective pressures could act on the multiple components of iridescent coloration via both within-pair and extra-pair components of reproductive success. Also, environmental conditions like breeding density are important factors influencing sexual selection processes. Significance statement: The idea that colorful plumage in males is the result of sexual selection is widely recognized. However, evidence of sexual selection on iridescent plumage is scarce. In birds displaying iridescent plumage, the brightness change occurring when the bird moves, called directionality, is striking and could be informative for females when choosing a mate. Using 214 male tree swallows, we found that directionality was related to the number of young produced by a male. As nests were distributed in 40 different farms, a high variability of breeding densities occurred in the study system. Breeding density highly influenced the relationship between color components of iridescent plumage and the number of young produced by a male. This study emphasizes the importance to quantify the angular properties of iridescent plumage as well as to take into account breeding density when studying sexual selection.

@article{
 title = {The trade-off between clutch size and egg mass in tree swallows (<i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>) is modulated by female body mass},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 pages = {500-507},
 volume = {47},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jav.00725},
 month = {7},
 id = {7136e194-450b-3869-8fe9-03de26b1af45},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.704Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:36:53.226Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pellerin2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Egg production is a costly component of reproduction for female birds in terms of energy expenditure and maternal investment. Because resources are typically limited, clutch size and egg mass are expected to be constrained, and this putative trade-off between offspring number and size is at the core of life history theory. Nevertheless, empirical evidence for this trade-off is equivocal at best, as individual heterogeneity in resource acquisition and allocation may hamper the detection of the negative correlation between egg number and mass within populations. Here, we investigated how female body mass and landscape composition influences clutch size, egg mass, and the relationship between these two traits. To do so, we fitted linear mixed models using data from tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor breeding in a network of 400 nestboxes located along a gradient of agricultural intensity between 2004 and 2011. Our dataset comprised 1463 broods for clutch size analyses and 4371 eggs (from 847 broods laid between 2005–2008) for egg mass analyses. Our results showed that agricultural intensity negatively impacted clutch size, but not egg mass nor the relationship between these two traits. Female mass, on the other hand, modulated the trade-off between clutch size and egg mass. For heavier females, both traits increased jointly, without evidence of a trade-off. However, for lighter females, there was a clear negative relationship between clutch size and egg mass. This work shows that accounting for individual heterogeneity in body mass allows the detection of a clutch size/egg mass trade-off that would have remained undetected otherwise. Identifying habitat and individual effects on resource allocation towards reproductive traits may help bridging the gap between predictions from theory and empirical evidence on life history trade-offs.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pellerin, Stéphanie and Paquette, Sébastien Rioux and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1111/jav.00725},
 journal = {Journal of Avian Biology},
 number = {4}
}

Egg production is a costly component of reproduction for female birds in terms of energy expenditure and maternal investment. Because resources are typically limited, clutch size and egg mass are expected to be constrained, and this putative trade-off between offspring number and size is at the core of life history theory. Nevertheless, empirical evidence for this trade-off is equivocal at best, as individual heterogeneity in resource acquisition and allocation may hamper the detection of the negative correlation between egg number and mass within populations. Here, we investigated how female body mass and landscape composition influences clutch size, egg mass, and the relationship between these two traits. To do so, we fitted linear mixed models using data from tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor breeding in a network of 400 nestboxes located along a gradient of agricultural intensity between 2004 and 2011. Our dataset comprised 1463 broods for clutch size analyses and 4371 eggs (from 847 broods laid between 2005–2008) for egg mass analyses. Our results showed that agricultural intensity negatively impacted clutch size, but not egg mass nor the relationship between these two traits. Female mass, on the other hand, modulated the trade-off between clutch size and egg mass. For heavier females, both traits increased jointly, without evidence of a trade-off. However, for lighter females, there was a clear negative relationship between clutch size and egg mass. This work shows that accounting for individual heterogeneity in body mass allows the detection of a clutch size/egg mass trade-off that would have remained undetected otherwise. Identifying habitat and individual effects on resource allocation towards reproductive traits may help bridging the gap between predictions from theory and empirical evidence on life history trade-offs.

@article{
 title = {Quantifying consistent individual differences in habitat selection},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Functional response,Personality,Repeatability,Ursus arctos},
 pages = {697-705},
 volume = {180},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00442-015-3500-6},
 month = {3},
 day = {23},
 id = {f55a70d7-ba3c-3df8-923c-1c0cc3f035e6},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.300Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:37:07.727Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Leclerc2016a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Habitat selection is a fundamental behaviour that links individuals to the resources required for survival and reproduction. Although natural selection acts on an individual’s phenotype, research on habitat selection often pools inter-individual patterns to provide inferences on the population scale. Here, we expanded a traditional approach of quantifying habitat selection at the individual level to explore the potential for consistent individual differences of habitat selection. We used random coefficients in resource selection functions (RSFs) and repeatability estimates to test for variability in habitat selection. We applied our method to a detailed dataset of GPS relocations of brown bears (Ursus arctos) taken over a period of 6 years, and assessed whether they displayed repeatable individual differences in habitat selection toward two habitat types: bogs and recent timber-harvest cut blocks. In our analyses, we controlled for the availability of habitat, i.e. the functional response in habitat selection. Repeatability estimates of habitat selection toward bogs and cut blocks were 0.304 and 0.420, respectively. Therefore, 30.4 and 42.0 % of the population-scale habitat selection variability for bogs and cut blocks, respectively, was due to differences among individuals, suggesting that consistent individual variation in habitat selection exists in brown bears. Using simulations, we posit that repeatability values of habitat selection are not related to the value and significance of β estimates in RSFs. Although individual differences in habitat selection could be the results of non-exclusive factors, our results illustrate the evolutionary potential of habitat selection.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Leclerc, Martin and Vander Wal, Eric and Zedrosser, Andreas and Swenson, Jon E. and Kindberg, Jonas and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1007/s00442-015-3500-6},
 journal = {Oecologia},
 number = {3}
}

Habitat selection is a fundamental behaviour that links individuals to the resources required for survival and reproduction. Although natural selection acts on an individual’s phenotype, research on habitat selection often pools inter-individual patterns to provide inferences on the population scale. Here, we expanded a traditional approach of quantifying habitat selection at the individual level to explore the potential for consistent individual differences of habitat selection. We used random coefficients in resource selection functions (RSFs) and repeatability estimates to test for variability in habitat selection. We applied our method to a detailed dataset of GPS relocations of brown bears (Ursus arctos) taken over a period of 6 years, and assessed whether they displayed repeatable individual differences in habitat selection toward two habitat types: bogs and recent timber-harvest cut blocks. In our analyses, we controlled for the availability of habitat, i.e. the functional response in habitat selection. Repeatability estimates of habitat selection toward bogs and cut blocks were 0.304 and 0.420, respectively. Therefore, 30.4 and 42.0 % of the population-scale habitat selection variability for bogs and cut blocks, respectively, was due to differences among individuals, suggesting that consistent individual variation in habitat selection exists in brown bears. Using simulations, we posit that repeatability values of habitat selection are not related to the value and significance of β estimates in RSFs. Although individual differences in habitat selection could be the results of non-exclusive factors, our results illustrate the evolutionary potential of habitat selection.

@article{
 title = {Human shields mediate sexual conflict in a top predator},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Fear ecology,Human shield,Resource selection,Safety refuge,Sexual conflict,Sexually selected infanticide},
 pages = {20160906},
 volume = {283},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2016.0906},
 month = {6},
 day = {29},
 id = {a3de351b-a34c-322d-951e-9cbe988e7f1b},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.481Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:37:30.940Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Steyaert2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Selecting the right habitat in a risky landscape is crucial for an individual’s survival and reproduction. In predator–prey systems, prey often can anticipate the habitat use of their main predator and may use protective associates (i.e. typically an apex predator) as shields against predation. Although never tested, such mechanisms should also evolve in systems in which sexual conflict affects offspring survival. Here, we assessed the relationship between offspring survival and habitat selection, as well as the use of protective associates, in a system in which sexually selected infanticide (SSI), rather than interspecific predation, affects offspring survival. We used the Scandinavian brown bear (Ursus arctos) population with SSI in a human-dominated landscape as our model system. Bears, especially adult males, generally avoid humans in our study system. We used resource selection functions to contrast habitat selection of GPS-collared mothers that were successful (i.e. surviving litters, n + 19) and unsuccessful (i.e. complete litter loss, n = 11) in keeping their young during the mating season (2005–2012). Habitatselection was indeed a predictor of litter survival. Successful mothers were more likely to use humans as protective associates, whereas unsuccessful mothers avoided humans. Our results suggest that principles of predator–prey and fear ecology theory (e.g. non-consumptive and cascading effects) can also be applied to the context of sexual conflict.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Steyaert, S. M. J. G. and Leclerc, M. and Pelletier, F. and Kindberg, J. and Brunberg, S. and Swenson, J. E. and Zedrosser, A.},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2016.0906},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1833}
}

Selecting the right habitat in a risky landscape is crucial for an individual’s survival and reproduction. In predator–prey systems, prey often can anticipate the habitat use of their main predator and may use protective associates (i.e. typically an apex predator) as shields against predation. Although never tested, such mechanisms should also evolve in systems in which sexual conflict affects offspring survival. Here, we assessed the relationship between offspring survival and habitat selection, as well as the use of protective associates, in a system in which sexually selected infanticide (SSI), rather than interspecific predation, affects offspring survival. We used the Scandinavian brown bear (Ursus arctos) population with SSI in a human-dominated landscape as our model system. Bears, especially adult males, generally avoid humans in our study system. We used resource selection functions to contrast habitat selection of GPS-collared mothers that were successful (i.e. surviving litters, n + 19) and unsuccessful (i.e. complete litter loss, n = 11) in keeping their young during the mating season (2005–2012). Habitatselection was indeed a predictor of litter survival. Successful mothers were more likely to use humans as protective associates, whereas unsuccessful mothers avoided humans. Our results suggest that principles of predator–prey and fear ecology theory (e.g. non-consumptive and cascading effects) can also be applied to the context of sexual conflict.

@article{
 title = {Cohort variation in individual body mass dissipates with age in large herbivores},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Catch-up growth,Cohort,Compensatory growth,Cumulative effects,Life-history tactics,Mixture models,Sexual selection,Slow-fast continuum,Ungulates,Viability selection},
 pages = {517-543},
 volume = {86},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ecm.1232},
 month = {11},
 id = {bdf0acf6-022a-32df-819f-96cf919fad96},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.813Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:37:49.203Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Hamel2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Environmental conditions experienced during early growth and development markedly shape phenotypic traits. Consequently, individuals of the same cohort may show similar life-history tactics throughout life. Conditions experienced later in life, however, could fine-tune these initial differences, either increasing (cumulative effect) or decreasing (compensatory effect) the magnitude of cohort variation with increasing age. Our novel comparative analysis that quantifies cohort variation in individual body size trajectories shows that initial cohort variation dissipates throughout life, and that lifetime patterns change both across species with different paces of life and between sexes. We used longitudinal data on body size (mostly assessed using mass) from 11 populations of large herbivores spread along the "slow-fast" continuum of life histories. We first quantified cohort variation using mixture models to identify clusters of cohorts with similar initial size. We identified clear cohort clusters in all species except the one with the slowest pace of life, revealing that variation in early size is structured among cohorts and highlighting typological differences among cohorts. Growth trajectories differed among cohort clusters, highlighting how early size is a fundamental determinant of lifetime growth patterns. In all species, among-cohort variation in size peaked at the start of life, then quickly decreased with age and stabilized around mid-life. Cohort variation was lower in species with a slower than a faster pace of life, and vanished at prime age in species with the slowest pace of life. After accounting for viability selection, compensatory/catch-up growth in early life explained much of the decrease in cohort variation. Females showed less phenotypic variability and stronger compensatory/catch-up growth than males early in life, whereas males showed more progressive changes throughout life. These results confirm that stronger selective pressures for rapid growth make males more vulnerable to poor environmental conditions early in life and less able to recover after a poor start. Our comparative analysis illustrates how variability in growth changes over time in closely related species that span a wide range on the slow-fast continuum, the main axis of variation in life-history strategies of vertebrates.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Hamel, S. and Gaillard, J. M. and Yoccoz, N. G. and Albon, S. and Côté, S. D. and Craine, J. M. and Festa-Bianchet, M. and Garel, M. and Lee, P. and Moss, C. and Nussey, D. H. and Pelletier, F. and Stien, A. and Tveraa, T.},
 doi = {10.1002/ecm.1232},
 journal = {Ecological Monographs},
 number = {4}
}

Environmental conditions experienced during early growth and development markedly shape phenotypic traits. Consequently, individuals of the same cohort may show similar life-history tactics throughout life. Conditions experienced later in life, however, could fine-tune these initial differences, either increasing (cumulative effect) or decreasing (compensatory effect) the magnitude of cohort variation with increasing age. Our novel comparative analysis that quantifies cohort variation in individual body size trajectories shows that initial cohort variation dissipates throughout life, and that lifetime patterns change both across species with different paces of life and between sexes. We used longitudinal data on body size (mostly assessed using mass) from 11 populations of large herbivores spread along the "slow-fast" continuum of life histories. We first quantified cohort variation using mixture models to identify clusters of cohorts with similar initial size. We identified clear cohort clusters in all species except the one with the slowest pace of life, revealing that variation in early size is structured among cohorts and highlighting typological differences among cohorts. Growth trajectories differed among cohort clusters, highlighting how early size is a fundamental determinant of lifetime growth patterns. In all species, among-cohort variation in size peaked at the start of life, then quickly decreased with age and stabilized around mid-life. Cohort variation was lower in species with a slower than a faster pace of life, and vanished at prime age in species with the slowest pace of life. After accounting for viability selection, compensatory/catch-up growth in early life explained much of the decrease in cohort variation. Females showed less phenotypic variability and stronger compensatory/catch-up growth than males early in life, whereas males showed more progressive changes throughout life. These results confirm that stronger selective pressures for rapid growth make males more vulnerable to poor environmental conditions early in life and less able to recover after a poor start. Our comparative analysis illustrates how variability in growth changes over time in closely related species that span a wide range on the slow-fast continuum, the main axis of variation in life-history strategies of vertebrates.

@article{
 title = {Solutions for archiving data in long-term studies: A reply to Whitlock et al.},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 pages = {85-87},
 volume = {31},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169534715003018},
 month = {2},
 id = {79e93694-8732-3c6a-b197-81d6f8097ae1},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.993Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:38:05.886Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Mills2016},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Mills, James A. and Teplitsky, Céline and Arroyo, Beatriz and Charmantier, Anne and Becker, Peter H. and Birkhead, Tim R. and Bize, Pierre and Blumstein, Daniel T. and Bonenfant, Christophe and Boutin, Stan and Bushuev, Andrey and Cam, Emmanuelle and Cockburn, Andrew and Côté, Steeve D. and Coulson, John C. and Daunt, Francis and Dingemanse, Niels J. and Doligez, Blandine and Drummond, Hugh and Espie, Richard H.M. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Frentiu, Francesca D. and Fitzpatrick, John W. and Furness, Robert W. and Gauthier, Gilles and Grant, Peter R. and Griesser, Michael and Gustafsson, Lars and Hansson, Bengt and Harris, Michael P. and Jiguet, Frédéric and Kjellander, Petter and Korpimäki, Erkki and Krebs, Charles J. and Lens, Luc and Linnell, John D.C. and Low, Matthew and McAdam, Andrew and Margalida, Antoni and Merilä, Juha and Møller, Anders P. and Nakagawa, Shinichi and Nilsson, Jan-Åke and Nisbet, Ian C.T. and van Noordwijk, Arie J. and Oro, Daniel and Pärt, Tomas and Pelletier, Fanie and Potti, Jaime and Pujol, Benoit and Réale, Denis and Rockwell, Robert F. and Ropert-Coudert, Yan and Roulin, Alexandre and Thébaud, Christophe and Sedinger, James S. and Swenson, Jon E. and Visser, Marcel E. and Wanless, Sarah and Westneat, David F. and Wilson, Alastair J. and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2015.12.004},
 journal = {Trends in Ecology & Evolution},
 number = {2}
}

@article{
 title = {Intense selective hunting leads to artificial evolution in horn size},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Conservation biology,Contemporary evolution,Quantitative genetics,conservation biology,contemporary evolution,quantitative genetics},
 pages = {521-530},
 volume = {9},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/eva.12358},
 month = {4},
 id = {a8d66b3c-9702-3385-9c48-2f872eb38c21},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.083Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2026-05-29T12:38:04.744Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pigeon2016},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The potential for selective harvests to induce rapid evolutionary change is an important question for conservation and evolutionary biology, with numerous biological, social and economic implications. We analyze 39 years of phenotypic data on horn size in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) subject to intense trophy hunting for 23 years, after which harvests nearly ceased. Our analyses revealed a significant decline in genetic value for horn length of rams, consistent with an evolutionary response to artificial selection on this trait. The probability that the observed change in male horn length was due solely to drift is 9.9%. Female horn length and male horn base, traits genetically correlated to the trait under selection, showed weak declining trends. There was no temporal trend in genetic value for female horn base circumference, a trait not directly targeted by selective hunting and not genetically correlated with male horn length. The decline in genetic value for male horn length stopped, but was not reversed, when hunting pressure was drastically reduced. Our analysis provides support for the contention that selective hunting led to a reduction in horn length through evolutionary change. It also confirms that after artificial selection stops, recovery through natural selection is slow.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Coltman, David W. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.12358},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {4}
}

The potential for selective harvests to induce rapid evolutionary change is an important question for conservation and evolutionary biology, with numerous biological, social and economic implications. We analyze 39 years of phenotypic data on horn size in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) subject to intense trophy hunting for 23 years, after which harvests nearly ceased. Our analyses revealed a significant decline in genetic value for horn length of rams, consistent with an evolutionary response to artificial selection on this trait. The probability that the observed change in male horn length was due solely to drift is 9.9%. Female horn length and male horn base, traits genetically correlated to the trait under selection, showed weak declining trends. There was no temporal trend in genetic value for female horn base circumference, a trait not directly targeted by selective hunting and not genetically correlated with male horn length. The decline in genetic value for male horn length stopped, but was not reversed, when hunting pressure was drastically reduced. Our analysis provides support for the contention that selective hunting led to a reduction in horn length through evolutionary change. It also confirms that after artificial selection stops, recovery through natural selection is slow.

@article{
 title = {Can hunting data be used to estimate unbiased population parameters? A case study on brown bears},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 keywords = {Harvest,Hunting regulation,Sweden,Temporal trends,Ursus arctos},
 pages = {20160197},
 volume = {12},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0197},
 month = {6},
 day = {30},
 id = {83806d01-2af3-3c09-9484-f9110089f6a8},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.508Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:03:34.417Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Leclerc2016},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {© 2016 The Authors. Quantifying temporal changes in harvested populations is critical for applied and fundamental research. Unbiased data are required to detect true changes in phenotypic distribution or population size. Because of the difficulty of collecting detailed individual data from wild populations, data from hunting records are often used. Hunting records, however, may not represent a random sample of a population. We aimed to detect and quantify potential bias in hunting records. We compared data from a long-term monitoring project with hunting records of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden and investigated temporal trends (1996-2013) in the ratio of yearlings to adult females, yearling mass and adult female mass. Data from hunting records underestimated the decline in yearling and adult female mass over time, most likely owing to the legal protection of family groups from hunting, but reflected changes in the ratio of yearlings to adult females more reliably. Although hunting data can be reliable to approximate population abundance in some circumstances, hunting data can represent a biased sample of a population and should be used with caution in management and conservation decisions.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Leclerc, Martin and Van de Walle, Joanie and Zedrosser, Andreas and Swenson, Jon E and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2016.0197},
 journal = {Biology Letters},
 number = {6}
}

© 2016 The Authors. Quantifying temporal changes in harvested populations is critical for applied and fundamental research. Unbiased data are required to detect true changes in phenotypic distribution or population size. Because of the difficulty of collecting detailed individual data from wild populations, data from hunting records are often used. Hunting records, however, may not represent a random sample of a population. We aimed to detect and quantify potential bias in hunting records. We compared data from a long-term monitoring project with hunting records of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden and investigated temporal trends (1996-2013) in the ratio of yearlings to adult females, yearling mass and adult female mass. Data from hunting records underestimated the decline in yearling and adult female mass over time, most likely owing to the legal protection of family groups from hunting, but reflected changes in the ratio of yearlings to adult females more reliably. Although hunting data can be reliable to approximate population abundance in some circumstances, hunting data can represent a biased sample of a population and should be used with caution in management and conservation decisions.

@article{
 title = {Changes in horn size of Stone's sheep over four decades correlate with trophy hunting pressure},
 type = {article},
 year = {2016},
 pages = {309-321},
 volume = {26},
 websites = {https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1890/14-1461},
 month = {1},
 id = {c66f1fa4-43bf-300b-a991-26336b9a6577},
 created = {2023-01-16T21:11:17.989Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:58:18.998Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Douhard, Mathieu and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie and Gaillard, Jean-Michel and Bonenfant, Christophe},
 doi = {10.1890/14-1461},
 journal = {Ecological Applications},
 number = {1}
}

@article{
 title = {Record books do not capture population trends in horn length of bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Ovis canadensis,biased sampling,bighorn sheep,horn size,record books,temporal trends,trophy hunting},
 pages = {746-750},
 volume = {39},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/wsb.597},
 month = {12},
 id = {6e7782de-cf8d-31fe-bc3e-db48671caf76},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.307Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:38:47.841Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Festa-Bianchet2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Many agencies and researchers use data from harvested animals to study temporal trends in phenotype. For large mammals, complete harvest records are typically only available for the past few decades, but records of the largest trophies have been collected for over a century. To examine whether record books and data from male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) harvested under a minimum-curl regulation could detect temporal trends in horn length, we simulated populations of trophy-harvested male bighorn sheep where horn length was modeled to increase, remain stable, and decrease over time. All populations experienced a simulated harvest based on a minimum horn length, but only horns in the longest 5% of the initial distribution were entered in a fictional record book. We then assessed whether monitoring of harvested and "record" males detected temporal trends. Data from selective harvest underestimated declines and initially underestimated increases, but qualitatively detected both trends. Record-book entries, however, severely underestimated increases and did not detect declines, suggesting that they should not be used to monitor population trends. When these biases are taken into account, complete trophy harvest records can provide useful biological information.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Schindler, Susanne and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/wsb.597},
 journal = {Wildlife Society Bulletin},
 number = {4}
}

Many agencies and researchers use data from harvested animals to study temporal trends in phenotype. For large mammals, complete harvest records are typically only available for the past few decades, but records of the largest trophies have been collected for over a century. To examine whether record books and data from male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) harvested under a minimum-curl regulation could detect temporal trends in horn length, we simulated populations of trophy-harvested male bighorn sheep where horn length was modeled to increase, remain stable, and decrease over time. All populations experienced a simulated harvest based on a minimum horn length, but only horns in the longest 5% of the initial distribution were entered in a fictional record book. We then assessed whether monitoring of harvested and "record" males detected temporal trends. Data from selective harvest underestimated declines and initially underestimated increases, but qualitatively detected both trends. Record-book entries, however, severely underestimated increases and did not detect declines, suggesting that they should not be used to monitor population trends. When these biases are taken into account, complete trophy harvest records can provide useful biological information.

@article{
 title = {Multidimensional environmental influences on timing of breeding in a tree swallow population facing climate change},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Climate change,Density,Laying date,Phenology,Phenotypic plasticity,Temperature},
 pages = {933-944},
 volume = {8},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/eva.12315},
 month = {12},
 id = {5fabc366-7012-3f8c-9db3-9739a7ee29b1},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.941Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:39:13.408Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bourret2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Most phenological traits are extremely sensitive to current climate change, and advances in the timing of important life-history events have been observed in many species. In birds, phenotypic plasticity in response to temperature is thought to be the main mechanism underlying yearly adjustment in the timing of breeding. However, other factors could be important and interact to affect the levels of plastic responses between and/or within-individuals. Here, we use long-term individual-based data on tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) to identify the spatial and environmental drivers affecting plasticity in laying date and to assess their importance at both population and individual levels. We found that laying date has advanced by 4.2 days over 10 years, and that it was mainly influenced by latitude and an interaction between spring temperature and breeder density. Analyses of individual plasticity showed that increases in temperature, but not in breeder density, resulted in within-individual advances in laying date. Our results suggest that females can adjust their laying date as a function of temperature, but that this adjustment will be partly constrained in habitats with lower breeder densities. Such potential constraint is especially worrying for the broad array of species already declining as a result of climate change.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bourret, Audrey and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.12315},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {10}
}

Most phenological traits are extremely sensitive to current climate change, and advances in the timing of important life-history events have been observed in many species. In birds, phenotypic plasticity in response to temperature is thought to be the main mechanism underlying yearly adjustment in the timing of breeding. However, other factors could be important and interact to affect the levels of plastic responses between and/or within-individuals. Here, we use long-term individual-based data on tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) to identify the spatial and environmental drivers affecting plasticity in laying date and to assess their importance at both population and individual levels. We found that laying date has advanced by 4.2 days over 10 years, and that it was mainly influenced by latitude and an interaction between spring temperature and breeder density. Analyses of individual plasticity showed that increases in temperature, but not in breeder density, resulted in within-individual advances in laying date. Our results suggest that females can adjust their laying date as a function of temperature, but that this adjustment will be partly constrained in habitats with lower breeder densities. Such potential constraint is especially worrying for the broad array of species already declining as a result of climate change.

