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Barros AL, Raposo D, Almeida JD, Alcobia S, Oliveira MA, MacKenzie DI, Santos-Reis M. Do Mesocarnivores Respond to the Seasonality in Management Practices in an Agroforestry Landscape? ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024:10.1007/s00267-024-02003-2. [PMID: 38851641 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-02003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean, we find a mosaic of natural and cultural landscapes, where a variety of forest management practices created intermediate disturbance regimes that potentially increased biodiversity values. Nonetheless, it is essential to understand the species' long-term response to the dynamic management in agroecosystems, since the species tolerance to disturbance can change throughout the life cycle. Mammalian carnivores can be sensitive to human disturbance and are an essential part of ecosystems due to their regulatory and community structuring effects. We investigated the spatial response of five mesocarnivores species to spatially- and temporally- varying management practices in an agroforestry landscape. More specifically, we assessed the mesocarnivores' temporal changes in space use by implementing multi-season occupancy models in a Bayesian framework, using seasonal camera-trapping surveys for a 2-year period. All species had a weak response of local extinction to forestry management and livestock grazing pressure. For forest-dwelling species, occupancy was higher where productivity of perennial vegetation was high, while colonization between seasons was positively associated with vegetation cover. For habitat generalist species, we found that occupancy in the wet season increased with the distance to cattle exclusion plots. Most of these plots are pine stands which are subject to forestry interventions during winter. During the 2-year period we found seasonal fluctuations in occupancy for all species, with an overall slight decrease for three mesocarnivore species, while for the two forest-dwelling species there was an increase in occupancy between years. The weak species response to management practices supports the importance of traditional management for upholding a diverse mesocarnivore community in agroforestry systems but could also reflect these species' ecological plasticity and resilience to disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Barros
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Diogo Raposo
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João David Almeida
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra Alcobia
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Alexandra Oliveira
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Lisboa, Portugal
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2
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Ulrich NJ, Shen G, Bryant DA, Miller SR. Ecological diversification of a cyanobacterium through divergence of its novel chlorophyll d-based light-harvesting system. Curr Biol 2024:S0960-9822(24)00665-1. [PMID: 38851184 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of novel traits can have important consequences for biological diversification. Novelties such as new structures are associated with changes in both genotype and phenotype that often lead to changes in ecological function.1,2 New ecological opportunities provided by a novel trait can trigger subsequent trait modification or niche partitioning3; however, the underlying mechanisms of novel trait diversification are still poorly understood. Here, we report that the innovation of a new chlorophyll (Chl) pigment, Chl d, by the cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina was followed by the functional divergence of its light-harvesting complex. We identified three major photosynthetic spectral types based on Chl fluorescence properties for a collection of A. marina laboratory strains for which genome sequence data are available,4,5 with shorter- and longer-wavelength types more recently derived from an ancestral intermediate phenotype. Members of the different spectral types exhibited extensive variation in the Chl-binding proteins as well as the Chl energy levels of their photosynthetic complexes. This spectral-type divergence is associated with differences in the wavelength dependence of both growth rate and photosynthetic oxygen evolution. We conclude that the divergence of the light-harvesting apparatus has consequently impacted A. marina ecological diversification through specialization on different far-red photons for photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikea J Ulrich
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Gaozhong Shen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 406 Althouse Lab, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Donald A Bryant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 406 Althouse Lab, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Scott R Miller
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
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3
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Petisco JSE, Sánchez-Carrasco P, Fernández-García JL. The wildcat (Felis s. silvestris) in the Mediterranean forest: sighting through photo-trapping and non-invasive hair collection for genetic purposes. Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10402-3. [PMID: 38771445 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10402-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is a mesocarnivore species widely distributed in Europe, from Eastern Europe to Portugal and from Scotland to Italy. Recent biogeographical studies of wildcat populations have endeavoured to assess in detail the various issues that pose a threat to this species, including hybridization with domestic cats. The use of non-invasive sampling methods supported by photo-trapping and some attractants has made it possible to gather genetic material for the detection of native wildcats in locally threatened populations, some of which live in the Iberian Peninsula. Testimonies of naturalists, hunters and farm workers led our team to choose specific areas in two large territories of Mediterranean forests where the presence of wildcats has been historically attested: the Almonte River basin and the Sierra de San Pedro Mountains. Between 2014 and 2018, non-invasive hair sampling was performed using valerian (Valeriana officinalis) as an attractant and supported by photo-trapping to guarantee the collection of genuine biological material (hair samples). The hair samples were genetically assessed by sequencing the nuclear gene IRBP (interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein) and the mtDNA gene ND4 (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4). Despite the low density of wildcats, this combined protocol proved to be an applicable tool for detecting the presence of elusive wildcats and other mesocarnivore species in this remote region of southern Europe. In addition, non-invasive hair trapping contributes to the collection of genetic material from current wildcat populations. This procedure could enhance future management actions focused on collecting quality individualized biological material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan S-E Petisco
