Rehabilitation protocols for rescued primates should enhance the welfare of individuals while also fostering species-typical skills relevant for survival post-release. We evaluated the effects of a nut-cracking enrichment protocol on the behavior of captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) at a rescue center in Paraíba, Brazil. During a two-week baseline, we recorded afternoon behaviors using an ethogram developed for similar research at the site, to understand behaviours prior to our protocol. After the baseline period, we provided each individual with five Macaíba nuts (Acrocomia aculeata, ~44g each) three days per week. Hammer stones (~2.4kg, one per individual) and anvil stones (~15kg, two per group) were introduced simultaneously and remained accessible throughout the study. After three weeks, we pre-opened one quarter of the nuts to demonstrate the presence of edible kernels. This nut species is naturally exploited by wild capuchins using stones, making the protocol ecologically relevant. Observations continued five days per week across the entire study. Our objective was to decrease stress-related and negative social behaviors while increasing manual manipulation and positive social behaviors. Preliminary results showed non-significant increases to positive (t = -0.88, p = 0.39) and decreases to negative social behaviors (t = 1.42, p = 0.19). In contrast, manipulative behaviors increased significantly over time (t = -7.11, p < 0.001), with especially strong effects in adults. These findings indicate that nut-cracking enrichment can promote the development of manipulation skills critical for survival. Such protocols may represent an effective step in preparing rescued capuchins for successful reintroduction.

Water loss is a major challenge for terrestrial insects and can cause desiccation stress. Generally, the amount of water loss that can be tolerated is consistent across species, but rates of water loss often differ. Many physiological and behavioural strategies are often involved in overcoming this obstacle and may therefore be altered by changing water conservation demands. In this study, I investigated the phenotypic and genetic associations among several traits potentially linked to desiccation resistance, as well as survival time under desiccation stress, with the goal of gaining insight into the adaptive potential of desiccation resistance. Mass, survival time under desiccation stress, locomotory activity in non-desiccation conditions, and metabolic rate under stress were quantified in two male and two female siblings from 64 families. Mixed linear models were used to estimate within and between family trait variances, from which intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were estimated. ICC estimates suggested that all traits have potential to be heritable. I also found evidence of a negative correlation between survival under desiccation stress and locomotory activity at the family level, as well as with metabolic rate at the within family level. In addition, several sex-based differences in correlations emerged at the among-family level. These results indicate that climate pressures causing selection for higher desiccation resistance, could have ecologically relevant consequences on other traits which may differ between males and females. Thus, highlighting the importance of further study in this field as well as the value of sex-separated analysis.

Bylot Island (Nunavut) is an important nesting ground for many migratory bird species, harboring the largest known colony of greater snow goose (Anser caerulescens atlanticus). Cackling geese (Branta hutchinsii), historically rare on the island, were first recorded nesting there in 1997. Since then, their numbers have grown exponentially. Unlike snow geese, which use both mesic and wetland habitats, most of cackling geese are nesting in wetlands, particularly on pond islets, a limited habitat feature in the landscape. Cackling goose nesting success is higher on islets than on shore, a pattern also observed for artificial nests and indicating reduced predation risk on islets. Cackling geese can nest sympatrically with snow geese, and cackling geese nesting success is positively associated with annual snow goose density, suggesting a positive indirect effect mediated by shared predators. Long-term monitoring of this population since the onset of their colonization on Bylot Island provides a unique opportunity to document colonization dynamics at the northern range limit of a species and to better understand the ecological processes driving local goose population growth.

Research in animal cognition as a component of evolutionary biology is an expanding field. Known cognitive differences between sexes are biased toward males with larger ranges than females (e.g., polygynous mammals). Female brown-headed cowbirds demonstrate role reversal of sex-typical space use, with larger range and hippocampus size and more neurogenesis than males. They perform better on allocentric spatial tasks than males. This could be due to females’ nest parasitism activities, which males do not participate in. My proposed research will examine sex differences in spatial reference memory across spatial scales. I hypothesize an increase in arena size will provide more ecological relevance and elicit a stronger performance gap between sexes. 30 wild-caught adult cowbirds of each sex will be spatially tested in breeding condition for location recall of baited reward cups for motivation. Spatial tasks will consist of a radial arm maze using a turntable to induce disorientation, and a 5X5 cup array, counterbalanced with a coloured cup array (control). Spatial tasks will use consistent location of the reward cup, while colour array will use consistent colour with random location. Each bird will be tested in counterbalanced order in small (4 m²) and large (12.25 m²) arenas and in spatial versus control conditions. Females are expected to perform better than males on all tests, with a greater sex difference in the large-scale testing condition. Ecological relevance in cognitive testing is vital to understanding the evolution of cognitive traits across the tree of life.

