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Wooster EIF, Ramp D, Lundgren EJ, O’Neill AJ, Wallach AD. Red foxes avoid apex predation without increasing fear. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Apex predators structure ecosystems by hunting mesopredators and herbivores. These trophic cascades are driven not only by the number of animals they kill, but also by how prey alter their behaviors to reduce risk. The different levels of risk navigated by prey has been likened to a “landscape of fear.” In Australia, dingoes are known to suppress red fox populations, driving a trophic cascade. However, most of what we know of this relationship comes from circumstances where predators are persecuted, which can affect their social and trophic interactions. Utilizing camera traps, we monitored fox behavior when accessing key resource points used by territorial dingoes, in a region where both predators are protected. We predicted that foxes would avoid and be more cautious in areas of high dingo activity. Indeed, foxes avoided directly encountering dingoes. However, contrary to our expectations, foxes were not more cautious or vigilant where dingo activity was high. In fact, fox activity and scent-marking rates increased where dingo scent-marking was concentrated. Further, foxes were increasingly confident with increasing levels of conspecific activity. Our results suggest that responses to the threat of predation are more complex than fear alone. In socially stable conditions, it is possible that prey may develop knowledge of their predators, facilitating avoidance, and reducing fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn I F Wooster
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Ramp
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erick J Lundgren
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Adam J O’Neill
- Dingo for Biodiversity Project, Mount Perry, Queensland, Australia
| | - Arian D Wallach
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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Odonjavkhlan C, Alexsander J, Mishra C, Samelius G, Sharma K, Lkhagvajav P, Suryawanshi K. Factors affecting the spatial distribution and co‐occurrence of two sympatric mountain ungulates in southern Mongolia. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Odonjavkhlan
- Post‐Graduate Program in Wildlife Biology and Conservation Wildlife Conservation Society—India National Centre for Biological Sciences Bangalore
- Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
| | | | - C. Mishra
- Snow leopard Trust Seattle WA United States
- Nature Conservation Foundation Mysore India
| | | | - K. Sharma
- Snow leopard Trust Seattle WA United States
- Nature Conservation Foundation Mysore India
| | - P. Lkhagvajav
- Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
- Snow leopard Trust Seattle WA United States
| | - K.R. Suryawanshi
- Snow leopard Trust Seattle WA United States
- Nature Conservation Foundation Mysore India
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Riddell EA, Iknayan KJ, Hargrove L, Tremor S, Patton JL, Ramirez R, Wolf BO, Beissinger SR. Exposure to climate change drives stability or collapse of desert mammal and bird communities. Science 2021; 371:633-636. [DOI: 10.1126/science.abd4605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. A. Riddell
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - K. J. Iknayan
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - L. Hargrove
- Department of Birds and Mammals, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
| | - S. Tremor
- Department of Birds and Mammals, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
| | - J. L. Patton
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - R. Ramirez
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - B. O. Wolf
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - S. R. Beissinger
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Amin R, Wacher T, Bruce T, Barichievy C. The status and ecology of the sand cat in the Uruq Bani Ma’arid Protected Area, Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia. MAMMALIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2020-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The sand cat is one of the world’s least studied small cats. Our camera-trap survey, one of the largest undertaken in a desert system, generated over 1500 images of the species across 100 camera-traps distributed systematically over the 2400 km2 core area of the Uruq Bani Ma’arid Protected Area of the Empty Quarter, Saudi Arabia. The study revealed a much more significant and widespread sand cat population in the ecosystem than previously understood. Sand cats were detected across one-third of the core area in all major habitats, comprising escarpment plateau, sand dunes and interdunal gravel valleys. The species showed a marginal preference for the interior parallel dune system with interspersed gravel valleys where they also preferred sand dunes over the gravel valley in the hot season. There was no evidence of strong spatial interactions with other predators. The ecosystem’s larger predators (Arabian red fox and honey badger, and all records of wild and feral cats) were primarily associated with the escarpment plateau. The smaller Rueppell’s fox was the only other carnivore more consistently present in the main dune system. Sand cats were strictly nocturnal and 14% more active in the hot season than the cool season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan Amin
- Zoological Society of London , Regents Park , London , UK
| | - Tim Wacher
- Zoological Society of London , Regents Park , London , UK
| | - Tom Bruce
- Zoological Society of London , Regents Park , London , UK
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Thapa K, Malla S, Subba SA, Thapa GJ, Lamichhane BR, Subedi N, Dhakal M, Acharya KP, Thapa MK, Neupane P, Poudel S, Bhatta SR, Jnawali SR, Kelly MJ. On the tiger trails: Leopard occupancy decline and leopard interaction with tigers in the forested habitat across the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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King TW, Vynne C, Miller D, Fisher S, Fitkin S, Rohrer J, Ransom JI, Thornton DH. The influence of spatial and temporal scale on the relative importance of biotic vs. abiotic factors for species distributions. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Travis W. King
- School of the Environment Washington State University Pullman WA USA
| | | | - David Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Sciences and Management Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
| | - Scott Fisher
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Northeast Region Colville WA USA
| | - Scott Fitkin
- Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Okanogan District Winthrop WA USA
| | - John Rohrer
- U.S. Forest Service Okanogan‐Wenatchee National Forest Winthrop WA USA
| | - Jason I. Ransom
- National Park Service North Cascades National Park Service Complex Sedro‐Woolley WA USA
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Exotic Prey Facilitate Coexistence between Pumas and Culpeo Foxes in the Andes of Central Chile. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12090317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Coexistence between species with similar ecological niches implies species must segregate along one or more niche axes to survive. Space, time, and trophic resources are regarded as the principal axes upon which species segregate. We examined segregation along these niche axes to determine mechanisms underlying coexistence between the two main predators, puma (Puma concolor) and culpeo foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) in the Andes of Central Chile. We used occupancy modeling to examine space use and overlap, Kernel Density Estimation to determine temporal activity patterns and overlap, and analysis of prey remains in feces to assess diet breadth and similarity. We found high spatial overlap and positive associations between detection of the carnivores lending little support for spatial segregation. Similarly, we found high nocturnal, temporal overlap between pumas and foxes that matched peaks in activity of prey. In contrast, we found relatively low dietary overlap indicating niche segregation likely occurs along the dietary axis. The Puma diet was dominated by introduced, exotic hares and foxes appeared to shift away from hares to rabbits, small mammals, and seeds. Given that lagomorphs are the main dietary resource for pumas in particular, management decisions regarding the control or eradication of such exotic species could negatively affected puma survival.