@article{
 title = {Patterns of fluctuating selection on morphological and reproductive traits in female tree swallow (<i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Birds,Body mass,Clutch size,Fluctuating selection,Laying date,Selection gradients,Wing length},
 pages = {349-358},
 volume = {42},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11692-015-9333-8},
 month = {9},
 day = {30},
 id = {81ac099b-912b-3b73-a2ca-c9d2c994097b},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.975Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:39:25.154Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Millet2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Temporally replicated studies are essential to describe and understand selection in natural populations. Selection patterns can differ among life stages representing different fitness components. Despite the increasing number of long-term studies, yearly estimates of fluctuation in strength and direction are mostly available from studies conducted on a limited number of years. Based on a population of Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) monitored over 10,200 km2 in Southern Québec, Canada, since 2004, we investigated how patterns of selection may change across breeding stages by dividing the overall selection at the nesting stage (number of fledglings produced) into hatchling (number of hatchlings produced) and fledgling (number of hatchlings having successfully fledged) selection stages. We assessed fluctuation in selection gradients on two morphological (body mass and wing length) and two reproductive (laying date and clutch size) traits in females. We found significant positive selection gradients for body mass and clutch size and negative selection gradients for laying date, though the latter only during the fledgling selection stage. We also found that selection gradients on reproductive traits significantly fluctuated in direction and/or strength among years but only during the hatchling breeding stage. Our results thus emphasize the need to consider how selection events may be fluctuating in time and among breeding stages and the importance of these patterns for the maintenance of phenotypic variation in wild populations.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Millet, Antoine and Pelletier, Fanie and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1007/s11692-015-9333-8},
 journal = {Evolutionary Biology},
 number = {3}
}

Temporally replicated studies are essential to describe and understand selection in natural populations. Selection patterns can differ among life stages representing different fitness components. Despite the increasing number of long-term studies, yearly estimates of fluctuation in strength and direction are mostly available from studies conducted on a limited number of years. Based on a population of Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) monitored over 10,200 km2 in Southern Québec, Canada, since 2004, we investigated how patterns of selection may change across breeding stages by dividing the overall selection at the nesting stage (number of fledglings produced) into hatchling (number of hatchlings produced) and fledgling (number of hatchlings having successfully fledged) selection stages. We assessed fluctuation in selection gradients on two morphological (body mass and wing length) and two reproductive (laying date and clutch size) traits in females. We found significant positive selection gradients for body mass and clutch size and negative selection gradients for laying date, though the latter only during the fledgling selection stage. We also found that selection gradients on reproductive traits significantly fluctuated in direction and/or strength among years but only during the hatchling breeding stage. Our results thus emphasize the need to consider how selection events may be fluctuating in time and among breeding stages and the importance of these patterns for the maintenance of phenotypic variation in wild populations.

@article{
 title = {Resampling method for applying density-dependent habitat selection theory to wildlife surveys},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 pages = {e0128238},
 volume = {10},
 websites = {https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0128238},
 month = {6},
 day = {4},
 id = {155b77fe-c8b4-3c08-88a5-02647a9d6a55},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.989Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:39:45.963Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Tardy2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Isodar theory can be used to evaluate fitness consequences of density-dependent habitat selection by animals. A typical habitat isodar is a regression curve plotting competitor densities in two adjacent habitats when individual fitness is equal. Despite the increasing use of habitat isodars, their application remains largely limited to areas composed of pairs of adjacent habitats that are defined a priori. We developed a resampling method that uses data from wildlife surveys to build isodars in heterogeneous landscapes without having to predefine habitat types. The method consists in randomly placing blocks over the survey area and dividing those blocks in two adjacent sub-blocks of the same size. Animal abundance is then estimated within the two sub-blocks. This process is done 100 times. Different functional forms of isodars can be investigated by relating animal abundance and differences in habitat features between sub-blocks. We applied this method to abundance data of raccoons and striped skunks, two of the main hosts of rabies virus in North America. Habitat selection by raccoons and striped skunks depended on both conspecific abundance and the difference in landscape composition and structure between sub-blocks. When conspecific abundance was low, raccoons and striped skunks favored areas with relatively high proportions of forests and anthropogenic features, respectively. Under high conspecific abundance, however, both species preferred areas with rather large corn-forest edge densities and corn field proportions. Based on random sampling techniques, we provide a robust method that is applicable to a broad range of species, including medium- to large-sized mammals with high mobility. The method is sufficiently flexible to incorporate multiple environmental covariates that can reflect key requirements of the focal species. We thus illustrate how isodar theory can be used with wildlife surveys to assess density-dependent habitat selection over large geographic extents.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Tardy, Olivia and Massé, Ariane and Pelletier, Fanie and Fortin, Daniel},
 editor = {Russo, Danilo},
 doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0128238},
 journal = {PLOS ONE},
 number = {6}
}

Isodar theory can be used to evaluate fitness consequences of density-dependent habitat selection by animals. A typical habitat isodar is a regression curve plotting competitor densities in two adjacent habitats when individual fitness is equal. Despite the increasing use of habitat isodars, their application remains largely limited to areas composed of pairs of adjacent habitats that are defined a priori. We developed a resampling method that uses data from wildlife surveys to build isodars in heterogeneous landscapes without having to predefine habitat types. The method consists in randomly placing blocks over the survey area and dividing those blocks in two adjacent sub-blocks of the same size. Animal abundance is then estimated within the two sub-blocks. This process is done 100 times. Different functional forms of isodars can be investigated by relating animal abundance and differences in habitat features between sub-blocks. We applied this method to abundance data of raccoons and striped skunks, two of the main hosts of rabies virus in North America. Habitat selection by raccoons and striped skunks depended on both conspecific abundance and the difference in landscape composition and structure between sub-blocks. When conspecific abundance was low, raccoons and striped skunks favored areas with relatively high proportions of forests and anthropogenic features, respectively. Under high conspecific abundance, however, both species preferred areas with rather large corn-forest edge densities and corn field proportions. Based on random sampling techniques, we provide a robust method that is applicable to a broad range of species, including medium- to large-sized mammals with high mobility. The method is sufficiently flexible to incorporate multiple environmental covariates that can reflect key requirements of the focal species. We thus illustrate how isodar theory can be used with wildlife surveys to assess density-dependent habitat selection over large geographic extents.

@article{
 title = {Born to be wild? Response of an urban exploiter to human-modified environment and fluctuating weather conditions},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Agricultural subsidies,Annual precipitation,Anthropogenic diet,Procyon lotor,Raccoon,Urban exploiter,Wild population,Winter severity},
 pages = {315-322},
 volume = {93},
 websites = {http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/cjz-2014-0263},
 month = {4},
 id = {14158ce8-6656-33d0-8c05-bc50fd7820fa},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.022Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:40:01.898Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Turgeon2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Human-driven environmental changes affect behavior, morphology, life history, and population dynamics of wild species. Artificial food sources in anthropogenic environments benefit some species and may lead to faster somatic growth and larger body size, which affects survival and reproduction, thus contributing to a species’ success in modified environments. Using raccoons (Procyon lotor (L., 1758)) as a model, we documented age-specific body-mass pattern and evaluated the influence of human activities (human density, area with artificial food sources, edges of forested area bordering corn (Zea mays L.) fields) and weather (index of winter severity and mean annual precipitation) on body-mass variation at multiple spatial scales. The effect of human-driven changes on raccoon mass varied with age, sex, and spatial scale, suggesting that anthropogenic changes affect raccoons differentially according to gender and life stages. Human activity had consistently opposing effects between the sexes. Weather covariates represented >50% of the total variance in body mass explained by our models. Previous winter severity and mean annual precipitation affected body mass negatively and positively, respectively. Our results emphasize the importance of multiscale, sex- and age-specific analyses when studying influences of human activity on wildlife.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Turgeon, Geneviève and Wal, Eric Vander and Massé, Ariane and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2014-0263},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology},
 number = {4}
}

Human-driven environmental changes affect behavior, morphology, life history, and population dynamics of wild species. Artificial food sources in anthropogenic environments benefit some species and may lead to faster somatic growth and larger body size, which affects survival and reproduction, thus contributing to a species’ success in modified environments. Using raccoons (Procyon lotor (L., 1758)) as a model, we documented age-specific body-mass pattern and evaluated the influence of human activities (human density, area with artificial food sources, edges of forested area bordering corn (Zea mays L.) fields) and weather (index of winter severity and mean annual precipitation) on body-mass variation at multiple spatial scales. The effect of human-driven changes on raccoon mass varied with age, sex, and spatial scale, suggesting that anthropogenic changes affect raccoons differentially according to gender and life stages. Human activity had consistently opposing effects between the sexes. Weather covariates represented >50% of the total variance in body mass explained by our models. Previous winter severity and mean annual precipitation affected body mass negatively and positively, respectively. Our results emphasize the importance of multiscale, sex- and age-specific analyses when studying influences of human activity on wildlife.

@article{
 title = {Comparing measures of breeding inequality and opportunity for selection with sexual selection on a quantitative character in bighorn rams},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Opportunity for sexual selection,Quantitative characters,Selection differential,Selection intensity,Sexual selection,Skew index},
 pages = {223-230},
 volume = {28},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jeb.12558},
 month = {1},
 id = {821c43cc-17a0-3e0f-a99e-1d3ad7230248},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.036Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:40:21.819Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Martin2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The reliability and consistency of the many measures proposed to quantify sexual selection have been questioned for decades. Realized selection on quantitative characters measured by the selection differential i was approximated by metrics based on variance in breeding success, using either the opportunity for sexual selection Is or indices of inequality. There is no consensus about which metric best approximates realized selection on sexual characters. Recently, the opportunity for selection on character mean OSM was proposed to quantify the maximum potential selection on characters. Using 21 years of data on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we investigated the correlations between seven indices of inequality, Is, OSM and i on horn length of males. Bighorn sheep are ideal for this comparison because they are highly polygynous and sexually dimorphic, ram horn length is under strong sexual selection, and we have detailed knowledge of individual breeding success. Different metrics provided conflicting information, potentially leading to spurious conclusions about selection patterns. Iδ, an index of breeding inequality, and, to a lesser extent, Is showed the highest correlation with i on horn length, suggesting that these indices document breeding inequality in a selection context. OSM on horn length was strongly correlated with i, Is and indices of inequality. By integrating information on both realized sexual selection and breeding inequality, OSM appeared to be the best proxy of sexual selection and may be best suited to explore its ecological bases.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Martin, A. M. and Festa-Bianchet, M. and Coltman, D. W. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1111/jeb.12558},
 journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology},
 number = {1}
}

The reliability and consistency of the many measures proposed to quantify sexual selection have been questioned for decades. Realized selection on quantitative characters measured by the selection differential i was approximated by metrics based on variance in breeding success, using either the opportunity for sexual selection Is or indices of inequality. There is no consensus about which metric best approximates realized selection on sexual characters. Recently, the opportunity for selection on character mean OSM was proposed to quantify the maximum potential selection on characters. Using 21 years of data on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we investigated the correlations between seven indices of inequality, Is, OSM and i on horn length of males. Bighorn sheep are ideal for this comparison because they are highly polygynous and sexually dimorphic, ram horn length is under strong sexual selection, and we have detailed knowledge of individual breeding success. Different metrics provided conflicting information, potentially leading to spurious conclusions about selection patterns. Iδ, an index of breeding inequality, and, to a lesser extent, Is showed the highest correlation with i on horn length, suggesting that these indices document breeding inequality in a selection context. OSM on horn length was strongly correlated with i, Is and indices of inequality. By integrating information on both realized sexual selection and breeding inequality, OSM appeared to be the best proxy of sexual selection and may be best suited to explore its ecological bases.

@article{
 title = {Sex-based differences in the adaptive value of social behavior contrasted against morphology and environment},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Behavioral plasticity,Bighorn sheep,Canada,Centrality,Fission-fusion animal societies,Fitness,Lamb production,Ovis canadensis,Population dynamics,Ram Mountain Alberta,Sex-based differences,Sociality,Survival},
 pages = {631-641},
 volume = {96},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1890/14-1320.1},
 month = {3},
 id = {ec40fdec-a5d1-3682-8cec-36dc9f45def7},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.728Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:40:44.000Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanderWal2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The adaptive nature of sociality has long been a central question in ecology and evolution. However, the relative importance of social behavior for fitness, compared to morphology and environment, remains largely unknown. We assessed the importance of sociality for fitness (lamb production and survival) in a population of marked bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) over 16 years (n = 1022 sheep-years). We constructed social networks from observations (n = 38 350) of group membership (n = 3150 groups). We then tested whether consistent individual differences in social behavior (centrality) exist and evaluated their relative importance compared to factors known to affect fitness: mass, age, parental effects, and population density. Sheep exhibited consistent individual differences in social centrality. Controlling for maternal carryover effects and age, the positive effect of centrality in a social network on adult female lamb production and survival was equal or greater than the effect of body mass or population density. Social centrality had less effect on male survival and no effect on adult male lamb production or lamb survival. Through its effect on lamb production and survival, sociality in fission-fusion animal societies may ultimately influence population dynamics equally or more than morphological or environmental effects.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Vander Wal, E. and Festa-Bianchet, M. and Réale, D. and Coltman, D. W. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1890/14-1320.1},
 journal = {Ecology},
 number = {3}
}

The adaptive nature of sociality has long been a central question in ecology and evolution. However, the relative importance of social behavior for fitness, compared to morphology and environment, remains largely unknown. We assessed the importance of sociality for fitness (lamb production and survival) in a population of marked bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) over 16 years (n = 1022 sheep-years). We constructed social networks from observations (n = 38 350) of group membership (n = 3150 groups). We then tested whether consistent individual differences in social behavior (centrality) exist and evaluated their relative importance compared to factors known to affect fitness: mass, age, parental effects, and population density. Sheep exhibited consistent individual differences in social centrality. Controlling for maternal carryover effects and age, the positive effect of centrality in a social network on adult female lamb production and survival was equal or greater than the effect of body mass or population density. Social centrality had less effect on male survival and no effect on adult male lamb production or lamb survival. Through its effect on lamb production and survival, sociality in fission-fusion animal societies may ultimately influence population dynamics equally or more than morphological or environmental effects.

@article{
 title = {Energy expenditure and personality in wild chipmunks},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Doubly-labeled water,FMR,Pace of life,Repeatability,Temperament},
 pages = {653-661},
 volume = {69},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-015-1876-2},
 month = {4},
 day = {31},
 id = {f452bfbc-a7b1-3293-a435-daeaff58827c},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.519Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:41:00.597Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Careau2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {According to the “pace-of-life syndrome” concept, slow-fast life-history strategies favored under different ecological conditions should lead to co-adaptations between metabolic rate and personality traits such as activity, exploration, and boldness. Although the relationships between resting metabolic rate (RMR) and personality traits have been recently tested several times, we still do not know whether personality is related to the daily energy expenditure (DEE) of free-living individuals in their natural habitat. The objectives of this study were to assess the links between RMR, DEE, and two personality traits (exploration in an open-field and docility during handling) in wild eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). Using a multivariate mixed model, we found that exploration and docility were significantly correlated at the among-individual level, confirming the presence of a behavioral syndrome within our population. We also found that exploration, but not docility, was negatively correlated with DEE. Hence, fast explorers show lower DEE levels than slow explorers, independently of RMR and docility. This result adds to an increasingly large (and complex) literature reporting the impacts of personality traits on the biology, ecology, and physiology of animals in their natural environment.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Careau, Vincent and Montiglio, Pierre-Olivier and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Speakman, John R. and Humphries, Murray M. and Réale, Denis},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-015-1876-2},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {4}
}

According to the “pace-of-life syndrome” concept, slow-fast life-history strategies favored under different ecological conditions should lead to co-adaptations between metabolic rate and personality traits such as activity, exploration, and boldness. Although the relationships between resting metabolic rate (RMR) and personality traits have been recently tested several times, we still do not know whether personality is related to the daily energy expenditure (DEE) of free-living individuals in their natural habitat. The objectives of this study were to assess the links between RMR, DEE, and two personality traits (exploration in an open-field and docility during handling) in wild eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). Using a multivariate mixed model, we found that exploration and docility were significantly correlated at the among-individual level, confirming the presence of a behavioral syndrome within our population. We also found that exploration, but not docility, was negatively correlated with DEE. Hence, fast explorers show lower DEE levels than slow explorers, independently of RMR and docility. This result adds to an increasingly large (and complex) literature reporting the impacts of personality traits on the biology, ecology, and physiology of animals in their natural environment.

@article{
 title = {Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination for multiclass pesticides from insect samples by microwave-assisted solvent extraction followed by a salt-out effect and micro-dispersion purification},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 keywords = {Insect samples,Microwave-assisted-extraction,Multiresidue analysis,Pesticides,Salt-out effect},
 pages = {160-170},
 volume = {891},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003267015008843},
 month = {9},
 id = {48a05e57-fb0b-313e-9867-b420b731b05b},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.566Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:41:22.341Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Haroune2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The effects of phyto-pharmaceutic compounds (PPCs), such as neonicotinoids, on wildlife reproduction and survival are a rising concern. Yet, understanding the biological consequences of PPC use is particularly complex given the large diversity of PPCs and their derivatives to which wildlife can be exposed. Here, we present a simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiclass PPCs (54 molecules) in single insect boluses (<0.05 g dry mass) by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). A key part of this new method is the use of a two-step extraction method combining (i) the high efficiency of a microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MAE) for extracting analytes that might be tightly bound to environmental matrices and (ii) the versatility of a salt-out effect adapted from the QuEChERS methodology allowing the extraction and purification of a wide array of analytes. This microwave-assisted salt-out extraction (MASOE) approach was compared to classical extraction methods including matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and the QuEChERS method. Average recoveries for 54 analytes ranged from 49% to 106%, (relative standard deviations <22%). The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were in the ranges of 0.10-3.00 ng g-1 and 0.40-7.00 ng g-1, respectively. We applied this method to analyse 881 insect boluses collected from Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolour) nestlings along an agricultural intensification gradient in southern Québec (Canada). We detected 25 PPCs out of the 54 considered. We detected at least one PPC in 30% of samples and were able to quantify at least one of them in 17% of samples. Our study shows that the MASOE method should prove to be a powerful tool for studying the fate and impacts of PPCs on wildlife.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Haroune, Lounès and Cassoulet, Raphael and Lafontaine, Marie-Pier and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Cabana, Hubert and Bellenger, Jean-Philippe},
 doi = {10.1016/j.aca.2015.07.031},
 journal = {Analytica Chimica Acta}
}

The effects of phyto-pharmaceutic compounds (PPCs), such as neonicotinoids, on wildlife reproduction and survival are a rising concern. Yet, understanding the biological consequences of PPC use is particularly complex given the large diversity of PPCs and their derivatives to which wildlife can be exposed. Here, we present a simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiclass PPCs (54 molecules) in single insect boluses (<0.05 g dry mass) by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). A key part of this new method is the use of a two-step extraction method combining (i) the high efficiency of a microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MAE) for extracting analytes that might be tightly bound to environmental matrices and (ii) the versatility of a salt-out effect adapted from the QuEChERS methodology allowing the extraction and purification of a wide array of analytes. This microwave-assisted salt-out extraction (MASOE) approach was compared to classical extraction methods including matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and the QuEChERS method. Average recoveries for 54 analytes ranged from 49% to 106%, (relative standard deviations <22%). The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were in the ranges of 0.10-3.00 ng g-1 and 0.40-7.00 ng g-1, respectively. We applied this method to analyse 881 insect boluses collected from Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolour) nestlings along an agricultural intensification gradient in southern Québec (Canada). We detected 25 PPCs out of the 54 considered. We detected at least one PPC in 30% of samples and were able to quantify at least one of them in 17% of samples. Our study shows that the MASOE method should prove to be a powerful tool for studying the fate and impacts of PPCs on wildlife.

@article{
 title = {Archiving primary data: solutions for long-term studies},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 pages = {581-589},
 volume = {30},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169534715001858},
 month = {10},
 id = {2a6f4a8d-ed83-3634-be1a-51e1701ee369},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:58.058Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:41:39.855Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Mills2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The recent trend for journals to require open access to primary data included in publications has been embraced by many biologists, but has caused apprehension amongst researchers engaged in long-term ecological and evolutionary studies. A worldwide survey of 73 principal investigators (Pls) with long-term studies revealed positive attitudes towards sharing data with the agreement or involvement of the PI, and 93% of PIs have historically shared data. Only 8% were in favor of uncontrolled, open access to primary data while 63% expressed serious concern. We present here their viewpoint on an issue that can have non-trivial scientific consequences. We discuss potential costs of public data archiving and provide possible solutions to meet the needs of journals and researchers. Public data archiving is the archiving of primary data used in publications so that they can be preserved and made accessible to all online. Public data archiving is increasingly required by journals. However, the costs of public data archiving might be underestimated, in particular with respect to long-term studies. Long-term studies have been responsible for the answers to many important questions in evolution and ecology which could only be answered through following the life-histories of individuals for decades. Several papers have been published in favor of public data archiving, but a more balanced viewpoint is necessary to allow a discussion to emerge on a code of ethics and ways to preserve and protect the data, encourage the initiation and continuation of long-term studies, and meet the requirements of the whole scientific community.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Mills, James A. and Teplitsky, Céline and Arroyo, Beatriz and Charmantier, Anne and Becker, Peter. H. and Birkhead, Tim R. and Bize, Pierre and Blumstein, Daniel T. and Bonenfant, Christophe and Boutin, Stan and Bushuev, Andrey and Cam, Emmanuelle and Cockburn, Andrew and Côté, Steeve D. and Coulson, John C. and Daunt, Francis and Dingemanse, Niels J. and Doligez, Blandine and Drummond, Hugh and Espie, Richard H.M. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Frentiu, Francesca and Fitzpatrick, John W. and Furness, Robert W. and Garant, Dany and Gauthier, Gilles and Grant, Peter R. and Griesser, Michael and Gustafsson, Lars and Hansson, Bengt and Harris, Michael P. and Jiguet, Frédéric and Kjellander, Petter and Korpimäki, Erkki and Krebs, Charles J. and Lens, Luc and Linnell, John D.C. and Low, Matthew and McAdam, Andrew and Margalida, Antoni and Merilä, Juha and Møller, Anders P. and Nakagawa, Shinichi and Nilsson, Jan-Åke and Nisbet, Ian C.T. and van Noordwijk, Arie J. and Oro, Daniel and Pärt, Tomas and Pelletier, Fanie and Potti, Jaime and Pujol, Benoit and Réale, Denis and Rockwell, Robert F. and Ropert-Coudert, Yan and Roulin, Alexandre and Sedinger, James S. and Swenson, Jon E. and Thébaud, Christophe and Visser, Marcel E. and Wanless, Sarah and Westneat, David F. and Wilson, Alastair J. and Zedrosser, Andreas},
 doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2015.07.006},
 journal = {Trends in Ecology & Evolution},
 number = {10}
}

The recent trend for journals to require open access to primary data included in publications has been embraced by many biologists, but has caused apprehension amongst researchers engaged in long-term ecological and evolutionary studies. A worldwide survey of 73 principal investigators (Pls) with long-term studies revealed positive attitudes towards sharing data with the agreement or involvement of the PI, and 93% of PIs have historically shared data. Only 8% were in favor of uncontrolled, open access to primary data while 63% expressed serious concern. We present here their viewpoint on an issue that can have non-trivial scientific consequences. We discuss potential costs of public data archiving and provide possible solutions to meet the needs of journals and researchers. Public data archiving is the archiving of primary data used in publications so that they can be preserved and made accessible to all online. Public data archiving is increasingly required by journals. However, the costs of public data archiving might be underestimated, in particular with respect to long-term studies. Long-term studies have been responsible for the answers to many important questions in evolution and ecology which could only be answered through following the life-histories of individuals for decades. Several papers have been published in favor of public data archiving, but a more balanced viewpoint is necessary to allow a discussion to emerge on a code of ethics and ways to preserve and protect the data, encourage the initiation and continuation of long-term studies, and meet the requirements of the whole scientific community.

