Journal article
Maternal effects and fitness consequences of individual variation in bottlenose dolphins' ecological niche
Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol.90(8), pp.1948-1960
2021
PMID: 33942312
Abstract
The niche describes the ecological and social environment that an organism lives in, as well as the behavioural tactics used to interact with its environment. A species niche is key to both ecological and evolutionary processes, including speciation, and has therefore been a central focus in ecology. Recent evidence, however, points to considerable individual variation in a species' or population's niche use, though how this variation evolves or is maintained remains unclear. We used a large longitudinal dataset to investigate the drivers and maintenance of individual variation in bottlenose dolphins' (Tursiops aduncus) niche. Specifically, we (1) characterised the extent of individual differences in habitat use, (2) identified whether there were maternal effects associated with this variation, and (3) investigated the relationship between habitat use and calving success, a component of reproductive fitness. By examining patterns of habitat use, we provide evidence that individual dolphins vary consistently between one another in their niche. We further show that individual variation in this species is driven by a strong maternal effect. Finally, habitat use and calving success were not related, suggesting that use of different habitats results in similar fitness outcomes. Niche partitioning, maintained by maternal effects, likely facilitates the coexistence of multiple ecotypes within this population.
Details
- Title
- Maternal effects and fitness consequences of individual variation in bottlenose dolphins' ecological niche
- Authors
- Kasha Strickland (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - LegacyJanet Mann (Author) - Georgetown UniversityVivienne Foroughirad (Author) - Georgetown UniversityAlexis L Levengood (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringCéline H Frère (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol.90(8), pp.1948-1960
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- DOI
- 10.1111/1365-2656.13513
- ISSN
- 1365-2656
- PMID
- 33942312
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99534608802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
4 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ecology
- Zoology
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites