Presentation Details
| Linking humans, dogs, and dispersal to stress physiology of California ground squirrels in a semi-urban park Jennifer E.Smith1, 2, 3, Chelsea A.Ortiz-Jimenez3, Maddison M.Mueller1, Ellie L.Williamson1, Jada C.Wahl1, Ella C.Oestreicher1, Sayaka Mochizuki2, Maia Ziaee2, Robin M.Mitchell2, Sophie Z.Conroy2, Zaynab Alrashid2, Andy Sih3, Sonja Wild3. 1University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, USA.2Department of Biology, Mills College at Northeastern University, Oakland, CA, USA.3University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA |
Abstract
Given rapid urbanization across the globe, coping with humans is an important aspect of life for animals in the modern world. Here, we leverage over 4,500 fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) measurements, a biomarker of stress physiology, collected from more than 1,200 marked California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) at two sites differing in human activity. Drawing on 12 years of study, we examined the effects of dispersal status, human presence, and dog activity on FGMs to identify the multiple factors contributing to FGMs. FGMs generally decreased after individuals dispersed to the less disturbed site, and increased for those dispersing to the more disturbed site. Cross-sectional data from the more disturbed site revealed age- and mass-dependent responses to human and dog activity. Juveniles trapped in areas with high human activity had elevated FGMs. For adults, dogs represented a major stressor, but these effects were generally shielded by human presence. Our findings uncover the complex relationships among anthropogenic factors, stress physiology, and habitat selection over multiple spatial and temporal scales in wild animals living in a human-influenced world.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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