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van den Bosch M, Kellner KF, Mkasanga I, Mwampeta SB, Fyumagwa R, Gantchoff MG, Patterson BR, Belant JL. Spatial and temporal niche overlap of aardwolves and aardvarks in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10718. [PMID: 38020690 PMCID: PMC10630155 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Species interactions can influence species distributions, but mechanisms mitigating competition or facilitating positive interactions between ecologically similar species are often poorly understood. Aardwolves (Proteles cristata) and aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) are nocturnal, insectivorous mammals that co-occur in eastern and southern Africa, and knowledge of these species is largely limited to their nutritional biology. We used aardwolf and aardvark detections from 105 remote cameras during 2016-2018 to assess their spatial and temporal niche overlap in the grasslands of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Using a multispecies occupancy model, we identified a positive interaction between occupancy probabilities for aardwolves and aardvarks. Slope, proportion of grassland and termite mound density did not affect the occupancy probabilities of either species. The probability of aardwolf, but not aardvark, occupancy increased with distance to permanent water sources, which may relate to predation risk avoidance. Diel activity overlap between aardwolves and aardvarks was high during wet and dry seasons, with both species being largely nocturnal. Aardwolves and aardvarks have an important ecological role as termite consumers, and aardvarks are suggested to be ecosystem engineers. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the spatial and temporal niche of insectivores like aardwolves and aardvarks, suggesting high spatial and temporal niche overlap in which commensalism occurs, whereby aardwolves benefit from aardvark presence through increased food accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merijn van den Bosch
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Kenneth F. Kellner
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Imani Mkasanga
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Stanslaus B. Mwampeta
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | | | | | - Brent R. Patterson
- Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcesTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
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2
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Mayer AE, Ganoe LS, Brown C, Gerber BD. Diel activity structures the occurrence of a mammal community in a human-dominated landscape. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10684. [PMID: 37928195 PMCID: PMC10620569 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic developments alter the environment and resources available to wildlife communities. In response to these real or perceived threats from this development, species may adjust their spatial occurrence. Additionally, wildlife species may adjust when in diel time (24-h light-dark cycle) they occupy sites on the landscape to adapt to changing conditions. However, many wildlife studies only focus on where a species does and does not occur, ignoring how species may shift their diel activity at sites to mitigate threats. We used a multi-state diel occupancy modeling framework to investigate how a community of mammals (mesocarnivores, urban-adapted omnivores, and herbivore/small mammals) respond to differing levels of anthropogenic development and forest cover across two climatic seasons. We collected camera trap data at 240 survey locations across the summer and winter of 2021-2022. We modeled multi-state diel occupancy for 14 mammal species with extent of development/forest and season hypothesized to influence diel occupancy and season hypothesized to influence the probability of detection. We found that all species displayed heterogeneity in both diel occupancy and detection either by extent of development/forest and or season. Within the mesocarnivore species group, coyote and red fox were less sensitive to development and had higher occupancy probability at these sites in general but used them more during the night, while more sensitive mesocarnivores including fisher and bobcat occupied the day state only when there was increasing forest cover. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating diel activity in habitat modeling to better understand the relationship between a species and its landscape, particularly in a region that is vulnerable to increased anthropogenic pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E. Mayer
- Department of Natural Resources ScienceUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonRhode IslandUSA
| | - Laken S. Ganoe
- Department of Natural Resources ScienceUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonRhode IslandUSA
| | - Charles Brown
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementDivision of Fish and WildlifeWest KingstonRhode IslandUSA
| | - Brian D. Gerber
- Department of Natural Resources ScienceUniversity of Rhode IslandKingstonRhode IslandUSA
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3
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Kilfoil JP, Quinn TP, Wirsing AJ. Human effects on brown bear diel activity may facilitate subadults foraging on Pacific salmon. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
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4
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Strampelli P, Henschel P, Searle CE, Macdonald DW, Dickman AJ. Spatial co-occurrence patterns of sympatric large carnivores in a multi-use African system. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280420. [PMID: 36662874 PMCID: PMC9858824 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Interspecific interactions can be a key driver of habitat use, and must be accounted for in conservation planning. However, spatial partitioning between African carnivores, and how this varies with scale, remains poorly understood. Furthermore, most studies have taken place within small or highly protected areas, rather than in the heterogeneous, mixed-use landscapes characteristic of much of modern Africa. Here, we provide one of the first empirical investigations into population-level competitive interactions among an African large carnivore guild. We collected detection/non-detection data for an eastern African large carnivore guild in Tanzania's Ruaha-Rungwa conservation landscape, over an area of ~45,000 km2. We then applied conditional co-occupancy models to investigate co-occurrence between lion, leopard, and African wild dog, at two biologically meaningful scales. Co-occurrence patterns of cheetah and spotted hyaena could not be modelled. After accounting for habitat and detection effects, we found some evidence of wild dog avoidance of lion at the home range scale, and strong evidence of fine-scale avoidance. We found no evidence of interspecific exclusion of leopard by lion; rather, positive associations were observed at both scales, suggesting shared habitat preferences. We found little evidence of leopard habitat use being affected by wild dog. Our findings also reveal some interspecific effects on species detection, at both scales. In most cases, habitat use was driven more strongly by other habitat effects, such as biotic resources or anthropogenic pressures, than by interspecific pressures, even where evidence of the latter was present. Overall, our results help shed light on interspecific effects within an assemblage that has rarely been examined at this scale. We also demonstrate the effectiveness of sign-based co-occurrence modelling to describe interspecific spatial patterns of sympatric large carnivores across large scales. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for large carnivore conservation in modern African systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Strampelli
