Wild state secrets: ultra‐sensitive measurement of micro‐movement can reveal internal processes in animals. Issue 10 (1st December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, Rory P; Grundy, Ed; Massy, Richard; Soltis, Joseph; Tysse, Brenda; Holton, Mark; Cai, Yuzhi; Parrott, Andy; Downey, Luke A; Qasem, Lama; Butt, Tariq
• Is Part Of: Frontiers in ecology and the environment. Volume 12:Issue 10(2014)
• Page Start: 582
• Page End: 587
• Publication Date: 2014-12-01
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Ecology; Environmental sciences; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1890/140068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1540-9295

Abstract

Abstract : Assessment of animal internal "state" – which includes hormonal, disease, nutritional, and emotional states – is normally considered the province of laboratory work, since its determination in animals in the wild is considered more difficult. However, we show that accelerometers attached externally to animals as diverse as elephants, cockroaches, and humans display consistent signal differences in micro‐movement that are indicative of internal state. Originally used to elucidate the behavior of wild animals, accelerometers also have great potential for highlighting animal actions, which are considered as responses stemming from the interplay between internal state and external environment. Advances in accelerometry may help wildlife managers understand how internal state is linked to behavior and movement, and thus clarify issues ranging from how animals cope with the presence of newly constructed roads to how diseased animals might change movement patterns and therefore modulate disease spread.