1
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Bosse JW, Svenson GJ, Bowers TA, Bourges-Sevenier BM, Ritzmann RE. Context dependent effects on attack and defense behaviors in the praying mantis Tenodera sinensis. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275277. [PMID: 35502775 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Most behavior needs to strike a balance between the competing needs to find food and protect an animal from predators. The factors that influence this balance and the resulting behavior are not well understood in many animals. Here we examined these influences in the praying mantis Tenodera sinensis (Saussure) by presenting perching individuals with alternating sinusoidally moving prey-like stimuli and rapidly expanding looming stimuli then scoring their behavior on a defensive - aggressive scale. In this way, we tested the hypothesis that such behaviors are highly context dependent. Specifically, we found that defensive responses, which are normally very consistent, are decreased in magnitude if the animal has just performed an aggressive response to the previous sinusoid. A thrash behavior not normally seen with looming alone was often seen following aggression. In thrashing the animal tries to push the looming stimulus away. It almost exclusively followed aggressive responses to the sinusoid stimulus. Moreover, aggression levels were found to shift from low to high and back to low as adult animals aged and, in general, female mantises were more aggressive than males. Finally, the specific nature of the mid-life spike in aggressive behaviors differed according to whether the animals were lab-raised or caught in the wild. Lab raised animals showed roughly equal amounts of increased attention to the stimulus and very aggressive strike behaviors whereas wild caught animals tended to either ignore the stimulus or react very aggressively with strikes. Therefore, our hypothesis regarding context dependent effects was supported with all 4 factors influencing the behaviors that were studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W Bosse
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Gavin J Svenson
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Troy A Bowers
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Roy E Ritzmann
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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2
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Colonization of Urban Habitats: Tawny Owl Abundance Is Conditioned by Urbanization Structure. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102954. [PMID: 34679975 PMCID: PMC8532688 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural habitats are being altered and destroyed worldwide due to urbanization, leading to a decrease in species abundance and richness. Nevertheless, some species, including tawny owls, have successfully colonized this novel habitat. Consequences at the population level have not been described; thus, our main objective was to describe the effects that urban structure have on the tawny owl population at local and landscape levels. Data were obtained from 527 survey points over 7 months in a large-scale owl survey in the Basque Country (northern Spain) in 2018. At the local scale, the interaction between forest and urban cover affected tawny owl abundance, the optimum being in medium forested areas. The interaction between urban cover and clumpiness index (urban patch distribution) showed a generally negative effect. At the landscape scale, its abundance decreased in complex-shaped urban patches and when distance between them was greater. In conclusion, at the local scale, when a minimal forest structure is present in urbanized areas, the species can exploit it. At the landscape scale, it prefers smaller urban towns to cities. Thinking ahead, the current tendency toward "green capitals" should benefit tawny owl populations.
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3
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Malhotra R, Jiménez JE, Harris NC. Patch characteristics and domestic dogs differentially affect carnivore space use in fragmented landscapes in southern Chile. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13391] [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
Affiliation(s)
- Rumaan Malhotra
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Jaime E. Jiménez
- Advanced Environmental Research Institute Department of Biological Sciences University of North Texas Denton Texas USA
| | - Nyeema C. Harris
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab School of the Environment Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
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4
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Reinforcement of declining little owl (Athene noctua) population: A peculiar case of post-release habitat selection and underground roosting. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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5
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Endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus cyprius Readily Breeds in Artificial Nest Boxes. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061775. [PMID: 34198631 PMCID: PMC8232148 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061775] [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: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Nest boxes are considered a valid conservation tool in order to sustain wild populations of birds. The Cyprus Scops Owl was recently defined as a new species. However, the extant information on the species is sporadic and the population level is not confirmed. In order to evaluate the ability of the species to use nest boxes, and to understand its habitat preferences, we placed boxes in rural areas, at the forest edge, and in the Paphos Forest. We found that the Cyprus Scops Owl displayed a preference for the forest edge and rural areas; although we also had, several pairs occupy nest boxes in the forest. We show that the nest box strategy can be implemented if in the future the species is threatened. Abstract As is well-known, endemic island bird species are especially vulnerable to extinction from anthropogenic environmental change and reduced fitness compared with mainland taxa. The Cyprus Scops Owl, Otus cyprius, is a recently recognized island endemic species whose ecology and breeding biology have not been studied. It nests mainly in holes in trees and buildings, so the felling of old trees, modern architectural practices, and the renovation of old houses in villages may reduce nest site availability. Its population trend is also unknown. Therefore, to better determine its ecological requirements and habitat preferences we placed nest boxes in rural areas adjacent to the forest, in the forest, and in the ecotone between them, and used breeding success as our indicator of habitat suitability. We found that breeding parameters like laying date, clutch size, length of the incubation period, hatching day, hatching success, and number of nestlings did not differ between the three habitats. Despite the low level of nest box occupancy rate (5–11%) the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl readily breeds in artificial nests. Therefore, although we are unaware of any current threats to the Cyprus Scops Owl, we recommend that its conservation be prioritized, including studies, monitoring, habitat conservation, and the provision of nest boxes.