Caribou are central to Cree culture, health and identity, and have become a priority for communities in the Eeyou Marine Region (EMR). Four Cree communities, Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, and Chisasibi, question why island populations appear to be increasing compared to inland herds. In northern Quebec, three caribou populations (Eastern migratory, Boreal woodland, and European reindeer introduced to the Belcher Islands) occur and have overlapping ranges in the EMR.

Our objective was to describe spatiotemporal patterns of the caribou on these islands to help explain differences between island and inland populations and clarify which management units are present. To achieve this, we used camera traps deployed for the ongoing Polar Bear Ecology Project, and we analyzed island caribou detections between July and September of 2021–2022. Linear and mixed-effect models tested how vegetation, latitude, and longitude influenced daily detection rates, while chi-square tests assessed temporal variation.

We found that detection rates were significantly lower in needleleaf forests and wetlands than in barren grounds and declined with increasing latitude, but were unaffected by longitude or year. Temporal analyses showed non-uniform activity across hours, days, weeks, and months. Our findings suggest that vegetation type and geography influence caribou presence and activity patterns on islands in the EMR. Combining camera-trap data with genetic analyses could help identify which populations inhabit the islands and improve our understanding of their ecology. This community-led, non-invasive approach provides valuable insight for future caribou management and conservation in northern Quebec.

Les animaux issus de populations naturelles sont souvent coinfectés par plusieurs parasites. Bien que l’infection soit fréquemment associée à des modifications des réponses au stress et de l’état corporel de l’hôte, les interactions entre la régulation endocrinienne et les indicateurs de santé chez les animaux porteurs de parasites restent peu claires. Nous avons examiné les réponses en cortisol d’un poisson d’eau douce soumis à un stress aigu le long d’un gradient d’infection parasitaire naturelle et d’état corporel. Des crapets soleil Lepomis gibbosus infectées naturellement par des trématodes responsables de la maladie du point noir (Apophallus sp., Uvulifer sp.) et par le ténia Proteocephalus ambloplitis affectant le foie ont été étudiées. En laboratoire, les poissons ont reçu un des quatre traitements durant une semaine : contrôle de manipulation, stress aigu unique, stress répété, ou stress répété précédé d’un stress unique avant prélèvement sanguin. Les individus soumis à un stress aigu unique affichaient des taux de cortisol supérieurs aux autres traitements, indiquant que la manipulation était perçue comme stressante chez les poissons non habitués. Les taux plasmatiques de cortisol n’étaient toutefois pas liés significativement à la densité parasitaire ni à l’état corporel. Nous avons observé des relations opposées selon le parasite : plus de taches noires se liait à un indice de Fulton plus élevé, tandis qu’une forte charge en P. ambloplitis était associée à un indice de Fulton plus faible. Ces résultats illustrent la complexité des interactions hôte-parasite en cas de coinfection et soulignent la nécessité d’approches interdisciplinaires pour en comprendre les dynamiques.

Previous work has shown that high predation risk is associated with bolder prey phenotypes that are more exploratory under consistent conditions. However, in nature, predation risk varies in space and time. It is therefore important to understand how this variation impacts prey behaviour. In this study, I used juvenile convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) to investigate whether variability in predation risk leads to bolder prey phenotypes. Risk-taking tactics (shy/bold) were used as a proxy for personality since repeated measures were not taken. I also examined how exploratory behaviour is influenced by variability in predation risk. I wanted to determine if variability in background predation risk would shape the relationship between risk-taking tactics and exploration. I hypothesize that variability in background predation risk increases the costs of making behavioural decisions and therefore shapes risk-taking tactics (i.e. personality) and exploratory behaviour.

Le pollen contient des nutriments cruciaux pour les pollinisateurs, incluant des protéines, des lipides, des minéraux, des acides aminés, des acides gras essentiels, des vitamines ainsi que des flavonoïdes et des phénols. Dans un contexte de déclin mondial des pollinisateurs, il y a un besoin croissant de caractériser le paysage nutritionnel ainsi que les besoin des pollinisateurs afin d’implémenter des mesures de conservation efficaces. Cependant, les valeurs nutritives des pollens sont absentes de la plupart des bases de données, limitant donc notre habilité à caractériser les éléments nutritionnels disponibles pour les pollinisateurs. Pour combler ce manque, une base de données présentant les valeurs nutritives de différents pollens a été élaborée à partir de la littérature et complétée par des analyses ciblées. À partir de cette base de données, nous avons comparé la valeur nutritive des pollens de 283 espèces de plantes provenant de 54 familles. Nous dressons un portrait des différences nutritives présentes entre les familles de plantes et entre les pays. En utilisant les informations sur la disponibilité des nutriments, il devient possible d’identifier et de quantifier les carences nutritionnelles retrouvées dans un territoire donné. L'association de pollens aux signatures nutritionnelles complémentaires dans l’habitat pourrait servir de mesure d'atténuation pour accroître la valeur nutritionnelle d'un écosystème donné et répondre aux besoins des pollinisateurs. Ces connaissances offrent ainsi une base pour orienter les choix en matière de planification environnementale et de conservation.

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly popular tool in ecological research, providing new opportunities to streamline the typically labour-intensive analysis of large datasets produced by image-based monitoring. The purpose of this project is to develop and train a deep learning model capable of accurately identifying and counting black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) via images. The central hypothesis states that if a deep learning model is trained to analyze and classify images, and a sizable dataset of annotated kittiwake images is fed through the model, then the trained model should accurately identify and enumerate kittiwake individuals across diverse photographic conditions. A sizable dataset of black-legged kittiwake images has been collected from camera traps installed on various colonies across the Saint Lawrence Estuary in Quebec, Canada. These images will be sorted and then annotated with bounding boxes around each kittiwake, after which they will be fed to the YOLOv8 computer vision model. Chosen for its good accuracy to speed ratio, we will repeatedly train the model until the precision of its identification is comparable to that of a traditional count, if not better. The expected outcome is a reliable model that will significantly reduce the bottleneck of manual data processing while maintaining a high detection accuracy. Additionally, there is no current model trained to specifically identify kittiwakes, so we aim to fill that gap. This project aims to contribute to the population assessment and conservation efforts of black-legged kittiwakes in the Saint Lawrence Estuary. Additionally, the successful model provides a framework that could be adapted to use on other seabird species.

Geolocators provide critical insights into avian migration, but their biological costs to small songbirds remain unclear. Here, we investigate the effects of geolocator deployment on apparent survival and behavior in Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia) and Chestnut-sided Warblers (Setophaga pensylvanica). If geolocators reduce survival, then we expected less tagged warblers to return to their breeding sites. If they alter behavior, we expected tagged birds to be more difficult to recapture and be less responsive to playback. We compared return rates between geolocator-equipped individuals (n=45) and color-banded controls (n=34) on breeding territories from the previous year. To assess behavior, we counted the number of attempts required to capture an individual and measured response times to playback. Results showed that birds carrying geolocators had lower return rates (18%) than color-banded controls (44%) and were less likely to be resighted. They also required more attempts to capture and responded slower to playback than newly caught warblers. These findings suggest that refining tagging protocols may be necessary to minimize potential impacts on small passerines in future research.

La Mer de Ross fait partie des écosystèmes subissant des changements chimiques et physiques importants en réponse au réchauffement climatique. Depuis les dernières décennies, cette aire marine protégée (AMP) suscite l'intérêt des chercheurs dans le développement de mesures de gestion des enjeux environnementaux et anthropiques. Cette baie renferme une grande biodiversité, notamment avec une concentration importante de prédateurs supérieurs (cétacés, oiseaux et pinnipèdes), dont la vulnérabilité aux facteurs environnementaux est peu connue. Ainsi, cette étude vise à décrire la plasticité acoustique et comportementale de l'un de ses grands prédateurs, le léopard de mer (Hydrurga leptonyx), par l'analyse spatio-temporelle du High Double Trill (HDT).