- Animal Production and Food Science Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Universidad S/N, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - José Luis Fernández-García
- Animal Production and Food Science Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Universidad S/N, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
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4
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Louhichi M, Khorchani T, Petretto M, Eifler D, Eifler M, Dadi K, Zaidi A, Karssene Y, Chammem M. Spatiotemporal Mechanisms of the Coexistence of Reintroduced Scimitar-Horned Oryx and Native Dorcas Gazelle in Sidi Toui National Park, Tunisia. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1475. [PMID: 38791692 PMCID: PMC11117359 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Examining the distribution patterns and spatiotemporal niche overlap of sympatric species is crucial for understanding core concepts in community ecology and for the effective management of multi-species habitats within shared landscapes. Using data from 26 camera-traps, recorded over two years (December 2020-November 2022), in Sidi Toui National Park (STNP), Tunisia, we investigate habitat use and activity patterns of the scimitar-horned oryx (n = 1865 captures) and dorcas gazelle (n = 1208 captures). Using information theory and multi-model inference methods, along with the Pianka index, we evaluated the habitat characteristics influencing species distribution and their spatial niche overlap. To delineate daily activity patterns, we applied kernel density estimation. Our findings indicate minimal spatial overlap and distinct environmental factors determining suitable habitats for each species. Furthermore, we found significant temporal niche overlaps, indicative of synchrony in daily activity patterns, with both species showing peak activity at dawn and dusk. Our results indicated that oryx and gazelle differ in at least one dimension of their ecological niche at the current density levels, which contributes to their long-term and stable coexistence in STNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marouane Louhichi
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
- Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes 6072, Tunisia
| | - Touhami Khorchani
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
| | - Marie Petretto
- Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH, UK;
| | - Douglas Eifler
- Erell Institute, 2808 Meadow Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (D.E.); (M.E.)
| | - Maria Eifler
- Erell Institute, 2808 Meadow Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (D.E.); (M.E.)
| | - Kamel Dadi
- Laboratoire des Écosystèmes Pastoraux et Valorisation des Plantes Spontanées et des Microorganismes Associés, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA) de Medénine, Medenine 4119, Tunisia;
| | - Ali Zaidi
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yamna Karssene
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
| | - Mohsen Chammem
- Laboratoire d’Elevage et de Faune Sauvage, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA), Medenine 4119, Tunisia; (M.L.); (T.K.); (A.Z.); (Y.K.)
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McTigue LE, Lassiter EV, Shaw M, Johansson E, Wilson K, DeGregorio BA. Does daily activity overlap of seven mesocarnivores vary based on human development? PLoS One 2024; 19:e0288477. [PMID: 38206932 PMCID: PMC10783707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Many species of wildlife alter their daily activity patterns in response to co-occurring species as well as the surrounding environment. Often smaller or subordinate species alter their activity patterns to avoid being active at the same time as larger, dominant species to avoid agonistic interactions. Human development can complicate interspecies interactions, as not all wildlife respond to human activity in the same manner. While some species may change the timing of their activity to avoid being active when humans are, others may be unaffected or may benefit from being active at the same time as humans to reduce predation risk or competition. To further explore these patterns, we used data from a coordinated national camera-trapping program (Snapshot USA) to explore how the activity patterns and temporal activity overlap of a suite of seven widely co-occurring mammalian mesocarnivores varied along a gradient of human development. Our focal species ranged in size from the large and often dominant coyote (Canis latrans) to the much smaller and subordinate Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Some species changed their activity based on surrounding human development. Coyotes were most active at night in areas of high and medium human development. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) were more active at dusk in areas of high development relative to areas of low or medium development. However, because most species were primarily nocturnal regardless of human development, temporal activity overlap was high between all species. Only opossum and raccoon (Procyon lotor) showed changes in activity overlap with high overlap in areas of low development compared to areas of moderate development. Although we found that coyotes and red fox altered their activity patterns in response to human development, our results showed that competitive and predatory pressures between these seven widespread generalist species were insufficient to cause them to substantially alter their activity patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah E. McTigue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Ellery V. Lassiter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Mike Shaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Emily Johansson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Ken Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Brett A. DeGregorio
- U.S. Geological Survey, Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
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6
