Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens
Natural environments are increasingly exposed to high levels of noise pollution. Noise pollution can alter the behavior of animals but we know little about its effects on antipredator behavior. We therefore investigated the impact of noise pollution on vigilance behavior and roost selection in an av...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2016-09-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/2525.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797424651283988480 |
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| author | Jessica L. Yorzinski Fredrick S. Hermann |
| author_facet | Jessica L. Yorzinski Fredrick S. Hermann |
| author_sort | Jessica L. Yorzinski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Natural environments are increasingly exposed to high levels of noise pollution. Noise pollution can alter the behavior of animals but we know little about its effects on antipredator behavior. We therefore investigated the impact of noise pollution on vigilance behavior and roost selection in an avian species, peafowl (Pavo cristatus), that inhabits urban environments. Captive peahens were exposed to noise pollution at night and their vigilance levels and roost selections were monitored. The vigilance levels of peahens were unaffected by exposure to noise pollution within trials. Furthermore, the peahens exhibited no preference for roosting farther or closer to noise pollution. Interestingly, predators often avoided the experimental area during nights with noise pollution, which could explain why vigilance rates were higher overall during control compared to noise trials. The results suggest that peahens’ perception of risk is not drastically impacted by noise pollution but longer-term studies will be necessary to assess any chronic effects. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T08:04:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dcf0620cf59449b7b60a3a4c647e9edd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T08:04:52Z |
| publishDate | 2016-09-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-dcf0620cf59449b7b60a3a4c647e9edd2023-12-03T00:25:32ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592016-09-014e252510.7717/peerj.2525Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahensJessica L. Yorzinski0Fredrick S. Hermann1Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United StatesDepartment of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesNatural environments are increasingly exposed to high levels of noise pollution. Noise pollution can alter the behavior of animals but we know little about its effects on antipredator behavior. We therefore investigated the impact of noise pollution on vigilance behavior and roost selection in an avian species, peafowl (Pavo cristatus), that inhabits urban environments. Captive peahens were exposed to noise pollution at night and their vigilance levels and roost selections were monitored. The vigilance levels of peahens were unaffected by exposure to noise pollution within trials. Furthermore, the peahens exhibited no preference for roosting farther or closer to noise pollution. Interestingly, predators often avoided the experimental area during nights with noise pollution, which could explain why vigilance rates were higher overall during control compared to noise trials. The results suggest that peahens’ perception of risk is not drastically impacted by noise pollution but longer-term studies will be necessary to assess any chronic effects.https://peerj.com/articles/2525.pdfAntipredator behaviorPavo cristatusPredator–preySensory ecologyNoise pollutionVigilance |
| spellingShingle | Jessica L. Yorzinski Fredrick S. Hermann Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens PeerJ Antipredator behavior Pavo cristatus Predator–prey Sensory ecology Noise pollution Vigilance |
| title | Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens |
| title_full | Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens |
| title_fullStr | Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens |
| title_short | Noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens |
| title_sort | noise pollution has limited effects on nocturnal vigilance in peahens |
| topic | Antipredator behavior Pavo cristatus Predator–prey Sensory ecology Noise pollution Vigilance |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/2525.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jessicalyorzinski noisepollutionhaslimitedeffectsonnocturnalvigilanceinpeahens AT fredrickshermann noisepollutionhaslimitedeffectsonnocturnalvigilanceinpeahens |