Ruckstuhl, Kathreen E.Neuhaus, PeterHolland, Berna-Dean2021-01-202021-01-202021-01-11Holland, B.-D. (2021). Ecological and behavioural factors affecting philopatry and life history patterns of yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) in the southern Alberta prairie region (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112985The personality of an individual greatly influences its fitness. Yet, most conclusions about fitness, are often drawn from a population level perspective. In this thesis, I underline the importance of studying personality in behavioural ecology, and conservation. This thesis is the product of three years of research into personality, philopatry, and the life-history of yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris), occurring in the extreme southern region of Alberta. My research methodology involved a hybrid approach, incorporating both my Métis-Indigenous way of exploring, and experiments drawn from standardized methodologies of western science. This thesis represents the first detailed study of yellow-bellied marmots living within the prairie ecozone of southern Alberta Canada; one of the most northern ranges of this species. In Chapter 1, I present my observational findings of ecology and general life history patterns of this species as it occurs in this region. In chapter 2, I present my investigation into whether personality and sex of individual yellow-bellied marmots living in this region, play a significant role in philopatry; the tendency of individual offspring to remain within their natal home. The experiments revealed consistent response of individual marmots across a variety of situations representing an anti-predator context. However, the only factor found to have an effect on philopatry, was the sex of individuals. I end with a summary of my results and recommendations for future research.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.behaviour, ecology, life history, personality, syndrome, plasticity, philopatry, capture and handling, flight initiation distance, yellow-bellied marmots, Marmota flaviventris, Métis, indigenous.Wildlife Conservation, Behavioural Ecology, Animal PersonalityEcologyZoologymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/38558