The diel activity pattern of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) on managed heather moorland in Scotland

Ecology and Evolution

Jason S. Gilchrist¹  Maxine Pettigrew¹  Valentina Di Vita¹  Graham W. Pettigrew¹ 

[1] School of Applied Sciences Edinburgh Napier University Edinburgh UK;

关键词: activity;    camera trap;    crepuscular;    diel;    Lepus timidus;    mountain hare;   

DOI  :  10.1002/ece3.7512

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract The research presented in this paper provides an insight into the behavioral ecology of mountain hares on heather moorland in the Lammermuir Hills of southeast Scotland. We examine the seasonal and diel activity patterns using camera traps over a period of 12 months. The rate of camera detections was calculated for the different divisions of the 24‐hr cycle (daylight, dusk, night, and dawn). During autumn and winter (October–February), the activity pattern was crepuscular with greater activity at dusk than at dawn. Daylight activity was relatively low, and there was a regular pattern of small peaks of activity during the night. In spring and summer (March–September), peaks of crepuscular activity remained evident but daylight activity was much more prevalent than during autumn and winter, and night activity was lower. We discuss the problematic definition of twilight and present an explanation for seasonal changes in the pattern of diel activity that is linked to the reproductive cycle of the mountain hare.

【 授权许可】

Unknown