@article{
 title = {Intra-individual variability in fecal cortisol metabolites varies with lifetime exploration and reproductive life history in eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2015},
 pages = {1-11},
 volume = {69},
 websites = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00265-014-1812-x},
 month = {1},
 day = {2},
 id = {e210e8b7-df90-339e-a182-395ca0ac7dab},
 created = {2023-01-16T21:16:01.159Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T17:57:58.811Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Montiglio, P.-O. and Garant, D. and Pelletier, F. and Réale, D.},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-014-1812-x},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {1}
}

@article{
 title = {Evolutionary perspectives on wildlife disease: concepts and applications},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Applied evolution,Conservation,Epidemiology,Host-pathogen interactions,Wildlife management,Zoonosis},
 pages = {715-722},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/eva.12179},
 month = {8},
 id = {8987b799-3f6c-3238-910f-762bb4a33873},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.311Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:08.831Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanderWal2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Wildlife disease has the potential to cause significant ecological, socioeconomic, and health impacts. As a result, all tools available need to be employed when host-pathogen dynamics merit conservation or management interventions. Evolutionary principles, such as evolutionary history, phenotypic and genetic variation, and selection, have the potential to unravel many of the complex ecological realities of infectious disease in the wild. Despite this, their application to wildlife disease ecology and management remains in its infancy. In this article, we outline the impetus behind applying evolutionary principles to disease ecology and management issues in the wild. We then introduce articles from this special issue on Evolutionary Perspectives on Wildlife Disease: Concepts and Applications, outlining how each is exemplar of a practical wildlife disease challenge that can be enlightened by applied evolution. Ultimately, we aim to bring new insights to wildlife disease ecology and its management using tools and techniques commonly employed in evolutionary ecology. © 2014 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Vander Wal, Eric and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.12179},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {7}
}

Wildlife disease has the potential to cause significant ecological, socioeconomic, and health impacts. As a result, all tools available need to be employed when host-pathogen dynamics merit conservation or management interventions. Evolutionary principles, such as evolutionary history, phenotypic and genetic variation, and selection, have the potential to unravel many of the complex ecological realities of infectious disease in the wild. Despite this, their application to wildlife disease ecology and management remains in its infancy. In this article, we outline the impetus behind applying evolutionary principles to disease ecology and management issues in the wild. We then introduce articles from this special issue on Evolutionary Perspectives on Wildlife Disease: Concepts and Applications, outlining how each is exemplar of a practical wildlife disease challenge that can be enlightened by applied evolution. Ultimately, we aim to bring new insights to wildlife disease ecology and its management using tools and techniques commonly employed in evolutionary ecology. © 2014 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

@article{
 title = {Not surprisingly, no inheritance of a trait results in no evolution},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 pages = {E4810-E4810},
 volume = {111},
 websites = {http://www.pnas.org/lookup/doi/10.1073/pnas.1416665111},
 month = {11},
 day = {11},
 id = {18037750-57d2-374c-803c-044cadc38189},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.110Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.636Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Hedrick2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Hedrick, Philip W. and Coltman, David W. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1073/pnas.1416665111},
 journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
 number = {45}
}

@article{
 title = {Severe recent decrease of adult body mass in a declining insectivorous bird population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Aerial insectivores,Agricultural intensification,Body mass,Breeding success,Phenotypic plasticity,Tree swallow},
 pages = {20140649},
 volume = {281},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2014.0649},
 month = {7},
 day = {7},
 id = {11e7583c-cad7-3ff6-8721-4023a070e644},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.125Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.442Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {RiouxPaquette2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Migratory bird species that feed on air-borne insects are experiencing widespread regional declines, but these remain poorly understood. Agricultural intensification in the breeding range is often regarded as one of the main drivers of these declines. Here, we tested the hypothesis that body mass in breeding individuals should reflect habitat quality in an aerial insectivore, the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), along a gradient of agricultural intensity. Our dataset was collected over 7 years (2005-2011) and included 2918 swallow captures and 1483 broods. Analyses revealed a substantial decline of the population over the course of the study (219% occupancy rate), mirrored by decreasing body mass. This trend was especially severe in females, representing a total loss of 8% of their mass. Reproductive success was negatively influenced by intensive agriculture, but did not decrease over time. Interestingly, variation in body mass was independent of breeding habitat quality, leading us to suggest that this decline in body mass may result from carry-over effects from non-breeding areas and affect population dynamics through reduced survival. This work contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that declines in migratory aerial insectivores are driven by multiple, complex factors requiring better knowledge of year-round habitat use. © 2014 The Authors Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Rioux Paquette, Sébastien and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2014.0649},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1786}
}

Migratory bird species that feed on air-borne insects are experiencing widespread regional declines, but these remain poorly understood. Agricultural intensification in the breeding range is often regarded as one of the main drivers of these declines. Here, we tested the hypothesis that body mass in breeding individuals should reflect habitat quality in an aerial insectivore, the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), along a gradient of agricultural intensity. Our dataset was collected over 7 years (2005-2011) and included 2918 swallow captures and 1483 broods. Analyses revealed a substantial decline of the population over the course of the study (219% occupancy rate), mirrored by decreasing body mass. This trend was especially severe in females, representing a total loss of 8% of their mass. Reproductive success was negatively influenced by intensive agriculture, but did not decrease over time. Interestingly, variation in body mass was independent of breeding habitat quality, leading us to suggest that this decline in body mass may result from carry-over effects from non-breeding areas and affect population dynamics through reduced survival. This work contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that declines in migratory aerial insectivores are driven by multiple, complex factors requiring better knowledge of year-round habitat use. © 2014 The Authors Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

@article{
 title = {Sexually antagonistic association between paternal phenotype and offspring viability reinforces total selection on a sexually selected trait},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Sexual antagonism,Sexual selection,Total selection,Viability selection},
 pages = {20140043},
 volume = {10},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0043},
 month = {2},
 day = {28},
 id = {873493c2-dca6-33f6-a237-4084fade5e48},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.151Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.098Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Martin2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The evolution of conspicuous sexually selected traits, such as horns or antlers,has fascinated biologists for more than a century. Elaborate traits can only evolve if they substantially increase reproduction, because they probably incur survival costs to the bearer. Total selection on these traits, however,includes sexual selection on sires and viability selection on offspring and can be influenced by changes in each of these components. Non-random associations between paternal phenotype and offspring viability may thus affect total selection on sexually selected traits. Long-term data on wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) provide the first evidence in nature that association between paternal phenotype and lamb viability strengthens total selection on horn size of adult rams, a sexually selected trait. The association of paternal horn length and offspring viability was sexually antagonistic: long-horned males sired sonswith high viability but daughters of lowviability. These results shed newlight on the evolutionary dynamics of an iconic sexually selected trait and have important implications for sustainable wildlife management.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Martin, Alexandre M. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Coltman, David W. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2014.0043},
 journal = {Biology Letters},
 number = {2}
}

The evolution of conspicuous sexually selected traits, such as horns or antlers,has fascinated biologists for more than a century. Elaborate traits can only evolve if they substantially increase reproduction, because they probably incur survival costs to the bearer. Total selection on these traits, however,includes sexual selection on sires and viability selection on offspring and can be influenced by changes in each of these components. Non-random associations between paternal phenotype and offspring viability may thus affect total selection on sexually selected traits. Long-term data on wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) provide the first evidence in nature that association between paternal phenotype and lamb viability strengthens total selection on horn size of adult rams, a sexually selected trait. The association of paternal horn length and offspring viability was sexually antagonistic: long-horned males sired sonswith high viability but daughters of lowviability. These results shed newlight on the evolutionary dynamics of an iconic sexually selected trait and have important implications for sustainable wildlife management.

@article{
 title = {Density-dependent functional responses in habitat selection by two hosts of the raccoon rabies virus variant},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Density dependence,Functional responses,Habitat selection,Mephitis mephitis,Procyon lotor,Rabies,Resource selection function},
 pages = {art132},
 volume = {5},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1890/ES14-00197.1},
 month = {10},
 id = {8dff277e-06a6-38ec-bdc8-18ae88cec465},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.737Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:08.128Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Tardy2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Spatio-temporal variations in conspecific density and resource availability are two of the main factors responsible for plasticity in habitat selection. Despite the need for habitat selection models that can accurately predict animal distribution given the plasticity in the selection process, no study has assessed the synergistic effects of these factors on habitat selection. We investigated density-dependent functional responses by raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), two of the main hosts of the rabies virus in North America. We monitored 54 raccoons and 12 striped skunks with Global-Positioning- System collars in a landscape dominated by corn fields and forest patches. We built resource selection functions to evaluate if the selection of corn fields varied with conspecific density and corn field availability within 100% minimum convex polygons. Raccoons altered their selection of corn fields depending on both conspecific density and corn-forest edge density or corn field proportion. In areas of low corn-forest edge densities and a low corn field proportion, raccoons showed stronger selection for corn fields when few conspecifics were present. At high conspecific densities, the selection of corn fields was stronger in areas with high corn-forest edge densities and a low corn field proportion. For striped skunks, we did not detect any synergistic effect of density-dependence and functional responses. Unlike raccoons, striped skunks displayed a selection that was strongest for agricultural corridors. We show that functional responses in habitat selection can be density-dependent. In a context of infectious disease dynamics, modeling densitydependence in functional responses increases the ability to predict spatio-temporal variations in the distribution of reservoir species and thus, to delineate areas at high animal densities where the risk of disease outbreaks is relatively high. For example, the omission of density-dependence in functional responses underestimated the relative probability of raccoon occurrence in corn fields, while overestimating the relative probability of occurrence in anthropogenic areas and wetlands. Our study underscores the relevance of considering the complexity of habitat selection by all hosts of a zoonosis. Costeffective control and prevention programs used to limit disease spread can benefit from accounting for density-dependent functional responses of a multi-host disease system.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Tardy, Olivia and Massé, Ariane and Pelletier, Fanie and Mainguy, Julien and Fortin, Daniel},
 doi = {10.1890/ES14-00197.1},
 journal = {Ecosphere},
 number = {10}
}

Spatio-temporal variations in conspecific density and resource availability are two of the main factors responsible for plasticity in habitat selection. Despite the need for habitat selection models that can accurately predict animal distribution given the plasticity in the selection process, no study has assessed the synergistic effects of these factors on habitat selection. We investigated density-dependent functional responses by raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), two of the main hosts of the rabies virus in North America. We monitored 54 raccoons and 12 striped skunks with Global-Positioning- System collars in a landscape dominated by corn fields and forest patches. We built resource selection functions to evaluate if the selection of corn fields varied with conspecific density and corn field availability within 100% minimum convex polygons. Raccoons altered their selection of corn fields depending on both conspecific density and corn-forest edge density or corn field proportion. In areas of low corn-forest edge densities and a low corn field proportion, raccoons showed stronger selection for corn fields when few conspecifics were present. At high conspecific densities, the selection of corn fields was stronger in areas with high corn-forest edge densities and a low corn field proportion. For striped skunks, we did not detect any synergistic effect of density-dependence and functional responses. Unlike raccoons, striped skunks displayed a selection that was strongest for agricultural corridors. We show that functional responses in habitat selection can be density-dependent. In a context of infectious disease dynamics, modeling densitydependence in functional responses increases the ability to predict spatio-temporal variations in the distribution of reservoir species and thus, to delineate areas at high animal densities where the risk of disease outbreaks is relatively high. For example, the omission of density-dependence in functional responses underestimated the relative probability of raccoon occurrence in corn fields, while overestimating the relative probability of occurrence in anthropogenic areas and wetlands. Our study underscores the relevance of considering the complexity of habitat selection by all hosts of a zoonosis. Costeffective control and prevention programs used to limit disease spread can benefit from accounting for density-dependent functional responses of a multi-host disease system.

@article{
 title = {Modelling the dispersal of the two main hosts of the raccoon rabies variant in heterogeneous environments with landscape genetics},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Dispersal,Genetic relatedness,Isolation by resistance,Mephitis mephitis,Multiple regression on distance matrices,Procyon lotor,Raccoon rabies variant,Striped skunk},
 pages = {734-749},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/eva.12161},
 month = {8},
 id = {aac202cb-06ab-39a9-b922-a4e9f0a8357c},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.778Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:48.033Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {RiouxPaquette2014a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Predicting the geographic spread of wildlife epidemics requires knowledge about the movement patterns of disease hosts or vectors. The field of landscape genetics provides valuable approaches to study dispersal indirectly, which in turn may be used to understand patterns of disease spread. Here, we applied landscape genetic analyses and spatially explicit models to identify the potential path of raccoon rabies spread in a mesocarnivore community. We used relatedness estimates derived from microsatellite genotypes of raccoons and striped skunks to investigate their dispersal patterns in a heterogeneous landscape composed predominantly of agricultural, forested and residential areas. Samples were collected in an area covering 22 000 km2 in southern Québec, where the raccoon rabies variant (RRV) was first detected in 2006. Multiple regressions on distance matrices revealed that genetic distance among male raccoons was strictly a function of geographic distance, while dispersal in female raccoons was significantly reduced by the presence of agricultural fields. In skunks, our results suggested that dispersal is increased in edge habitats between fields and forest fragments in both males and females. Resistance modelling allowed us to identify likely dispersal corridors used by these two rabies hosts, which may prove especially helpful for surveillance and control (e.g. oral vaccination) activities. © 2014 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Rioux Paquette, Sébastien and Talbot, Benoit and Garant, Dany and Mainguy, Julien and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.12161},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {7}
}

Predicting the geographic spread of wildlife epidemics requires knowledge about the movement patterns of disease hosts or vectors. The field of landscape genetics provides valuable approaches to study dispersal indirectly, which in turn may be used to understand patterns of disease spread. Here, we applied landscape genetic analyses and spatially explicit models to identify the potential path of raccoon rabies spread in a mesocarnivore community. We used relatedness estimates derived from microsatellite genotypes of raccoons and striped skunks to investigate their dispersal patterns in a heterogeneous landscape composed predominantly of agricultural, forested and residential areas. Samples were collected in an area covering 22 000 km2 in southern Québec, where the raccoon rabies variant (RRV) was first detected in 2006. Multiple regressions on distance matrices revealed that genetic distance among male raccoons was strictly a function of geographic distance, while dispersal in female raccoons was significantly reduced by the presence of agricultural fields. In skunks, our results suggested that dispersal is increased in edge habitats between fields and forest fragments in both males and females. Resistance modelling allowed us to identify likely dispersal corridors used by these two rabies hosts, which may prove especially helpful for surveillance and control (e.g. oral vaccination) activities. © 2014 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

@article{
 title = {Individual and environmental determinants of reproductive success in male tree swallow (<i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Birds,Environmental variability,Individual heterogeneity,Paternity assignment,Reproductive success,Sexual selection},
 pages = {733-742},
 volume = {68},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-014-1686-y},
 month = {5},
 day = {14},
 id = {417bea6b-c796-310e-9954-233489c500d9},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.815Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.513Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Lessard2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Evaluating the contribution of individual and environmental determinants of reproductive success is essential to improve our understanding of sexual selection. In socially monogamous bird species with high rates of extrapair paternity, traits or environmental contexts affecting the number of within-pair young (WPY) produced by males can differ from those affecting the number of extrapair young fathered (EPY). Here, we use a 4-year dataset collected in contrasted environments to assess the factors affecting male reproductive success in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), a species showing high levels of extrapair paternity. Our analyses revealed that the number of WPY was higher under better environmental conditions, while the number of EPY was mainly related to male characteristics. Males nesting in more intensive agricultural areas had fewer WPY produced and a lower reproductive success. Also, males breeding earlier in the season had more WPY. The presence of parasites reduced males' reproductive success, mainly by reducing the number of EPY. The influence of male phenotype varied according to population density: Tarsus length variation had a greater effect on reproductive success at low population density than at high density, while wing length was also positively related to the number of EPY, more so at high than at low density. Altogether, our results suggest a complex interplay between individual and environmental determinants of reproductive success and imply that sexual selection dynamics varies depending on environmental contexts. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Lessard, Andréanne and Bourret, Audrey and Bélisle, Marc and Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-014-1686-y},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {5}
}

Evaluating the contribution of individual and environmental determinants of reproductive success is essential to improve our understanding of sexual selection. In socially monogamous bird species with high rates of extrapair paternity, traits or environmental contexts affecting the number of within-pair young (WPY) produced by males can differ from those affecting the number of extrapair young fathered (EPY). Here, we use a 4-year dataset collected in contrasted environments to assess the factors affecting male reproductive success in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), a species showing high levels of extrapair paternity. Our analyses revealed that the number of WPY was higher under better environmental conditions, while the number of EPY was mainly related to male characteristics. Males nesting in more intensive agricultural areas had fewer WPY produced and a lower reproductive success. Also, males breeding earlier in the season had more WPY. The presence of parasites reduced males' reproductive success, mainly by reducing the number of EPY. The influence of male phenotype varied according to population density: Tarsus length variation had a greater effect on reproductive success at low population density than at high density, while wing length was also positively related to the number of EPY, more so at high than at low density. Altogether, our results suggest a complex interplay between individual and environmental determinants of reproductive success and imply that sexual selection dynamics varies depending on environmental contexts. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

@article{
 title = {Decrease in horn size and increase in age of trophy sheep in Alberta over 37 years},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {artificial selection,bighorn sheep,horn size,sampling bias,time series,trophy hunting,ungulates},
 pages = {133-141},
 volume = {78},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/jwmg.644},
 month = {1},
 id = {476fffcb-fd97-32e8-bd1b-b19f4841efb3},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.855Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.737Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Festa-Bianchet2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Long-term data (1974-2011) from harvested bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) in Alberta, Canada, suggested a reduction in horn size and in the proportion of trophy rams in the provincial population over time. Age at harvest increased over time, suggesting slower horn growth. Rams that experienced favorable environmental conditions early in life had rapid horn growth and were harvested at a younger age than rams with slower horn growth. Guided nonresident hunters did not harvest larger rams than residents, suggesting that few large rams were available. Resident hunter success declined in recent years. Despite an apparently stable population, successive cohorts produced a decreasing harvest of trophy rams. We suggest that unrestricted harvest based on a threshold horn size led to a decline in the availability of trophy rams. That decline is partly an inevitable consequence of selective hunting that removes larger rams. Although our analysis does not establish that evolution of smaller horns caused the observed decline in both horn size and harvest of trophy rams, we suggest that intensive trophy hunting may have artificially selected for a decrease in horn growth rate. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie and Jorgenson, Jon T. and Feder, Chiarastella and Hubbs, Anne},
 doi = {10.1002/jwmg.644},
 journal = {Journal of Wildlife Management},
 number = {1}
}

Long-term data (1974-2011) from harvested bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) in Alberta, Canada, suggested a reduction in horn size and in the proportion of trophy rams in the provincial population over time. Age at harvest increased over time, suggesting slower horn growth. Rams that experienced favorable environmental conditions early in life had rapid horn growth and were harvested at a younger age than rams with slower horn growth. Guided nonresident hunters did not harvest larger rams than residents, suggesting that few large rams were available. Resident hunter success declined in recent years. Despite an apparently stable population, successive cohorts produced a decreasing harvest of trophy rams. We suggest that unrestricted harvest based on a threshold horn size led to a decline in the availability of trophy rams. That decline is partly an inevitable consequence of selective hunting that removes larger rams. Although our analysis does not establish that evolution of smaller horns caused the observed decline in both horn size and harvest of trophy rams, we suggest that intensive trophy hunting may have artificially selected for a decrease in horn growth rate. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

@article{
 title = {Solar irradiance, survival and longevity in a pre-industrial human population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 pages = {645-650},
 volume = {42},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10745-014-9671-7},
 month = {8},
 day = {8},
 id = {4dedee10-93c6-38ac-87c0-a61d2b8ef45f},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.313Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.299Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bergeron2014},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bergeron, Patrick and Milot, Emmanuel and Mayer, Francine M. and Boisvert, Mireille and Réale, Denis and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1007/s10745-014-9671-7},
 journal = {Human Ecology},
 number = {4}
}

@article{
 title = {Applying evolutionary concepts to wildlife disease ecology and management},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Conservation,Eco-evolutionary dynamics,Environmental change,Epidemiology,Host-pathogen interactions,Zoonosis},
 pages = {856-868},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/eva.12168},
 month = {8},
 id = {bfb1d45e-199d-33a2-952f-7c53ed5b78c0},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.607Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.311Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanderWal2014a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Existing and emerging infectious diseases are among the most pressing global threats to biodiversity, food safety and human health. The complex interplay between host, pathogen and environment creates a challenge for conserving species, communities and ecosystem functions, while mediating the many known ecological and socio-economic negative effects of disease. Despite the clear ecological and evolutionary contexts of host-pathogen dynamics, approaches to managing wildlife disease remain predominantly reactionary, focusing on surveillance and some attempts at eradication. A few exceptional studies have heeded recent calls for better integration of ecological concepts in the study and management of wildlife disease; however, evolutionary concepts remain underused. Applied evolution consists of four principles: evolutionary history, genetic and phenotypic variation, selection and eco-evolutionary dynamics. In this article, we first update a classical framework for understanding wildlife disease to integrate better these principles. Within this framework, we explore the evolutionary implications of environment-disease interactions. Subsequently, we synthesize areas where applied evolution can be employed in wildlife disease management. Finally, we discuss some future directions and challenges. Here, we underscore that despite some evolutionary principles currently playing an important role in our understanding of disease in wild animals, considerable opportunities remain for fostering the practice of evolutionarily enlightened wildlife disease management. © 2014 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Vander Wal, Eric and Garant, Dany and Calmé, Sophie and Chapman, Colin A. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Millien, Virginie and Rioux-Paquette, Sébastien and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/eva.12168},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {7}
}

Existing and emerging infectious diseases are among the most pressing global threats to biodiversity, food safety and human health. The complex interplay between host, pathogen and environment creates a challenge for conserving species, communities and ecosystem functions, while mediating the many known ecological and socio-economic negative effects of disease. Despite the clear ecological and evolutionary contexts of host-pathogen dynamics, approaches to managing wildlife disease remain predominantly reactionary, focusing on surveillance and some attempts at eradication. A few exceptional studies have heeded recent calls for better integration of ecological concepts in the study and management of wildlife disease; however, evolutionary concepts remain underused. Applied evolution consists of four principles: evolutionary history, genetic and phenotypic variation, selection and eco-evolutionary dynamics. In this article, we first update a classical framework for understanding wildlife disease to integrate better these principles. Within this framework, we explore the evolutionary implications of environment-disease interactions. Subsequently, we synthesize areas where applied evolution can be employed in wildlife disease management. Finally, we discuss some future directions and challenges. Here, we underscore that despite some evolutionary principles currently playing an important role in our understanding of disease in wild animals, considerable opportunities remain for fostering the practice of evolutionarily enlightened wildlife disease management. © 2014 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

@article{
 title = {Can phenotypic rescue from harvest refuges buffer wild sheep from selective hunting?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2014},
 keywords = {Artificial selection,Harvest,Ovis canadensis,Parks,Source-sink dynamics,Trophy hunting,Ungulates},
 pages = {3375-3382},
 volume = {4},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ece3.1185},
 month = {9},
 publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Ltd},
 id = {978160c7-eea9-30e5-b3e3-fae0f7a74c72},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.692Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:59:16.902Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2014},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Human harvests can unwittingly drive evolution on morphology and life history, and these selective effects may be detrimental to the management of natural resources. Although theory suggests that harvest refuges, as sources of unselected animals, could buffer the effects of human exploitation on wild populations, few studies have assessed their efficiency. We analyzed records from >7000 trophy bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) harvested in Alberta, Canada, between 1974 and 2011 to investigate if the movement of rams from refuges toward harvested areas reduced the effects of selective harvesting on horn size through phenotypic rescue. Rams taken near refuges had horns on average about 3% longer than rams shot far from refuges and were slightly older, suggesting migration from refuges into hunted areas. Rams from areas adjacent to and far from harvest refuges, however, showed similar declines in horn length and increases in age at harvest over time, indicating a decreasing rate of horn growth. Our study suggests that the influx of rams from refuges is not sufficient to mitigate the selective effects of sheep trophy harvest. Instead, we suggest that selective hunting of highly mobile animals may affect the genetic structure of populations that spend part of the year inside protected areas.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Jorgenson, Jon T. and Feder, Chiarastella and Hubbs, Anne},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.1185},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {17}
}

Human harvests can unwittingly drive evolution on morphology and life history, and these selective effects may be detrimental to the management of natural resources. Although theory suggests that harvest refuges, as sources of unselected animals, could buffer the effects of human exploitation on wild populations, few studies have assessed their efficiency. We analyzed records from >7000 trophy bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) harvested in Alberta, Canada, between 1974 and 2011 to investigate if the movement of rams from refuges toward harvested areas reduced the effects of selective harvesting on horn size through phenotypic rescue. Rams taken near refuges had horns on average about 3% longer than rams shot far from refuges and were slightly older, suggesting migration from refuges into hunted areas. Rams from areas adjacent to and far from harvest refuges, however, showed similar declines in horn length and increases in age at harvest over time, indicating a decreasing rate of horn growth. Our study suggests that the influx of rams from refuges is not sufficient to mitigate the selective effects of sheep trophy harvest. Instead, we suggest that selective hunting of highly mobile animals may affect the genetic structure of populations that spend part of the year inside protected areas.

