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Behavioural Indicators of Intra- and Inter-Specific Competition: Sheep Co-Grazing with Guanaco in the Patagonian Steppe
Fernandez, Tomas Lancaster, Alex Moraga, Claudio A. Radic-Schilling, Sergio von Hardenberg, Achaz Corti, Paulo
Fernandez, Tomas
Lancaster, Alex
Moraga, Claudio A.
Radic-Schilling, Sergio
von Hardenberg, Achaz
Corti, Paulo
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EPub Date
Publication Date
2021-11-22
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animals-11-03333-v2.pdf
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Abstract
In extensive livestock production, high densities may inhibit regulation processes, main- taining high levels of intraspecific competition over time. During competition, individuals typically modify their behaviours, particularly feeding and bite rates, which can therefore be used as indicators of competition. Over eight consecutive seasons, we investigated if variation in herd density, food availability, and the presence of a potential competitor, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), was related with behavioural changes in domestic sheep in Chilean Patagonia. Focal sampling, instantaneous scan sampling, measures of bite and movement rates were used to quantify behavioural changes in domestic sheep. We found that food availability increased time spent feeding, while herd density was associated with an increase in vigilant behaviour and a decrease in bite rate, but only when food availability was low. Guanaco presence appeared to have no impact on sheep behaviour. Our results suggest that the observed behavioural changes in domestic sheep are more likely due to intraspecific competition rather than interspecific competition. Consideration of intraspecific competition where guanaco and sheep co-graze on pastures could allow management strategies to focus on herd density, according to rangeland carrying capacity.
Citation
Fernández, T., Lancaster, A., Moraga, C. A., Radic-Schilling, S., von Hardenberg, A., & Corti, P. (2021). Behavioural indicators of intra- and inter-specific competition: Sheep co-grazing with Guanaco in the Patagonian steppe. Animals, 11(11), 3333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113333
Publisher
MDPI
Journal
Animals
Research Unit
DOI
10.3390/ani11113333
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PubMed Central ID
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Article
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EISSN
2076-2615