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lion Landscapes, Iringa, Tanzania
- Panthera, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Charlotte E. Searle
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lion Landscapes, Iringa, Tanzania
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Amy J. Dickman
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lion Landscapes, Iringa, Tanzania
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5
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Pal R, Panwar A, Goyal SP, Sathyakumar S. Changes in ecological conditions may influence intraguild competition: inferring interaction patterns of snow leopard with co-predators. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14277. [PMID: 36312761 PMCID: PMC9615993 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Large-scale changes in habitat conditions due to human modifications and climate change require management practices to consider how species communities can alter amidst these changes. Understanding species interactions across the gradient of space, anthropogenic pressure, and season provide the opportunity to anticipate possible dynamics in the changing scenarios. We studied the interspecific interactions of carnivore species in a high-altitude ecosystem over seasonal (summer and winter) and resource gradients (livestock grazing) to assess the impact of changing abiotic and biotic settings on coexistence. Methods The study was conducted in the Upper Bhagirathi basin, Western Himalaya, India. We analyzed around 4 years of camera trap monitoring data to understand seasonal spatial and temporal interactions of the snow leopard with common leopard and woolly wolf were assessed in the greater and trans-Himalayan habitats, respectively. We used two species occupancy models to assess spatial interactions, and circadian activity patterns were used to assess seasonal temporal overlap amongst carnivores. In addition, we examined scats to understand the commonalities in prey selection. Results The result showed that although snow leopard and wolves depend on the same limited prey species and show high temporal overlap, habitat heterogeneity and differential habitat use facilitate co-occurrence between these two predators. Snow leopard and common leopard were spatially independent in the summer. Conversely, the common leopard negatively influences the space use of snow leopard in the winter. Limited prey resources (lack of livestock), restricted space (due to snow cover), and similar activity patterns in winter might result in strong competition, causing these species to avoid each other on a spatial scale. The study showed that in addition to species traits and size, ecological settings also play a significant role in deciding the intensity of competition between large carnivores. Climate change and habitat shifts are predicted to increase the spatial overlap between snow leopard and co-predators in the future. In such scenarios, wolves and snow leopards may coexist in a topographically diverse environment, provided sufficient prey are available. However, shifts in tree line might lead to severe competition between common leopards and snow leopards, which could be detrimental to the latter. Further monitoring of resource use across abiotic and biotic environments may improve our understanding of how changing ecological conditions can affect resource partitioning between snow leopards and predators.
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Parren MK, Furnas BJ, Barton DC, Nelson MD, Clucas B. Drought and coyotes mediate mesopredator response to human disturbance. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Molly K. Parren
- Department of Wildlife California Polytechnic State University Humboldt California USA
| | - Brett J. Furnas
- Wildlife Health Laboratory California Department of Fish and Wildlife Rancho Cordova California USA
| | - Daniel C. Barton
- Department of Wildlife California Polytechnic State University Humboldt California USA
| | - Misty D. Nelson
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Sacramento California USA
| | - Barbara Clucas
- Department of Wildlife California Polytechnic State University Humboldt California USA
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Malhotra R, Lima S, Harris NC. Temporal refuges of a subordinate carnivore vary across rural–urban gradient. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9310. [PMID: 36188497 PMCID: PMC9492470 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rumaan Malhotra
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Samantha Lima
- Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana USA
| | - Nyeema C. Harris
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab School of the Environment, Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
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Tanigawa K, Makino Y, Miura N, Umeki K, Hirao T. Scale-dependent habitat selection of sympatric mesocarnivore species in a cool temperate forest in eastern Japan. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00303-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Lonsinger RC. Co-occurrence models fail to infer underlying patterns of avoidance and aggregation when closure is violated. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9104. [PMID: 35845361 PMCID: PMC9273567 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in multi‐species monitoring have prompted an increase in the use of multi‐species occupancy analyses to assess patterns of co‐occurrence among species, even when data were collected at scales likely violating the assumption that sites were closed to changes in the occupancy state for the target species. Violating the closure assumption may lead to erroneous conclusions related to patterns of co‐occurrence among species. Occurrence for two hypothetical species was simulated under patterns of avoidance, aggregation, or independence, when the closure assumption was either met or not. Simulated populations were sampled at two levels (N = 250 or 100 sites) and two scales of temporal resolution for surveys. Sample data were analyzed with conditional two‐species occupancy models, and performance was assessed based on the proportion of simulations recovering the true pattern of co‐occurrence. Estimates of occupancy were unbiased when closure was met, but biased when closure violations occurred; bias increased when sample size was small and encounter histories were collapsed to a large‐scale temporal resolution. When closure was met and patterns of avoidance and aggregation were simulated, conditional two‐species models tended to correctly find support for non‐independence, and estimated species interaction factors (SIF) aligned with predicted values. By contrast, when closure was violated, models tended to incorrectly infer a pattern of independence and power to detect simulated patterns of avoidance or aggregation that decreased with smaller sample size. Results suggest that when the closure assumption is violated, co‐occurrence models often fail to detect underlying patterns of avoidance or aggregation, and incorrectly identify a pattern of independence among species, which could have negative consequences for our understanding of species interactions and conservation efforts. Thus, when closure is violated, inferred patterns of independence from multi‐species occupancy should be interpreted cautiously, and evidence of avoidance or aggregation is likely a conservative estimate of true pattern or interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Lonsinger
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma USA
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10
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Frey S, Tejero D, Baillie‐David K, Burton AC, Fisher JT. Predator control alters wolf interactions with prey and competitor species over the diel cycle. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Frey
- School of Environmental Studies, Univ. of Victoria Victoria BC Canada
| | - Daniel Tejero
- Univ. de Alcalá de Henares, Alcalá de Henares Madrid Spain
| | | | - A. Cole Burton
- Dept of Forest Resources Management, Univ. of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Jason T. Fisher
- School of Environmental Studies, Univ. of Victoria Victoria BC Canada
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11
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Di Bitetti MS, Iezzi ME, Cruz P, Cirignoli S, Varela D, De Angelo C. Enemies or good neighbors? No indication of spatial or temporal avoidance between two sympatric South
American canids. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. S. Di Bitetti
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) ‐ CONICET Puerto Iguazú Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico Puerto Iguazú Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales UNaM Eldorado Argentina
| | - M. E. Iezzi
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) ‐ CONICET Puerto Iguazú Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico Puerto Iguazú Argentina
| | - P. Cruz
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) ‐ CONICET Puerto Iguazú Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico Puerto Iguazú Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales UNaM Eldorado Argentina
| | - S. Cirignoli
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico Puerto Iguazú Argentina
| | - D. Varela
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) ‐ CONICET Puerto Iguazú Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico Puerto Iguazú Argentina
| | - C. De Angelo
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico Puerto Iguazú Argentina
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra Biodiversidad y Ambiente (ICBIA) Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (UNRC) – CONICET Río Cuarto Argentina
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12
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The effect of urbanization on spatiotemporal interactions between gray foxes and coyotes. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Zanón Martínez JI, Seoane J, Kelly MJ, Sarasola JH, Travaini A. Assessing carnivore spatial co-occurrence and temporal overlap in the face of human interference in a semiarid forest. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e02482. [PMID: 34674337 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Apex predators drive top-down effects in ecosystems and the loss of such species can trigger mesopredator release. This ecological process has been well documented in human-modified small areas, but for management and conservation of ecological communities, it is important to know which human factors affect apex predator occurrence and which mediate mesopredators release at large scales. We hypothesized that mesopredators would avoid spatial and temporal overlap with the apex predator, the puma; but that human perturbations (i.e., cattle raising and trophy hunting) would dampen top-down effects and mediate habitat use. We installed 16 camera traps in each of 45, 10 × 10 km grid cells in the Caldén forest region of central Argentina resulting in 706 total stations covering 61,611 km2 . We used single-season occupancy and two-species co-occurrence models and calculated the species interaction factor (SIF) to explore the contributions of habitat, biotic, and anthropic variables in explaining co-occurrence between carnivore pairs. We also used kernel density estimation techniques to analyze temporal overlap in activity patterns of the carnivore guild. We found that puma habitat use increased with abundance of large prey and with proximity to protected areas. Geoffroy's cats and skunks spatially avoided pumas and this effect was strong and mediated by distance to protected areas and game reserves, but pumas did not influence pampas fox and pampas cat space use. At medium and low levels of puma occupancy, we found evidence of spatial avoidance between three pairs of mesocarnivores. All predators were mostly nocturnal and crepuscular across seasons and mesopredators showed little consistent evidence of changing activity patterns with varying levels of puma occupancy or human interference. We found potential for mesopredator release at large scale, especially on the spatial niche axis. Our results suggest that a combination of interacting factors, in conjunction with habitat features and intervening human activities, may make mesopredator release unlikely or difficult to discern at broad scales. Overall, we believe that promoting the creation of new protected areas linked by small forest patches would likely lead to increased predator and prey abundances, as well as the interactions among carnivores inside and outside of protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan I Zanón Martínez
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Avenida Uruguay 151, 6300, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
- Centro para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves Rapaces en Argentina, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Avenida Uruguay 151, 6300, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Javier Seoane
- Terrestrial Ecology Group-TEG, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin, 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcella J Kelly
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 146 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061-0321, USA
| | - José Hernán Sarasola
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Avenida Uruguay 151, 6300, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
- Centro para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves Rapaces en Argentina, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Avenida Uruguay 151, 6300, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Travaini
- Centro de Investigación de Puerto Deseado, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, CONICET, Avenida Prefectura Naval s/n, 9050, Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz, Argentina
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Bolas EC, Sollmann R, Crooks KR, Boydston EE, Shaskey L, Boser CL, Dillon A, Van Vuren DH. Role of microhabitat and temporal activity in facilitating coexistence of endemic carnivores on the California Channel Islands. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Most extinctions worldwide have occurred on islands, primarily due to interactions with exotic species, but rarely due to interactions among endemic species. This potential exists on two of the California Channel Islands, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, as endemic island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala) appear to have rapidly declined to rarity, possibly due to interference competition with endemic island foxes (Urocyon littoralis). Niche partitioning is expected in response to interference competition; hence, it is surprising that skunks and foxes show extensive overlap in macrohabitat use and circadian activity. However, the role of microhabitat associations and fine-scale temporal activity in facilitating coexistence of the two species has not been explored. We evaluated microhabitat associations of island spotted skunks and island foxes across both islands using data from live traps and wildlife cameras collected during 2015–2017, and we analyzed fine-scale temporal activity using camera data from 2016 and 2017. On both islands, skunks had a positive response to ground-level cover provided by rugged topography or woody vegetation such as shrubs or trees, whereas foxes had a weak or negative response, suggesting partitioning of these microhabitat characteristics. Additionally, on both islands the peak in timing of skunk activity offset the peak for foxes, which implies that skunks use fine-scale adjustments in activity to avoid foxes. Past grazing by exotic herbivores likely reduced habitat refuges for skunks; however, as vegetation on both islands recovers, regrowth of shrubs and trees may provide cover that will improve prospects for coexistence of island spotted skunks and island foxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C Bolas
