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Body size and digestive system shape resource selection by ungulates: a cross-taxa test of the Forage Maturation Hypothesis

Esmaeili, Saeideh, University of Wyoming, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8678-7048
Jesmer, Brett, Virginia Tech
Albeke, Shannon, University of Wyoming
Aikens, Ellen, University of Wyoming
Schoenecker, Kathryn, Colorado State University
King, Sarah, Colorado State University
Abrahms, Briana, University of Washington
Buuveibaatar, Bayarbaatar, Wildlife Conservation Society
Beck, Jeffrey, University of Wyoming
Boone, Randall, Colorado State University
Cagnacci, Francesca, Fondazione Edmund Mach
Chamaillé-Jammes, Simon, Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier
Chimeddorj, Buyanaa, World Wide Fund for Nature
Cross, Paul, Geological Survey Department
Dejid, Nandintsetseg, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre
Enkhbayar, Jagdag, Hustai National Park Trust
Fischhoff, Ilya, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Ford, Adam, University of British Columbia
Jenks, Kate, Minnesota Zoo
Hemami, Mahmoud-Reza, Isfahan University of Technology
Hennig, Jacob, University of Wyoming
Ito, Takehiko, Tottori University
Kaczensky, Petra, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Kauffman, Matthew, University of Wyoming
Linnell, John, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Lkhagvasuren, Badamjav, Mongolian Academy of Sciences
McEvoy, John, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Melzheimer, Jörg, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
Merkle, Jerod, University of Wyoming
Müller, Thomas, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre
Muntifering, Jeff, Namibia University of Science and Technology
Mysterud, Atle, University of Oslo
Olson, Kirk, Wildlife Conservation Society
Panzacchi, Manuela, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Payne, John, University of Veterinary Science
Pedrotti, Luca, Stelvio-Stilfserjoch National Park
Rauset, Geir, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Rubenstein, Dan, Princeton University
Sawyer, Hall, Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc.
Scasta, John, University of Wyoming
Signer, Johannes, University of Göttingen
Songer, Melissa, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Stabach, Jared, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Stapleton, Seth, Minnesota Zoo
Strand, Olav, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
Sundaresan, Siva, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Usukhjargal, Dorj, Hustai National Park Trust
Uuganbayar, Ganbold, Hustai National Park Trust
Fryxell, John, University of Guelph
Goheen, Jacob, University of Wyoming
saeideh.esmaeili@colostate.edu
Published Sep 15, 2022 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jsxksn09f

Cite this dataset

Esmaeili, Saeideh et al. (2022). Body size and digestive system shape resource selection by ungulates: a cross-taxa test of the Forage Maturation Hypothesis [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jsxksn09f

Abstract

The Forage Maturation Hypothesis (FMH) states that energy intake for ungulates is maximized when forage biomass is at intermediate levels. Nevertheless, metabolic allometry and different digestive systems suggest that resource selection should vary across ungulate species. By combining GPS relocations with remotely-sensed data on forage characteristics and surface water, we quantified the effect of body size and digestive system in determining movements of 30 populations of hindgut fermenters (equids) and ruminants across biomes. Selection for intermediate forage biomass was negatively related to body size, regardless of the digestive system. Selection for proximity to surface water was stronger for equids relative to ruminants, regardless of body size. To be more generalizable, we suggest that the FMH explicitly incorporate contingencies in body size and digestive system, with small-bodied ruminants selecting more strongly for potential energy intake, and hindgut fermenters selecting more strongly for surface water.

Usage notes

The SSF_dataset.csv represents coordinates and habitat covariates of used (denoted by column ‘case’ equal to TRUE) and available steps (denoted by column ‘case’ equal to FALSE) during growing seasons for the 30 populations of ruminants and equids detailed in Esmaeili et al. Within each study population, GPS coordinates are offset by a predetermined length and direction to protect the true locations of study populations. Habitat covariates associated with the true locations are available. The dataset is organized based on a step selection function framework, and can be analyzed using conditional logistic regression following the methods described in the associated publication. Column headings exactly match the variables described in the associated publication in Ecology Letters. The coordinates associated with mountain zebra data are not provided in an effort to protect critically endangered black rhino (Diceros bicornis) locations. Interested researchers can contact the data owner (Minnesota Zoo) directly for inquiries.

Below is a description of the data contained in each column:

species: common name of the study population.

country: country (and region) of the study population.

animal_id: a unique identifier for each animal monitored in each study population.

step_id: a unique identifier for each step of each monitored animal at each study population.

case: determines if the step was used (TRUE) or available (FALSE).

step_length: length of each used and available step in meters.

MSAVI, IRG, and water: values of MSAVI (forage biomass), IRG (potential energy intake), and water extracted at end of each used and available step. Unitless and standardized values between 0 and 1.

X1_ and Y1_: offset coordinates of start of each step

X2_ and Y2_: offset coordinates of end of each step

Funding