Environmental conditions alter behavioural organization and rhythmicity of a large Arctic ruminant across the annual cycle.

ABSTRACT: The existence and persistence of rhythmicity in animal activity during phases of environmental change is of interest in ecology, evolution and chronobiology. A wide diversity of biological rhythms in response to exogenous conditions and internal stimuli have been uncovered, especially for polar vertebrates. However, empirical data supporting circadian organization in behaviour of large ruminating herbivores remains inconclusive. Using year-round tracking data of the largest Arctic ruminant, the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), we modelled rhythmicity as a function of behaviour and environmental conditions. Behavioural states were classified based on patterns in hourly movements, and incorporated within a periodicity analyses framework. Although circadian rhythmicity in muskox behaviour wa

SUBMITTER: van Beest FM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7657931 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature