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Sanglas A, Palomares F. Response of a mesocarnivore community to a new food resource: recognition, exploitation, and interspecific competition. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01597-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractMammalian carnivores with generalist feeding behaviour should trace and exploit new and predictable food resources quicker and more easily than more specialised species. On the other hand, if the new food resource is spatially and temporally predictable, interference or exploitation competition should arise among members of the carnivore guild, with the expectation that smaller species will not use the food resource or will change their foraging behaviour to avoid conflict with larger species. Here, we studied the response to a new food resource of a mammalian mesocarnivore community in south-western Iberian Peninsula. We installed artificial feeding points supplied with a novel food source and tracked them by camera trapping to investigate whether (1) the new artificial food resource was visited, recognised and exploited by the mesocarnivore guild species; (2) how frequently they used the food; and (3) in case of co-occurrence, if dominant species excluded or reduced the feeding options of subordinates. All target species except the badger recognised and exploited the novel food. More generalist species trended to visit feeding points more frequently and spent more time feeding than less generalist species, even though significant differences were not achieved in all cases. When co-occurring at the same feeding point, the arrival of larger species reduced either the visitation rates, feeding probability or time spent feeding of smaller species. Moreover, some smaller species showed a shift in their normal activity pattern at the feeding points when a larger competitor started to use the food source. Overall, we conclude that active avoidance combined with temporal segregation may help reduce agonistic interactions among competitors for shared resources.
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Ferreira EM, Valerio F, Medinas D, Fernandes N, Craveiro J, Costa P, Silva JP, Carrapato C, Mira A, Santos SM. Assessing behaviour states of a forest carnivore in a road-dominated landscape using Hidden Markov Models. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.47.72781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic infrastructures and land-use changes are major threats to animal movements across heterogeneous landscapes. Yet, the behavioural consequences of such constraints remain poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between the behaviour of the Common genet (Genetta genetta) and road proximity, within a dominant mixed forest-agricultural landscape in southern Portugal, fragmented by roads. Specifically, we aimed to: (i) identify and characterise the behavioural states displayed by genets and related movement patterns; and (ii) understand how behavioural states are influenced by proximity to main paved roads and landscape features. We used a multivariate Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to characterise the fine-scale movements (10-min fixes GPS) of seven genets tracked during 187 nights (mean 27 days per individual) during the period 2016–2019, using distance to major paved roads and landscape features as predictors. Our findings indicated that genet’s movement patterns were composed of three basic behavioural states, classified as “resting” (short step-lengths [mean = 10.6 m] and highly tortuous), “foraging” (intermediate step-lengths [mean = 46.1 m] and with a wide range in turning angle) and “travelling” (longer step-lengths [mean = 113.7 m] and mainly linear movements). Within the genet’s main activity-period (17.00 h-08.00 h), the movement model predicts that genets spend 36.7% of their time travelling, 35.4% foraging and 28.0% resting. The probability of genets displaying the travelling state was highest in areas far away from roads (> 500 m), whereas foraging and resting states were more likely in areas relatively close to roads (up to 500 m). Landscape features also had a pronounced effect on behaviour state occurrence. More specifically, travelling was most likely to occur in areas with lower forest edge density and close to riparian habitats, while foraging was more likely to occur in areas with higher forest edge density and far away from riparian habitats. The results suggest that, although roads represent a behavioural barrier to the movement of genets, they also take advantage of road proximity as foraging areas. Our study demonstrates that the HMM approach is useful for disentangling movement behaviour and understanding how animals respond to roadsides and fragmented habitats. We emphasise that road-engaged stakeholders need to consider movement behaviour of genets when targeting management practices to maximise road permeability for wildlife.
