Consistent inter-individual variability in movement traits shapes the wild boar movement syndrome

Abstract Consistent intraspecific variation in behavior directly impacts reactions to environmental challenges, including life in human-altered landscapes. Yet, it is rarely considered in free-ranging species thriving in anthropogenic landscapes and causing human-wildlife conflict. Here, we examine the consistent inter-individual variability in wild boar movement traits and highlight its potential for ecology and practical management. We used satellite telemetry data from 95 GPS-tracked wild boars monitored in Czechia and computed weekly movement rate (activity), intensity of space use (exploration), and diurnality (boldness). Using a variance partitioning approach, we tested whether these traits were repeatable over time and therefore considered personality traits, and using Bayesian multivariate mixed-effect models, we examined the correlations among these traits to describe a behavioral syndrome while controlling for external and internal sources of variation. Wild boar showed significant consistent inter-individual variation in all three traits, with repeatability ranging from 0.16 to 0.35. We found significant correlations between traits, indicating the existence of a remarkable movement syndrome. Individuals staying within familiar areas were less nocturnal and moved slower, as opposed to individuals roaming more outside familiar areas, faster and with striking nocturnality. The movement syndrome and, most importantly, its variability, with individuals ranging in between extremes of activity and exploration, likely contributes to the success of this species and helps them thrive in human-dominated landscapes while maximizing resource acquisition. Integrating intraspecific behavioral variation into ecology and practical population management could improve models predicting wild boar movement and alleviate the biodiversity and economic loss caused by expanding wild boar populations.