In my poster, I will be presenting on my recently started research project. With increasing black bear populations at high latitudes, potential interactions between black bears and migratory caribou are likely more frequent than before. Black bears, non-obligate, omnivorous predators, have been shown to predate upon large ungulates and their calves and may cause part of the declines in caribou populations. The habitat selection of northern black bears and their fine scale spatial interactions with migratory caribou are, however, relatively unstudied. We aim to evaluate the habitat selection and resource use of black bears in northern Quebec and Labrador, sympatric with two vulnerable migratory caribou herds (Rivière-aux-Feuilles and Rivière-George). We captured and collared black bears on the calving grounds in northern Quebec and Labrador with GPS transmitters from 2012-2022. We will build a detailed resource selection function for these black bear populations to identify the main determinants of their resource use. We will also assess the probability of spatial co-occurrence between bears and caribou across habitats and seasons, identify potential black bear-caribou encounter hotspots, and gather information on what resources black bears prioritize in accordance with caribou availability. This study and habitat selection model will develop research on vulnerable caribou populations and the threats of their decline by analyzing possible spatial overlap with a known predator.

Tout comme les processus écologiques, des modifications ‘rapides’ des traits peuvent moduler la dynamique de population. Parmi les forces de sélection responsables de ces changements rapides, la récolte humaine se distingue par son intensité et son omniprésence à l’échelle mondiale. L’objectif de mon projet est d’évaluer l’effet des changements phénotypiques induit par la récolte sélective en taille des cornes et dans l’âge de première reproduction des femelles du mouflon d’Amérique (Ovis canadensis) sur la dynamique de population. La taille des cornes des femelles est un trait particulièrement intéressant à étudier, car elle a montré une diminution génétique attribuable à une sélection indirecte découlant de la récolte sélective des mâles, en raison d’une forte corrélation génétique entre les sexes. De plus, une étude récente a montré que la taille des cornes des femelles est négativement associée à l’âge à la première reproduction, suggérant que les femelles possédant de plus grandes cornes tendent à se reproduire plus tôt et à obtenir un succès reproducteur à vie plus élevé.

Pour analyser les effets des changements phénotypiques en taille des cornes des femelles sur la dynamique de la population, j’utiliserai un modèle individu-centré, basé sur les données démographiques, morphologiques et génétiques issues de la population de Ram Mountain, suivie depuis 1971. Ce modèle permettra de simuler les variations dans la taille des cornes des femelles, au niveau du génotype et du phénotype, et d’en évaluer les conséquences sur la dynamique populationnelle. Cette approche permettra de mieux comprendre les conséquences démographiques des changements de traits à la suite d’une pression de sélection anthropique.

La masse corporelle est un indicateur clé de l’état énergétique des animaux et influence leur investissement parental, leur survie et leur reproduction. Chez l’Hirondelle bicolore (Tachycineta bicolor), les femelles assurent la majorité des soins parentaux et leur masse corporelle a un effet important sur leur succès reproducteur, et pourrait donc influencer certains traits morphologiques des jeunes au moment de l’envol. Cette étude repose sur des données individuelles recueillies de 2006 à 2025, issues du suivi de nichoirs situés le long d’un gradient d’intensification agricole dans le Sud du Québec. L’objectif principal est d’évaluer les fluctuations interannuelles de la masse corporelle des femelles et de mesurer leurs impacts sur la masse et la longueur de l’aile des jeunes au moment de l’envol. L’étude prend également en compte l’effet des facteurs environnementaux, comme la température et les précipitations, ainsi que le degré d’intensification agricole, afin de mieux comprendre comment des contraintes environnementales peuvent moduler à la fois la masse des femelles et le développement des oisillons. Cette recherche est importante dans le contexte du déclin des populations d’Hirondelles bicolores dans le Nord-Est de l’Amérique du Nord.

L’Arctique est un milieu où les communautés écologiques sont généralement moins complexes, ce qui facilite l’étude la structure et la dynamique des assemblages d’espèces. Notre étude vise à générer une base de données permettant de caractériser et comparer des communautés de vertébrés à travers l’Arctique circompolaire. À partir de la littérature, nous avons extrait des estimations de densité d’individus à différents sites d’étude (N = 702), en ciblant en priorité les espèces répertoriées sur l’île Bylot, une aire d’étude dans l’Arctique canadien où la communauté de vertébrés terrestres est suivie depuis près de 30 ans. Nous avons comptabilisé des mesures de densités annuelles moyennes et leurs variations interannuelles, ainsi que d’autres paramètres sur les méthodes d’échantillonnage et les caractéristiques d’habitats. Pour illustrer le contenu, le potentiel et les limites d’une telle base de données, nous présentons des illustrations graphiques et cartographiques des estimés de densité obtenus à travers l’Arctique, et comparons ces estimés aux observations obtenues à l’île Bylot. Certaines aires d’étude semblent être des points de haute densité pour certaines espèces. L’île Bylot, un sanctuaire d’oiseaux migrateurs, montre une densité moyenne plus faible que plusieurs autres sites pour la plupart des espèces d’oiseaux. Cela pourrait s’expliquer par des interactions indirectes provenant de la présence d’une colonie d’oie des neiges et de la prédation. Pour permettre de futures analyses plus complexes, nous allons poursuivre le développement de la base de données en considérant les biais potentiels, la représentativité des espèces et la répartition spatiale des aires d’étude.

