Institute of Biomedicine/Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P,O, Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
BMC Ecol. 2012 Dec 13;12:27. doi: 10.1186/1472-6785-12-27.
A multi-faceted approach was used to investigate the wintertime ecophysiology and behavioral patterns of the raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides, a suitable model for winter sleep studies. By utilizing GPS tracking, activity sensors, body temperature (Tb) recordings, change-point analysis (CPA), home range, habitat and dietary analyses, as well as fatty acid signatures (FAS), the impact of the species on wintertime food webs was assessed. The timing of passive bouts was determined with multiple methods and compared to Tb data analyzed by CPA.
Raccoon dogs displayed wintertime mobility, and the home range sizes determined by GPS were similar or larger than previous estimates by radio tracking. The preferred habitats were gardens, shores, deciduous forests, and sparsely forested areas. Fields had close to neutral preference; roads and railroads were utilized as travel routes. Raccoon dogs participated actively in the food web and gained benefit from human activity. Mammals, plants, birds, and discarded fish comprised the most important dietary classes, and the consumption of fish could be detected in FAS. Ambient temperature was an important external factor influencing Tb and activity. The timing of passive periods approximated by behavioral data and by CPA shared 91% similarity.
Passive periods can be determined with CPA from Tb recordings without the previously used time-consuming and expensive methods. It would be possible to recruit more animals by using the simple methods of data loggers and ear tags. Hunting could be used as a tool to return the ear-tagged individuals allowing the economical extension of follow-up studies. The Tb and CPA methods could be applied to other northern carnivores.
本研究采用多方位方法，以研究狗獾（Nyctereutes procyonoides）的冬季生理生态和行为模式，狗獾是研究冬季休眠的理想模型。研究采用 GPS 追踪、活动传感器、体温（Tb）记录、变化点分析（CPA）、家域、栖息地和饮食分析以及脂肪酸特征（FAS），评估了该物种对冬季食物网的影响。通过多种方法确定了被动期的时间，并将其与通过 CPA 分析的 Tb 数据进行了比较。
狗獾在冬季表现出移动性，GPS 确定的家域大小与以往通过无线电追踪得出的估计值相似或更大。首选栖息地为花园、海岸、落叶林和疏林地区。农田具有接近中性的偏好；道路和铁路则被用作旅行路线。狗獾积极参与食物网，并从人类活动中获益。哺乳动物、植物、鸟类和丢弃的鱼类是最重要的食物类群，FAS 中可检测到鱼类的消耗。环境温度是影响 Tb 和活动的重要外部因素。通过行为数据和 CPA 确定的被动期时间具有 91%的相似性。
无需使用以前耗时且昂贵的方法，即可通过 CPA 从 Tb 记录中确定被动期。使用数据记录仪和耳标等简单方法可以招募更多的动物。狩猎可以作为一种工具，将标记的个体放回，从而可以经济地扩展后续研究。Tb 和 CPA 方法可应用于其他北方食肉动物。
