Human selection of elk behavioural traits in a landscape of fear.

摘要: Among agents of selection that shape phenotypic traits in animals, humans can cause more rapid changes than many natural factors. Studies have focused on human morphological traits, but little is known about behavioural traits. By monitoring elk ( Cervus elaphus ) with satellite telemetry, we tested whether individuals harvested by hunters adopted less favourable behaviours survived the hunting season. 45 2-year-old males, showed bolder behaviour, including higher movement rate and increased use open areas, compared surviving conspicuous behaviour. Personality clearly drove this pattern, given inter-individual differences were present before onset Elk further their when probability encountering was high (close to roads, flatter terrain, during weekend), while decreased movements avoidance areas. 77 females (2–19 y.o.), personality evident likely confounded learning because increasing age. As typically bold less-experienced (2–9 moved faster harvested, slower avoided areas survived. Interestingly, as age those survived, not eventually harvested. The latter lower plasticity adaptability local environment. All older 9 y.o. slowly, Selection an important often-ignored consequence exploitation wild animals. Human could evoke exploitation-induced evolutionary change, which, turn, might oppose adaptive responses sexual selection.