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Sovie AR, Greene DU, McCleery RA. Woody Cover Mediates Fox and Gray Squirrel Interactions. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Mwampeta SB, Magige FJ, Belant JL. Spatial and temporal overlap of caracal and serval in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Afr J Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stanslaus B. Mwampeta
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse NY USA
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation University of Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Flora J. Magige
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation University of Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Camp Fire Program in Wildlife Conservation State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse NY USA
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Cronk NE, Pillay N. Spatiotemporal co-occurrence and overlap of two sympatric mongoose species in an urban environment. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Small carnivores are becoming increasingly common in urban areas. What has received less attention is whether and how resource partitioning among sympatric species in urban areas facilitates their coexistence. We examined the spatial, temporal and combined spatiotemporal occurrence and overlap of co-existing yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata and slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea in an urban estate in South Africa. The reserve comprised two parts, an Eco-Estate where human residential and natural areas are interspersed and wildlife has greater contact with people, and a Nature Estate, where contact is reduced by palisade fencing between people and natural areas. Using photographic data from camera traps collected over 11 consecutive months, we found a moderate level of spatial overlap between the mongoose species. Differences between the species occurred at a finer habitat scale: yellow mongooses were more common in open habitats located near human residents whereas the slender mongooses were more common in covered areas further away from human residents. The detection probability of the yellow mongoose, however, was greater than that of the slender mongoose, and the occupancy probability of the slender mongoose was reduced in the presence of the yellow mongoose. Although both species demonstrated bimodal diurnal peaks in activity, they varied in their active periods, with temporal overlap being greater during colder than warmer months. No complete spatiotemporal overlap (occurrence in the same place at the same time/within a 10-min period) occurred. This may have been as a result of the difference in detection and occupancy probabilities of the two species. Resource availability (food), however, appears to influence the different habitat selection, space use, and activity patterns of yellow and slender mongoose in the study area. Therefore, we conclude that partitioning along the spatial and somewhat on the temporal dimensions aids in the coexistence of these mongoose species in an urban environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Elizabeth Cronk
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Neville Pillay
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
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62
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Monterroso P, Díaz-Ruiz F, Lukacs PM, Alves PC, Ferreras P. Ecological traits and the spatial structure of competitive coexistence among carnivores. Ecology 2020; 101:e03059. [PMID: 32333382 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Competition is a widespread interaction among carnivores, ultimately manifested through one or more dimensions of the species' ecological niche. One of the most explicit manifestations of competitive interactions regards spatial displacement. Its interpretation under a theoretical context provides an important tool to deepen our understanding of biological systems and communities, but also for wildlife management and conservation. We used Bayesian multispecies occupancy models on camera-trapping data from multiple sites in Southwestern Europe (SWE) to investigate competitive interactions within a carnivore guild, and to evaluate how species' ecological traits are shaping coexistence patterns. Seventeen out of 26 pairwise interactions departed from a hypothesis of independent occurrence, with spatial association being twice as frequent as avoidance. Association behaviors were only detected among mesocarnivores, while avoidance mainly involved mesocarnivores avoiding the apex predator (n = 4) and mesocarnivore-only interactions (n = 2). Body mass ratios, defined as the dominant over the subordinate species body mass, revealed an important negative effect ( β ^ = - 0.38 ; C I 95 = - 0.81 t o - 0.06 ) on co-occurrence probability, and support that spatially explicit competitive interactions are mostly expressed by larger species able to dominate over smaller ones, with a threshold in body mass ratios of ~4, above which local-scale intraguild coexistence is unlikely. We found a weak relationship between pairwise trophic niche overlap and the probability of coexistence ( β ^ = - 0.19 ; C I 95 = - 0.58 t o 0.21 ), suggesting that competition for feeding resources may not be a key driver of competition, at least at the scale of our analysis. Despite local-scale avoidance, regional-scale coexistence appears to be maintained by the spatial structuring of the competitive environment. We provide evidence that SWE ecosystems consist of spatially structured competitive environments, and propose that coexistence among near-sized species is likely achieved through the interplay of "facultative" and "behavioral" character displacements. Factors influencing carnivore coexistence likely include context-dependent density and trait-mediated effects, which should be carefully considered for a sound understanding of the mechanisms regulating these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Monterroso
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quinta 7, Vairão, 3385-661, Portugal
| | - Francisco Díaz-Ruiz
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, Ciudad Real, 12071, Spain.,Departamento de Biología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Avda. Cervantes 2, Málaga, 29071, Spain
| | - Paul M Lukacs
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Paulo C Alves
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quinta 7, Vairão, 3385-661, Portugal.,Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA.,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre S/N, Edificio FC4, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal
| | - Pablo Ferreras
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, Ciudad Real, 12071, Spain
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Lombardi JV, MacKenzie DI, Tewes ME, Perotto‐Baldivieso HL, Mata JM, Campbell TA. Co-occurrence of bobcats, coyotes, and ocelots in Texas. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4903-4917. [PMID: 32551069 PMCID: PMC7297750 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecific competition among carnivores has been linked to differences in behavior, morphology, and resource use. Insights into these interactions can enhance understanding of local ecological processes that can have impacts on the recovery of endangered species, such as the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Ocelots, bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) share a small geographic range overlap from South Texas to south-central Mexico but relationships among the three are poorly understood. From May 2011 to March 2018, we conducted a camera trap study to examine co-occurrence patterns among ocelots, bobcats, and coyotes on the East Foundation's El Sauz Ranch in South Texas. We used a novel multiseason extension to multispecies occupancy models with ≥2 interacting species to conduct an exploratory analysis to examine interspecific interactions and examine the potential effects of patch-level and landscape-level metrics relative to the occurrence of these carnivores. We found strong evidence of seasonal mutual coexistence among all three species and observed a species-specific seasonal trend in detection. Seasonal coexistence patterns were also explained by increasing distance from a high-speed roadway. However, these results have important ecological implications for planning ocelot recovery in the rangelands of South Texas. This study suggests a coexistence among ocelots, bobcats, and coyotes under the environmental conditions on the El Sauz Ranch. Further research would provide a better understanding of the ecological mechanisms that facilitate coexistence within this community. As road networks in the region expand over the next few decades, large private working ranches will be needed to provide important habitat for ocelots and other carnivore species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason V. Lombardi