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Lazzeri L, Ferretti F, Churski M, Diserens TA, Oliveira R, Schmidt K, Kuijper DPJ. Spatio-temporal interactions between the red fox and the wolf in two contrasting European landscapes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:221. [PMID: 38167473 PMCID: PMC10762132 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50447-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Relationships among carnivore species are complex, potentially switching from competition to facilitation on a context-dependent basis. Negative associations are predicted to increase with latitude, due to limited resources emphasising competition and/or intra-guild predation. Accordingly, a stronger negative correlation between large- and meso-carnivore abundances should be expected at higher latitudes, with a substantial spatio-temporal partitioning favouring interspecific coexistence. Human presence may influence spatio-temporal relationships between (meso)carnivore species, as it can be perceived as a risk factor, but anthropogenic food can also provide an important additional food resource. Using camera-trap data, we studied the spatio-temporal associations between two of the most widespread carnivores in Europe, i.e., the red fox and wolf. We compared their monthly/daily spatio-temporal partitioning between two different landscapes: Białowieża Primeval Forest (Poland) and the Mediterranean Maremma Regional Park (Italy). We predicted a stronger interspecific partitioning, as well as more attraction of red foxes to humans in the northern site (Poland). Temporal activity patterns of the two carnivores overlapped in both sites, and their detection rates were positively associated, even though in weaker way in Poland. We observed a positive spatial association of red foxes with human activity in Białowieża, but not in Maremma. This association occurred only at a monthly temporal scale and disappeared at a daily scale, suggesting some disturbance in the shorter term. Our results provided partial support to our predictions and suggest that, despite the ecological differences between our study areas, only weak differences in wolf-fox relations were observed, suggesting that red fox responses to wolves may be relatively comparable over large spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Lazzeri
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - F Ferretti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - M Churski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - T A Diserens
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
- Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02‑097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - R Oliveira
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - K Schmidt
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - D P J Kuijper
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
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Esattore B, Rossi AC, Bazzoni F, Riggio C, Oliveira R, Leggiero I, Ferretti F. Same place, different time, head up: Multiple antipredator responses to a recolonizing apex predator. Curr Zool 2023; 69:703-717. [PMID: 37876645 PMCID: PMC10591180 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Prey adjust their antipredator behavioral tactics to minimize the risk of an encounter with predators. Spatiotemporal responses of prey to predators have been reported, but the nature of antipredator response is not ubiquitous and it is the object of increasing interest, especially considering the recent recovery of large carnivores in Europe, and the potential for behavioral antipredator responses to elicit consequences at the ecosystem level. We have tested multiple antipredator responses by fallow deer Dama dama to wolf Canis lupus in a Mediterranean protected area recently recolonized by this apex predator. Through intensive camera trapping, we tested for temporal and spatial association between predator and prey, and we have also studied deer vigilance in forest habitats where focal observations are usually impossible. Wolf detection rates were spatially associated with those of fallow deer. Accordingly, no evidence was found for fallow deer avoiding sites with higher predator detection rates. Temporal activity patterns were significantly different between the 2 species, with the wolf being mainly nocturnal whereas fallow deer was active especially during daylight. A comparison with a preliminary study strongly suggests an increase in the diurnal activity of fallow deer along with the stabilization of wolf presence in the area. Both the rate and the duration of vigilance of female fallow deer increased with the local frequency of wolf activity. We suggest an antipredator response based on temporal-rather than spatial-avoidance, as well as increased vigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Esattore
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815,104 00, Uhříněves, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Suchdol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Agnese Carlotta Rossi
- Department of Life Sciences, Research Unit of Behavioral Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Siena, Via Pier Andrea Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Bazzoni
- Department of Life Sciences, Research Unit of Behavioral Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Siena, Via Pier Andrea Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Riggio
- Department of Life Sciences, Research Unit of Behavioral Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Siena, Via Pier Andrea Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Raquel Oliveira
- Department of Life Sciences, Research Unit of Behavioral Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Siena, Via Pier Andrea Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Ivan Leggiero
- Department of Life Sciences, Research Unit of Behavioral Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Siena, Via Pier Andrea Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferretti
- Department of Life Sciences, Research Unit of Behavioral Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Siena, Via Pier Andrea Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
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8
