4 results
Chapter 2 - Mating Strategies
- from Part I - Systematics, Ecology, and Behavior
-
- By Sam M.J.G. Steyaert, Andreas Zedrosser, Ronald R. Swaisgood, Eva Filipczykova, Brian Crudge, Trishna Dutta, Sandeep Sharma, Shyamala Ratnayeke, Shinsuke Koike, Martin Leclerc, Andrew E. Derocher, Melanie Clapham, Thomas Spady, Bruce McLellan, Andrés Ordiz, Alberto Fernández-Gil, Miguel Delibes, Jon E. Swenson
- Edited by Vincenzo Penteriani, Mario Melletti
-
- Book:
- Bears of the World
- Published online:
- 16 November 2020
- Print publication:
- 26 November 2020, pp 21-35
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
The mating system and mating strategies of a species refer to the behavioral strategies used to obtain reproductive partners and ensure reproductive success. Common determining factors of mating systems and strategies are: the manner of mate acquisition, the number of mates obtained by an individual, as well as the absence or presence and duration of parental care. In mammals, the energetic investments in gametes and rearing offspring are typically larger for females than for males. Mate selection is thus a much more important decision for females than for the rather indiscriminate males. This dichotomy results in sexual selection, which in turn is determined by male–male competition for access to females, as well as female mate choice. Because receptive females are generally considered the limiting resource in reproduction, males face intrasexual competition for mates. In a multitude of mammalian species, including bears, this has resulted in pronounced sexual size dimorphism and polygamous mating systems. Despite common characteristics (e.g. sexual size dimorphism, polygamy), variation in mating systems and strategies occur among bear populations and species.
Chapter 13 - Brown Bear (Ursus arctos; North America)
- from Part II - Species Accounts
- Edited by Vincenzo Penteriani, Mario Melletti
-
- Book:
- Bears of the World
- Published online:
- 16 November 2020
- Print publication:
- 26 November 2020, pp 162-195
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
This chapter comprises the following sections: names, taxonomy, subspecies and distribution, descriptive notes, habitat, movements and home range, activity patterns, feeding ecology, reproduction and growth, behavior, parasites and diseases, status in the wild, and status in captivity.
13 - Chemical Signalling in Brown Bears
- Edited by Owen T. Nevin, Ian Convery, Peter Davis
-
- Book:
- The Bear: Culture, Nature, Heritage
- Published by:
- Boydell & Brewer
- Published online:
- 21 March 2020
- Print publication:
- 15 November 2019, pp 163-176
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
Olfactory communication has been defined as: ‘The process whereby a chemical signal is generated by a presumptive sender and transmitted (generally through the air) to a presumptive receiver who by means of adequate receptors can identify, integrate and respond (either behaviourally or physiologically) to the signal’ (Eisenberg and Kleiman 1972, 1).
Brown bears (Ursus arctos) have been reported in literature to mark and rub on trees (Tschanz et al 1970; Green and Mattson 2003; Puchkovskiy 2009). This has been linked to olfactory communication among brown bears, though until recently no clear function had been attributed. In this chapter we present an overview of research conducted to explore the biological significance of chemical signalling in brown bears (from Clapham 2012; Clapham et al 2012, 2013, 2014). This was conducted by assessing scent marking site selection, understanding who are the signallers and receivers, and studying the postures and stereotypithy of marking behaviour. To establish why these behaviours have evolved, the significance of observed signalling behaviours can be evaluated in terms of their potential fitness benefits. Assessing the function of scent marking in brown bears provides an opportunity to establish its influence on the social behaviour of the species, thus demonstrating the importance of behavioural studies conducted in situ. Collectively, knowledge of this form of social behaviour provides a unique insight into the social complexity of this species.
BEARS AND TREE MARKING
Brown bears claw, bite, urinate and rub various parts of the body against trees, each being suggested as a method of chemical communication (Tschanz et al 1970; Lloyd 1979; Green and Mattson 2003; Puchkovskiy 2009). Brown bears are reported to use a diverse range of tree species for their marking activities; these are often referred to as ‘bear trees’ or ‘rub trees’ (Tschanz et al 1970; Puchkovskiy 2009). The use of ‘traditionally rubbed trees’ by brown bears is highlighted by Green and Mattson (2003). These are trees that are repeatedly used for marking by bears over successive years, and their non-random selection is said to indicate their importance within intraspecific communication (Tschanz et al 1970; Green and Mattson 2003; Clapham 2012; Clapham et al 2013), rather than an individual response to external stimuli as suggested by Meyer-Holzapfel (1968, in Burst and Pelton 1983).
Introduction: What is a Bear?
- Edited by Owen T. Nevin, Ian Convery, Peter Davis
-
- Book:
- The Bear: Culture, Nature, Heritage
- Published by:
- Boydell & Brewer
- Published online:
- 21 March 2020
- Print publication:
- 15 November 2019, pp 1-10
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
Bears are iconic animals; they are totemic of the non-human world, symbols of multiple human-cultural manifestations of nature. In human culture, bears have played a number of roles; gods, monsters, kings, fools, brothers, lovers, dancers, medicine, food and pest. They are seen as protectors of the forest; symbols of masculinity; the strength of a fighter, football team or army; a comfort for our children; political bargaining chips; an economic indicator; the first casualty/poster boy of global warming; symbols for conservation; worthy adversaries for a hunter's rifle; prize photography subjects for nature tourists or the last bastion of wilderness. Bears offer a unique insight into a multiplicity of paradigms that explore human-non-human animal relationships. Bear totems reinforce and maintain our connection to the natural world.
Bears and humans have shared a similar geographic journey; as we colonised the world from Africa, bears did so from Europe (albeit a few thousand years earlier), with the brown bear being found most frequently where our species also found hospitable conditions. The ecology of (early) Homo sapiens and Ursus arctos (brown bear) are matched closely: dietary requirements, habitat choice and environmental tolerances. There are many stories that permeate from the past describing our ancestral eaves-dropping on bear foods (and medicines). There are stories of cultures that gathered berries in the same fields as bears and fished on the same rivers: a time when bears and people respected one another's personal space. This is true of some cultures to the present day.
Myths, legends and folklore have informed generations of our and bears’ place in the world. Oral histories passed through generations and through ever-changing norms of communication. From imagined fireside tales to blue-chip documentaries in the 21st century, bears have always been good for us to reflect upon; to ponder our lives in relation to their world, to define our own world, one seemingly at odds to the lives of the other. Bears interweave with many of our cultures.
Cave paintings, sculptures, stories of half-men and monsters, how we perceive bear species can have a huge impact on their survival. Our attitudes towards animals, people and places will shape the face of our planet, our climate and our survival.