Resource Availability, Sex, and Individual Differences in Exploration Drive Individual Diet Specialization

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Ecology
• Wildlife Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Individual diet specialization (IDS) is a widespread phenomenon affecting population dynamics.
• Previous research suggested extrinsic factors and individual traits drive IDS, but behavioral influences were unexplored.
• Exploration and exploitation trade-offs can influence foraging, diet, and home range, potentially impacting dietary diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of individual differences in exploration behavior on IDS in wild eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus).
• To determine if behavioral traits contribute to niche specialization within a population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in eastern chipmunk hair samples.
• Quantification of individual differences in exploration behavior.
• Statistical modeling to assess the impact of exploration, sex, and food availability on dietary specialization and plasticity.

Main Results:

• Exploration profile, sex, and annual food availability significantly explained variations in dietary specialization.
• Individual differences in exploration were linked to the degree of dietary specialization and isotopic plasticity over time.
• Consistent individual differences in exploration behavior were identified as a key driver of within-population niche specialization.

Conclusions:

• Individual behavioral differences, specifically exploration, play a crucial role in driving diet specialization within populations.
• This specialization can influence intraspecific competition dynamics.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms connecting individual behavior and diet specialization in wildlife.