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Minasandra P, Jensen FH, Gersick AS, Holekamp KE, Strauss ED, Strandburg-Peshkin A. Accelerometer-based predictions of behaviour elucidate factors affecting the daily activity patterns of spotted hyenas. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230750. [PMID: 38026018 PMCID: PMC10645113 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Animal activity patterns are highly variable and influenced by internal and external factors, including social processes. Quantifying activity patterns in natural settings can be challenging, as it is difficult to monitor animals over long time periods. Here, we developed and validated a machine-learning-based classifier to identify behavioural states from accelerometer data of wild spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), social carnivores that live in large fission-fusion societies. By combining this classifier with continuous collar-based accelerometer data from five hyenas, we generated a complete record of activity patterns over more than one month. We used these continuous behavioural sequences to investigate how past activity, individual idiosyncrasies, and social synchronization influence hyena activity patterns. We found that hyenas exhibit characteristic crepuscular-nocturnal daily activity patterns. Time spent active was independent of activity level on previous days, suggesting that hyenas do not show activity compensation. We also found limited evidence for an effect of individual identity on activity, and showed that pairs of hyenas who synchronized their activity patterns must have spent more time together. This study sheds light on the patterns and drivers of activity in spotted hyena societies, and also provides a useful tool for quantifying behavioural sequences from accelerometer data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Minasandra
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Organismal Biology, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Frants H. Jensen
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Andrew S. Gersick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Computer Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kay E. Holekamp
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Eli D. Strauss
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin
- Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Konstanz, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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9
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Paoli F, Iovinella I, Barbieri F, Sciandra C, Sabbatini Peverieri G, Mazza G, Torrini G, Barzanti GP, Benvenuti C, Strangi A, Bosio G, Mori E, Roversi PF, Marianelli L. Effectiveness of field-exposed attract-and-kill devices against the adults of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): a study on duration, form and storage. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:3262-3270. [PMID: 37073818 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman is an insect pest native to Japan that has spread into North America, the Azores and, recently, into continental Europe. Here, we present a study assessing the effectiveness of a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN), assembled in semiochemical-baited attract-and-kill devices (A&Ks) as a low environmental impact means to control P. japonica in the field. We compared the attractiveness of three different forms of A&Ks that were left outdoors throughout the summer, and the residence time of P. japonica landing on them. Moreover, we performed a preliminary study testing the effectiveness of new LLINs after storage. Collected data also allowed us to investigate the beetles' diel flight patterns in relation to meteorological conditions. RESULTS Killing effectiveness of the field-exposed A&Ks declined steadily over the flight season (from 100% to 37.5%) associated with a decrease in residues of α-cypermethrin, the active ingredient in the LLINs. The different A&K forms (pyramidal, octahedral and ellipsoidal) attracted similar numbers of beetles. Individual beetles' residence time ranged from 75 to 95 s and differed slightly between A&K forms. Effectiveness of LLINs decreased by ≈30% after 1 year storage. Based on numbers landing on A&Ks, the beetles' flight activity peaked about 14:30 h and was inversely correlated with relative humidity. CONCLUSION This study indicates that semiochemical-baited A&Ks are effective for controlling P. japonica in the field. Because of active ingredient decay, the LLINs should be replaced after 30-40 days of field exposure to ensure that the A&Ks remain fully functional. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paoli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Barbieri
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Sciandra
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Torrini
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Barzanti
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Benvenuti
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Agostino Strangi
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bosio
- Settore Fitosanitario e Servizi Tecnico-scientifici, Torino, Italy
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | | | - Leonardo Marianelli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Florence, Italy
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10
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Ferretti F, Oliveira R, Rossa M, Belardi I, Pacini G, Mugnai S, Fattorini N, Lazzeri L. Interactions between carnivore species: limited spatiotemporal partitioning between apex predator and smaller carnivores in a Mediterranean protected area. Front Zool 2023; 20:20. [PMID: 37231517 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-023-00489-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is need of information on ecological interactions that keystone species such as apex predators establish in ecosystems recently recolonised. Interactions among carnivore species have the potential to influence community-level processes, with consequences for ecosystem dynamics. Although avoidance of apex predators by smaller carnivores has been reported, there is increasing evidence that the potential for competitive-to-facilitative interactions is context-dependent. In a protected area recently recolonised by the wolf Canis lupus and hosting abundant wild prey (3 ungulate species, 20-30 individuals/km2, together), we used 5-year food habit analyses and 3-year camera trapping to (i) investigate the role of mesocarnivores (4 species) in the wolf diet; (ii) test for temporal, spatial, and fine-scale spatiotemporal association between mesocarnivores and the wolf. RESULTS Wolf diet was dominated by large herbivores (86% occurrences, N = 2201 scats), with mesocarnivores occurring in 2% scats. We collected 12,808 carnivore detections over > 19,000 camera trapping days. We found substantial (i.e., generally ≥ 0.75, 0-1 scale) temporal overlap between mesocarnivores-in particular red fox-and the wolf, with no support for negative temporal or spatial associations between mesocarnivore and wolf detection rates. All the species were nocturnal/crepuscular and results suggested a minor role of human activity in modifying interspecific spatiotemporal partitioning. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that the local great availability of large prey to wolves limited negative interactions towards smaller carnivores, thus reducing the potential for spatiotemporal avoidance. Our study emphasises that avoidance patterns leading to substantial spatiotemporal partitioning are not ubiquitous in carnivore guilds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferretti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Raquel Oliveira