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Hernandez-Puentes C, Torre I, Vilella M. Spatio-temporal interactions within a Mediterranean community of Mesocarnivores. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00230-w] [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]
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Competition and coexistence in a small carnivore guild. Oecologia 2017; 184:873-884. [PMID: 28733835 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3916-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The potential for strong competition among small sympatric carnivores results in a need for coexistence strategies whereby competitors partition along spatial, temporal and dietary axes as a means to reduce ecological overlaps. We determined spatial and temporal partitioning patterns of a guild of small African carnivores: the African wildcat Felis silvestris lybica, grey mongoose Galerella pulverulenta, small-spotted genet Genetta genetta, striped polecat Ictonyx striatus, and the yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata. We quantified the degree of spatial and temporal co-occurrence of the small carnivores using camera trap data over a year-long period. Carnivores separated into two temporal groups: nocturnal species (wildcat, polecat and genet) and diurnal species (mongooses). In addition, carnivores within the same temporal group had strong patterns of reduced spatial co-occurrence. The smaller bodied carnivores showed lower co-occurrence with the larger bodied African wildcat than expected by chance, supporting the idea of dominant competitor avoidance. Thus, small carnivores likely minimise competitive interactions through spatio-temporal habitat partitioning.
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Reproductive parameters of the common genet Genetta genetta (Linnaeus, 1758) in Southwest Europe. MAMMAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-017-0310-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Jiménez J, Nuñez-Arjona JC, Rueda C, González LM, García-Domínguez F, Muñoz-Igualada J, López-Bao JV. Estimating carnivore community structures. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41036. [PMID: 28120871 PMCID: PMC5264395 DOI: 10.1038/srep41036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Obtaining reliable estimates of the structure of carnivore communities is of paramount importance because of their ecological roles, ecosystem services and impact on biodiversity conservation, but they are still scarce. This information is key for carnivore management: to build support for and acceptance of management decisions and policies it is crucial that those decisions are based on robust and high quality information. Here, we combined camera and live-trapping surveys, as well as telemetry data, with spatially-explicit Bayesian models to show the usefulness of an integrated multi-method and multi-model approach to monitor carnivore community structures. Our methods account for imperfect detection and effectively deal with species with non-recognizable individuals. In our Mediterranean study system, the terrestrial carnivore community was dominated by red foxes (0.410 individuals/km2); Egyptian mongooses, feral cats and stone martens were similarly abundant (0.252, 0.249 and 0.240 individuals/km2, respectively), whereas badgers and common genets were the least common (0.130 and 0.087 individuals/km2, respectively). The precision of density estimates improved by incorporating multiple covariates, device operation, and accounting for the removal of individuals. The approach presented here has substantial implications for decision-making since it allows, for instance, the evaluation, in a standard and comparable way, of community responses to interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-(CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n.13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Nuñez-Arjona
- Tragsatec, Gerencia de Calidad, Evaluación Ambiental y Biodiversidad, C/Julián Camarillo 6B, planta 4, 28037, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Rueda
- Tragsatec, Gerencia de Calidad, Evaluación Ambiental y Biodiversidad, C/Julián Camarillo 6B, planta 4, 28037, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Mariano González
- Subdirección General de Medio Natural. Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente de España, Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz, s/n. 28075, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco García-Domínguez
- Subdirección General de Medio Natural. Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente de España, Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz, s/n. 28075, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Muñoz-Igualada
- Tragsatec, Gerencia de Calidad, Evaluación Ambiental y Biodiversidad, C/Julián Camarillo 6B, planta 4, 28037, Madrid, Spain
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Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in wild and domestic carnivores and their ticks at the human-wildlife interface. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 7:284-90. [PMID: 26643497 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization of natural areas is considered one of the causes of the current apparent emergence of infectious diseases. Carnivores are among the species that adapt well to urban and periurban environments, facilitating cross-species disease transmission with domestic dogs and cats, and potentially with their owners. The prevalence of vector-borne pathogens (VBP) of zoonotic and veterinary interest was studied in sympatric wild and domestic carnivores into Barcelona Metropolitan Area (NE Spain). Blood or spleen samples from 130 animals, including 34 common genets (Genetta genetta), 12 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 10 stone martens (Martes foina), three Eurasian badgers (Meles meles), 34 free-roaming domestic cats and 37 dogs with outdoor access, were collected either in protected or adjacent residential areas. A total of 309 ticks (chiefly Rhipicephalus turanicus) were collected on these animals. The samples were analyzed with a battery of PCR assays targeting the DNA of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasmataceae, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp., and Piroplasmida, and the amplicons were sequenced. The fox showed the highest prevalence (58%) and diversity of VBP (four pathogens), whereas none of the dogs were infected. Bartonella spp. (including B. clarridgeiae, B. henselae, and B. rochalimae) was the most prevalent pathogen. Infection of wild carnivores with Ehrlichia canis, C. burnetii, Theileria annae and Babesia vogeli was also confirmed, with some cases of coinfection observed. The presence of DNA of T. annae and B. vogeli was also confirmed in tick pools from four species of wild carnivores, supporting their role in piroplasmid life-cycle. By the sequencing of several target genes, DNA of Rickettsia massiliae was confirmed in 17 pools of Rh. turanicus, Rh. sanguineous, and Rh. pusillus from five different species, and Rickettsia conorii in one pool of Rh. sanguineous from a dog. None of the hosts from which these ticks were collected was infected by Rickettsia. Although carnivores may not be reservoir hosts for zoonotic Rickettsia, they can have an important role as mechanical dispersers of infected ticks.
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Millán J, Chirife AD, Altet L. Serum chemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta): variations associated with Leishmania infantum infection. Vet Q 2014; 35:43-7. [PMID: 25399516 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2014.987883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of leishmaniosis in under debate, and determining whether infection with Leishmania infantum causes illness in wild carnivores is important to determine its potential role as a reservoir. OBJECTIVES To provide for the first time serum biochemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta), and to determine variations associated with L. infantum infection. METHODS Twenty-five serum biochemistry parameters were determined in 22 wild-caught genets. Blood samples were analyzed for L. infantum DNA by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS Two female genets were positive for L. infantum DNA but did not show any external clinical sign upon physical examination. Among other variations in the biochemistry values of these genets, one presented a higher concentration of gamma-globulins and cholesterol, whereas the other genet presented increased creatinine, bilirubin, and chloride levels when compared to uninfected females. Sex-related differences in some parameters were also reported. CONCLUSION Infection with L. infantum may sometimes be accompanied by abnormal serum biochemistry in wild carnivores. CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Clinical disease may occur in L. infantum-infected wild carnivores. This has implications in the epidemiology of leishmaniosis. In addition, the data provided here would also be useful as reference values for researchers or rehabilitators working with the common genet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Millán
- a Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales , Universidad Andres Bello , República 252, Santiago , Chile
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Torre I, Arrizabalaga A, Freixas L, Ribas A, Flaquer C, Díaz M. Using scats of a generalist carnivore as a tool to monitor small mammal communities in Mediterranean habitats. Basic Appl Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Rodriguez-Refojos C, Zuberogoitia I, Rosalino LM, Zabala J, Santos MJ, Santos-Reis M, Camps D. Geographical and sexual differences in body size of common genets,Genetta genetta(Viverridae, Carnivora), in south-western Europe (Iberian Peninsula). FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2011. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v60.i1.a9.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Rodriguez-Refojos
- Aranzadi Society of Sciences, Department of Vertebrates, Zorroagagaina kalea, 11, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Iñigo Zuberogoitia
- Estudios Medioambientales Icarus, S.L., Pintor Sorolla 6, 1°C, 26007 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain; e-mail:
| | - Luis Miguel Rosalino
- Lisbon University, Centre for Environmental Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Animal Biology Department, Ed. C2, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;,
| | - Jabi Zabala
- Sebero Otxoa 45, 5°B, 48480 Arrigorriaga, Spain
| | - Maria João Santos
- Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A.
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- Lisbon University, Centre for Environmental Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Animal Biology Department, Ed. C2, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal;,
| | - David Camps
- Direcció General del Medi Natural, Departament de Medi Ambient i Habitatge, Generalitat de Catalunya, Dr. Roux, 80, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
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Camps D. Resting site selection, characteristics and use by the common genet Genetta genetta (Linnaeus 1758). MAMMALIA 2011. [DOI: 10.1515/mamm.2010.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Habitat selection and abundance of common genets Genetta genetta using camera capture-mark-recapture data. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-009-0294-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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The influence of human, livestock, and ecological features on the occurrence of genet (Genetta genetta): a case study on Mediterranean farmland. Ecol Res 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-008-0538-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Barrientos R, Virgós E. Reduction of potential food interference in two sympatric carnivores by sequential use of shared resources. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2006.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Díaz M, Torre I, Peris A, Tena L. FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF WOOD MICE AS RELATED TO PRESENCE AND ACTIVITY OF GENETS. J Mammal 2005. [DOI: 10.1644/04-mamm-a-127r1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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