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InstituteTexas A&M University–KingsvilleKingsvilleTXUSA
| | | | - Michael E. Tewes
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InstituteTexas A&M University–KingsvilleKingsvilleTXUSA
| | | | - José M. Mata
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InstituteTexas A&M University–KingsvilleKingsvilleTXUSA
- Department of Ecosystem Science and ManagementCollege of Agriculture and Life SciencesTexas A&M University–College StationCollege StationTXUSA
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65
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Akkawi P, Villar N, Mendes CP, Galetti M. Dominance hierarchy on palm resource partitioning among Neotropical frugivorous mammals. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
In tropical forests, the diets of many frugivorous mammals overlap, yet how hyper-diverse assemblages of consumers exploit resources and coexist remains poorly understood. We evaluated competitive interactions among three species of terrestrial frugivorous mammals, the ungulate Tayassu pecari (white-lipped peccary), its close relative Pecari tajacu (collared peccary), and a large rodent (Dasyprocta azarae, agouti), in their exploitation strategies of palm resources of different quality. We conducted the study in a large isolated fragment at the tropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, where these mammal species show high spatial and temporal overlap. We evaluated if body mass and foraging group size define a hierarchy in exploitation of preferentially richer palm resources. We used camera traps and two-species occupancy models to examine patterns of co-occurrence and variable interaction strength between these consumers and three species of palms. Our analyses supported the hypothesis of partial resource overlap but no competition among frugivores, and a body mass dominance hierarchical exploitation of resources. The larger frugivore (white-lipped peccary) dominated patches of the lipid-rich palm Euterpe edulis, where the smallest frugivore (agouti) was absent. Instead, the smallest frugivore concentrated its foraging in areas with the poorest palm resource, Syagrus oleracea. Collared peccaries preferred areas of high abundance of Syagrus romanzoffiana when the other two mammal species were rarely detected or absent, strongly avoided patches of E. edulis, and showed higher average detection probabilities when agoutis were present. Our study highlights the important role of behavioral plasticity in promoting coexistence and indicates that through context-dependent interactions and hierarchical partitioning of resources, consumers can avoid strong competition, even under conditions of high spatial and temporal overlap and high levels of habitat fragmentation and isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Akkawi
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nacho Villar
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Calebe P Mendes
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mauro Galetti
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
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Hua Y, Vitekere K, Wang J, Zhu M, Zaman M, Jiang G. Coexistence of Sympatric Carnivores in a Relatively Homogenous Landscape and the Effects of Environmental Factors on Site Occupation. ANN ZOOL FENN 2020. [DOI: 10.5735/086.057.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hua
- College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, CN-150040 Harbin, China
| | - Kasereka Vitekere
- College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, CN-150040 Harbin, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, CN-150040 Harbin, China
| | - Mengyan Zhu
- College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, CN-150040 Harbin, China
| | - Muhammad Zaman
- College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, CN-150040 Harbin, China
| | - Guangshun Jiang
- College of Wildlife and Natural Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, CN-150040 Harbin, China
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Green AW, Sofaer HR, Otis DL, Van Lanen NJ. Co‐Occurrence and Occupancy of Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared‐Doves. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam W. Green
- Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 230 Cherry Street, Suite 150 Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Helen R. Sofaer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Ave. Bldg. C. Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - David L. Otis
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523 USA
| | - Nicholas J. Van Lanen
- Bird Conservancy of the Rockies 230 Cherry Street, Suite 150 Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
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Ehlers Smith YC, Ehlers Smith DA, Ramesh T, Downs CT. Co‐occurrence modelling highlights conservation implications for two competing spiral‐horned antelope. AUSTRAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
| | - David A. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
| | - Tharmalingam Ramesh
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
- Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Centre of Excellence Under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Govt. of India Coimbatore Tamil Nadu India
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal Private Bag X01 Scottsville Pietermaritzburg 3209South Africa
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69
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Goldingay RL, Quin DG, Talamo O, Mentiplay‐Smith J. Nest box revealed habitat preferences of arboreal mammals in box‐ironbark forest. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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70
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Barros AL, Curveira-Santos G, Marques TA, Santos-Reis M. Accounting for detection unveils the intricacy of wild boar and rabbit co-occurrence patterns in a Mediterranean landscape. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6651. [PMID: 32313036 PMCID: PMC7170872 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The patterns of species co-occurrence have long served as a primary approach to explore concepts of interspecific interaction. However, the interpretation of such patterns is difficult as they can result from several complex ecological processes, in a scale-dependent manner. Here, we aim to investigate the co-occurrence pattern between European rabbit and wild boar in an estate in Central Portugal, using two-species occupancy modelling. With this framework, we tested species interaction for occupancy and detection, but also the interdependencies between both parameters. According to our results, the wild boar and European rabbit occurred independently in the study area. However, model averaging of the detection parameters revealed a potential positive effect of wild boar’s presence on rabbit’s detection probability. Upon further analysis of the parameter interdependencies, our results suggested that failing to account for a positive effect on rabbit’s detection could lead to potentially biased interpretations of the co-occurrence pattern. Our study, in spite of preliminary, highlights the need to understand these different pathways of species interaction to avoid erroneous inferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Barros
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Ed. C2, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Gonçalo Curveira-Santos
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Ed. C2, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago André Marques
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, The Observatory, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9LZ, Scotland.,Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Departamento de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Ed. C2, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
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71
