Isolating weather effects from seasonal activity patterns of a temperate North American Colubrid.

摘要: Forecasting the effects of climate change on threatened ecosystems and species will require an understanding how weather influences processes that drive population dynamics. We have evaluated activity patterns western ratsnakes, a widespread predator birds small mammals in eastern North America. From 2010–2013 we radio-tracked 53 ratsnakes fragmented region central Missouri. relocated each snake 4× per week used movement frequency as index activity. generalized linear mixed models within information–theoretic approach to evaluate temporal variables potential predictors While snakes were generally sedentary, showed response relative humidity quadratic air temperature, peaking near 30 °C. Seasonal differed between sexes among years, but least active mid-summer, regardless weather. Our findings provide strong evidence temperature differentially affect important are mechanism explaining increased nest predation rates with warmer temperatures.