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kevin R Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 115 Wagar, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Laura Shaskey
- Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA, USA
| | | | - Adam Dillon
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 115 Wagar, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Dirk H Van Vuren
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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15
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McHugh D, Goldingay RL. Utilising power analyses and occupancy modelling to inform population monitoring of the regionally endangered black‐striped wallaby (
Macropus dorsalis
) in New South Wales. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13132] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Darren McHugh
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Tweed Byron Area, 135 Murwillumbah Street Murwillumbah New South Wales 2484 Australia
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University East Lismore New South Wales Australia
| | - Ross L. Goldingay
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering Southern Cross University East Lismore New South Wales Australia
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16
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Phumanee W, Steinmetz R, Phoonjampa R, Bejraburnin T, Bhumpakphan N, Savini T. Coexistence of large carnivore species in relation to their major prey in Thailand. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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17
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Prude CH, Cain JW. Habitat diversity influences puma Puma concolor diet in the Chihuahuan Desert. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles H. Prude
- C. H. Prude, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Dept of Fish Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM, USA and Turner Biodiversity, Turner Enterprises Inc., Engle, NM, USA
| | - James W. Cain
- J. W. Cain III (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4743516X) ✉ , U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Dept of Fish Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM, USA
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18
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Gámez S, Harris NC. Living in the concrete jungle: carnivore spatial ecology in urban parks. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02393. [PMID: 34164878 PMCID: PMC9285087 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
People and wildlife are living in an increasingly urban world, replete with unprecedented human densities, sprawling built environments, and altered landscapes. Such anthropogenic pressures can affect multiple processes within an ecological community, from spatial patterns to interspecific interactions. We tested two competing hypotheses, human shields vs. human competitors, to characterize how humans affect the carnivore community using multispecies occupancy models. From 2017 to 2020, we conducted the first camera survey of city parks in Detroit, Michigan, and collected spatial occurrence data of the local native carnivore community. Our 12,106-trap night survey captured detection data for coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis). Overall occupancy varied across species (Ψcoyote = 0.40, Ψraccoon = 0.54, Ψred fox = 0.19, Ψstriped skunk = 0.09). Contrary to expectations, humans did not significantly affect individual occupancy for these urban carnivores. However, co-occurrence between coyote and skunk increased with human activity. The observed positive spatial association between an apex and subordinate pair supports the human shield hypothesis. Our findings demonstrate how urban carnivores can exploit spatial refugia and coexist with humans in the cityscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siria Gámez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Michigan1101 North University AvenueAnn ArborMichigan48106USA
| | - Nyeema C. Harris
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of Michigan1101 North University AvenueAnn ArborMichigan48106USA
- Applied Wildlife Ecology LabSchool of the EnvironmentYale University195 Prospect St.New HavenConnecticut06511USA
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Wentzel J, Gall C, Bourn M, De Beer J, du Plessis F, Fosgate GT. Carnivore Detection at the Domestic/Wildlife Interface within Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092535. [PMID: 34573501 PMCID: PMC8466448 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The management of carnivore populations in protected areas includes disease management and census taking. The presence of prey species and environmental variables influence the detection of wild carnivore species. The aim of this study was to identify the important predictors of wild carnivore detection within two South African wildlife reserves using motion-detection camera traps. The study further investigated the difference between traditional census call-up surveys and camera traps within nearby locations. Buffalo, impala, and warthog were associated with lion and spotted hyena detections. Detections of lions and spotted hyenas and also leopards and spotted hyena were correlated, suggesting competition between these wild carnivore species. Competition among wild carnivore species has importance for implementing appropriate management procedures, including infectious disease prevention. Abstract South African protected areas account for 8% of the total landmass according to World Bank indicators. Effective conservation of biodiversity in protected areas requires the development of specific reserve management objectives addressing species and disease management. The primary objective of the current study was to identify predictors of carnivore detection in an effort to inform carnivore species management plans on Andover and Manyeleti nature reserves in South Africa. A limited number of camera traps were placed randomly using a grid system. Species detection data were analysed using mixed-effects logistic regression and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Deterministic inverse distance weighted distribution maps were used to describe the spatial distribution of carnivore species. Camera traps identified similar species as traditional call-up surveys during the study and would be useful as an adjunct census method. Carnivore detection was associated with several variables, including the presence of specific prey species. The measured intra-and interspecies interactions suggested the risk of disease transmission among species, and vaccination for prevalent diseases should be considered to manage this risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Wentzel
- Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; (F.d.P.); (G.T.F.)
- Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- Correspondence:
| | - Cory Gall
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, 2290NE, Westwood, #T204, Pullman, WA 99163, USA;
| | - Mark Bourn
- Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa; (M.B.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Juan De Beer
- Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa; (M.B.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Ferreira du Plessis
- Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; (F.d.P.); (G.T.F.)
- Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa; (M.B.); (J.D.B.)
| | - Geoffrey T. Fosgate
- Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; (F.d.P.); (G.T.F.)
- Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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Henderson T, Fancourt BA, Rajaratnam R, Vernes K, Ballard G. Spatial and temporal interactions between endangered spotted‐tailed quolls and introduced red foxes in a fragmented landscape. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Henderson
- Ecosystem Management School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
| | - B. A. Fancourt
- Ecosystem Management School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
| | - R. Rajaratnam
- Geography and Planning School of Humanities and Social Science University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
| | - K. Vernes
- Ecosystem Management School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
| | - G. Ballard
- Ecosystem Management School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit Department of Primary Industries University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
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21
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Sévêque A, Gentle LK, Vicente López‐Bao J, Yarnell RW, Uzal A. Impact of human disturbance on temporal partitioning within carnivore communities. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Sévêque
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Louise K. Gentle
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | | | - Richard W. Yarnell
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Antonio Uzal
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
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22
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Beltrami E, Gálvez N, Osorio C, Kelly MJ, Morales-Moraga D, Bonacic C. Ravines as conservation strongholds for small wildcats under pressure from free-ranging dogs and cats in Mediterranean landscapes of Chile. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2021.1933691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Beltrami
- Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Nicolás Gálvez
- Pontificia Universidad Católica De Chile, Wildlife Ecology and Coexistence Laboratory, Centre in Research of Local Development (CEDEL), Villarrica, Chile
| | - Christian Osorio
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
- Department of Ecology, Proyecto Carnívoros Australes, Región del Maule, Chile
| | - Marcella J. Kelly
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - David Morales-Moraga
- Center of Global Change, Department of Ecosystems and the Environment, School of Agronomy and Forestry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristian Bonacic
- Fauna Australis Wildlife Laboratory, Department of Ecosystems and the Environment, School of Agronomy and Forestry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Murphy A, Diefenbach DR, Ternent M, Lovallo M, Miller D. Threading the needle: How humans influence predator-prey spatiotemporal interactions in a multiple-predator system. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2377-2390. [PMID: 34048031 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Perceived predation risk and the resulting antipredator behaviour varies across space, time and predator identity. Communities with multiple predators that interact and differ in their use of space, time of activity and hunting mode create a complex landscape for prey to avoid predation. Anthropogenic presence and disturbance have the potential to shift interactions among predators and prey and the where and when encounters occur. We examined how white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus fawn spatiotemporal antipredator behaviour differed along an anthropogenic disturbance gradient that had black bears Ursus americanus, coyotes Canis latrans, bobcats Lynx rufus and humans present. We quantified (a) spatial co-occurrence in species distributions, (b) temporal overlap across the diel cycle and (c) spatiotemporal associations between humans, bears, coyotes, bobcats, adult male deer and fawns. We also examined how deer vigilance behaviour changed across the anthropogenic disturbance gradient and survey duration. Anthropogenic disturbance influenced spatiotemporal co-occurrence across multiple scales, often increasing spatiotemporal overlap among species. In general, species' spatial co-occurrence was neutral or positive in anthropogenically disturbed environments. Bears and fawns, coyotes and adult male deer, and bobcats and fawns all had higher temporal overlap in the agriculture-development matrix sites. In addition, factors that influenced deer vigilance (e.g. distance to forest edge and predator relative abundance) in the agriculture-development matrix sites did not in the forest matrix site. By taking into account the different antipredator behaviours that can be detected and the different scales these behaviours might occur, we were able to gain a more comprehensive picture of how humans reduce available niche space for wildlife, creating the neutral and positive spatiotemporal associations between species that studies have been seeing in more disturbed areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asia Murphy
- Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, 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
| | - Mark Ternent
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - Matt Lovallo
- Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - David Miller
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Lewis JS, Spaulding S, Swanson H, Keeley W, Gramza AR, VandeWoude S, Crooks KR. Human activity influences wildlife populations and activity patterns: implications for spatial and temporal refuges. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse S. Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and Arts Arizona State University Mesa Arizona85212USA
| | - Susan Spaulding
- Boulder County Parks and Open Space Longmont Colorado80503USA
| | - Heather Swanson
- City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Boulder Colorado80303USA
| | - William Keeley
- City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Boulder Colorado80303USA
| | - Ashley R. Gramza
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
| | - Kevin R. Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado80523USA
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25
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Herzog CJ, Bateman HL. Using Trail Cameras to Document Meso and Large Mammal Use of Native and Nonnative Riparian Forest Types in Southeastern Arizona. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2021. [DOI: 10.3398/064.081.0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheyenne J. Herzog
- Arizona State University, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Mesa, AZ 85212
| | - Heather L. Bateman
- Arizona State University, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Mesa, AZ 85212
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26
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Estimation of spatial and temporal overlap in three ungulate species in a Mediterranean environment. MAMMAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-020-00548-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractInterspecific interactions are key drivers in structuring animal communities. Sympatric animals may show such behavioural patterns as the differential use of space and/or time to avoid competitive encounters. We took advantage of the ecological conditions of our study area, inhabited by different ungulate species, to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of Capreolus capreolus, Dama dama and Sus scrofa. We estimated intraspecific interaction arising from the concomitant use of resources by using camera trapping. We collected 2741 videos with the three ungulates, which showed peculiar activity patterns. The three species were observed in all the habitat types of the study area over the four seasons, thus highlighting an evident spatial overlap. Moreover, our analysis demonstrated that the three species did not avoid each other through temporal segregation of their activities, rather showing a high overlap of daily activity rhythms, though with differences among the species and the seasons. Despite the high spatial and temporal overlap, the three species seemed to adopt segregation through fine-scale spatial avoidance: at an hourly level, the proportion of sites where the species were observed together was relatively low. This spatio-temporal segregation revealed complex and alternative behavioural strategies, which likely facilitated intra-guild sympatry among the studied species. Both temporal and spatio-temporal overlap reached the highest values in summer, when environmental conditions were more demanding. Given these results, we may presume that different drivers (e.g. temperature, human disturbance), which are likely stronger than interspecific interactions, affected activity rhythms and fine-scale spatial use of the studied species.
