<
https://www.sciencealert.com/this-species-is-slowly-becoming-nocturnal-for-a-very-disturbing-reason>
'Alpine ibexes usually descend from the safety of Europe's mountainous heights
during the day to feast on grasses found at lower altitudes. But researchers
tracking these animals noticed they've become increasingly less inclined to
make this daytime vertical migration.
These big-horned goats (
Capra ibex) now spend more time resting when it's
light and foraging instead at night – a huge risk, given wolves stalk these
areas under the cover of darkness.
"For this species, to be nocturnal is a problem – it's a big problem,"
University of Ferrara behavioral ecologist Stefano Grignolio told Benji Jones
at
Vox.
Ibex's open feeding grounds offer less cover to which they can flee from the
wolves.
So University of Ferrara ecologist Francesca Brivio and colleagues expected to
find higher nocturnal activity in Alps areas where wolves are not present, like
in Switzerland. But this was not the case.
"We found that activity is higher in the areas with wolves," Brivio told Olivia
Lee at
The Guardian.
Rather, the 47 ibex the researchers tracked between 2006 and 2019 increased
their nocturnal activity after days with high maximum temperatures. So it seems
the warm-blooded mammals prioritize seeking refuge from heat despite an
increased risk of encountering predators.
Once common throughout Europe, Alpine ibex dwindled to a mere 100 individuals
by the 1800s as firearms became more popular among hunters. Thanks to hunting
bans in 1854 and conservation efforts, the species rebounded, now numbering in
the tens of thousands.
However, the low genetic diversity that persists in these wild goat populations
keeps them vulnerable to several threats, including problematic mutations that
increase susceptibility to illnesses. Now we've added further stresses by
changing their home's climate.
"Ibex cope with warmer temperatures by becoming more nocturnal," the
researchers conclude, pointing out this may not end well.'
Via Rixty Dixet.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