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Co-occurrence of invasive and native carnivorans affects occupancy patterns across environmental gradients. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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72
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Stobo‐Wilson AM, Stokeld D, Einoder LD, Davies HF, Fisher A, Hill BM, Mahney T, Murphy BP, Stevens A, Woinarski JCZ, Rangers B, Warddeken Rangers, Gillespie GR. Habitat structural complexity explains patterns of feral cat and dingo occurrence in monsoonal Australia. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alyson M. Stobo‐Wilson
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Danielle Stokeld
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Luke D. Einoder
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Hugh F. Davies
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - Alaric Fisher
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Brydie M. Hill
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Terry Mahney
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
| | - Brett P. Murphy
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - Alys Stevens
- Warddeken Land Management Limited Darwin NT Australia
| | - John C. Z. Woinarski
- NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | | | | | - Graeme R. Gillespie
- Flora and Fauna Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources Northern Territory Government Darwin NT Australia
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73
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Exploring and interpreting spatiotemporal interactions between native and invasive carnivores across a gradient of rainforest degradation. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02237-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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74
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Andrade-Ponce GP, Gallina S, Gómez-Valencia B, Lira-Noriega A. Coexistencia de Vulpes macrotis y Canis latrans (Carnivora: Canidae) en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Mapimí, México. REV MEX BIODIVERS 2020. [DOI: 10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.2973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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75
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Van Schmidt ND, Beissinger SR. The rescue effect and inference from isolation-extinction relationships. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:598-606. [PMID: 31981448 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The rescue effect in metapopulations hypothesises that less isolated patches are unlikely to go extinct because recolonisation may occur between breeding seasons ('recolonisation rescue'), or immigrants may sufficiently bolster population size to prevent extinction altogether ('demographic rescue'). These mechanisms have rarely been demonstrated directly, and most evidence of the rescue effect is from relationships between isolation and extinction. We determined the frequency of recolonisation rescue for metapopulations of black rails (Laterallus jamaicensis) and Virginia rails (Rallus limicola) from occupancy surveys conducted during and between breeding seasons, and assessed the reliability of inferences about the occurrence of rescue drawn from isolation-extinction relationships, including autologistic isolation measures that corrected for unsurveyed patches and imperfect detection. Recolonisation rescue occurred at expected rates, but was elevated during periods of disturbance that resulted in non-equilibrium metapopulation dynamics. Inferences from extinction-isolation relationships were unreliable, particularly for autologistic measures and for the more vagile Virginia rail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Van Schmidt
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California - Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Steven R Beissinger
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California - Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California - Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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76
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Cassel KW, Morin DJ, Nielsen CK, Preuss TS, Glowacki GA. Low-intensity monitoring of small-mammal habitat associations and species interactions in an urban forest-preserve network. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextAnthropogenic landscape modification and fragmentation result in loss of species and can alter ecosystem function. Assessment of the ecological value of urban reserve networks requires baseline and continued monitoring. However, depending on the desired indicators and parameters, effective monitoring can involve extensive sampling that is often financially or logistically infeasible.
AimsWe employed a low-intensity, mixed-detector survey design to monitor the small-mammal community across a network of 53 fragmented forest preserves (225 sites) in a highly urbanised landscape in the Chicago metropolitan area from August to October, 2009–2012.
MethodsWe used a sequential process to fit single-season occupancy and pairwise co-occurrence models for six common small mammal species to evaluate habitat associations and interspecific interactions.
Key resultsShrew species and meadow voles occurred more often in open canopy-associated habitats, whereas occupancy was greater for eastern chipmunks, grey squirrels and white-footed mice in closed-canopy habitats. Habitat associations were complicated by negative pairwise interactions, resulting in reduced occurrence of meadow voles when predatory short-tailed shrews were present and lower occupancy rates of white-footed mouse when chipmunk competitors where present. White-footed mice co-occurred with short-tailed shrews, but detection of white-footed mice was lower when either eastern chipmunks or short-tailed shrews were present, suggesting that densities of these species could be inversely related.
ConclusionsWe found evidence for both habitat segregation and interspecific interactions among small mammal species, by using low-intensity sampling across the reserve network. Thus, our sampling and analysis approach allowed for adequate assessment of the habitat associations and species interactions within a small-mammal community.
ImplicationsOur findings demonstrated the utility of this monitoring strategy and community as bioindicators for urban-reserve networks. The approach described holds promise for efficient monitoring of reserve networks in fragmented landscapes, critical as human population densities and urbanisation increase, and we discuss how adaptive sampling methods could be incorporated to further benefit conservation efforts.
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77
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Quin BR, Goldingay RL, Quin DG, Collins E, Bartlett N, Jerome R, Murnane T, Marsh T, Jessup S. Long-term monitoring of nest boxes and nest logs in a tree-hollow depleted box–ironbark forest in north-eastern Victoria. AUST J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/zo20098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Forest and woodland areas that have suffered historic degradation of habitat are likely to have reduced populations of tree-hollow dependent wildlife. We investigated the frequency of use of small-entry nest boxes installed 3 m high and vertical nest logs installed 1–3 m high, over 10–30 years in box–ironbark forest in north-east Victoria. Mammals were the dominant users of the nest boxes. Squirrel gliders and sugar gliders collectively used >75% of boxes and brush-tailed phascogales used >30% of boxes. Birds used the nest boxes on just two occasions. Brown treecreepers were the dominant users of the nest logs, with 48 breeding events across 30% of 105 nest logs. Turquoise parrots bred in the logs on five occasions. Gliders used 31% and phascogales 16% of the nest logs. These mammals were directly observed more frequently in the nest boxes than in the nest logs. Our findings show that mammals and birds preferred morphologically different hollows. Further research into the influence of different artificial hollow design elements is required. Nest boxes and nest logs required infrequent maintenance that was easily sustained over time. Our results suggest that tree-hollow dependent wildlife can benefit from restoration of their breeding and shelter sites.
