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A systematic review of animal personality in conservation science

journal contribution
posted on 2024-05-15, 01:31 authored by Regan MacKinlay, Rachael ShawRachael Shaw
Although animal personality research may have applied uses, this suggestion has yet to be evaluated by assessing empirical studies examining animal personality and conservation. To address this knowledge gap, we performed a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature relating to conservation science and animal personality. Criteria for inclusion in our review included access to full text, primary research articles, and relevant animal conservation or personality focus (i.e., not human personality studies). Ninety-two articles met these criteria. We summarized the conservation contexts, testing procedures (including species and sample size), analytical approach, claimed personality traits (activity, aggression, boldness, exploration, and sociability), and each report's key findings and conservation-focused suggestions. Although providing evidence for repeatability in behavior is crucial for personality studies, repeatability quantification was implemented in only half of the reports. Nonetheless, each of the 5 personality traits were investigated to some extent in a range of conservations contexts. The most robust studies in the field showed variance in how personality relates to other ecologically important variables across species and contexts. Moreover, many studies were first attempts at using personality for conservation purposes in a given study system. Overall, it appears personality is not yet a fully realized tool for conservation. To apply personality research to conservation problems, we suggest researchers think about where individual differences in behavior may affect conservation outcomes in their system, assess where there are opportunities for repeated measures, and follow the most current methodological guides on quantifying personality.

History

Preferred citation

MacKinlay, R. D. & Shaw, R. C. (2023). A systematic review of animal personality in conservation science. Conservation Biology, 37(1), e13935-. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13935

Journal title

Conservation Biology

Volume

37

Issue

1

Publication date

2023-02-01

Pagination

e13935

Publisher

Wiley

Publication status

Published

Online publication date

2022-07-19

ISSN

0888-8892

eISSN

1523-1739

Article number

ARTN e13935

Language

en