@article{
 title = {Human evolution: new playgrounds for natural selection},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 pages = {R446-R448},
 volume = {23},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982213004818},
 month = {5},
 id = {ffa9a4da-e928-3ac7-8124-6854084c3f93},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.123Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.046Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Milot2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Despite popular misconceptions, natural selection does operate in modern human populations. New studies even show that changes associated with modernization are deeply reshaping selection pressures and, perhaps, bits of our biological nature. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Milot, Emmanuel and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2013.04.040},
 journal = {Current Biology},
 number = {10}
}

Despite popular misconceptions, natural selection does operate in modern human populations. New studies even show that changes associated with modernization are deeply reshaping selection pressures and, perhaps, bits of our biological nature. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

@article{
 title = {Despite catch-up, prolonged growth has detrimental fitness consequences in a long-lived vertebrate},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Bighorn sheep,Compensatory growth,Growth tactics,Lifehistory traits,Reproductive success},
 pages = {775-785},
 volume = {182},
 websites = {https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/673534},
 month = {12},
 id = {1cddba09-8e43-31c1-bf04-167dd8dbfd72},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.166Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.795Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Marcil-Ferland2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Individuals experiencing poor growth early in life may later make up their size deficit. Compensatory growth or growth prolongation may lead to such catch-up, involving different lifehistory trade-offs under natural conditions. Frequent recaptures and detailed monitoring of animals surviving to asymptotic size are required to compare growth tactics and their fitness consequences. No study to date has obtained such detailed information for wild animals. We used repeated mass measurements (mean 11.6/animal) spanning the lifetime of 104 bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) to quantify growth tactics and identify the determinants and life-history costs of these tactics. Growth prolongation, not compensatory growth, led to partial catch-up: mass difference at age 7 was reduced to 4%, for two groups that differed by nearly 20% as yearlings. Ewes that had been light as yearlings prolonged their growth regardless of density or age of primiparity. Growth prolongation did not affect fecundity or longevity. Ewes that experienced poor early growth prolonged growth at the expense of reproductive fitness, weaning a smaller proportion of their lambs. By tracking multiyear growth patterns and comparing events at different life-history stages, we quantified a trade-off between growth and reproduction that would be overlooked if only the adult phenotype was considered. Compensatory growth in long-lived animals appears unlikely when early growth restrictions are mostly density dependent. © 2013 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Marcil-Ferland, Dominique and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Martin, Alexandre M. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1086/673534},
 journal = {The American Naturalist},
 number = {6}
}

Individuals experiencing poor growth early in life may later make up their size deficit. Compensatory growth or growth prolongation may lead to such catch-up, involving different lifehistory trade-offs under natural conditions. Frequent recaptures and detailed monitoring of animals surviving to asymptotic size are required to compare growth tactics and their fitness consequences. No study to date has obtained such detailed information for wild animals. We used repeated mass measurements (mean 11.6/animal) spanning the lifetime of 104 bighorn ewes (Ovis canadensis) to quantify growth tactics and identify the determinants and life-history costs of these tactics. Growth prolongation, not compensatory growth, led to partial catch-up: mass difference at age 7 was reduced to 4%, for two groups that differed by nearly 20% as yearlings. Ewes that had been light as yearlings prolonged their growth regardless of density or age of primiparity. Growth prolongation did not affect fecundity or longevity. Ewes that experienced poor early growth prolonged growth at the expense of reproductive fitness, weaning a smaller proportion of their lambs. By tracking multiyear growth patterns and comparing events at different life-history stages, we quantified a trade-off between growth and reproduction that would be overlooked if only the adult phenotype was considered. Compensatory growth in long-lived animals appears unlikely when early growth restrictions are mostly density dependent. © 2013 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

@article{
 title = {Context-dependent social behaviour: testing the interplay between season and kinship with raccoons},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Contact,Interaction,Kin selection,Proximity loggers,Raccoons,Seasonality,Social thermoregulation,Sociality},
 pages = {199-207},
 volume = {290},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jzo.12027},
 month = {7},
 id = {03451ae1-5b8f-3294-8ba1-77a3de8c5286},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.201Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.196Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Robert2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Animals are organized in a wide range of social structures. Variability in sociality is found both within and among species and is influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Here we examine the interplay between social behaviour, social thermoregulation and kinship in shaping sociality. We do so for raccoon Procyon lotor, a species suggested to exhibit flexible sociality - from solitary to highly gregarious. We hypothesize that this variation in sociality is driven by environmental conditions, relatedness and their interaction. We used proximity-logging telemetry collars to quantify intraspecific encounters and infer social behaviour among female raccoons. We tested the effect of extrinsic (season and temperature) and intrinsic (pairwise relatedness) variables on proximity. We monitored 15 female raccoons from April 2010 to August 2011, which composed 120 dyads. Daily proximal encounter rate was eight times higher in winter (mean ± standard error: 24.1 ± 4.2) than in summer (3.0 ± 2.6) and daily encounter duration was 12 times longer in winter (558.8 ± 130.3s) than in summer (43.4 ± 33.1s). We also found a negative relationship between ambient temperature and proximal encounter rate, which suggested that female raccoons use social thermoregulation as a mechanism to reduce energetic costs in cold environments. Finally, we found that relatedness was positively correlated with encounter rate during summer and winter. Our results suggest that ecological factors, such as seasonality, may affect the evolution of sociality in temperate species, and that the evolution of social thermoregulation in raccoons is likely driven by kin selection. © 2013 The Zoological Society of London.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Robert, K. and Garant, D. and Vander Wal, E. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1111/jzo.12027},
 journal = {Journal of Zoology},
 number = {3}
}

Animals are organized in a wide range of social structures. Variability in sociality is found both within and among species and is influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Here we examine the interplay between social behaviour, social thermoregulation and kinship in shaping sociality. We do so for raccoon Procyon lotor, a species suggested to exhibit flexible sociality - from solitary to highly gregarious. We hypothesize that this variation in sociality is driven by environmental conditions, relatedness and their interaction. We used proximity-logging telemetry collars to quantify intraspecific encounters and infer social behaviour among female raccoons. We tested the effect of extrinsic (season and temperature) and intrinsic (pairwise relatedness) variables on proximity. We monitored 15 female raccoons from April 2010 to August 2011, which composed 120 dyads. Daily proximal encounter rate was eight times higher in winter (mean ± standard error: 24.1 ± 4.2) than in summer (3.0 ± 2.6) and daily encounter duration was 12 times longer in winter (558.8 ± 130.3s) than in summer (43.4 ± 33.1s). We also found a negative relationship between ambient temperature and proximal encounter rate, which suggested that female raccoons use social thermoregulation as a mechanism to reduce energetic costs in cold environments. Finally, we found that relatedness was positively correlated with encounter rate during summer and winter. Our results suggest that ecological factors, such as seasonality, may affect the evolution of sociality in temperate species, and that the evolution of social thermoregulation in raccoons is likely driven by kin selection. © 2013 The Zoological Society of London.

@article{
 title = {Male mating competitiveness and age-dependent relationship between testosterone and social rank in bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Androgen,Ontogeny,Ovis canadensis,Secondary sexual traits,Sexual selection,Social hierarchy},
 pages = {919-928},
 volume = {67},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-013-1516-7},
 month = {6},
 day = {27},
 id = {7e26fa79-37ab-3173-a960-2bdbd3325b9d},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.211Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.626Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Martin2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In males, the acquisition and development of behavioral and morphological secondary sexual traits typically depends on testosterone and correlates with mating success. Testosterone level could affect competition for mates and thus be a target of sexual selection. We sought to relate testosterone levels to male mating competitiveness, by teasing apart the relationships between testosterone, behavior, and growth before the mating period. We monitored 24 adult bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Alberta, from 2008 to 2011. Using linear mixed models, we tested the relationships between testosterone metabolites in feces, social rank, and both growth and size of two sexually selected traits: horns and body mass. The correlation between testosterone and social rank varied with age. Testosterone and rank were weakly and negatively correlated for young rams, positively correlated for prime-aged rams, and negatively correlated for older rams. Although testosterone had an increasingly positive effect on total horn length until 8 years of age, we could not detect any effects on annual growth rate of horns or body mass. Testosterone may be related to male's ability to compete for mates through its relationship with behaviors determining social rank, rather than by influencing the development of morphological traits. Differences in testosterone levels among competitors may be a proximate cause of variance in fitness. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Martin, Alexandre M. and Presseault-Gauvin, Hélène and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-013-1516-7},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {6}
}

In males, the acquisition and development of behavioral and morphological secondary sexual traits typically depends on testosterone and correlates with mating success. Testosterone level could affect competition for mates and thus be a target of sexual selection. We sought to relate testosterone levels to male mating competitiveness, by teasing apart the relationships between testosterone, behavior, and growth before the mating period. We monitored 24 adult bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Alberta, from 2008 to 2011. Using linear mixed models, we tested the relationships between testosterone metabolites in feces, social rank, and both growth and size of two sexually selected traits: horns and body mass. The correlation between testosterone and social rank varied with age. Testosterone and rank were weakly and negatively correlated for young rams, positively correlated for prime-aged rams, and negatively correlated for older rams. Although testosterone had an increasingly positive effect on total horn length until 8 years of age, we could not detect any effects on annual growth rate of horns or body mass. Testosterone may be related to male's ability to compete for mates through its relationship with behaviors determining social rank, rather than by influencing the development of morphological traits. Differences in testosterone levels among competitors may be a proximate cause of variance in fitness. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

@misc{
 title = {Comment on "Bateman in nature: Predation on offspring reduces the potential for sexual selection"},
 type = {misc},
 year = {2013},
 source = {Science},
 pages = {549-549},
 volume = {340},
 issue = {6132},
 websites = {http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.1233246},
 month = {5},
 day = {3},
 id = {049fb5c3-6045-3936-8c67-b8d97aef441d},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.238Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:48.975Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bergeron2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Byers and Dunn (Reports, 9 November 2012, p. 802) claimed that predation on offspring reduced the potential for sexual selection in pronghorn. We argue that the potential for sexual selection is not affected by random offspring mortality when relative reproductive success is considered and increases when measured with the opportunity for selection, a metric that describes the potential for selection.},
 bibtype = {misc},
 author = {Bergeron, P. and Martin, A. M. and Garant, D. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1126/science.1233246}
}

Byers and Dunn (Reports, 9 November 2012, p. 802) claimed that predation on offspring reduced the potential for sexual selection in pronghorn. We argue that the potential for sexual selection is not affected by random offspring mortality when relative reproductive success is considered and increases when measured with the opportunity for selection, a metric that describes the potential for selection.

@article{
 title = {Seasonal patterns in Tree Swallow prey (<i>Diptera</i>) abundance are affected by agricultural intensification},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Agro-intensive landscapes,Biomass,Diptera abundance,Linear mixed modeling,Southeastern Canada,Spatiotemporal analyses,Tachycineta bicolor,Tree Swallow},
 pages = {122-133},
 volume = {23},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1890/12-0068.1},
 month = {1},
 id = {f21c173d-06bd-3bf8-b0aa-dc7f264af0f9},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.246Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.584Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Paquette2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In many parts of the world, farmland bird species are declining at faster rates than other birds. For aerial insectivores, this decline has been related to a parallel reduction in the abundance of their invertebrate prey in agricultural landscapes. While the effects of agricultural intensification (AI) on arthropod communities at the landscape level have been substantially studied in recent years, seasonal variation in these impacts has not been investigated. To assess the contention that intensive cultures negatively impact food resources for aerial insectivorous birds, we analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of Diptera, the main food resource for breeding Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), across a gradient of AI in southeastern Quebec, Canada. Linear mixed models computed from a data set of 5000 samples comprising >150 000 dipterans collected over three years (2006-2008) suggest that both Diptera abundance and biomass varied greatly during swallow breeding season, following a quadratic curve. Globally, AI had a negative effect on Diptera abundance (but not biomass), but year-by-year analyses showed that in one of three years (2008), dipterans were more abundant in agro-intensive landscapes. Analyses also revealed a significant interaction between the moment in the season and AI: In early June, Diptera abundances were similar regardless of the landscape, but differences increased as the season progressed, with highly intensive landscapes harboring fewer prey, possibly creating an "ecological trap" for aerial insectivores. While global trends in our results are in agreement with expectations (negative impact of AI on insect abundance), strong discrepancies in 2008 highlight the difficulty of predicting the abundance of insect communities. Our study indicates that predicting the effects of AI may prove more challenging than generally assumed, even when large data sets are collected, and that temporal variation within a season is important to take into consideration. While further work is required to assess the direct impacts of these seasonal trends in Diptera abundance on bird breeding success and post-fledging survival, management strategies in agricultural landscapes may need to consider the phenology of breeding birds and their dipteran prey in order to mitigate the potentially negative effects of AI late in the breeding season. © 2013 by the Ecological Society of America.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Rioux-Paquette, Sébastien and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Bélisle, Marc},
 doi = {10.1890/12-0068.1},
 journal = {Ecological Applications},
 number = {1}
}

In many parts of the world, farmland bird species are declining at faster rates than other birds. For aerial insectivores, this decline has been related to a parallel reduction in the abundance of their invertebrate prey in agricultural landscapes. While the effects of agricultural intensification (AI) on arthropod communities at the landscape level have been substantially studied in recent years, seasonal variation in these impacts has not been investigated. To assess the contention that intensive cultures negatively impact food resources for aerial insectivorous birds, we analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of Diptera, the main food resource for breeding Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), across a gradient of AI in southeastern Quebec, Canada. Linear mixed models computed from a data set of 5000 samples comprising >150 000 dipterans collected over three years (2006-2008) suggest that both Diptera abundance and biomass varied greatly during swallow breeding season, following a quadratic curve. Globally, AI had a negative effect on Diptera abundance (but not biomass), but year-by-year analyses showed that in one of three years (2008), dipterans were more abundant in agro-intensive landscapes. Analyses also revealed a significant interaction between the moment in the season and AI: In early June, Diptera abundances were similar regardless of the landscape, but differences increased as the season progressed, with highly intensive landscapes harboring fewer prey, possibly creating an "ecological trap" for aerial insectivores. While global trends in our results are in agreement with expectations (negative impact of AI on insect abundance), strong discrepancies in 2008 highlight the difficulty of predicting the abundance of insect communities. Our study indicates that predicting the effects of AI may prove more challenging than generally assumed, even when large data sets are collected, and that temporal variation within a season is important to take into consideration. While further work is required to assess the direct impacts of these seasonal trends in Diptera abundance on bird breeding success and post-fledging survival, management strategies in agricultural landscapes may need to consider the phenology of breeding birds and their dipteran prey in order to mitigate the potentially negative effects of AI late in the breeding season. © 2013 by the Ecological Society of America.

@article{
 title = {Evolutionary rescue in vertebrates: evidence, applications and uncertainty},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Conservation,Genetic rescue,Global changes,Vertebrates,Wildlife},
 pages = {20120090},
 volume = {368},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2012.0090},
 month = {1},
 day = {19},
 id = {04268318-a2d3-3eab-aea7-d06f5bf189c0},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.275Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.812Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {VanderWal2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The current rapid rate of human-driven environmental change presents wild populations with novel conditions and stresses. Theory and experimental evidence for evolutionary rescue present a promising case for species facing environmental change persisting via adaptation. Here, we assess the potential for evolutionary rescue in wild vertebrates. Available information on evolutionary rescue was rare and restricted to abundant and highly fecund species that faced severe intentional anthropogenic selective pressures. However, examples from adaptive tracking in common species and genetic rescues in species of conservation concern provide convincing evidence in favour of the mechanisms of evolutionary rescue. We conclude that low population size, long generation times and limited genetic variability will result in evolutionary rescue occurring rarely for endangered species without intervention. Owing to the risks presented by current environmental change and the possibility of evolutionary rescue in nature, we suggest means to study evolutionary rescue by mapping genotype → phenotype → demography → fitness relationships, and priorities for applying evolutionary rescue to wild populations. © 2012 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Vander Wal, E. and Garant, D. and Festa-Bianchet, M. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1098/rstb.2012.0090},
 journal = {Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1610}
}

The current rapid rate of human-driven environmental change presents wild populations with novel conditions and stresses. Theory and experimental evidence for evolutionary rescue present a promising case for species facing environmental change persisting via adaptation. Here, we assess the potential for evolutionary rescue in wild vertebrates. Available information on evolutionary rescue was rare and restricted to abundant and highly fecund species that faced severe intentional anthropogenic selective pressures. However, examples from adaptive tracking in common species and genetic rescues in species of conservation concern provide convincing evidence in favour of the mechanisms of evolutionary rescue. We conclude that low population size, long generation times and limited genetic variability will result in evolutionary rescue occurring rarely for endangered species without intervention. Owing to the risks presented by current environmental change and the possibility of evolutionary rescue in nature, we suggest means to study evolutionary rescue by mapping genotype → phenotype → demography → fitness relationships, and priorities for applying evolutionary rescue to wild populations. © 2012 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

@article{
 title = {Genetic structure and diversity among rabid and nonrabid raccoons},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Procyon lotor,disease ecology,genetic diversity,population genetics,rabies,raccoon},
 pages = {345-351},
 volume = {20},
 websites = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2980/20-4-3633},
 month = {12},
 day = {3},
 id = {b147698a-8b47-36a0-82d5-06e8a83fa2af},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.811Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:08.542Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Talbot2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Population genetics approaches are becoming widely used to assess the propagation potential of wildlife diseases. Such studies are often conducted on uninfected hosts because acute zoonotic diseases pose significant health risks to humans and infected hosts are thus more difficult to obtain. Predictions of disease spread potential assume that infected and uninfected individuals exhibit similar movement behaviours and genotypes. However, some diseases, such as rabies, might enhance individual's dispersal behaviour. Thus, if rabid animals are mostly long-distance migrants, prediction of rabies spread potential based on genetic analyses of uninfected animals might be misleading. Here, we genotyped 84 rabid and 113 nonrabid raccoons (Procyon lotor) to assess whether a difference in genetic structure pattern could be detected between these groups in a rabies epizootic area in southern Quebec, Canada. We also assessed whether genetic diversity differs among rabid and nonrabid raccoons by comparing expected heterozygosity, allelic richness, and inbreeding coefficient of the 2 groups. Finally, we tested for possible associations between rabies infection and microsatellite genotypes. We found no evidence of genetic structuring and no difference in genetic diversity among nonrabid and rabid raccoons. We also have limited evidence for a link between genotype and infection status. Our results thus suggest that the genetic structure of nonrabid raccoons is representative of that found in infected individuals and is thus effective to infer rabies propagation patterns in the wild.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Talbot, Benoit and Garant, Dany and Rioux Paquette, Sébastien and Mainguy, Julien and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.2980/20-4-3633},
 journal = {Écoscience},
 number = {4}
}

Population genetics approaches are becoming widely used to assess the propagation potential of wildlife diseases. Such studies are often conducted on uninfected hosts because acute zoonotic diseases pose significant health risks to humans and infected hosts are thus more difficult to obtain. Predictions of disease spread potential assume that infected and uninfected individuals exhibit similar movement behaviours and genotypes. However, some diseases, such as rabies, might enhance individual's dispersal behaviour. Thus, if rabid animals are mostly long-distance migrants, prediction of rabies spread potential based on genetic analyses of uninfected animals might be misleading. Here, we genotyped 84 rabid and 113 nonrabid raccoons (Procyon lotor) to assess whether a difference in genetic structure pattern could be detected between these groups in a rabies epizootic area in southern Quebec, Canada. We also assessed whether genetic diversity differs among rabid and nonrabid raccoons by comparing expected heterozygosity, allelic richness, and inbreeding coefficient of the 2 groups. Finally, we tested for possible associations between rabies infection and microsatellite genotypes. We found no evidence of genetic structuring and no difference in genetic diversity among nonrabid and rabid raccoons. We also have limited evidence for a link between genotype and infection status. Our results thus suggest that the genetic structure of nonrabid raccoons is representative of that found in infected individuals and is thus effective to infer rabies propagation patterns in the wild.

@article{
 title = {Determinants of lifetime reproduction in female brown bears: early body mass, longevity, and hunting regulations},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Brown bear,Early development,Fitness,Hunting,Individual-based studies,Lifetime reproductive success,Population dynamics,Survival,Sweden,Ursus arctos},
 pages = {231-240},
 volume = {94},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1890/12-0229.1},
 month = {1},
 id = {059ef666-c949-3bf2-81c3-6812a8cb7113},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.899Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.969Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Zedrosser2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In iteroparous mammals, conditions experienced early in life may have longlasting effects on lifetime reproductive success. Human-induced mortality is also an important demographic factor in many populations of large mammals and may influence lifetime reproductive success. Here, we explore the effects of early development, population density, and human hunting on survival and lifetime reproductive success in brown bear (Ursus arctos) females, using a 25-year database of individually marked bears in two populations in Sweden. Survival of yearlings to 2 years was not affected by population density or body mass. Yearlings that remained with their mother had higher survival than independent yearlings, partly because regulations prohibit the harvest of bears in family groups. Although mass as a yearling did not affect juvenile survival, it was positively associated with measures of lifetime reproductive success and individual fitness. The majority of adult female brown bear mortality (72%) in our study was due to human causes, mainly hunting, and many females were killed before they reproduced. Therefore, factors allowing females to survive several hunting seasons had a strong positive effect on lifetime reproductive success. We suggest that, in many hunted populations of large mammals, sport harvest is an important influence on both population dynamics and life histories. © 2013 by the Ecological Society of America.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Zedrosser, Andreas and Pelletier, Fanie and Bischof, Richard and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Swenson, Jon E.},
 doi = {10.1890/12-0229.1},
 journal = {Ecology},
 number = {1}
}

In iteroparous mammals, conditions experienced early in life may have longlasting effects on lifetime reproductive success. Human-induced mortality is also an important demographic factor in many populations of large mammals and may influence lifetime reproductive success. Here, we explore the effects of early development, population density, and human hunting on survival and lifetime reproductive success in brown bear (Ursus arctos) females, using a 25-year database of individually marked bears in two populations in Sweden. Survival of yearlings to 2 years was not affected by population density or body mass. Yearlings that remained with their mother had higher survival than independent yearlings, partly because regulations prohibit the harvest of bears in family groups. Although mass as a yearling did not affect juvenile survival, it was positively associated with measures of lifetime reproductive success and individual fitness. The majority of adult female brown bear mortality (72%) in our study was due to human causes, mainly hunting, and many females were killed before they reproduced. Therefore, factors allowing females to survive several hunting seasons had a strong positive effect on lifetime reproductive success. We suggest that, in many hunted populations of large mammals, sport harvest is an important influence on both population dynamics and life histories. © 2013 by the Ecological Society of America.

@article{
 title = {Context-dependent correlation between resting metabolic rate and daily energy expenditure in wild chipmunks},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {BMR,Basal metabolic rate,Doubly labelled water,Field metabolic rate,Sustained metabolic scope},
 pages = {418-426},
 volume = {216},
 websites = {http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/doi/10.1242/jeb.076794},
 month = {2},
 day = {1},
 id = {a3092979-ec06-3013-b188-13c8ac16346e},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.341Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.453Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Careau2013},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Several empirical studies have shown that variation in daily energy expenditure (DEE) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) is influenced by environmental and individual factors, but whether these shared influences are responsible for, or independent of, relationships between DEE and RMR remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to (i) simultaneously evaluate the effects of environmental and individual variables on DEE and RMR in free-ranging eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) and (ii) quantify the correlation between DEE and RMR before and after controlling for common sources of variation. We found that the influence of individual factors on DEE and RMR is most often shared, whereas the influence of environmental factors tends to be distinct. Both raw and mass-adjusted DEE and RMR were significantly correlated, but this correlation vanished after accounting for the shared effect of reproduction on both traits. However, within reproductive individuals, DEE and RMR remained positively correlated after accounting for all other significant covariates. The ratio of DEE to RMR was significantly higher during reproduction than at other times of the year and was negatively correlated with ambient temperature. DEE and RMR appear to be inherently correlated during reproduction, but this correlation does not persist during other, less energy-demanding periods of the annual cycle. © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Careau, Vincent and Réale, Denis and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Speakman, John R. and Humphries, Murray M.},
 doi = {10.1242/jeb.076794},
 journal = {Journal of Experimental Biology},
 number = {3}
}

Several empirical studies have shown that variation in daily energy expenditure (DEE) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) is influenced by environmental and individual factors, but whether these shared influences are responsible for, or independent of, relationships between DEE and RMR remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to (i) simultaneously evaluate the effects of environmental and individual variables on DEE and RMR in free-ranging eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) and (ii) quantify the correlation between DEE and RMR before and after controlling for common sources of variation. We found that the influence of individual factors on DEE and RMR is most often shared, whereas the influence of environmental factors tends to be distinct. Both raw and mass-adjusted DEE and RMR were significantly correlated, but this correlation vanished after accounting for the shared effect of reproduction on both traits. However, within reproductive individuals, DEE and RMR remained positively correlated after accounting for all other significant covariates. The ratio of DEE to RMR was significantly higher during reproduction than at other times of the year and was negatively correlated with ambient temperature. DEE and RMR appear to be inherently correlated during reproduction, but this correlation does not persist during other, less energy-demanding periods of the annual cycle. © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

@article{
 title = {Ecological immunology in a fluctuating environment: an integrative analysis of tree swallow nestling immune defense},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Agricultural intensification,Bird,Ecological immunology,Integrated immune score,Performance,Tree swallow},
 pages = {1091-1103},
 volume = {3},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/ece3.504},
 month = {4},
 id = {93903670-58cf-3d30-82f9-06468df621a1},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.373Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2021-06-11T14:32:08.596Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pigeon2013a},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Evolutionary ecologists have long been interested by the link between different immune defenses and fitness. Given the importance of a proper immune defense for survival, it is important to understand how its numerous components are affected by environmental heterogeneity. Previous studies targeting this question have rarely considered more than two immune markers. In this study, we measured seven immune markers (response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), hemolysis capacity, hemagglutination capacity, plasma bactericidal capacity, percentage of lymphocytes, percentage of heterophils, and percentage of eosinophils) in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nestlings raised in two types of agro-ecosystems of contrasted quality and over 2 years. First, we assessed the effect of environmental heterogeneity (spatial and temporal) on the strength and direction of correlations between immune measures. Second, we investigated the effect of an immune score integrating information from several immune markers on individual performance (including growth, mass at fledging and parasite burden). Both a multivariate and a pair-wise approach showed variation in relationships between immune measures across years and habitats. We also found a weak association between the integrated score of nestling immune function and individual performance, but only under certain environmental conditions. We conclude that the ecological context can strongly affect the interpretation of immune defenses in the wild. Given that spatiotemporal variations are likely to affect individual immune defenses, great caution should be used when generalizing conclusions to other study systems.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Bélisle, Marc and Garant, Dany and Cohen, Alan A. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/ece3.504},
 journal = {Ecology and Evolution},
 number = {4}
}

Evolutionary ecologists have long been interested by the link between different immune defenses and fitness. Given the importance of a proper immune defense for survival, it is important to understand how its numerous components are affected by environmental heterogeneity. Previous studies targeting this question have rarely considered more than two immune markers. In this study, we measured seven immune markers (response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), hemolysis capacity, hemagglutination capacity, plasma bactericidal capacity, percentage of lymphocytes, percentage of heterophils, and percentage of eosinophils) in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nestlings raised in two types of agro-ecosystems of contrasted quality and over 2 years. First, we assessed the effect of environmental heterogeneity (spatial and temporal) on the strength and direction of correlations between immune measures. Second, we investigated the effect of an immune score integrating information from several immune markers on individual performance (including growth, mass at fledging and parasite burden). Both a multivariate and a pair-wise approach showed variation in relationships between immune measures across years and habitats. We also found a weak association between the integrated score of nestling immune function and individual performance, but only under certain environmental conditions. We conclude that the ecological context can strongly affect the interpretation of immune defenses in the wild. Given that spatiotemporal variations are likely to affect individual immune defenses, great caution should be used when generalizing conclusions to other study systems.