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78
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Ramírez‐Cruz GA, Solano‐Zavaleta I, Méndez‐Janovitz M, Zúñiga‐Vega JJ. Demographic and spatial responses of resident bird populations to the arrival of migratory birds within an urban environment. POPUL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/1438-390x.12032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo A. Ramírez‐Cruz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Israel Solano‐Zavaleta
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Marcela Méndez‐Janovitz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - J. Jaime Zúñiga‐Vega
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria Ciudad de México Mexico
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79
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Lamothe KA, Dextrase AJ, Drake DAR. Characterizing species co-occurrence patterns of imperfectly detected stream fishes to inform species reintroduction efforts. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2019; 33:1392-1403. [PMID: 30912201 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Species reintroduction efforts can improve the recovery of imperiled species, but successful implementation of this conservation strategy requires a thorough understanding of the abiotic and biotic factors influencing species viability. Species interactions are especially understudied, in particular by omitting the effect of imperfect detection on negative, neutral, or positive associations within a community. Using repeat surveys from 5 southern Ontario, Canada, Great Lakes tributaries, we quantified species co-occurrence patterns with the eastern sand darter (ESD) (Ammocrypta pellucida), listed as federally threatened, and characterized how imperfect detection during sampling can influence inference regarding these relationships. We used a probabilistic framework that included 3 approaches of increasing complexity: probabilistic co-occurrence analysis ignoring imperfect detection; single-species occupancy models with subsequent co-occurrence analysis; and 2-species occupancy models. We then used our occupancy models to predict suitable sites for potential future reintroduction efforts while considering the influence of negative species interactions. Based on the observed data, ESD showed several positive associations with co-occurring species; however, species associations differed when imperfect detection was considered. Specifically, a negative association between ESD and rosyface shiner (Notropis rubellus) was observed only after accounting for imperfect detection in the Grand River. Alternatively, positive associations in the Grand River between ESD and northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans) and silver shiner (Notropis photogenis) were observed regardless of whether imperfect detection was accounted for. Our models predicted several potential reintroduction sites for ESD in formerly occupied watersheds with high levels of certainty. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of investigating imperfect detection and species co-occurrence when planning reintroduction efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Lamothe
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada
| | - Alan J Dextrase
- Natural Resources Conservation Policy Branch, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, 300 Water Street, Peterborough, ON, K9J 3C7, Canada
| | - D Andrew R Drake
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada
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80
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Analysis of the effect of recreational dog walking on the occupancy probability of the ringtail Bassariscus astutus (Carnivora: Procyonidae) within an urban ecosystem. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00922-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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81
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Kafley H, Lamichhane BR, Maharjan R, Khadka M, Bhattarai N, Gompper ME. Tiger and leopard co-occurrence: intraguild interactions in response to human and livestock disturbance. Basic Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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82
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Lamothe KA, Dextrase AJ, Drake DAR. Aggregation of two imperfectly detected imperilled freshwater fishes: understanding community structure and co-occurrence for multispecies conservation. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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83
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Begley-Miller DR, Diefenbach DR, McDill ME, Drohan PJ, Rosenberry CS, Just Domoto EH. Soil chemistry, and not short-term (1-2 year) deer exclusion, explains understory plant occupancy in forests affected by acid deposition. AOB PLANTS 2019; 11:plz044. [PMID: 31649810 PMCID: PMC6799995 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plz044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The loss of species diversity and plant community structure throughout the temperate deciduous forests of North America have often been attributed to overbrowsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus). Slow species recovery following removal from browsing, or reduction in deer density, has been termed a legacy effect of past deer herbivory. However, vegetation legacy effects have also coincided with changes to soil chemistry throughout the north-eastern USA. In this paper, we assess the viability of soil chemistry (i.e. pH, extractable nutrients and extractable metals) and other factors (topography, light, overstory basal area and location) as alternative explanations for a lack of vegetation recovery. We compared the relative effects of soil chemistry, site conditions and short-term (1-2 year) deer exclusion on single-species occupancy probabilities of 10 plant taxa common to oak-hickory forests in central Pennsylvania. We found detection for all modelled species was constant and high (p ^ > 0.65), and occupancy probability of most taxa was best explained by at least one soil chemistry parameter. Specifically, ericaceous competing vegetation was more likely to occupy acidic (pH < 3.5), base cation-poor (K < 0.20 cmolc kg-1) sites, while deer-preferred plants were less likely to occur when soil manganese exceeded 0.1 cmolc kg-1. Short-term deer exclusion did not explain occupancy of any plant taxon, and site conditions were of nominal importance. This study demonstrates the importance of soil chemistry in shaping plant community composition in the north-central Appalachians, and suggests soil as an alternative, or additional, explanation for deer vegetation legacy effects. We suggest that the reliance on phyto-indicators of deer browsing effects may overestimate the effects of browsing if those species are also limited by unfavourable soil conditions. Future research should consider study designs that address the complexity of deer forest interactions, especially in areas with complex site-vegetation histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle R Begley-Miller
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Duane R Diefenbach
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Marc E McDill
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Patrick J Drohan
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | - Emily H Just Domoto
- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA, USA
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84
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Cruz P, Iezzi ME, De Angelo C, Varela D, Di Bitetti MS. Landscape use by two opossums is shaped by habitat preferences rather than by competitive interactions. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Given the phylogenetic proximity and similar morphology of opossums (Didelphis spp.), they are good models to study factors that facilitate or impede coexistence of syntopic species and to better understand how landscape changes affect species distributions and habitat use. For this purpose, we used single-species and two-species occupancy models using records of D. albiventris, considered the dominant species, and D. aurita from a camera-trap survey conducted in an agricultural and conservation landscape in the Atlantic Forest of Argentina. We evaluated which factors determined the probability of species occurrence: habitat preferences or interspecific relationships. We also estimated the overlap in daily activity patterns between species, and evaluated changes in D. aurita activity in response to the occupancy probability of D. albiventris. Didelphis aurita had higher occupancy probabilities in the continuous native forest, whereas D. albiventris had higher occupancy probabilities in fragmented forests with less complex and more open vegetation structure, and greater proximity to buildings. Both opossums were almost absent in pine plantations. Results of the co-occurrence models and the overlap in diel activity suggest that D. aurita is not avoiding D. albiventris. Occurrences of these two opossums most probably reflect different adaptations by each species to different habitats, and competitive interactions seem to play a minor role in shaping their current distributions. Didelphis albiventris may be replacing D. aurita mainly as a result of changing environmental conditions, which become unfavorable to the latter but promote the creation of new habitat for the former.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Cruz