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6
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Trade-off between predation risk and behavioural thermoregulation drives resting behaviour in a cold-adapted mesocarnivore. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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7
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Pahl KB, Yurkowski DJ, Lees KJ, Hussey NE. Measuring the occurrence and strength of intraguild predation in modern food webs. FOOD WEBS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2020.e00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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8
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Zuberogoitia I, Martínez JE, González‐Oreja JA, de Buitrago CG, Belamendia G, Zabala J, Laso M, Pagaldai N, Jiménez‐Franco MV. Maximizing detection probability for effective large‐scale nocturnal bird monitoring. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Iñigo Zuberogoitia
- Estudios Medioambientales Icarus S.L. Bilbao Spain
- Department of OrnithologyAranzadi Sciences Society Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
| | | | | | | | - Gorka Belamendia
- Centro de Estudios Ambientales Ayuntamiento de Vitoria‐Gasteiz Vitoria‐Gasteiz Spain
| | | | - Maite Laso
- Department of OrnithologyAranzadi Sciences Society Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
| | - Nerea Pagaldai
- Department of OrnithologyAranzadi Sciences Society Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
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9
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Bolt LM, Schreier AL, Voss KA, Sheehan EA, Barrickman NL. Down by the riverside: Riparian edge effects on three monkey species in a fragmented Costa Rican forest. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Bolt
- Department of Anthropology University of Waterloo Waterloo ON Canada
- The Maderas Rainforest Conservancy Miami FL USA
| | - Amy L. Schreier
- The Maderas Rainforest Conservancy Miami FL USA
- Department of Biology Regis University Denver CO USA
| | | | - Elizabeth A. Sheehan
- The Maderas Rainforest Conservancy Miami FL USA
- Department of Biology Regis University Denver CO USA
| | - Nancy L. Barrickman
- The Maderas Rainforest Conservancy Miami FL USA
- Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City UT USA
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10
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Fattebert J, Perrig M, Naef-Daenzer B, Grüebler MU. Experimentally disentangling intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of natal dispersal in a nocturnal raptor. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191537. [PMID: 31480971 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Equivocal knowledge of the phase-specific drivers of natal dispersal remains a major deficit in understanding causes and consequences of dispersal and thus, spatial dynamics within and between populations. We performed a field experiment combining partial cross-fostering of nestlings and nestling food supplementation in little owls (Athene noctua). This approach disentangled the effect of nestling origin from the effect of the rearing environment on dispersal behaviour, while simultaneously investigating the effect of food availability in the rearing environment. We radio-tracked fledglings to quantify the timing of pre-emigration forays and emigration, foray and transfer duration, and the dispersal distances. Dispersal characteristics of the pre-emigration phase were affected by the rearing environment rather than by the origin of nestlings. In food-poor habitats, supplemented individuals emigrated later than unsupplemented individuals. By contrast, transfer duration and distance were influenced by the birds' origin rather than by their rearing environment. We found no correlation between timing of emigration and transfer duration or distance. We conclude that food supply to the nestlings and other characteristics of the rearing environment modulate the timing of emigration, while innate traits associated with the nestling origin affect the transfer phases after emigration. The dispersal behaviours of juveniles prior and after emigration, therefore, were related to different determinants, and are suggested to form different life-history traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Fattebert
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland.,Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Marco Perrig
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland
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11