@article{
 title = {Effects of agricultural intensification and temperature on immune response to phytohemagglutinin in Tree Swallows (<i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2013},
 keywords = {Agriculture,Immunity,Individual condition,Landscape,Tachycineta bicolor,Temperature,Tree Swallow},
 pages = {56-63},
 volume = {91},
 websites = {http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/cjz-2012-0176},
 month = {2},
 id = {fbbf66f3-a2af-38e1-afb5-71647ce6736e},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.391Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:04:00.510Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pigeon2013},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Lower immune response usually translates into lower fitness. Environmental quality can play a key role in shaping immune responses in the wild, as it influences both resource availability and costly maintenance functions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of habitat quality on proinflammatory response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) under contrasting agricultural practices. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that lower quality habitat (intensive agricultural practices and low temperature) negatively impairs immune responses. To do so, we compared the response to PHA of adult female and nestling Tree Swallows nesting in intensive vs. nonintensive agricultural landscapes over 3 years (2008–2010). In accordance with our predictions, we found that habitat quality affected adult female responses to PHA. The response of adult females was significantly higher in nonintensive agricultural areas than in intensive ones. The level of agricultural intensity, however, had no influence on the response to PHA of nestlings. Our results suggest that female adults can buffer the negative impact of a low-quality habitat on their nestlings. Furthermore, our results suggest that under limiting conditions, individuals may have to trade between immunity and other functions such as parental effort.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pigeon, Gabriel and Baeta, R. and Bélisle, M. and Garant, D. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1139/cjz-2012-0176},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology},
 number = {2}
}

Lower immune response usually translates into lower fitness. Environmental quality can play a key role in shaping immune responses in the wild, as it influences both resource availability and costly maintenance functions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of habitat quality on proinflammatory response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) under contrasting agricultural practices. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that lower quality habitat (intensive agricultural practices and low temperature) negatively impairs immune responses. To do so, we compared the response to PHA of adult female and nestling Tree Swallows nesting in intensive vs. nonintensive agricultural landscapes over 3 years (2008–2010). In accordance with our predictions, we found that habitat quality affected adult female responses to PHA. The response of adult females was significantly higher in nonintensive agricultural areas than in intensive ones. The level of agricultural intensity, however, had no influence on the response to PHA of nestlings. Our results suggest that female adults can buffer the negative impact of a low-quality habitat on their nestlings. Furthermore, our results suggest that under limiting conditions, individuals may have to trade between immunity and other functions such as parental effort.

@inbook{
 type = {inbook},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Behavioural phenotypes,Human-induced environmental changes,Individual behaviour,Population dynamics,Population growth},
 pages = {159-174},
 websites = {http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199602568.001.0001/acprof-9780199602568-chapter-12},
 month = {6},
 publisher = {Oxford University Press},
 day = {14},
 id = {77d16186-0849-36fb-979f-89e324feb3cc},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.096Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.424Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2015},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {This chapter discusses the potential interplay between behavioural phenotypes and population processes by illustrating how human-induced environmental changes can promote these feedbacks. It presents a rationale for why one would expect a feedback between behaviour and population dynamics, and suggests hypotheses as to what behaviours are more likely to affect population growth. It briefly reviews research that explores the classic links between population-level processes and behaviour, and how population dynamics can affect individual behaviour. It highlights empirical studies that support the recent suggestion of a reverse link between population and behaviour, and provides examples of study systems where researchers have documented the complete feedback loop. It also emphasizes instances where humans have affected the interaction between these processes.},
 bibtype = {inbook},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199602568.003.0012},
 chapter = {Population consequences of individual variation in behaviour},
 title = {Behavioural Responses to a Changing World}
}

This chapter discusses the potential interplay between behavioural phenotypes and population processes by illustrating how human-induced environmental changes can promote these feedbacks. It presents a rationale for why one would expect a feedback between behaviour and population dynamics, and suggests hypotheses as to what behaviours are more likely to affect population growth. It briefly reviews research that explores the classic links between population-level processes and behaviour, and how population dynamics can affect individual behaviour. It highlights empirical studies that support the recent suggestion of a reverse link between population and behaviour, and provides examples of study systems where researchers have documented the complete feedback loop. It also emphasizes instances where humans have affected the interaction between these processes.

@article{
 title = {A new metric to calculate the opportunity for selection on quantitative characters},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Fitness,Opportunity for selection,Population dynamics,Survival,Vertebrates},
 pages = {729-742},
 volume = {14},
 id = {086f955e-2a8e-3259-a425-f51f839215e4},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.131Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.912Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2012b},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Background: Evolutionary changes in natural populations can occur on ecological time scales. Investigators have become very interested in characterizing short-term fluctuations in selection pressure, in identifying the circumstances under which the opportunity for selection is greatest, and in determining whether this opportunity is realized. Aims: Introduce a new metric to explore how the opportunity for selection on the mean of a phenotypic character varies with time. Using data from two long-term studies of marked individuals, examine how the opportunity for and the selection on a character mean and variance covary with population growth. Metrics: The traditional opportunity for selection metric (OS) is defined as the variance in relative fitness or the variation in absolute fitness divided by the square of the mean absolute fitness. This metric might not be appropriate to evaluate the maximum selection acting on a quantitative character because individual variation in both quantitative characters and in fitness underpins evolution by natural selection. We therefore develop a new metric, the opportunity for selection on a quantitative character (OSM), which considers variation in both character and fitness distributions. Methods: Determine selection, OS, and OSM, in both simulated and empirical data. Compare the results for the traditional OS metric with the new OSM. Results: The classical measure of the OS correlates with the OSM when calculated on simulated data but their association was curvilinear for non-normally distributed fitness components. Similar results were found for empirical data but their correlations were lower. Selection is strongest in declining populations and is greatest when the OSM is large, as in harsh environments. Conclusions: Because most fitness components are non-normally distributed, OS will only approximately capture the maximum possible selection differential on phenotypic characters over a time step. The OSM should be a more useful metric for determining how selection will alter the distribution of characters. © 2012 Fanie Pelletier.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Coulson, Tim},
 journal = {Evolutionary Ecology Research},
 number = {6}
}

Background: Evolutionary changes in natural populations can occur on ecological time scales. Investigators have become very interested in characterizing short-term fluctuations in selection pressure, in identifying the circumstances under which the opportunity for selection is greatest, and in determining whether this opportunity is realized. Aims: Introduce a new metric to explore how the opportunity for selection on the mean of a phenotypic character varies with time. Using data from two long-term studies of marked individuals, examine how the opportunity for and the selection on a character mean and variance covary with population growth. Metrics: The traditional opportunity for selection metric (OS) is defined as the variance in relative fitness or the variation in absolute fitness divided by the square of the mean absolute fitness. This metric might not be appropriate to evaluate the maximum selection acting on a quantitative character because individual variation in both quantitative characters and in fitness underpins evolution by natural selection. We therefore develop a new metric, the opportunity for selection on a quantitative character (OSM), which considers variation in both character and fitness distributions. Methods: Determine selection, OS, and OSM, in both simulated and empirical data. Compare the results for the traditional OS metric with the new OSM. Results: The classical measure of the OS correlates with the OSM when calculated on simulated data but their association was curvilinear for non-normally distributed fitness components. Similar results were found for empirical data but their correlations were lower. Selection is strongest in declining populations and is greatest when the OSM is large, as in harsh environments. Conclusions: Because most fitness components are non-normally distributed, OS will only approximately capture the maximum possible selection differential on phenotypic characters over a time step. The OSM should be a more useful metric for determining how selection will alter the distribution of characters. © 2012 Fanie Pelletier.

@article{
 title = {Keep in touch: Does spatial overlap correlate with contact rate frequency?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Procyon lotor,contact rate,home-range overlap,kernel,proximity loggers,raccoons},
 pages = {1670-1675},
 volume = {76},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/jwmg.435},
 month = {11},
 id = {73ebb76f-28c0-3011-9e2c-b8cac3fbc84e},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.349Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.495Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Robert2012},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Quantifying animal contact rate is crucial both in fundamental and applied studies to understand the evolution of sociality and predict the spread of infectious diseases. Researchers typically use home-range overlap among individuals as a proxy of contact rate, assuming a positive correlation. However, very few studies have assessed how the correlation between home-range overlap and contact rate may vary with ecological context. We used proximity loggers to quantify intraspecific contact rate among raccoons (Procyon lotor) and explored the correlation between contact rate and home-range overlap in different seasons. We monitored 15 female raccoons that formed 121 dyads during summer 2010 and winter 2011. We compared contact rate with the 5 most common overlap indices: home-range overlap proportion, home-range overlap probability, utilization distribution overlap index (UDOI), volume of intersection index, and Bhattacharyya's affinity index. Our results generally supported the contention of a positive and significant correlation between home-range overlap and intraspecific contact rate in raccoons. The strength of the relationship differed among seasons and indices, being weaker during winter than summer for home-range overlap proportion and home-range overlap probability. When contact rates were high, their frequency had stronger correlations with the UDOI and volume of intersection index indices than with the other indices. Our results suggest that the UDOI performs better than other indices, as we obtained a good contact rate-home-range overlap correlation with this index with animals both aggregated and randomly distributed in space. © 2012 The Wildlife Society. Copyright © The Wildlife Society, 2012.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Robert, Karine and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1002/jwmg.435},
 journal = {Journal of Wildlife Management},
 number = {8}
}

Quantifying animal contact rate is crucial both in fundamental and applied studies to understand the evolution of sociality and predict the spread of infectious diseases. Researchers typically use home-range overlap among individuals as a proxy of contact rate, assuming a positive correlation. However, very few studies have assessed how the correlation between home-range overlap and contact rate may vary with ecological context. We used proximity loggers to quantify intraspecific contact rate among raccoons (Procyon lotor) and explored the correlation between contact rate and home-range overlap in different seasons. We monitored 15 female raccoons that formed 121 dyads during summer 2010 and winter 2011. We compared contact rate with the 5 most common overlap indices: home-range overlap proportion, home-range overlap probability, utilization distribution overlap index (UDOI), volume of intersection index, and Bhattacharyya's affinity index. Our results generally supported the contention of a positive and significant correlation between home-range overlap and intraspecific contact rate in raccoons. The strength of the relationship differed among seasons and indices, being weaker during winter than summer for home-range overlap proportion and home-range overlap probability. When contact rates were high, their frequency had stronger correlations with the UDOI and volume of intersection index indices than with the other indices. Our results suggest that the UDOI performs better than other indices, as we obtained a good contact rate-home-range overlap correlation with this index with animals both aggregated and randomly distributed in space. © 2012 The Wildlife Society. Copyright © The Wildlife Society, 2012.

@article{
 title = {Chemical immobilization of raccoons (<i>Procyon lotor</i>) with ketamine-medetomidine mixture and reversal with Atipamezole},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Immobilization,Ketamine,Medetomidine,Procyon lotor,Raccoon},
 pages = {122-130},
 volume = {48},
 websites = {http://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.122},
 month = {1},
 id = {0f8cacb0-3ca9-3bd9-8b33-40be7c4a18d8},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.398Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.328Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Robert2012a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Safe and reliable capture techniques for wild animals are important for ecologic studies and management operations. We assessed the efficiency of ketamine-medetomidine (K:M) injection and reversal with atipamezole. We anesthetized 67 raccoons (Procyon lotor; 34 males, 33 females) 103 times (individuals captured between one and five times) from April 2009-October 2010 in Mont-Orford Provincial Park, Quebec, Canada. We administered a 1:1 mixture by volume of ketamine and medetomidine by intramuscular injection. Mean (±SD) induction times for males and females were 6.16±2.8 and 6.66±3.7 min, respectively. Mean induction time was 2 min longer for juveniles than for adults (7.8±3.9 and 5.8±2.9 min, respectively) and longer in autumn than in spring for adults (7.7±3.8 and 5.4±2.9 min, respectively). Recovery time after administration of atipamezole was 9.6±3.8 and 8.4±4.4 min for males and females, respectively. Recovery time was longer in spring than in autumn (10.2±4 and 7.4±3.8 min, respectively) for adults. Induction time increased by 166% after five captures of the same individual. Immobilization did not affect body mass, adult survival, or female reproductive success. We suggest the K:M mixture used is a safe and reliable method for anesthetizing raccoons in field conditions. © Wildlife Disease Association 2012.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Robert, Karine and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.122},
 journal = {Journal of Wildlife Diseases},
 number = {1}
}

Safe and reliable capture techniques for wild animals are important for ecologic studies and management operations. We assessed the efficiency of ketamine-medetomidine (K:M) injection and reversal with atipamezole. We anesthetized 67 raccoons (Procyon lotor; 34 males, 33 females) 103 times (individuals captured between one and five times) from April 2009-October 2010 in Mont-Orford Provincial Park, Quebec, Canada. We administered a 1:1 mixture by volume of ketamine and medetomidine by intramuscular injection. Mean (±SD) induction times for males and females were 6.16±2.8 and 6.66±3.7 min, respectively. Mean induction time was 2 min longer for juveniles than for adults (7.8±3.9 and 5.8±2.9 min, respectively) and longer in autumn than in spring for adults (7.7±3.8 and 5.4±2.9 min, respectively). Recovery time after administration of atipamezole was 9.6±3.8 and 8.4±4.4 min for males and females, respectively. Recovery time was longer in spring than in autumn (10.2±4 and 7.4±3.8 min, respectively) for adults. Induction time increased by 166% after five captures of the same individual. Immobilization did not affect body mass, adult survival, or female reproductive success. We suggest the K:M mixture used is a safe and reliable method for anesthetizing raccoons in field conditions. © Wildlife Disease Association 2012.

@article{
 title = {Personality differences are related to long-term stress reactivity in a population of wild eastern chipmunks, <i>Tamias striatus</i>},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Coping style,Faecal cortisol,Field endocrinology,Parasympathetic activity,Personality,Tamias striatus},
 pages = {1071-1079},
 volume = {84},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003347212003594},
 month = {10},
 id = {e038e344-f07c-3853-bfaf-e0e248d1fa9b},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.288Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.697Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Montiglio2012},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Consistent individual behavioural differences in exploration, docility and boldness are often correlated and are associated with differences in short-term neurophysiological responses to environmental perturbations in many animal species. These physiological mechanisms are much less studied over longer periods in wild populations. Here we report the relationships among exploration, docility measured in open-field tests and trappability, taken as an index of boldness, in a wild population of eastern chipmunks and investigate whether behavioural differences among individuals are associated with differences in autonomic nervous system reactivity. We also assess the cortisol level of individuals over several months to investigate whether chipmunks with different exploration levels display different mean cortisol levels or differences in their cortisol variability. Open-field tests showed consistent individual differences in exploration patterns (ranging from fast to slow). Faster explorers were less docile when handled and were trapped more often (males) or farther from their burrows (females) than slower explorers. Fast explorers also showed a higher sympathetic activity under restraint but more stable cortisol levels over the course of the active season, suggesting a lower hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal reactivity. Our results show that chipmunks display individual behavioural variation and that these differences may have physiological implications over long periods in natural settings. Future studies should investigate the fitness consequences of such behavioural/physiological differences. © 2012 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Montiglio, Pierre-Olivier and Garant, Dany and Pelletier, Fanie and Réale, Denis},
 doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.08.010},
 journal = {Animal Behaviour},
 number = {4}
}

Consistent individual behavioural differences in exploration, docility and boldness are often correlated and are associated with differences in short-term neurophysiological responses to environmental perturbations in many animal species. These physiological mechanisms are much less studied over longer periods in wild populations. Here we report the relationships among exploration, docility measured in open-field tests and trappability, taken as an index of boldness, in a wild population of eastern chipmunks and investigate whether behavioural differences among individuals are associated with differences in autonomic nervous system reactivity. We also assess the cortisol level of individuals over several months to investigate whether chipmunks with different exploration levels display different mean cortisol levels or differences in their cortisol variability. Open-field tests showed consistent individual differences in exploration patterns (ranging from fast to slow). Faster explorers were less docile when handled and were trapped more often (males) or farther from their burrows (females) than slower explorers. Fast explorers also showed a higher sympathetic activity under restraint but more stable cortisol levels over the course of the active season, suggesting a lower hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal reactivity. Our results show that chipmunks display individual behavioural variation and that these differences may have physiological implications over long periods in natural settings. Future studies should investigate the fitness consequences of such behavioural/physiological differences. © 2012 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

@article{
 title = {Lack of genetic structure and female-specific effect of dispersal barriers in a rabies vector, the striped skunk (<i>Mephitis mephitis</i>)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 pages = {e49736},
 volume = {7},
 websites = {https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049736},
 month = {11},
 day = {14},
 id = {a59a373b-0094-3bb9-808b-da4d0ef01844},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.941Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.314Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Talbot2012},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Evaluating the permeability of potential barriers to movement, dispersal and gene exchanges can help describe spreading patterns of wildlife diseases. Here, we used landscape genetics methods to assess the genetic structure of the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), which is a frequent vector of rabies, a lethal zoonosis of great concern for public health. Our main objective was to identify landscape elements shaping the genetic structure of this species in Southern Québec, Canada, in an area where the raccoon rabies variant has been detected. We hypothesised that geographic distance and landscape barriers, such as highways and major rivers, would modulate genetic structure. We genotyped a total of 289 individuals sampled across a large area (22,000 km2) at nice microsatellite loci. Genetic structure analyses identified a single genetic cluster in the study area. Major rivers and highways, however, influenced the genetic relatedness among sampled individuals. Sex-specific analyses revealed that rivers significantly limited dispersal only for females while highways only had marginal effects. Rivers and highways did not significantly affect male dispersal. These results support the contention that female skunks are more philopatric than males. Overall, our results suggest that the effects of major rivers and highways on dispersal are sex-specific and rather weak and are thus unlikely to prevent the spread of rabies within and among striped skunk populations. © 2012 Talbot et al.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Talbot, Benoit and Garant, Dany and Rioux Paquette, Sébastien and Mainguy, Julien and Pelletier, Fanie},
 editor = {Sunnucks, Paul},
 doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0049736},
 journal = {PLoS ONE},
 number = {11}
}

Evaluating the permeability of potential barriers to movement, dispersal and gene exchanges can help describe spreading patterns of wildlife diseases. Here, we used landscape genetics methods to assess the genetic structure of the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), which is a frequent vector of rabies, a lethal zoonosis of great concern for public health. Our main objective was to identify landscape elements shaping the genetic structure of this species in Southern Québec, Canada, in an area where the raccoon rabies variant has been detected. We hypothesised that geographic distance and landscape barriers, such as highways and major rivers, would modulate genetic structure. We genotyped a total of 289 individuals sampled across a large area (22,000 km2) at nice microsatellite loci. Genetic structure analyses identified a single genetic cluster in the study area. Major rivers and highways, however, influenced the genetic relatedness among sampled individuals. Sex-specific analyses revealed that rivers significantly limited dispersal only for females while highways only had marginal effects. Rivers and highways did not significantly affect male dispersal. These results support the contention that female skunks are more philopatric than males. Overall, our results suggest that the effects of major rivers and highways on dispersal are sex-specific and rather weak and are thus unlikely to prevent the spread of rabies within and among striped skunk populations. © 2012 Talbot et al.

@article{
 title = {Litter reductions reveal a trade-off between offspring size and number in brown bears},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Body mass,Brown bear,Litter size,Maternal effect,Sibling competition,Ursus arctos},
 pages = {1025-1032},
 volume = {66},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-012-1350-3},
 month = {7},
 day = {25},
 id = {7df4b37c-13e8-3221-94ad-c11865c8fb24},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.945Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.396Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Gonzalez2012},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Experimental manipulations have revealed positive effects of litter reduction on offspring mass in small mammals, but little is known about this trade-off in large mammals. We examined the determinants of natural litter size variation and quantified the effects of litter size, maternal characteristics, and litter composition on yearling mass using 24 years of data on marked brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden. Infanticide by adult males is a major cause of cub-of-the-year mortality, leading to litter size reductions. Litter size (n = 265) at den emergence ranged from one to four cubs (average, 2. 7) and increased with maternal age. Litter size, however, appeared independent of maternal size, population density, interlitter interval, study area, or previous litter sex ratio. Yearling body mass increased with maternal body size but was independent of litter sex ratio. Litter size and yearling mass were negatively correlated, mostly because singletons were about 30 % heavier than yearlings from litters of two to four cubs. In reduced litters, survivors were on average 8 % heavier as yearlings than individuals from intact litters, suggesting that sibling competition reduces growth. Trade-offs between litter size and yearling mass in bears appear similar in magnitude to those found in small mammals. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Gonzalez, Ofelia and Zedrosser, Andreas and Pelletier, Fanie and Swenson, Jon E. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-012-1350-3},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {7}
}

Experimental manipulations have revealed positive effects of litter reduction on offspring mass in small mammals, but little is known about this trade-off in large mammals. We examined the determinants of natural litter size variation and quantified the effects of litter size, maternal characteristics, and litter composition on yearling mass using 24 years of data on marked brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden. Infanticide by adult males is a major cause of cub-of-the-year mortality, leading to litter size reductions. Litter size (n = 265) at den emergence ranged from one to four cubs (average, 2. 7) and increased with maternal age. Litter size, however, appeared independent of maternal size, population density, interlitter interval, study area, or previous litter sex ratio. Yearling body mass increased with maternal body size but was independent of litter sex ratio. Litter size and yearling mass were negatively correlated, mostly because singletons were about 30 % heavier than yearlings from litters of two to four cubs. In reduced litters, survivors were on average 8 % heavier as yearlings than individuals from intact litters, suggesting that sibling competition reduces growth. Trade-offs between litter size and yearling mass in bears appear similar in magnitude to those found in small mammals. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

@article{
 title = {Genetic structure and rabies spread potential in raccoons: the role of landscape barriers and sex-biased dispersal},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Genetic differentiation,Isolation by distance,Landscape genetics,Microsatellites,Procyon lotor,Raccoon rabies variant},
 pages = {393-404},
 volume = {5},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00238.x},
 month = {6},
 id = {f252d791-94b7-362b-a6c7-f3e17bc43fc6},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.982Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.972Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Cote2012},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Identifying natural barriers to movements of hosts associated with infectious diseases is essential for developing effective control strategies. Raccoon rabies variant (RRV) is a zoonosis of concern for humans because its main vector, the raccoon (Procyon lotor), is found near residential areas. In Québec, Canada, all cases of RRV found in raccoons since 2006 were detected on the eastern side of the Richelieu River, suggesting that this river acts as a barrier to gene flow and thus the potential for RRV to spread. The objectives of this study were to characterize the genetic structure of raccoon populations and assess the effect of the Richelieu River on the population structure in southern Québec, Canada. We also evaluated whether RRV spread potential differed between sex and at a larger spatial scale. Our analyses revealed a weak signal of genetic differentiation among individuals located on each side of the Richelieu River. At a larger spatial scale, genetic structuring was weak. Our results suggest that rivers might not always efficiently restrain raccoon movements and spread of RRV. We suggest that the difference in genetic structure found between sexes can be partly explained by male movements during the breeding season in winter, when ice bridges allow passage over most rivers in Québec. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Côté, Héloïse and Garant, Dany and Robert, Karine and Mainguy, Julien and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1752-4571.2012.00238.x},
 journal = {Evolutionary Applications},
 number = {4}
}

Identifying natural barriers to movements of hosts associated with infectious diseases is essential for developing effective control strategies. Raccoon rabies variant (RRV) is a zoonosis of concern for humans because its main vector, the raccoon (Procyon lotor), is found near residential areas. In Québec, Canada, all cases of RRV found in raccoons since 2006 were detected on the eastern side of the Richelieu River, suggesting that this river acts as a barrier to gene flow and thus the potential for RRV to spread. The objectives of this study were to characterize the genetic structure of raccoon populations and assess the effect of the Richelieu River on the population structure in southern Québec, Canada. We also evaluated whether RRV spread potential differed between sex and at a larger spatial scale. Our analyses revealed a weak signal of genetic differentiation among individuals located on each side of the Richelieu River. At a larger spatial scale, genetic structuring was weak. Our results suggest that rivers might not always efficiently restrain raccoon movements and spread of RRV. We suggest that the difference in genetic structure found between sexes can be partly explained by male movements during the breeding season in winter, when ice bridges allow passage over most rivers in Québec. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