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - María Eugenia Iezzi
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Carlos De Angelo
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Diego Varela
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Mario S Di Bitetti
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Eldorado, Misiones, Argentina
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85
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Mills DR, Do Linh San E, Robinson H, Isoke S, Slotow R, Hunter L. Competition and specialization in an African forest carnivore community. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:10092-10108. [PMID: 31624540 PMCID: PMC6787825 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, human activities have led to the impoverishment of species assemblages and the disruption of ecosystem function. Determining whether this poses a threat to future ecosystem stability necessitates a thorough understanding of mechanisms underpinning community assembly and niche selection. Here, we tested for niche segregation within an African small carnivore community in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We used occupancy modeling based on systematic camera trap surveys and fine-scale habitat measures, to identify opposing preferences between closely related species (cats, genets, and mongooses). We modeled diel activity patterns using kernel density functions and calculated the overlap of activity periods between related species. We also used co-occupancy modeling and activity overlap analyses to test whether African golden cats Caracal aurata influenced the smaller carnivores along the spatial and/or temporal axes. There was some evidence that related species segregated habitat and activity patterns. Specialization was particularly strong among forest species. The cats and genets partitioned habitat, while the mongooses partitioned both habitat and activity period. We found little evidence for interference competition between African golden cats and other small carnivores, although weak interference competition was suggested by lower detection probabilities of some species at stations where African golden cats were present. This suggests that community assembly and coexistence in this ecosystem are primarily driven by more complex processes. The studied carnivore community contains several forest specialists, which are typically more prone to localized extinction. Preserving the observed community assemblage will therefore require the maintenance of a large variety of habitats, with a particular focus on those required by the more specialized carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Mills
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of Kwazulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- PantheraNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Hugh Robinson
- PantheraNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and ConservationUniversity of MontanaMissoulaMontanaUSA
| | - Sam Isoke
- Wildlife Conservation SocietyKampalaUganda
| | - Rob Slotow
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of Kwazulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and EnvironmentUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Luke Hunter
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of Kwazulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- PantheraNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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86
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Hegel CGZ, Santos LR, Marinho JR, Marini MÂ. Is the wild pig the real “big bad wolf”? Negative effects of wild pig on Atlantic Forest mammals. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02068-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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87
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Dertien JS, Bagley CF, Haddix JA, Brinkman AR, Neipert ES, Jochum KA, Doherty PF. Spatiotemporal habitat use by a multitrophic Alaska alpine mammal community. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Evaluating sympatric habitat use of a mammal community can help determine intra- and inter-guild interactions and identify important habitats, potentially improving the management of these communities with a changing climate. Increasingly variable climatic patterns in Alaska, USA, are raising concerns of mismatched phenologies and altered ecosystem structures. We studied the occupancy of 10 mammal species over 15 months, via camera traps, occupying alpine areas of the Alaska Range in interior Alaska, from 2013 to 2014. We tested hypotheses about how habitat use of these species within and between groups varied by spatial and temporal covariates. Furthermore, we modeled two-species occupancy of brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758) and gray wolves (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) against different potential prey species. Our results suggest that medium-sized and large herbivore use was positively correlated with fine-scale covariates including rock, forb, and graminoid coverage. Large herbivore habitat use was also correlated with abiotic landscape covariates. Detection probabilities of predators and Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli dalli Nelson, 1884) was improved by camera traps on wildlife trails. Two-species models suggested co-occurrence of habitat use between brown bear – caribou (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)) and gray wolf – caribou. Results demonstrate the sympatric habitat use by multiple groups of mammals within Alaskan alpine ecosystems and the importance of incorporating multiple groups and spatial scales when making management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S. Dertien
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1474, USA
| | - Calvin F. Bagley
- Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, Colorado State University, 1490 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1490, USA
| | - John A. Haddix
- Environmental Division, United States Army Garrison Fort Wainwright, 3023 Engineer Place, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703, USA
| | - Aleya R. Brinkman
- Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, United States Army Garrison Fort Wainwright, 3023 Engineer Place, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703, USA
| | - Elizabeth S. Neipert
- Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, Colorado State University, 1490 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1490, USA
| | - Kim A. Jochum
- Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, United States Army Garrison Fort Wainwright, 3023 Engineer Place, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703, USA
| | - Paul F. Doherty
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1474, USA
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88
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McHugh D, Goldingay RL, Link J, Letnic M. Habitat and introduced predators influence the occupancy of small threatened macropods in subtropical Australia. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:6300-6317. [PMID: 31236222 PMCID: PMC6580277 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Australia has had the highest rate of mammal extinctions in the past two centuries when compared to other continents. Frequently cited threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, changed fire regimes and the impact of introduced predators, namely the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the feral cat (Felis catus). Recent studies suggest that Australia's top predator, the dingo (Canis dingo), may have a suppressive effect on fox populations but not on cat populations. The landscape of fear hypothesis proposes that habitat used by prey species comprises high to low risk patches for foraging as determined by the presence and ubiquity of predators within the ecosystem. This results in a landscape of risky versus safe areas for prey species. We investigated the influence of habitat and its interaction with predatory mammals on the occupancy of medium-sized mammals with a focus on threatened macropodid marsupials (the long-nosed potoroo [Potorous tridactylous] and red-legged pademelon [Thylogale stigmatica]). We assumed that differential use of habitats would reflect trade-offs between food and safety. We predicted that medium-sized mammals would prefer habitats for foraging that reduce the risk of predation but that predators would have a positive relationship with medium-sized mammals. We variously used data from 298 camera trap sites across nine conservation reserves in subtropical Australia. Both dingoes and feral cats were broadly distributed, whilst the red fox was rare. Long-nosed potoroos had a strong positive association with dense ground cover, consistent with using habitat complexity to escape predation. Red-legged pademelons showed a preference for open ground cover, consistent with a reliance on rapid bounding to escape predation. Dingoes preferred areas of open ground cover whereas feral cats showed no specific habitat preference. Dingoes were positively associated with long-nosed potoroos whilst feral cats were positively associated with red-legged pademelons. Our study highlights the importance of habitat structure to these threatened mammals and also the need for more detailed study of their interactions with their predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren McHugh