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Hauenstein S, Fattebert J, Grüebler MU, Naef-Daenzer B, Pe'er G, Hartig F. Calibrating an individual-based movement model to predict functional connectivity for little owls. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01873. [PMID: 30756457 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Dispersal is crucial for population viability and thus a popular target for conservation measures. However, the ability of individuals to move between habitat patches is notoriously difficult to estimate. One solution is to quantify functional connectivity via realistic individual-based movement models. Such simulation models, however, are difficult to build and even more difficult to parameterize. Here, we use the example of natal little owl (Athene noctua) dispersal to develop a new analysis chain for the calibration of individual-based dispersal models using a hybrid of statistical parameter estimation and Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC). Specifically, we use locations of 126 radio-tracked juveniles to first estimate habitat utilization by generalized additive models (GAMs) and the biased random bridges (BRB) method. We then include the estimated parameters in a spatially explicit individual-based model (IBM) of little owl dispersal and calibrate further movement parameters using ABC. To derive efficient summary statistics, we use a new dimension reduction method based on random forest (RF) regression. Finally, we use the calibrated IBM to predict the dispersal potential of little owls from local populations in southwestern Germany to suitable habitat patches in northern Switzerland. We show that pre-calibrating habitat preference parameters while inferring movement behavioral parameters via ABC is a computationally efficient solution to obtain a plausible IBM parameterization. We also find that dimension reduction via RF regression outperforms the widely used least squares regression, which we applied as a benchmark approach. Estimated movement parameters for the individuals reveal plausible inter-individual and inter-sexual differences in movement behavior during natal dispersal. In agreement with a sex-biased dispersal distance in little owls, females show longer individual flights and higher directional persistence. Simulations from the fitted model indicate that a (re)colonization of northern Switzerland is generally possible, albeit restricted. We conclude that the presented analysis chain is a sensible work-flow to assess dispersal connectivity across species and ecosystems. It embraces species- and individual-specific behavioral responses to the landscape and allows likelihood-based calibration, despite an irregular sampling design. Our study highlights existing, yet narrow dispersal corridors, which may require enhancements to facilitate a recolonization of little owl habitat patches in northern Switzerland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin Hauenstein
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julien Fattebert
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 4000 Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | - Guy Pe'er
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Conservation Biology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Economics and Department Ecosystem Services, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian Hartig
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Theoretical Ecology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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12
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Jiménez‐Franco MV, Kéry M, León‐Ortega M, Robledano F, Esteve MA, Calvo JF. Use of classical bird census transects as spatial replicates for hierarchical modeling of an avian community. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:825-835. [PMID: 30766672 PMCID: PMC6362445 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
New monitoring programs are often designed with some form of temporal replication to deal with imperfect detection by means of occupancy models. However, classical bird census data from earlier times often lack temporal replication, precluding detection-corrected inferences about occupancy. Historical data have a key role in many ecological studies intended to document range shifts, and so need to be made comparable with present-day data by accounting for detection probability. We analyze a classical bird census conducted in the region of Murcia (SE Spain) in 1991 and 1992 and propose a solution to estimating detection probability for such historical data when used in a community occupancy model: the spatial replication of subplots nested within larger plots allows estimation of detection probability. In our study, the basic sample units were 1-km transects, which were considered spatial replicates in two aggregation schemes. We fit two Bayesian multispecies occupancy models, one for each aggregation scheme, and evaluated the linear and quadratic effect of forest cover and temperature, and a linear effect of precipitation on species occupancy probabilities. Using spatial rather than temporal replicates allowed us to obtain individual species occupancy probabilities and species richness accounting for imperfect detection. Species-specific occupancy and community size decreased with increasing annual mean temperature. Both aggregation schemes yielded estimates of occupancy and detectability that were highly correlated for each species, so in the design of future surveys ecological reasons and cost-effective sampling designs should be considered to select the most suitable aggregation scheme. In conclusion, the use of spatial replication may often allow historical survey data to be applied formally hierarchical occupancy models and be compared with modern-day data of the species community to analyze global change process.