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27
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Novella‐Fernandez R, Ibañez C, Juste J, Clare EL, Doncaster CP, Razgour O. Trophic resource partitioning drives fine-scale coexistence in cryptic bat species. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:14122-14136. [PMID: 33391705 PMCID: PMC7771180 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the processes that enable species coexistence has important implications for assessing how ecological systems will respond to global change. Morphology and functional similarity increase the potential for competition, and therefore, co-occurring morphologically similar but genetically unique species are a good model system for testing coexistence mechanisms. We used DNA metabarcoding and high-throughput sequencing to characterize for the first time the trophic ecology of two recently described cryptic bat species with parapatric ranges, Myotis escalerai and Myotis crypticus. We collected fecal samples from allopatric and sympatric regions and from syntopic and allotopic locations within the sympatric region to describe the diets both taxonomically and functionally and compare prey consumption with prey availability. The two bat species had highly similar diets characterized by high arthropod diversity, particularly Lepidoptera, Diptera and Araneae, and a high proportion of prey that is not volant at night, which points to extensive use of gleaning. Diet overlap at the prey item level was lower in syntopic populations, supporting trophic shift under fine-scale co-occurrence. Furthermore, the diet of M. escalerai had a marginally lower proportion of not nocturnally volant prey in syntopic populations, suggesting that the shift in diet may be driven by a change in foraging mode. Our findings suggest that fine-scale coexistence mechanisms can have implications for maintaining broad-scale diversity patterns. This study highlights the importance of including both allopatric and sympatric populations and choosing meaningful spatial scales for detecting ecological patterns. We conclude that a combination of high taxonomic resolution with a functional approach helps identify patterns of niche shift.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Javier Juste
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC)SevillaSpain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP)MadridSpain
| | - Elizabeth L. Clare
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Orly Razgour
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- BiosciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
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28
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Azevedo FC, Lemos FG, Freitas‐Junior MC, Arrais RC, Morato RG, Azevedo FCC. The importance of forests for an apex predator: spatial ecology and habitat selection by pumas in an agroecosystem. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12659] [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)
- F. C. Azevedo
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Universidade Federal de Viçosa Minas Gerais Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Unidade Acadêmica Especial de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal de Catalão Goiás Brazil
| | - F. G. Lemos
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Unidade Acadêmica Especial de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal de Catalão Goiás Brazil
| | - M. C. Freitas‐Junior
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Unidade Acadêmica Especial de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal de Catalão Goiás Brazil
| | - R. C. Arrais
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia, Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - R. G. Morato
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos Carnívoros Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade São Paulo Brazil
| | - F. C. C. Azevedo
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei Minas Gerais Brazil
- Instituto Pró‐Carnívoros Atibaia SP Brazil
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29
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Prat-Guitart M, Onorato DP, Hines JE, Oli MK. Spatiotemporal pattern of interactions between an apex predator and sympatric species. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Increases in apex predator abundance can influence the behavior of sympatric species, particularly when the available habitat and/or resources are limited. We assessed the temporal and spatiotemporal interactions between Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and six focal sympatric species in South Florida, where Florida panther abundance has increased by more than 6-fold since the 1990’s. Using camera trap data, we quantified species’ diel activity patterns, temporal overlap, and time-to-encounter (i.e., time between consecutive visits of a Florida panther and a focal species and vice versa). The Florida panther and bobcat (Lynx rufus) displayed a nocturnal activity pattern; the black bear (Ursus americanus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) were mostly diurnal; and the raccoon (Procyon lotor) was cathemeral. Prey species and black bears minimized encounters with Florida panthers by being active during the day and displaying longer time-to-encounter, whereas Florida panthers visited a site after a prey species at higher probabilities than after competitor species, and were more likely to visit an elevated site or upland habitat. Our results suggest that interactions between Florida panthers and sympatric species in our study system are driven by species-specific behavioral responses. Gaining a better understanding of the crucial interactions driving species coexistence is important for a better understanding of the structure and function of ecological communities and help manage the potential expansion of the Florida panther into Central Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Prat-Guitart
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David P Onorato
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Naples, FL, USA
| | - James E Hines
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Madan K Oli
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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30
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Sévêque A, Gentle LK, López-Bao JV, Yarnell RW, Uzal A. Human disturbance has contrasting effects on niche partitioning within carnivore communities. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1689-1705. [PMID: 32666614 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Among species, coexistence is driven partly by the partitioning of available resources. The mechanisms of coexistence and competition among species have been a central topic within community ecology, with particular focus on mammalian carnivore community research. However, despite growing concern regarding the impact of humans on the behaviour of species, very little is known about the effect of humans on species interactions. The aim of this review is to establish a comprehensive framework for the impacts of human disturbance on three dimensions (spatial, temporal and trophic) of niche partitioning within carnivore communities and subsequent effects on both intraguild competition and community structure. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on carnivore niche partitioning (246 studies) and extracted 46 reported effects of human disturbance. We found evidence that human disturbance impacts resource partitioning, either positively or negatively, in all three niche dimensions. The repercussions of such variations are highly heterogeneous and differ according to both the type of human disturbance and how the landscape and/or availability of resources are affected. We propose a theoretical framework of the three main outcomes for the impacts of human disturbance on intraguild competition and carnivore community structure: (i) human disturbance impedes niche partitioning, increasing intraguild competition and reducing the richness and diversity of the community; (ii) human disturbance unbalances niche partitioning and intraguild competition, affecting community stability; and (iii) human disturbance facilitates niche partitioning, decreasing intraguild competition and enriching the community. We call for better integration of the impact of humans on carnivore communities in future research on interspecific competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Sévêque
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Louise K Gentle
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - José V López-Bao
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO/CSIC/PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, 33600, Spain
| | - Richard W Yarnell
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Antonio Uzal