- School of Environment, Science and EngineeringSouthern Cross UniversityLismoreNew South WalesAustralia
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife ServiceIlukaNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Ross L. Goldingay
- School of Environment, Science and EngineeringSouthern Cross UniversityLismoreNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jeremy Link
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife ServiceIlukaNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Mike Letnic
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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89
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Tobler MW, Kéry M, Hui FKC, Guillera‐Arroita G, Knaus P, Sattler T. Joint species distribution models with species correlations and imperfect detection. Ecology 2019; 100:e02754. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathias W. Tobler
- San Diego Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research 15600 San Pasqual Valley Road Escondido California 92027 USA
| | - Marc Kéry
- Swiss Ornithological Institute Seerose 1 6204 Sempach Switzerland
| | - Francis K. C. Hui
- Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies & Statistics Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | | | - Peter Knaus
- Swiss Ornithological Institute Seerose 1 6204 Sempach Switzerland
| | - Thomas Sattler
- Swiss Ornithological Institute Seerose 1 6204 Sempach Switzerland
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90
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Amburgey SM, Miller DAW, Brand A, Dietrich A, Campbell Grant EH. Knowing your limits: estimating range boundaries and co‐occurrence zones for two competing plethodontid salamanders. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S. M. Amburgey
- Department of Ecosystem Sciences and Management The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania 16802 USA
- Intercollege Graduate Ecology Program The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania 16802 USA
| | - D. A. W. Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Sciences and Management The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania 16802 USA
| | - A. Brand
- USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center SO Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center Turners Falls Massachusetts 01376 USA
| | - A. Dietrich
- USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel Maryland 20708 USA
| | - E. H. Campbell Grant
- USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center SO Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center Turners Falls Massachusetts 01376 USA
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91
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Long-Term Data Suggest Potential Interactions of Introduced Walleye and Smallmouth Bass on Native Sauger in Four Missouri River Impoundments. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.3996/122018-jfwm-115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Sauger Sander canadensis, Walleye Sander vitreus, and Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu, are important sportfish in the four main stem Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota: Lakes Oahe, Sharpe, Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark. However, native Sauger populations, once assumed to be stable, may be in decline. To identify temporal trends and potential interspecific mechanisms affecting Sauger populations, we examined their long-term abundance trends in standard gillnet surveys and angler catch and harvest trends in long-term creel surveys. We also used a robust design occupancy model to examine changes in within-lake distribution of this species. There are concerns regarding the effects of Walleye and Smallmouth Bass on Sauger, so we also described the population trends of these potential competitors. Standard gillnet surveys indicated declining abundance of both Sauger and Walleye in Lakes Oahe and Sharpe. Sauger abundance has trended down in Lewis and Clark, but upward in Francis Case. Conversely, Walleye abundance trends declined in Francis Case and increased in Lewis and Clark. Occupancy (ψ̂) of Sauger declined in all four reservoirs, indicating a contracting distribution throughout the reservoirs. Walleye occupancy remained ∼1.0. Smallmouth Bass occupancy increased in the three reservoirs with sufficient data for analysis, excluding Lewis and Clark Lake. Smallmouth Bass exhibited steady increases in angler catch and harvest, as well as abundance in long-term gillnet surveys, suggesting expanding and increasing populations. Habitat alteration is hypothesized to be a major driver of the Sauger occupancy and abundance declines. However, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass interactions could also be contributing to observed declines of native Sauger.
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92
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Van Schmidt ND, Kovach T, Kilpatrick AM, Oviedo JL, Huntsinger L, Hruska T, Miller NL, Beissinger SR. Integrating social and ecological data to model metapopulation dynamics in coupled human and natural systems. Ecology 2019; 100:e02711. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D. Van Schmidt
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California–Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall No. 3114 Berkeley California 94720 USA
| | - Tony Kovach
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California–Santa Cruz 130 McAllister Way Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - A. Marm Kilpatrick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California–Santa Cruz 130 McAllister Way Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Jose L. Oviedo
- Instituto de Políticas y Bienes Públicos Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Calle de Albasanz 26‐28 28037 Madrid Spain
| | - Lynn Huntsinger
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California–Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall No. 3114 Berkeley California 94720 USA
| | - Tracy Hruska
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California–Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall No. 3114 Berkeley California 94720 USA
| | - Norman L. Miller
- Department of Geography University of California–Berkeley 505 McCone Hall No. 4740 Berkeley California 94720 USA
| | - Steven R. Beissinger
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California–Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall No. 3114 Berkeley California 94720 USA
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93
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Parsons AW, Rota CT, Forrester T, Baker‐Whatton MC, McShea WJ, Schuttler SG, Millspaugh JJ, Kays R. Urbanization focuses carnivore activity in remaining natural habitats, increasing species interactions. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arielle W. Parsons
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Raleigh North Carolina
- Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina
| | - Christopher T. Rota
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program West Virginia University Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Tavis Forrester
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal Virginia
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife La Grande Oregon
| | | | | | | | - Joshua J. Millspaugh
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula Montana
| | - Roland Kays
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Raleigh North Carolina
- Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina
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94
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Fischer JH, McCauley CF, Armstrong DP, Debski I, Wittmer HU. Contrasting responses of lizard occurrences to burrowing by a critically endangered seabird. COMMUNITY ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1556/168.2019.20.1.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. H. Fischer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - C. F. McCauley
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - D. P. Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology Group, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - I. Debski
- Aquatic Unit, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - H. U. Wittmer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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95
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Gallo T, Fidino M, Lehrer EW, Magle S. Urbanization alters predator‐avoidance behaviours. J Anim Ecol 2019; 88:793-803. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Travis Gallo
- Department of Conservation and ScienceUrban Wildlife InstituteLincoln Park Zoo Chicago Illinois
| | - Mason Fidino
- Department of Conservation and ScienceUrban Wildlife InstituteLincoln Park Zoo Chicago Illinois
| | - Elizabeth W. Lehrer
- Department of Conservation and ScienceUrban Wildlife InstituteLincoln Park Zoo Chicago Illinois
| | - Seth Magle
- Department of Conservation and ScienceUrban Wildlife InstituteLincoln Park Zoo Chicago Illinois
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96
