Is nocturnal activity compensatory in chamois? A study of activity in a cathemeral ungulate

摘要: Different species exhibit individual daily and annual activity patterns in response to a range of intrinsic extrinsic drivers. Historically, research on the budgets large wild animals focused daylight hours due logistical difficulties observing at night. Thanks recent advances animal-attached technology, however, this can be extended 24-h timeframe. Taking advantage GPS collars with sensors collecting amount data per hour, we separately studied diurnal nocturnal Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), order identify factors affecting them correlation between them. From March 2010 November 2013, collected 17 Swiss National Park, strict nature reserve where human management was forbidden harassment quite rare. Environmental were found significantly influence both rhythms, temperature seasonality playing pivotal role. Surprisingly, detected stable peak first part night, which varied only slightly over year. In summer, males inversely correlated activity, arguably compensate for scarce food intake. Conversely, winter positively related served as cumulative opportunity energy Chamois showed weak lunarphilia, slight increase levels during moonlit nights, especially mating season. conclusion, our findings denote cathemeral able adapt its behavioural match varying environmental conditions.