Blond capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius) are Endangered social primates; the few remaining wild groups live in small fragments, resulting in increased competition over limited resources. Social tolerance is important for group coexistence, allowing lower ranking monkeys to access monopolizable food resources. In this study, we developed an in situ wild feeding experiment, using supplemental food on a ground-level feeding platform to assess direct competition and social tolerance in a group of ~100 wild capuchins in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. We positioned the platform pseudo-randomly in the likely path of group movement, to assess how individual factors, (age and sex), environmental factors (potential edge effects), productivity (monthly fruit and arthropod biomass), and supplemental food type (banana or sugarcane) may influence social tolerance. We placed a cloth platform with pieces of banana or sugarcane and video recorded the capuchin monkeys while they foraged. We are currently analyzing videos using the Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS) program, classifying each social interactions as tolerant or intolerant, counting food items collected by each individual, and categorizing feeding behaviours and whether they eat the food item on the platform or carry away from the platform. We will conduct statistical analyses using mixed models in R. We expect to observe more intolerant behavior when the productivity of the fragment is low, with more frequent intolerant behavior from adult individuals and juvenile individuals being more tolerant. Results from this study will contribute to our understanding of the conservation needs of this Endangered species living in fragmented habitats.

Assessment of best practice of Autonomous Recording Units (ARU) for monitoring arboreal and marsh land species with a focus on differences in populations between tree stand ages of deciduous forests.

In Quebec, there are two main ecotypes of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): the resident ecotype spends its entire life in freshwater, whereas the anadromous ecotype migrates to marine habitats. Both ecotypes can coexist within the same natural population and interbreed, but they cannot be distinguished before the anadromous’ first outmigration. Yet, the mechanisms that underlie ecotype determination remain poorly understood. Since behavioural traits are believed to have co-evolved with life-history traits, we aimed to explore the links between behaviour and the adopted ecotype. We quantified three behavioural traits–exploration, boldness, and aggressiveness–in brook trout parr from the Sainte-Marguerite River (Saguenay). Anadromous individuals were captured during their downstream spring migration, while resident individuals were captured in upstream tributaries. Results revealed significant differences from an open-field test and a mirror test; anadromous parr displayed low thigmotaxis (i.e. staying close to arena’s walls), indicating higher boldness, whereas resident parr were much more active towards their reflection in the mirror, indicating higher aggressiveness. Although exploration did not differ between the two ecotypes, we found all boldness and exploration measures to be correlated amongst each other for residents only. This suggests residents could be presenting a stronger behavioural syndrome, facilitating their habitat exploitation thus reducing their need to migrate to resource-rich marine habitats. Finally, behaviour varied with sampling date, suggesting seasonal patterns. These findings enhance our understanding of ecotype-associated traits and provide insights on brook trout behavioural ecology.

Le lynx du Canada (Lynx canadensis) est un prédateur clé de la forêt boréale. Sa reproduction dépend étroitement de la qualité de son habitat. Ce projet vise à mieux comprendre les critères de sélection des sites de tanière par les femelles durant la période de reproduction, soit en avril et mai. Nous avons équipé 28 lynx de colliers GPS, incluant six femelles, chacune ayant de deux à quatre tanières. Pour chaque tanière localisée, un site témoin présentant des conditions similaires a été inventorié pour les mêmes variables environnementales. À partir de relevés de terrain et d’analyses statistiques basées sur des modèles linéaires mixtes, plusieurs variables environnementales se sont révélées déterminantes dans la sélection d’un site de tanière : la proportion de résineux vivants dans le couvert forestier, la densité de débris ligneux au sol, ainsi que la composition et la densité des arbustes. Les femelles privilégient des parcelles combinant ces caractéristiques. Ces résultats préliminaires contribuent à préciser les besoins écologiques du lynx durant la reproduction et offrent des pistes concrètes pour orienter la gestion et la conservation de ses habitats essentiels dans les forêts boréales du Québec.

Parasites are ubiquitous in natural systems yet remain understudied. Although parasitic infections have been linked to reduced reproductive success and altered reproductive behaviour, these relationships remain poorly understood. This study uses observational and experimental approaches to assess whether long-term parasite exposure affects paternal behaviour and reproductive success in pumpkinseed sunfish. We also test whether partner choice involves the avoidance of infected conspecifics through olfactory and/or visual cues.

Pumpkinseed sunfish are freshwater, territorial fish in which males adopt three reproductive strategies. Guardian males are large individuals that build nests and provide paternal care by defending, fanning, and cleaning eggs. Sneaker and satellite males, respectively, sneak or hide near females to access a guardian’s nest during mating and fertilize a portion of the eggs before leaving.

Paternal care will be quantified through video monitoring of guardian nests and behavioural tracking analyses. Reproductive success will be assessed by fertilization potential, measured as the proportion of eggs fertilized by the guardian male, verified through genetic analysis linking offspring to paternal DNA. Partner choice will be evaluated by quantifying the time females spend near infected or uninfected males when exposed to visual, olfactory, or combined cues. Understanding host–parasite interactions is increasingly relevant as infections are expected to rise with global warming. Integrating parasitism and reproduction will improve our understanding of how parasites influence mating dynamics in species with multiple strategies.

American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) are confronted with time constraints for effective breeding in Northeastern Canada. In contrast, southern regions experience less precipitation and a more favourable climate, allowing them to breed later. Since the 1970s, American Kestrels have experienced a steady decline, and extensive research has been conducted in attempts to identify the primary factors contributing to it. American Kestrels are important generalist predators of open landscapes, controlling the populations of small rodents, birds and invertebrates. They are also valuable for pest control and serve as bioindicators. Their conservation is important for maintaining ecosystem balance and monitoring environmental health. Using five years of nestbox survey data from southern Quebec, the objective of this study is to provide a time-to-event analysis to identify factors influencing American Kestrel nesting failure and success through an urban gradient. This will be done by creating a nest survival model using the program MARK (RMARK). I hypothesize that urban density will affect the breeding success of American Kestrels, and I predict that breeding success will decrease with increasing urban density due to conflicts with novel threats and increased competition with the invasive European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Ultimately, this research aims to guide adaptive management strategies that optimize nest box placement for improved breeding success of American Kestrels in northeastern North America.

Plusieurs études ont récemment démontré une corrélation entre le phénotype d’un animal et son environnement. Bien que ce phénomène soit souvent associé aux processus de sélection naturelle et de plasticité phénotypique, il peut également découler d’un choix d’habitat fait par l’animal. Trois hypothèses principales ont été proposées afin d’expliquer les mécanismes proximaux impliqués dans ce choix : le choix de l’habitat adapté (matching habitat choice), selon lequel chaque individu apprendrait à choisir l’environnement qui lui fournit la meilleure aptitude (fitness) par rapport à son phénotype; la préférence induite pour l’habitat natal (natural habitat preference induction), où les individus peuvent se souvenir de leur environnement natal et tenter de trouver un habitat qui y est similaire; ou une préférence génétique pour certaines caractéristiques de l’environnement. Ce projet se base sur 20 ans de données (microhabitat, phénotype des individus, terrier choisi, lien parental, etc.) récoltées sur une population de tamias rayés de la Réserve Naturelle des Montagnes Vertes, en Estrie. Grâce à ces données, nous tenterons de déterminer le ou lesquels de ces mécanismes influencent le choix du terrier des tamias juvéniles. L’étude de ce phénomène permettra de mieux prédire les changements dans la structure spatiale des populations et de mieux saisir le maintien des différences individuelles dans l’utilisation de la niche écologique du tamia rayé, des informations cruciales pour une population dont l’environnement est affecté par les changements climatiques.

L'agressivité est un facteur clé dans la survie des organismes. Elle permet l'acquisition et la défense de ressources primordiales (nourriture, territoires, partenaires sexuels). Pourtant, son développement ainsi que les facteurs qui le module au cours de la vie des arthropodes sont des sujets peu abordés dans la littérature. Cette étude cherche à vérifier l'implication de facteurs génétiques, hormonaux et environnementaux dans l'ontogenèse de l'agressivité des juvéniles de Veuve noires. Elle observe aussi les variations présentent entre les différents stades de vie de l'organisme et si des traits de personnalité stables apparaissent et se maintiennent jusqu'à l'âge adulte.