@article{
 title = {Non-invasive monitoring of fecal cortisol metabolites in the eastern chipmunk (<i>Tamias striatus</i>): validation and comparison of two enzyme immunoassays},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 pages = {183-193},
 volume = {85},
 websites = {https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/664592},
 month = {3},
 id = {1d8d1169-bf05-30a3-9a33-df3de64133db},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.354Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.149Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Montiglio2012a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Monitoring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in wild animals, using enzyme immunoassays, enables the study of endocrinological patterns relevant to ecology and evolution. While some researchers use antibodies against the parent hormone (which is typically absent from fecal samples), others advocate the use of antibodies designed to detect glucocorticoid metabolites. We validated two assays to monitor fecal cortisol metabolites in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). We compared an antibody produced against cortisol and one produced against 5a-pregnane-3b, 11b, 21-triol-20-one using a radiometabolism study and an injection with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Most cortisol metabolites were excreted in the urine (~83%). Peak excretion in the feces occurred 8 h after injection. Both assays detected an increase in fecal cortisol metabolite levels after injection of ACTH. Males, but not females, exhibited a circadian variation in metabolite levels. The sexes did not exhibit any difference over the time course and route of excretion or the relative increase in fecal cortisol metabolite levels after ACTH injection. The cortisol assay displayed higher reactivity to ACTH injection relative to baseline than did the metabolite assay. While both antibodies gave comparable results, the cortisol antibody was more sensitive to changes in plasma cortisol levels in eastern chipmunks. © 2012 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Montiglio, Pierre-Olivier and Pelletier, Fanie and Palme, Rupert and Garant, Dany and Réale, Denis and Boonstra, Rudy},
 doi = {10.1086/664592},
 journal = {Physiological and Biochemical Zoology},
 number = {2}
}

Monitoring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in wild animals, using enzyme immunoassays, enables the study of endocrinological patterns relevant to ecology and evolution. While some researchers use antibodies against the parent hormone (which is typically absent from fecal samples), others advocate the use of antibodies designed to detect glucocorticoid metabolites. We validated two assays to monitor fecal cortisol metabolites in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). We compared an antibody produced against cortisol and one produced against 5a-pregnane-3b, 11b, 21-triol-20-one using a radiometabolism study and an injection with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Most cortisol metabolites were excreted in the urine (~83%). Peak excretion in the feces occurred 8 h after injection. Both assays detected an increase in fecal cortisol metabolite levels after injection of ACTH. Males, but not females, exhibited a circadian variation in metabolite levels. The sexes did not exhibit any difference over the time course and route of excretion or the relative increase in fecal cortisol metabolite levels after ACTH injection. The cortisol assay displayed higher reactivity to ACTH injection relative to baseline than did the metabolite assay. While both antibodies gave comparable results, the cortisol antibody was more sensitive to changes in plasma cortisol levels in eastern chipmunks. © 2012 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

@article{
 title = {Decomposing variation in population growth into contributions from environment and phenotypes in an age-structured population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Age and sex structure,Cervus elaphus,Population growth,Survival,Ungulates},
 pages = {394-401},
 volume = {279},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2011.0827},
 month = {1},
 publisher = {Royal Society},
 day = {22},
 id = {8147a74b-e50b-3f0c-84cb-ff923fbdd8d7},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:11.720Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:05.445Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2012},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Evaluating the relative importance of ecological drivers responsible for natural population fluctuations in size is challenging. Longitudinal studies where most individuals are monitored from birth to death and where environmental conditions are known provide a valuable resource to characterize complex ecological interactions.We used a recently developed approach to decompose the observed fluctuation in population growth of the red deer population on the Isle of Rum into contributions from climate, density and their interaction and to quantify their relative importance. We also quantified the contribution of individual covariates, including phenotypic and life-history traits, to population growth. Fluctuations in composition in age and sex classes ((st)age structure) of the population contributed substantially to the population dynamics. Density, climate, birth weight and reproductive status contributed less and approximately equally to the population growth. Our results support the contention that fluctuations in the population's (st)age structure have important consequences for population dynamics and underline the importance of including information on population composition to understand the effect of human-driven changes on population performance of long-lived species. © 2011 The Royal Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Moyes, Kelly and Clutton-Brock, Tim H. and Coulson, Tim},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2011.0827},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1727}
}

Evaluating the relative importance of ecological drivers responsible for natural population fluctuations in size is challenging. Longitudinal studies where most individuals are monitored from birth to death and where environmental conditions are known provide a valuable resource to characterize complex ecological interactions.We used a recently developed approach to decompose the observed fluctuation in population growth of the red deer population on the Isle of Rum into contributions from climate, density and their interaction and to quantify their relative importance. We also quantified the contribution of individual covariates, including phenotypic and life-history traits, to population growth. Fluctuations in composition in age and sex classes ((st)age structure) of the population contributed substantially to the population dynamics. Density, climate, birth weight and reproductive status contributed less and approximately equally to the population growth. Our results support the contention that fluctuations in the population's (st)age structure have important consequences for population dynamics and underline the importance of including information on population composition to understand the effect of human-driven changes on population performance of long-lived species. © 2011 The Royal Society.

@article{
 title = {Data from selective harvests underestimate temporal trends in quantitative traits},
 type = {article},
 year = {2012},
 keywords = {Artificial selection,Sport hunting,Time series,Ungulates},
 pages = {878-881},
 volume = {8},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2011.1207},
 month = {10},
 publisher = {Royal Society},
 day = {23},
 id = {919db43a-6aef-3110-b72c-fca26ef1c4f7},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.234Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:06.271Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2012a},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Human harvests can select against phenotypes favoured by natural selection, and natural resource managers should evaluate possible artificial selection on wild populations. Because the required genetic data are extremely difficult to gather, however, managers typically rely on harvested animals to document temporal trends. It is usually unknown whether these data are unbiased. We explore our ability to detect a decline in horn size of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) by comparing harvested males with all males in a population where evolutionary changes owing to trophy hunting were previously reported. Hunting records underestimated the temporal decline, partly because of an increasing proportion of rams that could not be harvested because their horns were smaller than the threshold set by hunting regulations. If harvests are selective, temporal trends measured from harvest records will underestimate the magnitude of changes in wild populations. © 2011 The Royal Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Jorgenson, Jon T.},
 doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2011.1207},
 journal = {Biology Letters},
 number = {5}
}

Human harvests can select against phenotypes favoured by natural selection, and natural resource managers should evaluate possible artificial selection on wild populations. Because the required genetic data are extremely difficult to gather, however, managers typically rely on harvested animals to document temporal trends. It is usually unknown whether these data are unbiased. We explore our ability to detect a decline in horn size of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) by comparing harvested males with all males in a population where evolutionary changes owing to trophy hunting were previously reported. Hunting records underestimated the temporal decline, partly because of an increasing proportion of rams that could not be harvested because their horns were smaller than the threshold set by hunting regulations. If harvests are selective, temporal trends measured from harvest records will underestimate the magnitude of changes in wild populations. © 2011 The Royal Society.

@article{
 title = {Measuring growth patterns in the field: effects of sampling regime and methods on standardized estimates},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 pages = {529-537},
 volume = {89},
 websites = {http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/z11-018},
 month = {6},
 id = {e6efdac9-25de-379e-bb25-86f4ee0ba1c7},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.159Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-12-13T00:35:32.285Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Martin2011},
 folder_uuids = {78ba9090-da20-464c-bff8-a0b21e0d9400},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Although mixed effects models are widely used in ecology and evolution, their application to standardized traits that change within season or across ontogeny remains limited. Mixed models offer a robust way to standardize individual quantitative traits to a common condition such as body mass at a certain point in time (within a year or across ontogeny), or parturition date for a given climatic condition. Currently, however, most researchers use simple linear models to accomplish this task. We use both empirical and simulated data to underline the application of mixed models for standardizing trait values to a common environment for each individual. We show that mixed model standardizations provide more accurate estimates of mass parameters than linear models for all sampling regimes and especially for individuals with few repeated measures. Our simulations and analyses on empirical data both confirm that mixed models provide a better way to standardize trait values for individuals with repeated measurements compared with classical least squares regression. Linear regression should therefore be avoided to adjust or standardize individual measurements},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Martin, J.G.A. and Pelletier, F.},
 doi = {10.1139/z11-018},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology},
 number = {6}
}

Although mixed effects models are widely used in ecology and evolution, their application to standardized traits that change within season or across ontogeny remains limited. Mixed models offer a robust way to standardize individual quantitative traits to a common condition such as body mass at a certain point in time (within a year or across ontogeny), or parturition date for a given climatic condition. Currently, however, most researchers use simple linear models to accomplish this task. We use both empirical and simulated data to underline the application of mixed models for standardizing trait values to a common environment for each individual. We show that mixed model standardizations provide more accurate estimates of mass parameters than linear models for all sampling regimes and especially for individuals with few repeated measures. Our simulations and analyses on empirical data both confirm that mixed models provide a better way to standardize trait values for individuals with repeated measurements compared with classical least squares regression. Linear regression should therefore be avoided to adjust or standardize individual measurements

@article{
 title = {Observation of nocturnal feeding in black vultures (<i>Coragyps atratus</i>)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 keywords = {Black Vulture,Coragyps atratus,foraging,nocturnal feeding,scavenging},
 pages = {279-280},
 volume = {45},
 websites = {http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3356/JRR-10-59.1},
 month = {9},
 id = {b8beda4c-e49e-376b-8a42-15e913320c57},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.394Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.700Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Charette2011},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Charette, Mathieu R. and Calmé, Sophie and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.3356/JRR-10-59.1},
 journal = {Journal of Raptor Research},
 number = {3}
}

@article{
 title = {Predator-driven component Allee effects in a wild ungulate},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 keywords = {Allee effect,Bighorn sheep,Population dynamics,Predation,Risk effect,Ungulate},
 pages = {358-363},
 volume = {14},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01595.x},
 month = {4},
 id = {a60cdc6d-da8e-34db-bfa3-83f9b8415f56},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.323Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.065Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bourbeau-Lemieux2011},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Negative density dependence is an important driver of population dynamics of large vertebrates. Allee effects (positive density dependence), however, can affect small populations. Allee effects can be generated by predation and recent research has revealed potentially important indirect effects of predation on population dynamics. For wild populations, however, quantification of both Allee effects and indirect effects of predation remains scarce. We monitored for 27years a bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) population that declined dramatically as episodes of cougar (Puma concolor) predation depressed survival. Predation led to a positive relationship between lamb survival and population size below a threshold, and to an overall positive relationship between yearling and adult ewe survival and population size. During years of high predation, lambs also suffer mortality through reduced growth, contributing a third of the total impact of predation on lamb survival. There was no positive association between population growth and population size, probably because growth was affected by several factors other than predation, including disease. Our results support the contention that predator-driven component Allee effects may exacerbate the effects of other environmental drivers and increase the risk of extinction of small populations. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bourbeau-Lemieux, Aurélie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Gaillard, Jean-Michel and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01595.x},
 journal = {Ecology Letters},
 number = {4}
}

Negative density dependence is an important driver of population dynamics of large vertebrates. Allee effects (positive density dependence), however, can affect small populations. Allee effects can be generated by predation and recent research has revealed potentially important indirect effects of predation on population dynamics. For wild populations, however, quantification of both Allee effects and indirect effects of predation remains scarce. We monitored for 27years a bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) population that declined dramatically as episodes of cougar (Puma concolor) predation depressed survival. Predation led to a positive relationship between lamb survival and population size below a threshold, and to an overall positive relationship between yearling and adult ewe survival and population size. During years of high predation, lambs also suffer mortality through reduced growth, contributing a third of the total impact of predation on lamb survival. There was no positive association between population growth and population size, probably because growth was affected by several factors other than predation, including disease. Our results support the contention that predator-driven component Allee effects may exacerbate the effects of other environmental drivers and increase the risk of extinction of small populations. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS.

@article{
 title = {Oral vaccination against raccoon rabies: Landscape heterogeneity and timing of distribution influence wildlife contact rates with the ONRAB vaccine bait},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 keywords = {Aerial distribution,Baits,Mephitis mephitis,ONRAB,ORV,Procyon lotor,Raccoon rabies variant,Striped skunk},
 pages = {593-602},
 volume = {47},
 websites = {http://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/10.7589/0090-3558-47.3.593},
 month = {7},
 id = {c8d4ad07-b50d-3977-afbe-7a49f4f261cd},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.985Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.663Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Boyer2011},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Aerial distribution of oral vaccine baits is one of the available strategies for controlling the spread of infectious wildlife diseases. This technique has commonly been used to control rabies in wild carnivores and, together with other techniques, was used to immunize wild populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) after the detection of the first rabid raccoon in the province of Quebec, Canada, in 2006. Vaccine bait distribution was conducted over large areas where agricultural land is dominant but interspersed with residual forest patches. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of habitat (forest vs. agricultural crops) in space and time on the contact rate between wildlife and the ONRAB ® vaccine bait, a recent alternative to the VRG ® . Four transects of eight vaccine baits each were installed parallel to, and at different distances from, the forest's edge (under forest cover, at field-forest edge, and at 50 and 200 m from forest edge in agricultural crops) at three sites composed of various crop types interspersed with forest patches. This experiment was conducted during three periods (late spring, 1-7 June; summer, 27 July-2 August; and fall, 24-30 October) in 2009. Contact rates with vaccine baits were monitored for 7 days in each period to evaluate the potential temporal variations generated within the habitat types. Contact rates with ONRAB vaccine baits were highest under forest cover and in the fall. Of 13 species observed in proximity to the vaccine baits, raccoons were the most frequent (49.5%, n=555 visits). Our study underlines the importance of taking into account landscape heterogeneity and timing of distribution when planning the distribution of vaccine baits to control rabies in raccoons. © Wildlife Disease Association 2011.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Boyer, Jean-Philippe and Canac-Marquis, Pierre and Guérin, Daniel and Mainguy, Julien and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.7589/0090-3558-47.3.593},
 journal = {Journal of Wildlife Diseases},
 number = {3}
}

Aerial distribution of oral vaccine baits is one of the available strategies for controlling the spread of infectious wildlife diseases. This technique has commonly been used to control rabies in wild carnivores and, together with other techniques, was used to immunize wild populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) after the detection of the first rabid raccoon in the province of Quebec, Canada, in 2006. Vaccine bait distribution was conducted over large areas where agricultural land is dominant but interspersed with residual forest patches. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of habitat (forest vs. agricultural crops) in space and time on the contact rate between wildlife and the ONRAB ® vaccine bait, a recent alternative to the VRG ® . Four transects of eight vaccine baits each were installed parallel to, and at different distances from, the forest's edge (under forest cover, at field-forest edge, and at 50 and 200 m from forest edge in agricultural crops) at three sites composed of various crop types interspersed with forest patches. This experiment was conducted during three periods (late spring, 1-7 June; summer, 27 July-2 August; and fall, 24-30 October) in 2009. Contact rates with vaccine baits were monitored for 7 days in each period to evaluate the potential temporal variations generated within the habitat types. Contact rates with ONRAB vaccine baits were highest under forest cover and in the fall. Of 13 species observed in proximity to the vaccine baits, raccoons were the most frequent (49.5%, n=555 visits). Our study underlines the importance of taking into account landscape heterogeneity and timing of distribution when planning the distribution of vaccine baits to control rabies in raccoons. © Wildlife Disease Association 2011.

@article{
 title = {Individual quality: tautology or biological reality?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 keywords = {Fitness,Frailty,Heterogeneity,Individual variation},
 pages = {361-364},
 volume = {80},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2010.01770.x},
 month = {3},
 id = {ac30e310-7f4e-3c16-8fbb-86fe7947642b},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.028Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.924Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bergeron2011},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bergeron, Patrick and Baeta, Renaud and Pelletier, Fanie and Réale, Denis and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2656.2010.01770.x},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {2}
}

@article{
 title = {The population growth consequences of variation in individual heterozygosity},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 pages = {e19667},
 volume = {6},
 websites = {https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019667},
 month = {5},
 day = {18},
 id = {1bf4f76d-2a7e-3ae4-90e7-711e86544e39},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.028Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.418Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {DiFonzo2011},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Heterozygosity has been associated with components of fitness in numerous studies across a wide range of taxa. Because heterozygosity is associated with individual performance it is also expected to be associated with population dynamics. However, investigations into the association between heterozygosity and population dynamics have been rare because of difficulties in linking evolutionary and ecological processes. The choice of heterozygosity measure is a further issue confounding such studies as it can be biased by individual differences in the frequencies of the alleles studied, the number of alleles at each locus as well as the total number of loci typed. In this study, we first examine the differences between the principal metrics used to calculate heterozygosity using long-term data from a marked population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries). Next, by means of statistical transformation of the homozygosity weighted by loci index, we determine how heterozygosity contributes to population growth in Soay sheep by modelling individual contributions to population growth (pt(i)) as a function of several covariates, including sex, weight and faecal egg count - a surrogate of parasitic nematode burden in the gut. We demonstrate that although heterozygosity is associated with some components of fitness, most notably adult male reproductive success, in general it is only weakly associated with population growth. © 2011 Di Fonzo et al.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Di Fonzo, Martina M. I. and Pelletier, Fanie and Clutton-Brock, T.H. and Pemberton, Josephine M. and Coulson, Tim},
 editor = {Rankin, Daniel J.},
 doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0019667},
 journal = {PLoS ONE},
 number = {5}
}

Heterozygosity has been associated with components of fitness in numerous studies across a wide range of taxa. Because heterozygosity is associated with individual performance it is also expected to be associated with population dynamics. However, investigations into the association between heterozygosity and population dynamics have been rare because of difficulties in linking evolutionary and ecological processes. The choice of heterozygosity measure is a further issue confounding such studies as it can be biased by individual differences in the frequencies of the alleles studied, the number of alleles at each locus as well as the total number of loci typed. In this study, we first examine the differences between the principal metrics used to calculate heterozygosity using long-term data from a marked population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries). Next, by means of statistical transformation of the homozygosity weighted by loci index, we determine how heterozygosity contributes to population growth in Soay sheep by modelling individual contributions to population growth (pt(i)) as a function of several covariates, including sex, weight and faecal egg count - a surrogate of parasitic nematode burden in the gut. We demonstrate that although heterozygosity is associated with some components of fitness, most notably adult male reproductive success, in general it is only weakly associated with population growth. © 2011 Di Fonzo et al.

@article{
 title = {Evidence for evolution in response to natural selection in a contemporary human population},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 keywords = {Heritability,Homo sapiens,Life-history traits,Lifetime reproductive success,Reproductive timing},
 pages = {17040-17045},
 volume = {108},
 websites = {http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1104210108},
 month = {10},
 day = {11},
 id = {020380c3-5b16-32b1-b1a3-1868667ff2ce},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.388Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.526Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Milot2011},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {It is often claimed that modern humans have stopped evolving because cultural and technological advancements have annihilated natural selection. In contrast, recent studies show that selection can be strong in contemporary populations. However, detecting a response to selection is particularly challenging; previous evidence from wild animals has been criticized for both applying anticonservative statistical tests and failing to consider random genetic drift. Here we study life-history variation in an insular preindustrial French-Canadian population and apply a recently proposed conservative approach to testing microevolutionary responses to selection. As reported for other such societies, natural selection favored an earlier age at first reproduction (AFR) among women. AFR was also highly heritable and genetically correlated to fitness, predicting a microevolutionary change toward earlier reproduction. In agreement with this prediction, AFR declined from about 26-22 y over a 140-y period. Crucially, we uncovered a substantial change in the breeding values for this trait, indicating that the change in AFR largely occurred at the genetic level. Moreover, the genetic trend was higher than expected under the effect of random genetic drift alone. Our results show that microevolution can be detectable over relatively few generations in humans and underscore the need for studies of human demography and reproductive ecology to consider the role of evolutionary processes.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Milot, Emmanuel and Mayer, Francine M. and Nussey, Daniel H. and Boisvert, Mireille and Pelletier, Fanie and Reale, D.},
 doi = {10.1073/pnas.1104210108},
 journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
 number = {41}
}

It is often claimed that modern humans have stopped evolving because cultural and technological advancements have annihilated natural selection. In contrast, recent studies show that selection can be strong in contemporary populations. However, detecting a response to selection is particularly challenging; previous evidence from wild animals has been criticized for both applying anticonservative statistical tests and failing to consider random genetic drift. Here we study life-history variation in an insular preindustrial French-Canadian population and apply a recently proposed conservative approach to testing microevolutionary responses to selection. As reported for other such societies, natural selection favored an earlier age at first reproduction (AFR) among women. AFR was also highly heritable and genetically correlated to fitness, predicting a microevolutionary change toward earlier reproduction. In agreement with this prediction, AFR declined from about 26-22 y over a 140-y period. Crucially, we uncovered a substantial change in the breeding values for this trait, indicating that the change in AFR largely occurred at the genetic level. Moreover, the genetic trend was higher than expected under the effect of random genetic drift alone. Our results show that microevolution can be detectable over relatively few generations in humans and underscore the need for studies of human demography and reproductive ecology to consider the role of evolutionary processes.

@article{
 title = {Genetic correlation between resting metabolic rate and exploratory behaviour in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2011},
 keywords = {Basal metabolic rate,Energy expenditure,Genetic covariance,Heritability,Inbreeding,Muroids,Permanent environment effect,Personality,Respirometry,Temperament},
 pages = {2153-2163},
 volume = {24},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02344.x},
 month = {10},
 id = {0e28b0aa-9d5a-32c8-add3-4846d100c10f},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.523Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.325Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {CAREAU2011},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {According to the 'pace-of-life' syndrome hypothesis, differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) should be genetically associated with exploratory behaviour. A large number of studies reported significant heritability for both RMR and exploratory behaviour, but the genetic correlation between the two has yet to be documented. We used a quantitative genetic approach to decompose the phenotypic (co)variance of several metabolic and behavioural measures into components of additive genetic, common environment and permanent environment variance in captive deer mice. We found significant additive genetic variance for two mass-independent metabolic measures (RMR and the average metabolic rate throughout the respirometry run) and two behavioural measures (time spent in centre and distance moved in a novel environment). We also detected positive additive genetic correlation between mass-independent RMR and distance moved (r A=0.78±0.23). Our results suggest that RMR and exploratory behaviour are functionally integrated traits in deer mice, providing empirical support for one of the connections within the pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Evolutionary Biology © 2011 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Careau, V. and Thomas, D. and Pelletier, F. and Turki, L. and Landry, F. and Garant, D. and Réale, D.},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02344.x},
 journal = {Journal of Evolutionary Biology},
 number = {10}
}

According to the 'pace-of-life' syndrome hypothesis, differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) should be genetically associated with exploratory behaviour. A large number of studies reported significant heritability for both RMR and exploratory behaviour, but the genetic correlation between the two has yet to be documented. We used a quantitative genetic approach to decompose the phenotypic (co)variance of several metabolic and behavioural measures into components of additive genetic, common environment and permanent environment variance in captive deer mice. We found significant additive genetic variance for two mass-independent metabolic measures (RMR and the average metabolic rate throughout the respirometry run) and two behavioural measures (time spent in centre and distance moved in a novel environment). We also detected positive additive genetic correlation between mass-independent RMR and distance moved (r A=0.78±0.23). Our results suggest that RMR and exploratory behaviour are functionally integrated traits in deer mice, providing empirical support for one of the connections within the pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Evolutionary Biology © 2011 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.

