Author Archives: Nathan Lyle
Sarcoptic mange severity is associated with reduced genomic variation and evidence of selection in Yellowstone National Park wolves (Canis lupus)
January 30, 2021
Population genetic theory posits that molecular variation buffers against disease risk. Although this “monoculture effect” is well supported in agricultural settings, its applicability to wildlife populations remains in question. In the present study, we examined the genomics underlying individual-level disease … read more
Posted in CWD & Other Diseases | Tagged ectoparasite, genetics, infection severity, mite infestations, natural selection, RAD- sequencing, sarcoptic mange, wildlife disease
From overlooking to concealed: predator avoidance in an apex carnivore
December 31, 2020
Many prey species select bed sites that reduce the risk of being caught off guard. We investigated bed sites used by an apex predator (gray wolf, Canis lupus) before and after individuals were approached by humans (N048 trials). On 9 … read more
Posted in Human Dimensions | Tagged Human activity, Landscape of fear, predation risk
How do YouTube videos impact tolerance of wolves?
December 31, 2020
The internet serves as a dominant source of information and may shape tolerance of wildlife species. Our experimental study examined how respondents’ tolerance for wolves (i.e., attitudes, acceptance, and behavior) changed after viewing wolf related YouTube videos. Respondents were randomly … read more
Posted in Human Dimensions | Tagged acceptance, attitudes, behavior, Canis lupus, tolerance, wolves
Stable isotopes, ecological integration and environmental change: wolves record atmospheric carbon isotope trend better than tree rings
November 30, 2020
Large-scale patterns of isotope ratios are detectable in the tissues of organisms, but the variability in these patterns often obscures detection of environmental trends. We show that plants and animals at lower trophic levels are relatively poor indicators of the … read more
Posted in Biology | Tagged ecological integrator, palaeoenvironment, stable isotopes, Wolf
Outsized effect of predation: Wolves alter wetland creation and recolonization by killing ecosystem engineers
November 30, 2020
Gray wolves are a premier example of how predators can transform ecosystems through trophic cascades. However, whether wolves change ecosystems as drastically as previously suggested has been increasingly questioned. We demonstrate how wolves alter wetland creation and recolonization by killing … read more
Posted in Trophic Cascade
Population responses of common ravens to reintroduced gray wolves
November 30, 2020
Top predators have cascading effects throughout the food web, but their impacts on scavenger abundance are largely unknown. Gray wolves (Canis lupus) provide carrion to a suite of scavenger species, including the common raven (Corvus corax). Ravens are wide‐ranging and … read more
Posted in Trophic Cascade | Tagged Canis lupus, common raven, Corvus corax, gray wolf, scavenger, Yellowstone National Park
