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Migrating mule deer compensate en route for phenological mismatches

Author

Listed:
  • Anna C. Ortega

    (University of Wyoming
    University of Wyoming)

  • Ellen O. Aikens

    (U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resource Management)

  • Jerod A. Merkle

    (University of Wyoming)

  • Kevin L. Monteith

    (University of Wyoming
    University of Wyoming)

  • Matthew J. Kauffman

    (University of Wyoming)

Abstract

Billions of animals migrate to track seasonal pulses in resources. Optimally timing migration is a key strategy, yet the ability of animals to compensate for phenological mismatches en route is largely unknown. Using GPS movement data collected from 72 adult female deer over a 10-year duration, we study a population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Wyoming that lack reliable cues on their desert winter range, causing them to start migration 70 days ahead to 52 days behind the wave of spring green-up. We show that individual deer arrive at their summer range within an average 6-day window by adjusting movement speed and stopover use. Late migrants move 2.5 times faster and spend 72% less time on stopovers than early migrants, which allows them to catch the green wave. Our findings suggest that ungulates, and potentially other migratory species, possess cognitive abilities to recognize where they are in space and time relative to key resources. Such behavioral capacity may allow migratory taxa to maintain foraging benefits amid rapidly changing phenology.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna C. Ortega & Ellen O. Aikens & Jerod A. Merkle & Kevin L. Monteith & Matthew J. Kauffman, 2023. "Migrating mule deer compensate en route for phenological mismatches," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37750-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37750-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Christiaan Both & Sandra Bouwhuis & C. M. Lessells & Marcel E. Visser, 2006. "Climate change and population declines in a long-distance migratory bird," Nature, Nature, vol. 441(7089), pages 81-83, May.
    4. Heiko Schmaljohann & Christiaan Both, 2017. "The limits of modifying migration speed to adjust to climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 7(8), pages 573-576, August.
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