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Affiliation(s)
- María V. Jiménez‐Franco
- Departamento de Biología AplicadaUniversidad Miguel Hernández de ElcheElcheSpain
- Departamento de Ecología e HidrologíaUniversidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Marc Kéry
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
| | - Mario León‐Ortega
- Departamento de Ecología e HidrologíaUniversidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | | | - Miguel A. Esteve
- Departamento de Ecología e HidrologíaUniversidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - José F. Calvo
- Departamento de Ecología e HidrologíaUniversidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
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13
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Meichtry‐Stier KS, Duplain J, Lanz M, Lugrin B, Birrer S. The importance of size, location, and vegetation composition of perennial fallows for farmland birds. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9270-9281. [PMID: 30377499 PMCID: PMC6194211 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Across Europe, patches of un-cropped land (field margins, fallows, etc.) have been established and managed as part of agri-environment schemes (AES) to counteract the decrease in farmland biodiversity. Various studies demonstrate a positive impact of such un-cropped land on different taxa. However, there is potential to further improve the efficiency of fallow options for farmland birds. In a long-term monitoring, 12 breeding farmland bird species and sizes of perennial fallows were recorded from 1992 to 2015 in a 6.1 km2 area in Switzerland. Furthermore, habitat composition and fallow characteristics were mapped in 2012. We calculated population trends, analyzed habitat associations and revealed the impact of fallow habitat characteristics on territory density. The proportion of fallows in the study site increased from 1.4% (1992) to 8.5% (2012). Population trends of six of 12 censused species increased significantly over the same time, four species showed no trend and trends of two species decreased. Seven species were analyzed in more detail, for five of them fallows were overrepresented around their territory center points compared to arable fields and grassland. The overall territory density of these five species was higher in small fallows which were not placed next to a wood and which held bramble rubus spp., shrubs and the tall-growing forb goldenrod (Solidago canadensis and S. gigantea). Our study confirms that perennial fallows are a highly suitable option to support different farmland birds in arable landscapes. Yet, we recommend optimizing fallows through careful site selection and management, such that they are not established on shady locations and are structurally diverse by allowing brambles, shrubs, and tall-growing forbs to occur. We suggest adapting the Swiss AES in this regard. Biodiversity-related advisory services available for farmers could increase the probability that fallow options are implemented and managed properly for targeted species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Lanz
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
| | | | - Simon Birrer
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
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14
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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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15
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Andersen LH, Sunde P, Pellegrino I, Loeschcke V, Pertoldi C. Using population viability analysis, genomics, and habitat suitability to forecast future population patterns of Little Owl Athene noctua across Europe. Ecol Evol 2018; 7:10987-11001. [PMID: 29299275 PMCID: PMC5743613 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The agricultural scene has changed over the past decades, resulting in a declining population trend in many species. It is therefore important to determine the factors that the individual species depend on in order to understand their decline. The landscape changes have also resulted in habitat fragmentation, turning once continuous populations into metapopulations. It is thus increasingly important to estimate both the number of individuals it takes to create a genetically viable population and the population trend. Here, population viability analysis and habitat suitability modeling were used to estimate population viability and future prospects across Europe of the Little Owl Athene noctua, a widespread species associated with agricultural landscapes. The results show a high risk of population declines over the coming 100 years, especially toward the north of Europe, whereas populations toward the southeastern part of Europe have a greater probability of persistence. In order to be considered genetically viable, individual populations must count 1,000–30,000 individuals. As Little Owl populations of several countries count <30,000, and many isolated populations in northern Europe count <1,000 individuals, management actions resulting in exchange of individuals between populations or even countries are probably necessary to prevent losing <1% genetic diversity over a 100‐year period. At a continental scale, a habitat suitability analysis suggested Little Owl to be affected positively by increasing temperatures and urban areas, whereas an increased tree cover, an increasing annual rainfall, grassland, and sparsely vegetated areas affect the presence of the owl negatively. However, the low predictive power of the habitat suitability model suggests that habitat suitability might be better explained at a smaller scale.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Sunde
- Department of Bioscience Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Irene Pellegrino
- Department of Science and Technological Innovation University of Piemonte Orientale Alessandria Italy
| | | | - Cino Pertoldi
- Section of Biology and Environmental Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience Aalborg University Aalborg Øst Denmark.,Aalborg Zoo Aalborg Denmark
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16
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Sladecek FXJ, Segar ST, Lee C, Wall R, Konvicka M. Temporal Segregation between Dung-Inhabiting Beetle and Fly Species. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170426. [PMID: 28107542 PMCID: PMC5249136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170426] [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: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The coexistence of ecologically similar species (i.e. species utilizing the same resource) is a major topic in ecology. Communities are assembled either through the biotic interactions of ecologically similar species, e.g. competition, or by the abiotic separation of species along gradients of environmental conditions. Here, we investigated the temporal segregation, succession and seasonality of dung-inhabiting Coleoptera and Diptera that utilize an identical resource in exactly the same way. The data were collected from two temperate pastures, one in the United Kingdom and the second in the Czech Republic. There was no evident temporal separation between ecologically similar coleopterous or dipterous taxa during succession. In contrast, these two orders were almost perfectly separated seasonally in both combined and site-specific datasets. Flies were most abundant in the summer, and beetles were more abundant in the spring and autumn. Ecologically similar beetles and flies also displayed seasonal separation in both combined and site-specific data. Analyses within site-specific data sets revealed such a separation at both the order and species level. Season is therefore the main temporal axis separating ecologically similar species of dung-inhabiting insects in temperate habitats, while succession aggregates species that may have similar environmental tolerances (to e.g. dung moisture). This separation between ecologically similar taxa of beetles and flies may be attributable to either competition-based niche separation or to temperature tolerance-based habitat filtering, since flies have peak activity in warmer months while beetles have peak activity in cooler months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Xaver Jiri Sladecek
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Simon Tristram Segar
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Colin Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Wall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Konvicka
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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