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Rainfall decrease and red deer rutting behaviour: Weaker and delayed rutting activity though higher opportunity for
Marina F Millán1, Juan Carranza1, Javier Pérez-González2
1Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Plos One
|January 20, 2021
Summary
Climate change, particularly reduced rainfall, delayed the Iberian red deer mating season and decreased male sexual activity. However, these conditions unexpectedly increased polygyny and the opportunity for sexual selection in the population.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Climate Change Biology
- Animal Behaviour
Background:
- Climate change is altering environmental conditions in southern Europe, impacting herbivore resource availability.
- Effects of climate change on animal reproductive performance and sexual selection are less understood than impacts on physical condition and population growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of climate change factors (rainfall, temperature, vegetation index) on Iberian red deer reproductive timing and sexual behaviour.
- To determine how these environmental factors affect the opportunity for sexual selection in red deer populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 25 years of daily observational data on Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) in Doñana Biological Reserve.
- Measured rutting phenology (rut peak date), rutting intensity (roaring rate), and opportunity for sexual selection (female distribution among harem holders).
- Analyzed trends in rainfall, temperature, and vegetation index in relation to reproductive and sexual selection metrics.
Main Results:
- A trend of reduced rainfall and poorer environmental conditions was observed over the study period.
- Reduced rainfall correlated with a delayed rutting season and decreased rutting intensity in male red deer.
- Despite decreased rutting intensity, higher polygyny and increased opportunity for sexual selection were observed, modulated by population density and sex ratio.
Conclusions:
- Climate change, specifically reduced rainfall, significantly alters mating conditions for Iberian red deer.
- Environmental changes can modify sexual selection dynamics in large mammals, even under seemingly adverse conditions.
- This study underscores the complex interplay between climate change, resource availability, and sexual selection in wildlife populations.
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