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Ramírez-Cruz GA, Solano-Zavaleta I, Mendoza-Hernández PE, Méndez-Janovitz M, Suárez-Rodríguez M, Zúñiga-Vega JJ. This town ain't big enough for both of us…or is it? Spatial co-occurrence between exotic and native species in an urban reserve. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211050. [PMID: 30657793 PMCID: PMC6338412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exotic species pose a threat to most ecosystems because of their potential to establish negative interactions with native biota. However, exotic species can also offer resources to native species, especially within highly modified environments such as urban ecosystems. We studied 17 exotic-native pairs of species with the potential to compete with one another, or in which one of the species could offer resources to the other, in an urban ecological reserve located within Mexico City. We used two-species occupancy models to analyze the potential association between the presence of the exotic species and the spatial distribution of the native species, as well as to assess if these species tend to avoid each other (negative spatial interaction) or to co-occur more often than expected under the hypothesis of independent occurrences (positive spatial interaction). Our results revealed few cases in which the exotic species influenced occupancy of the native species, and these spatial interactions were mainly positive, indicated by the fact that the occupancy of the native species was usually higher when the exotic species was also present. Seven of the eight observed non-independent patterns of co-occurrence were evident during the dry months of the year, when resources become scarce for most species. Our results also demonstrate that the observed patterns of species co-occurrence depend on the distance to the nearest urban structure and the amount of herb, shrub, and tree cover, indicating that these habitat features influence whether native species avoid or co-occur with exotic species. Our study represents an important contribution to the understanding of temporal dynamics in the co-occurrence between exotic and native species within urban ecological reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo A. Ramírez-Cruz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Israel Solano-Zavaleta
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Pedro E. Mendoza-Hernández
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Marcela Méndez-Janovitz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Monserrat Suárez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - J. Jaime Zúñiga-Vega
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- * E-mail:
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97
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Shea CP, Eaton MJ, MacKenzie DI. Implementation of an occupancy-based monitoring protocol for a widespread and cryptic species, the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis). WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Designing effective long-term monitoring strategies is essential for managing wildlife populations. Implementing a cost-effective, practical monitoring program is especially challenging for widespread but locally rare species. Early successional habitat preferred by the New England cottontail (NEC) has become increasingly rare and fragmented, resulting in substantial declines from their peak distribution in the mid-1900s. The introduction of a possible competitor species, the eastern cottontail (EC), may also have played a role. Uncertainty surrounding how these factors have contributed to NEC declines has complicated management and necessitated development of an appropriate monitoring framework to understand possible drivers of distribution and dynamics.
Aims
Because estimating species abundance is costly, we designed presence–absence surveys to estimate species distributions, test assumptions about competitive interactions, and improve understanding of demographic processes for eastern cottontails (EC) and New England cottontails (NEC). The survey protocol aimed to balance long-term management objectives with practical considerations associated with monitoring a widespread but uncommon species. Modelling data arising from these observations allow for estimation of covariate relationships between species status and environmental conditions including habitat and competition. The framework also allows inference about species status at unsurveyed locations.
Methods
We designed a monitoring protocol to collect data across six north-eastern USA states and, using data collected from the first year of monitoring, fit a suite of single-season occupancy models to assess how abiotic and biotic factors influence NEC occurrence, correcting for imperfect detectability.
Key results
Models did not provide substantial support for competitive interactions between EC and NEC. NEC occurrence patterns appear to be influenced by several remotely sensed habitat covariates (land-cover classes), a habitat-suitability index, and, to a lesser degree, plot-level habitat covariates (understorey density and canopy cover).
Conclusions
We recommend continuing presence–absence monitoring and the development of dynamic occupancy models to provide further evidence regarding hypotheses of competitive interactions and habitat influences on the underlying dynamics of NEC occupancy.
Implications
State and federal agencies responsible for conserving this and other threatened species can engage with researchers in thoughtful discussions, based on management objectives, regarding appropriate monitoring design to ensure that the allocation of monitoring efforts provides useful inference on population drivers to inform management intervention.
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98
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Murphy A, Kelly MJ, Karpanty SM, Andrianjakarivelo V, Farris ZJ. Using camera traps to investigate spatial co‐occurrence between exotic predators and native prey species: a case study from northeastern Madagascar. J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Murphy
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA USA
| | - M. J. Kelly
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA USA
| | - S. M. Karpanty
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA USA
| | | | - Z. J. Farris
- Department of Health and Exercise Science Appalachian State University Boone NC USA
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99
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Baecher JA, Richter SC. Environmental gradients in old-growth Appalachian forest predict fine-scale distribution, co-occurrence, and density of woodland salamanders. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:12940-12952. [PMID: 30619595 PMCID: PMC6308888 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Woodland salamanders are among the most abundant vertebrate animals in temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America. Because of their abundance, woodland salamanders are responsible for the transformation of nutrients and translocation of energy between highly disparate levels of trophic organization: detrital food webs and high-order predators. However, the spatial extent of woodland salamanders' role in the ecosystem is likely contingent upon the distribution of their biomass throughout the forest. We sought to determine if natural environmental gradients influence the fine-scale distribution and density of Southern Ravine Salamanders (Plethodon richmondi) and Cumberland Plateau Salamanders (P. kentucki). We addressed this objective by constructing occupancy, co-occurrence, and abundance models from temporally replicated surveys within an old-growth forest in the Cumberland Plateau region of Kentucky. We found that Plethodon richmondi had a more restricted fine-scale distribution than P. kentucki (mean occupancy probability [ψ ¯ ^ ] = 0.737) and exhibited variable density, from <250 to >1000 individuals per hectare, associated with increased soil moisture and reduced solar exposure due to slope face. While more ubiquitously distributed (ψ ¯ ^ = 0.95), P. kentucki density varied from <400 to >1,000 individuals per hectare and was inversely related to increased solar exposure from canopy disturbance and landscape convexity. Our data suggest co-occurrence patterns of P. richmondi and P. kentucki are influenced primarily by abiotic conditions within the forest, and that populations likely occur independently and without evidence of biotic interaction. Given the critical role that woodland salamanders play in the maintenance of forest health, regions that support large populations of woodland salamanders, such as those highlighted in this study-mesic forest stands on north-to-east facing slopes with dense canopy and abundant natural cover, may provide enhanced ecosystem services and support the stability of the total forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Alex Baecher
- Department of Biological Sciences and Division of Natural AreasEastern Kentucky UniversityRichmondKentucky
| | - Stephen C. Richter
- Department of Biological Sciences and Division of Natural AreasEastern Kentucky UniversityRichmondKentucky
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100
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Wilkinson DP, Golding N, Guillera‐Arroita G, Tingley R, McCarthy MA. A comparison of joint species distribution models for presence–absence data. Methods Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David P. Wilkinson
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Nick Golding
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | | | - Reid Tingley
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
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