Harvest and natural predation shape selection for behavioural predictability in male wild turkeys.

ABSTRACT: Previous research has shown that traits increasing prey detectability, such as using open areas, higher activity levels and using areas frequented by hunters, reduce survival rates and are considered risk-taking behaviours. Despite extensive studies on how harvest-induced and natural selection impact average phenotypic expression, the influence of these factors on behaviour predictability remains unclear. Using a double hierarchical generalized linear modelling framework, we assessed variation in both average behavioural expression and predictability in male wild turkeys (n = 108) and explored how it related to susceptibility to harvest and predation. Our analysis revealed individual variation in predictability linked to risk-taking and activity (average speed-CVp = 0.28, 95% CrI = 0.23-0.

SUBMITTER: Gulotta NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12673237 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature