Biology subjects

Farhadinia, M. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Farhadinia, M. S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Population-specific drivers of reproductive phenology in a widespread large carnivore, the gray wolf

Animals often rely on cues from the environment to time reproduction with optimal conditions. However, for most species, which environmental cues are used and how their use varies across a species distribution remains poorly understood. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is found across a broad latitudinal range (12{degrees}N to 83{degrees}N) and diverse natural habitats, making them an ideal study species to explore these questions. Using 1,261 estimated birth dates of wild and captive wolves across their global range, we investigated how environmental variables influence reproductive phenology in this widespread large carnivore. Birth dates for wild wolves ranged from November 22nd for Indian wolves (18{degrees}N) to June 15th for Arctic wolves (80{degrees}N). The best predictor of timing of birth was increasing daylength during the mating season, followed by precipitation variability during the year. The timing of birth in captive wolves was highly similar to wild wolves at same latitudes, suggesting they use similar environmental cues to time reproduction. Near the equator where photoperiod is more stable, wolves remained seasonal and likely use climatic cues to time reproduction. Our work reveals populations may use different environmental cues to time reproduction, a characteristic that likely facilitates adaptation to diverse environments.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Will they survive? Alarming circumstances of Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) in Iran's drylands

The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), once widespread across West, South, and Central Asia, now survives only in Iran, where its population has declined to the brink of extinction. The current study synthesized 12 years (2012-2024) of monitoring data, including systematic, extensive camera trap surveys across 27 distinct sampling sessions in eight reserves (69,089 trap nights) supplemented by published records of cheetah occurrences on social media to assess the demographic and spatial patterns of this critically endangered subspecies. Our analysis indicates that a total of 24 adult Asiatic cheetahs were identified across the Northern and Southern Landscapes. However, no evidence of reproduction or new individual presence was obtained in the Southern Landscape for over a decade. Meanwhile, the Northern Landscape hosts the remaining population, likely fewer than 30 individuals. Between 2020 and 2024, at least 31 cubs were born in the northern population from six females. However, limited evidence of successful recruitment suggests minimal contribution to population recovery, as only 47.3% of monitored cubs survived beyond their first year. Asiatic cheetahs exhibit extensive mobility across the arid Northern Landscape, frequently traversing unprotected communal lands and a major highway, which increases their vulnerability. While camera trap data have proven effective for individual identification, they are limited in tracking fine-scale movement, emphasizing the urgent need for satellite telemetry. Interventions such as roadside fencing and wildlife underpasses along highways are essential to reduce mortality. These efforts should be complemented by broader conservation measures, including habitat protection and restoration, community-based management of unprotected lands, and enhanced anti-trafficking enforcement. Genetic concerns, especially low effective population size and inbreeding, pose additional threats to viability.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Cautious explorers: comparing movement patterns of wild and rewilded solitary predators

Many rewilding projects emphasize recovering trophic networks through species translocation. Understanding the behaviour and movement patterns of rewilded animals is central to evaluating the success of rewilding efforts. In this study, we compared the behaviour of rewilded Persian leopards (Panthera pardus tulliana) in Russia with their wild counterparts in Iran to assess how they compare in terms of exploratory and cautious movement in new environments. We used Behavioural Change Point Analysis with selection procedures to identify points where individuals switched between movement modes. We analysed intrinsic movement metrics (speed, persistence velocity, turning velocity) and spatiotemporal attributes (duration, net squared displacement, distance travelled). Time spent in each behavioural mode differed between wild and rewilded leopards: on average, rewilded leopards spent more time in the "Ranging" mode and less time "Encamped" compared to wild leopards. Rewilded leopards were also slower than wild leopards, particularly in the "Encamped" state while wild leopards exhibited similar speeds across modes. Importantly, rewilded leopards had larger displacement and spent longer in the "Ranging" mode, a pattern not seen in wild leopards. These findings highlight distinct spatial behaviour patterns between wild and rewilded leopards. Accordingly, rewilded leopards adopted both exploratory and cautious behavioural strategies, reflecting their tendency to range more widely over extended periods, plausibly to gather information from large parts of their environments, albeit at lower speed, arguably to avoid potential risks, suggesting that they are in the process of adapting to new environments. These differences are likely to reflect different ecological circumstances, but even more so the previous experiences and thus different social circumstances of the two samples of Persian leopards. OPEN RESEARCH STATEMENTAll locational data from Iran are publicly available on Movebank: https://www.movebank.org/panel_embedded_movebank_webapp. Project: Persian leopard Tandoureh Iran (accession number 270329098). All the data are available for download as .csv file.

animal behavior and cognition↗