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Is Mustelid Life History Different?

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Martens and Fishers (Martes) in Human-Altered Environments

Abstract

The relationship between life-history variation and population processes may form a foundation for developing conservation strategies. Researchers have argued that mustelids require special conservation practices due to their unique habitat requirements and K-selected life-history strategy. We used the comparative method to test whether life-history and behavioral traits of mustelids differed from those of other carnivores. Controlling for phylogeny, we documented that mustelids are characterized by shorter gestation (P = 0.09) relative to other terrestrial carnivores. Moreover, mustelids have a longer period of estrus, and are more sexually dimorphic, live at lower densities, and occupy larger home ranges. The amount of energy (evapotranspiration) did not differ between the environments of mustelids and other carnivores, but mustelids lived with greater variation in energy (seasonality). We argue that mustelids have evolved “bet-hedging” life-history adaptations to unpredictable environments that include a trade-off between adult survival and reproductive effort. Thus, conservation measures to promote persistence of mustelid populations should consider environmental unpredictability, and ensure low trapping rates of adults.

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Authors
  1. Steven Ferguson
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  2. Serge Lariviére
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Wildlife Ecology, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA

    Daniel J. Harrison  & Angela K. Fuller  & 

  2. Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd., Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

    Gilbert Proulx

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Ferguson, S., Lariviére, S. (2005). Is Mustelid Life History Different?. In: Harrison, D.J., Fuller, A.K., Proulx, G. (eds) Martens and Fishers (Martes) in Human-Altered Environments. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-22691-5_1

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