@article{
 title = {Plasticity in the rumination behaviour of bighorn sheep: contrasting strategies between the sexes?},
 type = {article},
 year = {2010},
 keywords = {Ovis canadensis,bighorn sheep,chewing behaviour,plasticity,rumination,sex difference,ungulate},
 pages = {1047-1053},
 volume = {79},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003347210000424},
 month = {5},
 id = {c837478f-0c3a-3d8f-bf2c-7f6ad5d0f735},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.368Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.628Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Moquin2010},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Although activity budgets have been studied extensively in ruminants, information on the plasticity of rumination among individuals is rare. Generally, time spent bedded is considered a proxy for time spent ruminating. Researchers rarely include measures of interindividual differences in the intensity and time spent ruminating. We explored individual variation in rumination behaviour in Rocky mountain bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis. We expected rumination to be a plastic behaviour affected by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as body mass, age, sex, reproductive status and environmental conditions. We investigated rumination behaviour based on (1) mean number of chews per bolus of food (chews/bolus), (2) mean number of chews per second per bolus (chewing rate) and (3) mean time spent chewing per bolus (bolus processing time) for sheep of known age, sex, body mass and reproductive status. Our results show that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors affected rumination behaviour. Females tended to spend less time processing each bolus than males of similar body mass, resulting in a significantly higher chewing rate for females. There was no difference in chews/bolus between sexes. Environmental factors and group size also affected rumination behaviour: cold temperatures were associated with fewer chews/bolus; wind was associated with more chews/bolus. Sheep in larger groups had a slower rate of rumination than those in smaller groups. We conclude that rumination behaviour is very plastic and, therefore, that assumptions of uniform rumination rates across individuals may be misleading and may miss an important piece of ruminants' foraging ecology. © 2010 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Moquin, Paul and Curry, Ben and Pelletier, Fanie and Ruckstuhl, Kathreen E.},
 doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.01.020},
 journal = {Animal Behaviour},
 number = {5}
}

Although activity budgets have been studied extensively in ruminants, information on the plasticity of rumination among individuals is rare. Generally, time spent bedded is considered a proxy for time spent ruminating. Researchers rarely include measures of interindividual differences in the intensity and time spent ruminating. We explored individual variation in rumination behaviour in Rocky mountain bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis. We expected rumination to be a plastic behaviour affected by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as body mass, age, sex, reproductive status and environmental conditions. We investigated rumination behaviour based on (1) mean number of chews per bolus of food (chews/bolus), (2) mean number of chews per second per bolus (chewing rate) and (3) mean time spent chewing per bolus (bolus processing time) for sheep of known age, sex, body mass and reproductive status. Our results show that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors affected rumination behaviour. Females tended to spend less time processing each bolus than males of similar body mass, resulting in a significantly higher chewing rate for females. There was no difference in chews/bolus between sexes. Environmental factors and group size also affected rumination behaviour: cold temperatures were associated with fewer chews/bolus; wind was associated with more chews/bolus. Sheep in larger groups had a slower rate of rumination than those in smaller groups. We conclude that rumination behaviour is very plastic and, therefore, that assumptions of uniform rumination rates across individuals may be misleading and may miss an important piece of ruminants' foraging ecology. © 2010 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

@article{
 title = {Matrix models for a changeable world: the importance of transient dynamics in population management},
 type = {article},
 year = {2010},
 keywords = {Asymptotic growth,Inertia,Leslie matrix,Momentum,Stable-age structure,Stable-stage structure,Transient growth},
 pages = {515-523},
 volume = {47},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01801.x},
 month = {4},
 day = {28},
 id = {37f07366-791c-357c-8064-f45e0fb6737a},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.561Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:08.320Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Ezard2010},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Matrix population models are tools for elucidating the association between demographic processes and population dynamics. A large amount of useful theory pivots on the assumption of equilibrium dynamics. The preceding transient is, however, of genuine conservation concern as it encompasses the short-term impact of natural or anthropogenic disturbance on the population. We review recent theoretical advances in deterministic transient analysis of matrix projection models, considering how disturbance can alter population dynamics by provoking a new population trajectory. We illustrate these impacts using plant and vertebrate systems across contiguous and fragmented landscapes. Short-term responses are of fundamental relevance for applied ecology, because the time-scale of transient effects is often similar to the length of many conservation projects. Investigation of the immediate, post-disturbance phase is vital for understanding how population processes respond to widespread disturbance in the short- and into the long term. Synthesis and applications. Transient analysis is critical for understanding and predicting the consequences of management activities. By considering short-term population responses to perturbations, especially in long-lived species, managers can develop more informed strategies for species harvesting or controlling of invasive species. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 British Ecological Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Ezard, Thomas H. G. and Bullock, James M. and Dalgleish, Harmony J. and Millon, Alexandre and Pelletier, Fanie and Ozgul, Arpat and Koons, David N.},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01801.x},
 journal = {Journal of Applied Ecology},
 number = {3}
}

Matrix population models are tools for elucidating the association between demographic processes and population dynamics. A large amount of useful theory pivots on the assumption of equilibrium dynamics. The preceding transient is, however, of genuine conservation concern as it encompasses the short-term impact of natural or anthropogenic disturbance on the population. We review recent theoretical advances in deterministic transient analysis of matrix projection models, considering how disturbance can alter population dynamics by provoking a new population trajectory. We illustrate these impacts using plant and vertebrate systems across contiguous and fragmented landscapes. Short-term responses are of fundamental relevance for applied ecology, because the time-scale of transient effects is often similar to the length of many conservation projects. Investigation of the immediate, post-disturbance phase is vital for understanding how population processes respond to widespread disturbance in the short- and into the long term. Synthesis and applications. Transient analysis is critical for understanding and predicting the consequences of management activities. By considering short-term population responses to perturbations, especially in long-lived species, managers can develop more informed strategies for species harvesting or controlling of invasive species. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 British Ecological Society.

@article{
 title = {Eco-evolutionary dynamics: disentangling phenotypic, environmental and population fluctuations},
 type = {article},
 year = {2009},
 keywords = {Eco-evolutionary dynamics,Ecology,Evolution,Phenotype,Population},
 pages = {1491-1498},
 volume = {364},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2009.0006},
 month = {6},
 day = {12},
 id = {d570ac84-d137-3af6-8284-15c647533014},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.431Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.009Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Ezard2009},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Decomposing variation in population growth into contributions from both ecological and evolutionary processes is of fundamental concern, particularly in a world characterized by rapid responses to anthropogenic threats. Although the impact of ecological change on evolutionary response has long been acknowledged, the converse has predominantly been neglected, especially empirically. By applying a recently published conceptual framework, we assess and contrast the relative importance of phenotypic and environmental variability on annual population growth in five ungulate populations. In four of the five populations, the contribution of phenotypic variability was greater than the contribution of environmental variability, although not significantly so. The similarity in the contributions of environment and phenotype suggests that neither is worthy of neglect. Population growth is a consequence of multiple processes, which strengthens arguments advocating integrated approaches to assess how populations respond to their environments. © 2009 The Royal Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Ezard, Thomas H.G. and Côté, Steeve D. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rstb.2009.0006},
 journal = {Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1523}
}

Decomposing variation in population growth into contributions from both ecological and evolutionary processes is of fundamental concern, particularly in a world characterized by rapid responses to anthropogenic threats. Although the impact of ecological change on evolutionary response has long been acknowledged, the converse has predominantly been neglected, especially empirically. By applying a recently published conceptual framework, we assess and contrast the relative importance of phenotypic and environmental variability on annual population growth in five ungulate populations. In four of the five populations, the contribution of phenotypic variability was greater than the contribution of environmental variability, although not significantly so. The similarity in the contributions of environment and phenotype suggests that neither is worthy of neglect. Population growth is a consequence of multiple processes, which strengthens arguments advocating integrated approaches to assess how populations respond to their environments. © 2009 The Royal Society.

@article{
 title = {Eco-evolutionary dynamics: an introduction},
 type = {article},
 year = {2009},
 keywords = {Contemporary evolution,Eco-evolutionary dynamics,Evolutionary changes,Genotype-by-environment interaction,Natural selection,Population dynamics},
 pages = {1483-1489},
 volume = {364},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2009.0027},
 month = {6},
 day = {12},
 id = {d652136d-9a6c-33a2-857b-40fc64c33617},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.438Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:49.701Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2009b},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Evolutionary ecologists and population biologists have recently considered that ecological and evolutionary changes are intimately linked and can occur on the same time-scale. Recent theoretical developments have shown how the feedback between ecological and evolutionary dynamics can be linked, and there are now empirical demonstrations showing that ecological change can lead to rapid evolutionary change. We also have evidence that microevolutionary change can leave an ecological signature. We are at a stage where the integration of ecology and evolution is a necessary step towards major advances in our understanding of the processes that shape and maintain biodiversity. This special feature about 'eco-evolutionary dynamics' brings together biologists from empirical and theoretical backgrounds to bridge the gap between ecology and evolution and provide a series of contributions aimed at quantifying the interactions between these fundamental processes. © 2009 The Royal Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, F. and Garant, D. and Hendry, A.P.},
 doi = {10.1098/rstb.2009.0027},
 journal = {Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
 number = {1523}
}

Evolutionary ecologists and population biologists have recently considered that ecological and evolutionary changes are intimately linked and can occur on the same time-scale. Recent theoretical developments have shown how the feedback between ecological and evolutionary dynamics can be linked, and there are now empirical demonstrations showing that ecological change can lead to rapid evolutionary change. We also have evidence that microevolutionary change can leave an ecological signature. We are at a stage where the integration of ecology and evolution is a necessary step towards major advances in our understanding of the processes that shape and maintain biodiversity. This special feature about 'eco-evolutionary dynamics' brings together biologists from empirical and theoretical backgrounds to bridge the gap between ecology and evolution and provide a series of contributions aimed at quantifying the interactions between these fundamental processes. © 2009 The Royal Society.

@article{
 title = {Rut-induced hypophagia in male bighorn sheep and mountain goats: foraging under time budget constraints},
 type = {article},
 year = {2009},
 pages = {141-151},
 volume = {115},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01589.x},
 month = {2},
 id = {c4aaa37b-4319-3a52-8b50-51ce599870b6},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.466Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.208Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2009a},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In polygynous ungulates, the rut imposes constraints on male time budgets that generate a trade-off between maintenance and reproduction, leading to a reduction in time spent foraging. As mating activities can incur substantial somatic costs, males are expected to spend their 'non-rutting' time recovering during the breeding season. If the diminution in time allocated to foraging by males is only a consequence of time budget constraints, males should keep a similar ratio of time spent foraging to lying to that observed in the pre-rut, leading to an overall reduction of these two activities (the 'foraging constraint' hypothesis). Alternatively, if males adopt an energy-saving strategy, they should limit energy expenditures by reducing foraging but not lying time, as the energy gains of forage intake may not meet the basal energetic requirements, especially in northern and temperate regions (the 'energy-saving' hypothesis). Here, we contrast these two hypotheses by comparing individual daily time budgets of marked adult bighorn sheep rams (Ovis canadensis) and male mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) during the pre-rut and the rut. Concordant results for both species support the 'foraging constraint' hypothesis, as sexually-active males reduced time spent foraging and lying from the pre-rut to the rut because of an increase in time spent in mating-related activities. Bighorn sheep rams also increased time spent foraging when not engaged in mating tactics, providing further support for a 'maximisation' of energy intake in the absence of reproductive opportunities. Because there are also known physiological changes that occur during the rut which may cause appetite suppression, for example to produce metabolic compounds linked with olfactory communication (the 'scent-urination' hypothesis) or to cope with increased burden of parasites (the 'parasite-induced anorexia' hypothesis), further research should aim at simultaneously testing these current hypotheses to better understand rut-induced hypophagia and its effects on the life histories of male ungulates. © 2009 The Authors.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Mainguy, Julien and Côté, Steeve D.},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01589.x},
 journal = {Ethology},
 number = {2}
}

In polygynous ungulates, the rut imposes constraints on male time budgets that generate a trade-off between maintenance and reproduction, leading to a reduction in time spent foraging. As mating activities can incur substantial somatic costs, males are expected to spend their 'non-rutting' time recovering during the breeding season. If the diminution in time allocated to foraging by males is only a consequence of time budget constraints, males should keep a similar ratio of time spent foraging to lying to that observed in the pre-rut, leading to an overall reduction of these two activities (the 'foraging constraint' hypothesis). Alternatively, if males adopt an energy-saving strategy, they should limit energy expenditures by reducing foraging but not lying time, as the energy gains of forage intake may not meet the basal energetic requirements, especially in northern and temperate regions (the 'energy-saving' hypothesis). Here, we contrast these two hypotheses by comparing individual daily time budgets of marked adult bighorn sheep rams (Ovis canadensis) and male mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) during the pre-rut and the rut. Concordant results for both species support the 'foraging constraint' hypothesis, as sexually-active males reduced time spent foraging and lying from the pre-rut to the rut because of an increase in time spent in mating-related activities. Bighorn sheep rams also increased time spent foraging when not engaged in mating tactics, providing further support for a 'maximisation' of energy intake in the absence of reproductive opportunities. Because there are also known physiological changes that occur during the rut which may cause appetite suppression, for example to produce metabolic compounds linked with olfactory communication (the 'scent-urination' hypothesis) or to cope with increased burden of parasites (the 'parasite-induced anorexia' hypothesis), further research should aim at simultaneously testing these current hypotheses to better understand rut-induced hypophagia and its effects on the life histories of male ungulates. © 2009 The Authors.

@article{
 title = {Age-dependent relationship between horn growth and survival in wild sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2009},
 keywords = {Bighorn,Horn growth,Individual heterogeneity,Selective harvesting,Sexual selection,Survival,Trade-offs},
 pages = {161-171},
 volume = {78},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2008.01477.x},
 month = {1},
 id = {f90df55e-e37f-303f-adb3-76379a7a5176},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.366Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.699Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bonenfant2009},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {1. Trade-offs in resource allocation underline the evolution of life-history traits but their expression is frequently challenged by empirical findings. In large herbivores, males with large antlers or horns typically have high mating success. The fitness costs of large horns or antlers have rarely been quantified although they are controversial. 2. Here, using detailed longitudinal data on n = 172 bighorn (Ovis canadensis, Shaw) and the capture-mark-recapture methodology, we tested whether early horn growth leads to a survival cost in rams ('trade-off' hypothesis) or if males that can afford rapid horn growth survive better than males of lower phenotypic quality ('phenotypic quality' hypothesis). We also quantified how hunting increased survival costs of bearing large horns. 3. We found an age-specific relationship between horn growth and survival. In all age classes, natural survival was either weakly related to (lambs, adult rams) or positively associated (yearling rams) with early horn growth. Hunting mortality was markedly different from natural mortality of bighorn rams, leading to an artificial negative association between early horn growth and survival. Beginning at age 4, the yearly harvest rate ranged from 12% for males with the smallest horns up to more than 40% for males with the largest horns. 4. Growing large horns early in life is not related to any consistent survival costs, hence supporting the phenotypic quality hypothesis in males of a dimorphic and polygynous large herbivores. Rapid horn growth early in life is, however, strongly counter selected by trophy hunting. We suggest that horn size is a very poor index of reproductive effort and that males modulate their mating activities and energy allocation to horn growth to limit its impact on survival. © 2008 The Authors.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bonenfant, Christophe and Pelletier, Fanie and Garel, Mathieu and Bergeron, Patrick},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2656.2008.01477.x},
 journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology},
 number = {1}
}

1. Trade-offs in resource allocation underline the evolution of life-history traits but their expression is frequently challenged by empirical findings. In large herbivores, males with large antlers or horns typically have high mating success. The fitness costs of large horns or antlers have rarely been quantified although they are controversial. 2. Here, using detailed longitudinal data on n = 172 bighorn (Ovis canadensis, Shaw) and the capture-mark-recapture methodology, we tested whether early horn growth leads to a survival cost in rams ('trade-off' hypothesis) or if males that can afford rapid horn growth survive better than males of lower phenotypic quality ('phenotypic quality' hypothesis). We also quantified how hunting increased survival costs of bearing large horns. 3. We found an age-specific relationship between horn growth and survival. In all age classes, natural survival was either weakly related to (lambs, adult rams) or positively associated (yearling rams) with early horn growth. Hunting mortality was markedly different from natural mortality of bighorn rams, leading to an artificial negative association between early horn growth and survival. Beginning at age 4, the yearly harvest rate ranged from 12% for males with the smallest horns up to more than 40% for males with the largest horns. 4. Growing large horns early in life is not related to any consistent survival costs, hence supporting the phenotypic quality hypothesis in males of a dimorphic and polygynous large herbivores. Rapid horn growth early in life is, however, strongly counter selected by trophy hunting. We suggest that horn size is a very poor index of reproductive effort and that males modulate their mating activities and energy allocation to horn growth to limit its impact on survival. © 2008 The Authors.

@article{
 title = {From genes to ecosystems: an emerging synthesis of eco-evolutionary dynamics},
 type = {article},
 year = {2009},
 keywords = {Co-evolution,Community genetics,Eco-evolutionary dynamic,Effect size,Genes to ecosystems,Intraspecific genetic variation},
 pages = {746-749},
 volume = {184},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.03081.x},
 month = {12},
 id = {4daca328-9815-313e-9119-ea7430b0c793},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.614Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.925Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bailey2009},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bailey, Joseph K. and Hendry, Andrew P. and Kinnison, Michael T. and Post, David M. and Palkovacs, Eric P. and Pelletier, Fanie and Harmon, Luke J. and Schweitzer, Jennifer A.},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.03081.x},
 journal = {New Phytologist},
 number = {4}
}

@article{
 title = {Value of captive populations for quantitative genetics research},
 type = {article},
 year = {2009},
 pages = {263-270},
 volume = {24},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0169534709000469},
 month = {5},
 id = {020a9161-3b24-39f0-98c0-41de5713fbf6},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.542Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:02:51.172Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2009},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Evolutionary biologists have usefully applied quantitative genetics methods to the pedigrees of wild animals to understand how natural selection shapes phenotypic diversity in nature. Despite recent reviews on the importance of rapid evolutionary changes for conservation biology and the increasing concerns about potentially adverse effects of adaptation to captivity for wild species, the integration of evolutionary-based knowledge into conservation programs remains elusive. Here we review the value of long-term pedigrees and associated phenotypic data of captive stocks for evolutionary research and conservation programs. We emphasize that using zoological records to assess quantitative genetics parameters represents a promising avenue to study adaptation to captivity. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Réale, Denis and Watters, Jason and Boakes, Elizabeth H. and Garant, Dany},
 doi = {10.1016/j.tree.2008.11.013},
 journal = {Trends in Ecology & Evolution},
 number = {5}
}

Evolutionary biologists have usefully applied quantitative genetics methods to the pedigrees of wild animals to understand how natural selection shapes phenotypic diversity in nature. Despite recent reviews on the importance of rapid evolutionary changes for conservation biology and the increasing concerns about potentially adverse effects of adaptation to captivity for wild species, the integration of evolutionary-based knowledge into conservation programs remains elusive. Here we review the value of long-term pedigrees and associated phenotypic data of captive stocks for evolutionary research and conservation programs. We emphasize that using zoological records to assess quantitative genetics parameters represents a promising avenue to study adaptation to captivity. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

@article{
 title = {Estimating the functional form for the density dependence from life history data},
 type = {article},
 year = {2008},
 keywords = {Age-structure fluctuations,Nonlinear dynamics,North Atlantic Oscillation,Ovis arics,Soay sheep,Time series analysis},
 pages = {1661-1674},
 volume = {89},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1890/07-1099.1},
 month = {6},
 id = {216fc75b-f60f-3194-a7e2-d1ae2da55ec6},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.762Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.053Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Coulson2008},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Two contrasting approaches to the analysis of population dynamics are currently popular: demographic approaches where the associations between demographic rates and statistics summarizing the population dynamics are identified; and time series approaches where the associations between population dynamics, population density, and environmental covariates are investigated. In this paper, we develop an approach to combine these methods and apply it to detailed data from Soay sheep (Ovis aries). We examine how density dependence and climate contribute to fluctuations in population size via age- and sex-specific demographic rates, and how fluctuations in demographic structure influence population dynamics. Density dependence contributes most, followed by climatic variation, age structure fluctuations and interactions between density and climate. We then simplify the density-dependent, stochastic, age-structured demographic model and derive a new phenomenological time series which captures the dynamics better than previously selected functions. The simple method we develop has potential to provide substantial insight into the relative contributions of population and individual-level processes to the dynamics of populations in stochastic environments. © 2008 by the Ecological Society of America.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Coulson, T. and Ezard, T. H G and Pelletier, F. and Tavecchia, G. and Stenseth, N. C. and Childs, D. Z. and Pilkington, J. G. and Pemberton, J. M. and Kruuk, L. E B and Clutton-Brock, T. H. and Crawley, M. J.},
 doi = {10.1890/07-1099.1},
 journal = {Ecology},
 number = {6}
}

Two contrasting approaches to the analysis of population dynamics are currently popular: demographic approaches where the associations between demographic rates and statistics summarizing the population dynamics are identified; and time series approaches where the associations between population dynamics, population density, and environmental covariates are investigated. In this paper, we develop an approach to combine these methods and apply it to detailed data from Soay sheep (Ovis aries). We examine how density dependence and climate contribute to fluctuations in population size via age- and sex-specific demographic rates, and how fluctuations in demographic structure influence population dynamics. Density dependence contributes most, followed by climatic variation, age structure fluctuations and interactions between density and climate. We then simplify the density-dependent, stochastic, age-structured demographic model and derive a new phenomenological time series which captures the dynamics better than previously selected functions. The simple method we develop has potential to provide substantial insight into the relative contributions of population and individual-level processes to the dynamics of populations in stochastic environments. © 2008 by the Ecological Society of America.

@article{
 title = {Invited comment on: Life span is unrelated to investment in reproduction in populations of mammals and birds in captivity by Ricklefs, R.E. and Cadena, C.D. (2007)},
 type = {article},
 year = {2007},
 pages = {872-874},
 volume = {10},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2007.01097.x},
 month = {10},
 id = {b3aef4a6-e5fd-3b1f-a772-95ea548fec8a},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.199Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.005Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Mace2007},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Mace, Georgina M. and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1461-0248.2007.01097.x},
 journal = {Ecology Letters},
 number = {10}
}

@article{
 title = {Evidence for a genetic basis of aging in two wild vertebrate populations},
 type = {article},
 year = {2007},
 keywords = {EVO_ECOL},
 pages = {2136-2142},
 volume = {17},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982207022828},
 month = {12},
 id = {29f9db91-4019-3d4d-a43c-43b9ab6ec0ac},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.658Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.549Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Wilson2007},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Aging, or senescence, defined as a decline in physiological function with age, has long been a focus of research interest for evolutionary biologists. How has natural selection failed to remove genetic effects responsible for such reduced fitness among older individuals? Current evolutionary theory explains this phenomenon by showing that, as a result of the risk of death from environmental causes that individuals experience, the force of selection inevitably weakens with age [1-3]. This in turn means that genetic mutations having detrimental effects that are only felt late in life might persist in a population. Although widely accepted, this theory rests on the assumption that there is genetic variation for aging in natural systems [4, 5], or (equivalently), that genotype-by-age interactions (GxA) occur for fitness. To date, empirical support for this assumption has come almost entirely from laboratory studies on invertebrate systems, most notably Drosophila and C. elegans [6-10], whereas tests of genetic variation for aging are largely lacking from natural populations [5]. By using data from two wild mammal populations, we perform quantitative genetic analyses of fitness and provide the first evidence for a genetic basis of senescence to come from a study in the natural environment. We find evidence that genetic differences among individuals cause variation in their rates of aging and that additive genetic variance for fitness increases with age, as predicted by the evolutionary theory of senescence. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Wilson, Alastair J. and Nussey, Daniel H. and Pemberton, Josephine M. and Pilkington, Jill G. and Morris, Alison and Pelletier, Fanie and Clutton-Brock, Timothy H. and Kruuk, Loeske E.B.},
 doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2007.11.043},
 journal = {Current Biology},
 number = {24}
}

Aging, or senescence, defined as a decline in physiological function with age, has long been a focus of research interest for evolutionary biologists. How has natural selection failed to remove genetic effects responsible for such reduced fitness among older individuals? Current evolutionary theory explains this phenomenon by showing that, as a result of the risk of death from environmental causes that individuals experience, the force of selection inevitably weakens with age [1-3]. This in turn means that genetic mutations having detrimental effects that are only felt late in life might persist in a population. Although widely accepted, this theory rests on the assumption that there is genetic variation for aging in natural systems [4, 5], or (equivalently), that genotype-by-age interactions (GxA) occur for fitness. To date, empirical support for this assumption has come almost entirely from laboratory studies on invertebrate systems, most notably Drosophila and C. elegans [6-10], whereas tests of genetic variation for aging are largely lacking from natural populations [5]. By using data from two wild mammal populations, we perform quantitative genetic analyses of fitness and provide the first evidence for a genetic basis of senescence to come from a study in the natural environment. We find evidence that genetic differences among individuals cause variation in their rates of aging and that additive genetic variance for fitness increases with age, as predicted by the evolutionary theory of senescence. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

@article{
 title = {Selection on heritable seasonal phenotypic plasticity of body mass},
 type = {article},
 year = {2007},
 keywords = {Adaptive phenotypic plasticity,Body mass,Genetic correlations,Heritability,Ovis canadensis,Temperate species},
 pages = {1969-1979},
 volume = {61},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00160.x},
 month = {8},
 id = {944148ab-f317-3e10-9225-77fe367e3f1b},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.083Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.965Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2007a},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The ability to cope with environmental change is fundamental to a species' evolution. Organisms can respond to seasonal environmental variation through phenotypic plasticity. The substantial plasticity in body mass of temperate species has often been considered a simple consequence of change in environmental quality, but could also have evolved as an adaptation to seasonality. We investigated the genetic basis of, and selection acting on, seasonal plasticity in body mass for wild bighorn sheep ewes (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Alberta, under two contrasting environmental conditions. Heritability of plasticity, estimated as mass-specific summer and winter mass changes, was low but significant. The additive genetic variance component of relative summer mass change was greater under good environmental conditions (characterized by a population increase and high juvenile survival) than under poor conditions (population decrease and low juvenile survival). Additive genetic variance of relative winter mass change appeared independent of environmental conditions. We found evidence of selection on summer (relative) and winter (relative and absolute) mass change. For a given mass, more plastic individuals (with greater seasonal mass changes) achieve greater fitness through reproduction in the following year. However, genetic correlations between mass parameters were positive. Our study supports the hypothesis that seasonal plasticity in body mass in vertebrates is an adaptation that evolved under natural selection to cope with environmental variation but genetic correlations with other traits might limit its evolutionary potential. © 2007 The Author(s).},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Réale, Denis and Garant, Dany and Coltman, David W. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00160.x},
 journal = {Evolution},
 number = {8}
}

The ability to cope with environmental change is fundamental to a species' evolution. Organisms can respond to seasonal environmental variation through phenotypic plasticity. The substantial plasticity in body mass of temperate species has often been considered a simple consequence of change in environmental quality, but could also have evolved as an adaptation to seasonality. We investigated the genetic basis of, and selection acting on, seasonal plasticity in body mass for wild bighorn sheep ewes (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Alberta, under two contrasting environmental conditions. Heritability of plasticity, estimated as mass-specific summer and winter mass changes, was low but significant. The additive genetic variance component of relative summer mass change was greater under good environmental conditions (characterized by a population increase and high juvenile survival) than under poor conditions (population decrease and low juvenile survival). Additive genetic variance of relative winter mass change appeared independent of environmental conditions. We found evidence of selection on summer (relative) and winter (relative and absolute) mass change. For a given mass, more plastic individuals (with greater seasonal mass changes) achieve greater fitness through reproduction in the following year. However, genetic correlations between mass parameters were positive. Our study supports the hypothesis that seasonal plasticity in body mass in vertebrates is an adaptation that evolved under natural selection to cope with environmental variation but genetic correlations with other traits might limit its evolutionary potential. © 2007 The Author(s).