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
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31
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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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32
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Robins CW, Kertson BN, Faulkner JR, Wirsing AJ. Effects of urbanization on cougar foraging ecology along the wildland–urban gradient of western Washington. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Clint W. Robins
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Box 352100 Seattle Washington 98195 USA
| | - Brian N. Kertson
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 1775 12th Avenue NW, Suite 201 Issaquah Washington 98027 USA
| | - James R. Faulkner
- Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management University of Washington Box 357941 Seattle 98195 USA
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2725 Montlake Boulevard East Seattle Washington 98112 USA
| | - Aaron J. Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Box 352100 Seattle Washington 98195 USA
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Miller JRB, Pitman RT, Mann GKH, Fuller AK, Balme GA. Lions and leopards coexist without spatial, temporal or demographic effects of interspecific competition. J Anim Ecol 2018; 87:1709-1726. [PMID: 30010193 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although interspecific competition plays a principal role in shaping species behaviour and demography, little is known about the population-level outcomes of competition between large carnivores, and the mechanisms that facilitate coexistence. We conducted a multilandscape analysis of two widely distributed, threatened large carnivore competitors to offer insight into coexistence strategies and assist with species-level conservation. We evaluated how interference competition affects occupancy, temporal activity and population density of a dominant competitor, the lion (Panthera leo), and its subordinate competitor, the leopard (Panthera pardus). We collected camera-trap data over 3 years in 10 study sites covering 5,070 km2 . We used multispecies occupancy modelling to assess spatial responses in varying environmental and prey conditions and competitor presence, and examined temporal overlap and the relationship between lion and leopard densities across sites and years. Results showed that both lion and leopard occupancy was independent of-rather than conditional on-their competitor's presence across all environmental covariates. Marginal occupancy probability for leopard was higher in areas with more bushy, "hideable" habitat, human (tourist) activity and topographic ruggedness, whereas lion occupancy decreased with increasing hideable habitat and increased with higher abundance of very large prey. Temporal overlap was high between carnivores, and there was no detectable relationship between species densities. Lions pose a threat to the survival of individual leopards, but they exerted no tractable influence on leopard spatial or temporal dynamics. Furthermore, lions did not appear to suppress leopard populations, suggesting that intraguild competitors can coexist in the same areas without population decline. Aligned conservation strategies that promote functioning ecosystems, rather than target individual species, are therefore advised to achieve cost- and space-effective conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R B Miller
- Panthera, New York, New York.,Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.,Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Ross T Pitman
- Panthera, New York, New York.,Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gareth K H Mann
- Panthera, New York, New York.,Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Angela K Fuller
- New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Guy A Balme
- Panthera, New York, New York.,Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Cruz P, Iezzi ME, De Angelo C, Varela D, Di Bitetti MS, Paviolo A. Effects of human impacts on habitat use, activity patterns and ecological relationships among medium and small felids of the Atlantic Forest. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200806. [PMID: 30067785 PMCID: PMC6070200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Competition theory and niche theory suggest that two morphologically similar species may coexist by reducing the overlap of at least one dimension of their ecological niche. The medium and small Neotropical felids are an interesting group of carnivore species for studying intraguild competition. Due to differences in size it is expected that the larger ocelot exert strong interference competition on the smaller felids (southern tiger cat, margay and jaguarundi); which, in turn, may exert exploitative competition among themselves. Moreover, landscape changes due to human activities may alter these interspecific interactions. We studied the habitat use and the spatial and temporal interspecific relations of the medium and small Atlantic Forest felids, in a landscape with different levels of anthropogenic impact. We estimated the detection probability, and occupancy probability of these cats and whether these parameters are affected by environmental and anthropogenic variables or by the estimated occupancy and detection probability of the ocelot. We estimated the overlap in daily activity patterns between pairs of the four species and changes in their activity in response to anthropogenic impact. We also studied the potential changes that may have occurred in the daily activity of the small felids in relation to ocelot's occupancy probability. The probability of habitat use of the small- and medium-size felids was negatively associated to the intensity of landscape use by humans. Co-occurrence models indicated that the probability of habitat use by southern tiger cats decreased with ocelot occupancy probability. This effect was higher as human disturbance increased. Moreover, the ocelot and the southern tiger cat became more nocturnal in sites with higher human access, suggesting that they may be temporally avoiding encounters with humans or dogs. Conservation of medium and small felids in the Atlantic Forest depends not only on the establishment and implementations of protected areas but also on the management of human's land uses.
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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
- * E-mail:
| | - 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), Misiones, Argentina
| | - Agustin Paviolo
- 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
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Kronfeld-Schor N, Visser ME, Salis L, van Gils JA. Chronobiology of interspecific interactions in a changing world. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0248. [PMID: 28993492 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals should time activities, such as foraging, migration and reproduction, as well as seasonal physiological adaptation, in a way that maximizes fitness. The fitness outcome of such activities depends largely on their interspecific interactions; the temporal overlap with other species determines when they should be active in order to maximize their encounters with food and to minimize their encounters with predators, competitors and parasites. To cope with the constantly changing, but predictable structure of the environment, organisms have evolved internal biological clocks, which are synchronized mainly by light, the most predictable and reliable environmental cue (but which can be masked by other variables), which enable them to anticipate and prepare for predicted changes in the timing of the species they interact with, on top of responding to them directly. Here, we review examples where the internal timing system is used to predict interspecific interactions, and how these interactions affect the internal timing system and activity patterns. We then ask how plastic these mechanisms are, how this plasticity differs between and within species and how this variability in plasticity affects interspecific interactions in a changing world, in which light, the major synchronizer of the biological clock, is no longer a reliable cue owing to the rapidly changing climate, the use of artificial light and urbanization.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcel E Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), PO 50, Wageningen 6700 AB, The Netherlands
| | - Lucia Salis
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), PO 50, Wageningen 6700 AB, The Netherlands
| | - Jan A van Gils
- Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, PO Box 59, Den Burg 1790 AB, The Netherlands
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Azevedo FC, Lemos FG, Freitas‐Junior MC, Rocha DG, Azevedo FCC. Puma activity patterns and temporal overlap with prey in a human‐modified landscape at Southeastern Brazil. J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. C. Azevedo
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Universidade Federal de Viçosa Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - F. G. Lemos
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Instituto de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal de Goiás/Regional Catalão Goiás Brazil
| | | | - D. G. Rocha
- Grupo de Ecologia e Conservação de Felinos na Amazônia Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá Tefé Amazonas Brazil
- Graduate Group in Ecology Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology University of California Davis CA USA
| | - F. C. C. Azevedo
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei Minas Gerais Brazil
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Elbroch LM, Kusler A. Are pumas subordinate carnivores, and does it matter? PeerJ 2018; 6:e4293. [PMID: 29379688 PMCID: PMC5786880 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interspecific competition affects species fitness, community assemblages and structure, and the geographic distributions of species. Established dominance hierarchies among species mitigate the need for fighting and contribute to the realized niche for subordinate species. This is especially important for apex predators, many of which simultaneous contend with the costs of competition with more dominant species and the costs associated with human hunting and lethal management. METHODS Pumas are a widespread solitary felid heavily regulated through hunting to reduce conflicts with livestock and people. Across their range, pumas overlap with six apex predators (gray wolf, grizzly bear, American black bear, jaguar, coyote, maned wolf), two of which (gray wolf, grizzly bear) are currently expanding in North America following recovery efforts. We conducted a literature search to assess whether pumas were subordinate or dominant with sympatric apex predators, as well as with three felid mesocarnivores with similar ecology (ocelot, bobcat, Canada lynx). We also conducted an analysis of the spatial distributions of pumas and their dominant sympatric competitors to estimate in what part of their range, pumas are dominant versus subordinate. RESULTS We used 64 sources to assess dominance among pumas and other apex predators, and 13 sources to assess their relationships with felid mesocarnivores. Evidence suggested that wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, and jaguars are dominant over pumas, but that pumas are dominant over coyotes and maned wolves. Evidence suggested that pumas are also dominant over all three felid mesocarnivores with which they share range. More broadly, pumas are subordinate to at least one other apex carnivore in 10,799,252 (47.5%) of their 22,735,268 km2 range across North and South America. DISCUSSION Subordinate pumas change their habitat use, suffer displacement at food sources, likely experience increased energetic demands from harassment, exhibit increased starvation, and are sometimes directly killed in competitive interactions with dominant competitors. Nevertheless, we lack research clearly linking the costs of competition to puma fitness. Further, we lack research that assesses the influence of human effects simultaneous with the negative effects of competition with other sympatric carnivores. Until the time that we understand whether competitive effects are additive with human management, or even potentially synergistic, we encourage caution among managers responsible for determining harvest limits for pumas and other subordinate, apex carnivores in areas where they are sympatric with dominant species. This may be especially important information for managers working in regions where wolves and brown bears are recolonizing and recovering, and historic competition scenarios among multiple apex predators are being realized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Kusler
- Panthera, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Pace University Pleasantville/Briarcliff, Pleasantville, NY, United States of America
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Lewis JS, Logan KA, Alldredge MW, Carver S, Bevins SN, Lappin M, VandeWoude S, Crooks KR. The effects of demographic, social, and environmental characteristics on pathogen prevalence in wild felids across a gradient of urbanization. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187035. [PMID: 29121060 PMCID: PMC5679604 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmission of pathogens among animals is influenced by demographic, social, and environmental factors. Anthropogenic alteration of landscapes can impact patterns of disease dynamics in wildlife populations, increasing the potential for spillover and spread of emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, human, and domestic animal populations. We evaluated the effects of multiple ecological mechanisms on patterns of pathogen exposure in animal populations. Specifically, we evaluated how ecological factors affected the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasma), Bartonella spp. (Bartonella), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and feline calicivirus (FCV) in bobcat and puma populations across wildland-urban interface (WUI), low-density exurban development, and wildland habitat on the Western Slope (WS) and Front Range (FR) of Colorado during 2009-2011. Samples were collected from 37 bobcats and 29 pumas on the WS and FR. As predicted, age appeared to be positively related to the exposure to pathogens that are both environmentally transmitted (Toxoplasma) and directly transmitted between animals (FIV). In addition, WS bobcats appeared more likely to be exposed to Toxoplasma with increasing intraspecific space-use overlap. However, counter to our predictions, exposure to directly-transmitted pathogens (FCV and FIV) was more likely with decreasing space-use overlap (FCV: WS bobcats) and potential intraspecific contacts (FIV: FR pumas). Environmental factors, including urbanization and landscape covariates, were generally unsupported in our models. This study is an approximation of how pathogens can be evaluated in relation to demographic, social, and environmental factors to understand pathogen exposure in wild animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse S. Lewis
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Kenneth A. Logan
- Mammals Research, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Montrose, CO, United States of America
| | - Mat W. Alldredge
- Mammals Research, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Sarah N. Bevins
- USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services’ National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Michael Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Kevin R. Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
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Lendrum PE, Crooks KR, Wittemyer G. Changes in circadian activity patterns of a wildlife community post high-intensity energy development. J Mammal 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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Lewis JS, Logan KA, Alldredge MW, Theobald DM, VandeWoude S, Crooks KR. Contact networks reveal potential for interspecific interactions of sympatric wild felids driven by space use. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse S. Lewis
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | | | | | | | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Kevin R. Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
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Gilbertson MLJ, Carver S, VandeWoude S, Crooks KR, Lappin MR, Craft ME. Is pathogen exposure spatially autocorrelated? Patterns of pathogens in puma (Puma concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus). Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marie L. J. Gilbertson
- Department of Veterinary Population MedicineUniversity of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota 55455 USA
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and PathologyColorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Kevin R. Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation BiologyColorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Michael R. Lappin
- Department of Clinical SciencesColorado State University Fort Collins Colorado 80523 USA
| | - Meggan E. Craft
- Department of Veterinary Population MedicineUniversity of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota 55455 USA
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Massara RL, Paschoal AMO, Bailey LL, Doherty PF, Chiarello AG. Ecological interactions between ocelots and sympatric mesocarnivores in protected areas of the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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