@article{
 title = {The evolutionary demography of ecological change: linking trait variation and population growth},
 type = {article},
 year = {2007},
 pages = {1571-1574},
 volume = {315},
 websites = {http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.1139024},
 month = {3},
 day = {16},
 id = {c926b880-8a88-37d5-a0c9-b85f9d35b6c0},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.390Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:50.849Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2007},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Population dynamics and evolutionary change are linked by the fundamental biological processes of birth and death. This means that population growth may correlate with the strength of selection, whereas evolutionary change can leave an ecological signature. We decompose population growth in an age-structured population into contributions from variation in a quantitative trait. We report that the distribution of body sizes within a population of Soay sheep can markedly influence population dynamics, accounting for up to one-fifth of observed population growth. Our results suggest that there is substantial opportunity for evolutionary dynamics to leave an ecological signature and visa versa.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Clutton-Brock, T. and Pemberton, J. and Tuljapurkar, S. and Coulson, Tim},
 doi = {10.1126/science.1139024},
 journal = {Science},
 number = {5818}
}

Population dynamics and evolutionary change are linked by the fundamental biological processes of birth and death. This means that population growth may correlate with the strength of selection, whereas evolutionary change can leave an ecological signature. We decompose population growth in an age-structured population into contributions from variation in a quantitative trait. We report that the distribution of body sizes within a population of Soay sheep can markedly influence population dynamics, accounting for up to one-fifth of observed population growth. Our results suggest that there is substantial opportunity for evolutionary dynamics to leave an ecological signature and visa versa.

@misc{
 title = {Erratum: Male mating effort in a polygynous ungulate},
 type = {misc},
 year = {2006},
 source = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 pages = {748},
 volume = {60},
 issue = {5},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-006-0243-8},
 month = {9},
 day = {8},
 id = {1297f0f3-a302-3929-9bde-ee381cee2738},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.510Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.127Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2006d},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {misc},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Hogg, John T. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-006-0243-8}
}

@article{
 title = {Stochastic predation events and population persistence in bighorn sheep},
 type = {article},
 year = {2006},
 keywords = {Individual differences,Limiting factors,Population dynamics,Population viability analysis,Predator-prey,Stochasticity},
 pages = {1537-1543},
 volume = {273},
 websites = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2006.3467},
 month = {6},
 day = {22},
 id = {94e04a0a-2e37-30d1-bf8d-46d84b35f81f},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:57.157Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2021-05-10T15:43:45.793Z},
 read = {true},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Festa-Bianchet2006},
 folder_uuids = {78ba9090-da20-464c-bff8-a0b21e0d9400},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Many studies have reported temporal changes in the relative importance of density-dependence and environmental stochasticity in affecting population growth rates, but they typically assume that the predominant factor limiting growth remains constant over long periods of time. Stochastic switches in limiting factors that persist for multiple time-steps have received little attention, but most wild populations may periodically experience such switches. Here, we consider the dynamics of three populations of individually marked bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) monitored for 24-28 years. Each population experienced one or two distinct cougar (Puma concolor) predation events leading to population declines. The onset and duration of predation events were stochastic and consistent with predation by specialist individuals. A realistic Markov chain model confirms that predation by specialist cougars can cause extinction of isolated populations. We suggest that such processes may be common. In such cases, predator-prey equilibria may only occur at large geographical and temporal scales, and are unlikely with increasing habitat fragmentation. © 2006 The Royal Society.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Festa-Bianchet, Marco and Coulson, Tim and Gaillard, J.-M. and Hogg, John T and Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1098/rspb.2006.3467},
 journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences}
}

Many studies have reported temporal changes in the relative importance of density-dependence and environmental stochasticity in affecting population growth rates, but they typically assume that the predominant factor limiting growth remains constant over long periods of time. Stochastic switches in limiting factors that persist for multiple time-steps have received little attention, but most wild populations may periodically experience such switches. Here, we consider the dynamics of three populations of individually marked bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) monitored for 24-28 years. Each population experienced one or two distinct cougar (Puma concolor) predation events leading to population declines. The onset and duration of predation events were stochastic and consistent with predation by specialist individuals. A realistic Markov chain model confirms that predation by specialist cougars can cause extinction of isolated populations. We suggest that such processes may be common. In such cases, predator-prey equilibria may only occur at large geographical and temporal scales, and are unlikely with increasing habitat fragmentation. © 2006 The Royal Society.

@article{
 title = {Effects of tourist activities on ungulate behaviour in a mountain protected area},
 type = {article},
 year = {2006},
 keywords = {15 19,8,disturbance,ecol,j,mt,protected areas,roads,ungulates behaviour},
 pages = {15-19},
 volume = {8},
 websites = {http://www.ucalgary.ca/emergmgmt/files/bgs/Pelletier_2006.pdf%5Cnhttp://webapps2.ucalgary.ca/~bgs/pubFiles/Pelletier_2006.pdf},
 id = {c0d0d5f1-6cbe-335a-b91d-f08519f75536},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:45:59.226Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T21:30:47.058Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2006c},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Many protected areas seek to both preserve biodiversity and promote recreational activities. These objectives, however, may conflict if human activities reduce animal use of protected habitat. To determine if traffic volume affected the area-use pattern of wild ungulates, I conducted ungulate surveys along a road in the Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta, over two years. I counted groups of four ungulate species, and compared the number seen during weekdays (low traffic volume) and weekends (high volume). Fewer groups of all three cervid species were seen during weekends than during weekdays, while no difference was observed for bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep, however, flew at the sight of or when chased by domestic dogs. High traffic volume decreased ungulate use of habitat areas within sight of the road. Anthropogenic disturbance therefore led to habitat loss in this protected area because during days with heavy traffic, ungulates avoided habitat close to the road. Moreover, harassment by domestic dogs artificially increases the predation risk perceived by ungulates, which},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie},
 journal = {Journal of Mountain Ecology}
}

Many protected areas seek to both preserve biodiversity and promote recreational activities. These objectives, however, may conflict if human activities reduce animal use of protected habitat. To determine if traffic volume affected the area-use pattern of wild ungulates, I conducted ungulate surveys along a road in the Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta, over two years. I counted groups of four ungulate species, and compared the number seen during weekdays (low traffic volume) and weekends (high volume). Fewer groups of all three cervid species were seen during weekends than during weekdays, while no difference was observed for bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep, however, flew at the sight of or when chased by domestic dogs. High traffic volume decreased ungulate use of habitat areas within sight of the road. Anthropogenic disturbance therefore led to habitat loss in this protected area because during days with heavy traffic, ungulates avoided habitat close to the road. Moreover, harassment by domestic dogs artificially increases the predation risk perceived by ungulates, which

@article{
 title = {Sexual selection and social rank in bighorn rams},
 type = {article},
 year = {2006},
 pages = {649-655},
 volume = {71},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003347205004252},
 month = {3},
 id = {d59daa70-45e3-3b0a-aa55-963e77455c75},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:11.869Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:05.421Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2006b},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {For many ungulates, male reproductive success increases with social rank. Because rank is established through contests, it should be correlated with individual mass and select for high sexual dimorphism in body mass. It is difficult to weigh free-ranging ungulates, however, so empirical data on the relation between mass and social rank are scarce. We monitored individual mass and social rank of marked bighorn rams, Ovis canadensis, at Sheep River, Alberta, Canada over 5 years. Each year, rams were organized in a linear hierarchy. Social rank increased with age, and rank in one year was a good predictor of rank in the next year. The stability of dyadic relationships increased with the difference in age of individuals in the dyad but decreased as rams aged. Until about 6 years of age, the positive effects of age and individual mass on social rank were indistinguishable, because rams gained mass each year. The relation between body mass and social rank strengthened with age, probably because, after the heavier rams attain their lifetime asymptotic weight, they can challenge older conspecifics. In mature bighorn rams, social rank is a major determinant of reproductive success. By providing evidence that mass is an important determinant of rank, our study supports the contention that sexual selection leads to high sexual dimorphism in this species. © 2005 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.07.008},
 journal = {Animal Behaviour},
 number = {3}
}

For many ungulates, male reproductive success increases with social rank. Because rank is established through contests, it should be correlated with individual mass and select for high sexual dimorphism in body mass. It is difficult to weigh free-ranging ungulates, however, so empirical data on the relation between mass and social rank are scarce. We monitored individual mass and social rank of marked bighorn rams, Ovis canadensis, at Sheep River, Alberta, Canada over 5 years. Each year, rams were organized in a linear hierarchy. Social rank increased with age, and rank in one year was a good predictor of rank in the next year. The stability of dyadic relationships increased with the difference in age of individuals in the dyad but decreased as rams aged. Until about 6 years of age, the positive effects of age and individual mass on social rank were indistinguishable, because rams gained mass each year. The relation between body mass and social rank strengthened with age, probably because, after the heavier rams attain their lifetime asymptotic weight, they can challenge older conspecifics. In mature bighorn rams, social rank is a major determinant of reproductive success. By providing evidence that mass is an important determinant of rank, our study supports the contention that sexual selection leads to high sexual dimorphism in this species. © 2005 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

@article{
 title = {Male mating effort in a polygynous ungulate},
 type = {article},
 year = {2006},
 keywords = {Bighorn sheep,Life history,Male mating effort,Rut,Ungulates},
 pages = {645-654},
 volume = {60},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-006-0208-y},
 month = {9},
 publisher = {Springer Verlag},
 day = {10},
 id = {f84c9c80-74b6-3374-8f6b-0160e08b690f},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.332Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:06.278Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2006a},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Survival and mating success are key fitness components of mammalian males. Because energy is limited, life history theory predicts trade-offs between current and future reproduction. While many studies have examined fitness trade-off in females, we know little about trade-offs faced by males. In polygynous species, male mating success is largely dependent upon intrasexual competition. Consequently, males have greater uncertainty over the benefits of a given allocation than over its costs, and the correlation between mating effort and success is likely much weaker in males than in females. We analyzed 14 years of data on the mating effort and survival of marked bighorn rams to investigate fitness trade-offs. Dominant rams defended single estrous ewes ("tending") while subordinates attempted to copulate after separating the tending pair ("coursing"). We estimated the participation in tending and coursing for each ram and the effort in searching for breeding opportunities by each ram each year. We compared these three behavioral indices of male mating effort to demographic parameters, individual characteristics, and both yearly and long-term survival. Mating effort during the rut was unrelated to ram overwinter survival, but longevity was positively correlated with mating effort between 2 and 5 years of age. Persistent variation among rams is likely to explain this pattern, suggesting that in natural populations a few high quality males enjoy both high mating success and high survival. © Springer-Verlag 2006.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Hogg, John T. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-006-0208-y},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {5}
}

Survival and mating success are key fitness components of mammalian males. Because energy is limited, life history theory predicts trade-offs between current and future reproduction. While many studies have examined fitness trade-off in females, we know little about trade-offs faced by males. In polygynous species, male mating success is largely dependent upon intrasexual competition. Consequently, males have greater uncertainty over the benefits of a given allocation than over its costs, and the correlation between mating effort and success is likely much weaker in males than in females. We analyzed 14 years of data on the mating effort and survival of marked bighorn rams to investigate fitness trade-offs. Dominant rams defended single estrous ewes ("tending") while subordinates attempted to copulate after separating the tending pair ("coursing"). We estimated the participation in tending and coursing for each ram and the effort in searching for breeding opportunities by each ram each year. We compared these three behavioral indices of male mating effort to demographic parameters, individual characteristics, and both yearly and long-term survival. Mating effort during the rut was unrelated to ram overwinter survival, but longevity was positively correlated with mating effort between 2 and 5 years of age. Persistent variation among rams is likely to explain this pattern, suggesting that in natural populations a few high quality males enjoy both high mating success and high survival. © Springer-Verlag 2006.

@article{
 title = {Behavioural reactions of bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) to cougar ( Puma concolor ) attacks / Comportement du mouflon d'Amerique ( Ovis canadensis ) lors d'attaques par le cougar ( Puma concolor )},
 type = {article},
 year = {2006},
 keywords = {Bighorn sheep,Cougar,Predation,Predator-prey-interaction},
 pages = {160-162},
 volume = {70},
 websites = {https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/mamm.2006.70.issue-1-2/mamm.70.1-2.160/mamm.70.1-2.160.xml},
 month = {1},
 day = {1},
 id = {33fc67cf-7151-38bc-bcff-cadc7d4b52ec},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.650Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:01:47.663Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {true},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2006},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Gendreau, Yannick and Feder, Chiarastella},
 doi = {10.1515/MAMM.2006.026},
 journal = {Mammalia},
 number = {1-2}
}

@article{
 title = {Reproductive social behavior: Ignoring ecological scenarios and the "Currency" of evolution},
 type = {article},
 year = {2006},
 pages = {1-13},
 websites = {http://www.academia.edu/166492/Reproductive_Social_Behavior_Ignoring_Ecological_Scenarios_and_the_Currency_of_Evolution},
 id = {26f595d4-461d-3e95-9630-d7852f320922},
 created = {2020-02-04T23:08:55.383Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:56:30.692Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2006e},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Börger, Luca},
 journal = {Science E-letters}
}

@article{
 title = {Fecal counts of lungworm larvae and reproductive effort in bighorn sheep, <i>Ovis canadensis</i>},
 type = {article},
 year = {2005},
 pages = {473-480},
 volume = {110},
 websites = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.14120.x},
 month = {9},
 id = {121b8edb-146b-3b88-92df-a369881205b2},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.174Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.605Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2005a},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Because parasite resistance and reproduction require metabolic resources, life-history models predict a tradeoff between current reproduction and parasite load. These tradeoffs have been widely studied in birds, but few studies have been conducted on mammals. We monitored lungworm (Protostrongylus spp.) larvae counts in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) over four years to examine how individual differences in fecal output of lungworm larvae (LPG) by yearlings and adults were affected by season, sex, body mass, age and reproductive effort. We also compared lamb mass at six months and LPG. Overall, we found that LPG varies seasonally, peaking in females prior to lambing and in males during the rut. Age had no effect on LPG for either sex. During autumn, we found no effect of age or mass on LPG for sheep one year and older. Lamb body size or sex did not affect LPG. Females that weaned a lamb had higher counts than females that did not produce a lamb or females whose lamb died during summer. For rams, social rank and testosterone levels were not related to LPG but LPG increased with time spent searching for estrous ewes during the rut. Our results suggest a tradeoff between parasite resistance and reproductive effort in bighorn sheep of both sexes. Copyright © Oikos 2005.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Page, Karen Ann and Ostiguy, Timothée and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.14120.x},
 journal = {Oikos},
 number = {3}
}

Because parasite resistance and reproduction require metabolic resources, life-history models predict a tradeoff between current reproduction and parasite load. These tradeoffs have been widely studied in birds, but few studies have been conducted on mammals. We monitored lungworm (Protostrongylus spp.) larvae counts in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) over four years to examine how individual differences in fecal output of lungworm larvae (LPG) by yearlings and adults were affected by season, sex, body mass, age and reproductive effort. We also compared lamb mass at six months and LPG. Overall, we found that LPG varies seasonally, peaking in females prior to lambing and in males during the rut. Age had no effect on LPG for either sex. During autumn, we found no effect of age or mass on LPG for sheep one year and older. Lamb body size or sex did not affect LPG. Females that weaned a lamb had higher counts than females that did not produce a lamb or females whose lamb died during summer. For rams, social rank and testosterone levels were not related to LPG but LPG increased with time spent searching for estrous ewes during the rut. Our results suggest a tradeoff between parasite resistance and reproductive effort in bighorn sheep of both sexes. Copyright © Oikos 2005.

@article{
 title = {Foraging time of rutting bighorn rams varies with individual behavior, not mating tactic},
 type = {article},
 year = {2005},
 keywords = {Bighorn sheep,Feeding constraint,Ovis canadensis,Rut},
 pages = {280-285},
 volume = {16},
 websites = {http://academic.oup.com/beheco/article/16/1/280/206707/Foraging-time-of-rutting-bighorn-rams-varies-with},
 month = {1},
 day = {1},
 id = {640407a6-b9fa-3922-9090-d7e64e43b255},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.542Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T19:03:17.114Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2005},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Mate guarding is the primary mating tactic used by dominant males of many species of ungulates. Guarding males are thought to forage less during the rut than do nonguarding males, possibly leading to greater fitness costs. I observed bighorn rams foraging during the pre-rut and the rut. I compared how coursing (an alternative mating tactic) and tending (a form of mate guarding) affected the foraging behavior of bighorn rams over the rut, to test whether foraging was more constrained by mate guarding than by coursing. All adult males spent less time feeding during the rut compared with the pre-rut. The decrease in time spent feeding, however, was independent of mating tactic. Contrary to expectation, individual rams observed both coursing and tending spent less time foraging when coursing than when tending. For young rams, the time spent in rutting activities was correlated with individual pre-rut mass, indicating that males either modify their behavior according to available metabolic reserves or adjust the energy devoted to rutting activities to the level of expected benefits. Mate guarding does not appear to constrain foraging more than coursing. The costs of male reproductive behavior may depend more upon individual effort than on the particular tactic adopted.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie},
 doi = {10.1093/beheco/arh162},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology},
 number = {1}
}

Mate guarding is the primary mating tactic used by dominant males of many species of ungulates. Guarding males are thought to forage less during the rut than do nonguarding males, possibly leading to greater fitness costs. I observed bighorn rams foraging during the pre-rut and the rut. I compared how coursing (an alternative mating tactic) and tending (a form of mate guarding) affected the foraging behavior of bighorn rams over the rut, to test whether foraging was more constrained by mate guarding than by coursing. All adult males spent less time feeding during the rut compared with the pre-rut. The decrease in time spent feeding, however, was independent of mating tactic. Contrary to expectation, individual rams observed both coursing and tending spent less time foraging when coursing than when tending. For young rams, the time spent in rutting activities was correlated with individual pre-rut mass, indicating that males either modify their behavior according to available metabolic reserves or adjust the energy devoted to rutting activities to the level of expected benefits. Mate guarding does not appear to constrain foraging more than coursing. The costs of male reproductive behavior may depend more upon individual effort than on the particular tactic adopted.

@article{
 title = {Effect of chemical immobilization on social status of bighorn rams},
 type = {article},
 year = {2004},
 pages = {1163-1165},
 volume = {67},
 websites = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003347204000909},
 month = {6},
 id = {2f21831e-f982-3ad7-87c0-f3b102636d0d},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:55.537Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:07.236Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2004a},
 private_publication = {false},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Hogg, John T. and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.07.009},
 journal = {Animal Behaviour},
 number = {6}
}

@article{
 title = {Effects of body mass, age, dominance and parasite load on foraging time of bighorn rams, <i>Ovis canadensis</i>},
 type = {article},
 year = {2004},
 keywords = {Bighorn sheep,Body mass,Foraging,Ovis canadensis,Time budget},
 pages = {546-551},
 volume = {56},
 websites = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-004-0820-7},
 month = {10},
 day = {9},
 id = {efb1642a-5cfb-30d4-ad74-334b1c1bf1c1},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:59:12.655Z},
 file_attached = {true},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2025-01-13T18:59:35.184Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2004},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {In sexually dimorphic ungulates, males generally spend less time foraging than females, possibly because of difference in body mass or because of the energetic requirements of lactation. The relationship between body size and foraging time has received little attention at the intra-specific level, because few studies have documented activity budgets for individuals of known size. Bighorn rams are a good model to explore how body mass affects foraging time, because they range in mass from 55 to 140 kg. We examined how the foraging time of bighorn rams varied according to individual characteristics. We observed rams in a marked population and constructed time budgets during the 3 months preceding the rut. We determined ram social rank based on agonistic encounters and collected fecal samples to count lungworm larvae. Time spent foraging was negatively correlated with body mass. After accounting for age differences, larger rams spent less time foraging and more time lying than smaller rams. Among rams aged 6-12 years, dominants spent less time feeding than subordinates, while fecal output of lungworm larvae was negatively correlated with foraging time for rams of all ages. Body mass accounts for much of the individual variation in foraging time, suggesting that sexual dimorphism is important in explaining differences in feeding time between males and females. © Springer-Verlag 2004.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1007/s00265-004-0820-7},
 journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
 number = {6}
}

In sexually dimorphic ungulates, males generally spend less time foraging than females, possibly because of difference in body mass or because of the energetic requirements of lactation. The relationship between body size and foraging time has received little attention at the intra-specific level, because few studies have documented activity budgets for individuals of known size. Bighorn rams are a good model to explore how body mass affects foraging time, because they range in mass from 55 to 140 kg. We examined how the foraging time of bighorn rams varied according to individual characteristics. We observed rams in a marked population and constructed time budgets during the 3 months preceding the rut. We determined ram social rank based on agonistic encounters and collected fecal samples to count lungworm larvae. Time spent foraging was negatively correlated with body mass. After accounting for age differences, larger rams spent less time foraging and more time lying than smaller rams. Among rams aged 6-12 years, dominants spent less time feeding than subordinates, while fecal output of lungworm larvae was negatively correlated with foraging time for rams of all ages. Body mass accounts for much of the individual variation in foraging time, suggesting that sexual dimorphism is important in explaining differences in feeding time between males and females. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

@article{
 title = {A method to weigh free-ranging ungulates without handling},
 type = {article},
 year = {2003},
 keywords = {Bighorn,Body mass,Capra ibex,Ovis canadensis,Scale,Ungulates,Weight},
 pages = {1205-1209},
 volume = {31},
 id = {87244e12-a061-396e-916e-28cc6df56f60},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:37:56.419Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-01-10T22:05:08.348Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Bassano2003},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {The number of studies that have documented individual body-mass changes in free-ranging ungulates is limited, due to difficulties and risks associated with repeated captures of wild animals. We tested a remotely controlled platform scale on Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Animals were baited onto the platform scale with salt, and weights were recorded by observers with binoculars and spotting scopes. We found this method was both accurate and effective and suggest that it has application for other studies on ecology and management of wild ungulates.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Bassano, Bruno and Von Hardenberg, Achaz and Pelletier, Fanie and Gobbi, Giacomo},
 journal = {Wildlife Society Bulletin},
 number = {4}
}

The number of studies that have documented individual body-mass changes in free-ranging ungulates is limited, due to difficulties and risks associated with repeated captures of wild animals. We tested a remotely controlled platform scale on Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Animals were baited onto the platform scale with salt, and weights were recorded by observers with binoculars and spotting scopes. We found this method was both accurate and effective and suggest that it has application for other studies on ecology and management of wild ungulates.

@article{
 title = {Fecal testosterone in bighorn sheep (<i>Ovis canadensis</i>): behavioural and endocrine correlates},
 type = {article},
 year = {2003},
 pages = {1678-1684},
 volume = {81},
 websites = {http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/z03-156},
 month = {10},
 day = {1},
 id = {e153b8f1-91f6-321d-96a8-ad9a8bffa7a4},
 created = {2020-01-10T20:45:59.161Z},
 file_attached = {false},
 profile_id = {22e419ab-7898-32a2-a0e2-263b41aa7868},
 last_modified = {2020-02-04T23:08:56.878Z},
 read = {false},
 starred = {false},
 authored = {true},
 confirmed = {true},
 hidden = {false},
 citation_key = {Pelletier2003a},
 source_type = {article},
 private_publication = {false},
 abstract = {Noninvasive endocrine techniques allow repeated sampling of the same individual to study causes and consequences of variation in individual behaviour and physiology. In this study, radioimmunoassay was used to measure fecal testosterone and to assess the repeatability of the testosterone assay for bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis). Fecal samples were collected from marked males during the pre-rut and the rut over 2 years. Results were highly repeatable for samples of the same ram within a day (r = 0.93). Fecal testosterone peaked during the pre-rut (when social relationships are established) and then declined from the pre-rut to the rut. For both years of study, fecal testosterone was correlated with social rank (2001: r = 0.73, P < 0.0001; 2002: r = 0.54, P = 0.007) and age (2001: r = 0.65, P = 0.002; 2002: r = 0.53, P = 0.008) of individual rams. When age was accounted for, however, the relationship between social rank and testosterone was no longer significant. Aggressiveness (measured as hourly interaction rate) was weakly correlated with fecal testosterone (r = 0.44, P = 0.039). There was no association between aggressiveness and social rank (r = 0.13, P = 0.591). To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between testosterone levels and individual social rank in wild ungulates.},
 bibtype = {article},
 author = {Pelletier, Fanie and Bauman, Joan and Festa-Bianchet, Marco},
 doi = {10.1139/z03-156},
 journal = {Canadian Journal of Zoology},
 number = {10}
}

Noninvasive endocrine techniques allow repeated sampling of the same individual to study causes and consequences of variation in individual behaviour and physiology. In this study, radioimmunoassay was used to measure fecal testosterone and to assess the repeatability of the testosterone assay for bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis). Fecal samples were collected from marked males during the pre-rut and the rut over 2 years. Results were highly repeatable for samples of the same ram within a day (r = 0.93). Fecal testosterone peaked during the pre-rut (when social relationships are established) and then declined from the pre-rut to the rut. For both years of study, fecal testosterone was correlated with social rank (2001: r = 0.73, P < 0.0001; 2002: r = 0.54, P = 0.007) and age (2001: r = 0.65, P = 0.002; 2002: r = 0.53, P = 0.008) of individual rams. When age was accounted for, however, the relationship between social rank and testosterone was no longer significant. Aggressiveness (measured as hourly interaction rate) was weakly correlated with fecal testosterone (r = 0.44, P = 0.039). There was no association between aggressiveness and social rank (r = 0.13, P = 0.591). To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between testosterone levels and individual social rank in wild ungulates.