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Mariana Rossa
- CESAM, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Irene Belardi
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giada Pacini
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Mugnai
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lazzeri
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
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Jia J, Fang Y, Li X, Song K, Xie W, Bu C, Sun Y. Temporal Activity Patterns of Sympatric Species in the Temperate Coniferous Forests of the Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071129. [PMID: 37048385 PMCID: PMC10093433 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporal niche partitioning is an important strategy for sympatric species or populations when utilizing limited resources while minimizing competition. Different resource availability across seasons may also influence the intensity of competition, resulting in a varied temporal niche partitioning pattern between species. These competitive interactions are important drivers for the formation of biodiversity patterns and species coexistence on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. To clarify these interspecies relationships among sympatric species, we carried out a camera trap survey from 2017 to 2020. We deployed 60 camera traps in the temperate coniferous forests of the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We analyzed the daily activity patterns of birds and mammals to reveal the temporal niches and seasonal relationships among the species-specific activity rhythms. The results are summarized as follows: (1) Eight major species, including mammals and birds, have different temporal peak activity rhythms to reduce intense competition for resources. (2) The activity rhythm of a species varies seasonally, and the competition among species is more intense in the warm season than in the cold season. (3) Among 15 pairs of competitor species, seven pairs had significantly different coefficients, with higher winter values than summer values, perhaps due to the abundance of resources in summer and the scarcity of resources in winter causing intensified competition. Among the predators and prey, the summertime coefficients were higher than those in winter, perhaps due to the need to replenish energy during the summer breeding season. The main purpose of animals in winter is to survive the harsh environment. Our results provide important information on temporal and interspecies relationships and contribute to a better understanding of species-coexistence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jia
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yun Fang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xinhai Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kai Song
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wendong Xie
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Changli Bu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuehua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Correspondence:
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12
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Burgos T, Salesa J, Fedriani JM, Escribano-Ávila G, Jiménez J, Krofel M, Cancio I, Hernández-Hernández J, Rodríguez-Siles J, Virgós E. Top-down and bottom-up effects modulate species co-existence in a context of top predator restoration. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4170. [PMID: 36914804 PMCID: PMC10011582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31105-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesopredators abundance is often limited by top-order predators and also by key food resources. However, the contribution of these bidirectional forces to structure carnivore community is still unclear. Here, we studied how the presence and absence of an apex predator which is currently recovering its former distribution range, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), determined the absolute abundance and fine-scale spatiotemporal avoidance mechanisms of two sympatric mesocarnivores (stone marten Martes foina and common genet Genetta genetta) with different dietary plasticity. We hypothesized that the lynx causes a mesopredator suppression and subordinate predators develop segregation strategies in respect to their trophic niche breadth. We placed 120 camera-traps in Southern Spain for 8 months in two consecutive years to estimate mesocarnivore abundances by using SCR Bayesian models, prey availability and assess spatio-temporal patterns. We found that the lynx reduced mesocarnivore abundance up to 10 times. Stone marten, a mesopredator with a broad food resources spectrum, showed a total spatial exclusion with the apex predator. Meanwhile, fine-scale avoidance mechanisms allowed the genet to persist in low density inside lynx territories, probably taking advantage of high availability of its preferred prey. Thus, the strength of these top-down and bottom-up effects was rather species-specific. Given the recent recovery of large carnivore populations worldwide, variation in suppression levels on different mesopredator species could modify ecosystem functions provided by the carnivore community in contrasting ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Burgos
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Salesa
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose María Fedriani
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4,5., 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD - CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department. Biological Science Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Ciudad Universitaria, C/ José Antonio Novais 12, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department for Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Inmaculada Cancio
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
- Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna Harmusch, C/San Antón 15, 1°, 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Hernández
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Siles
- Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna Harmusch, C/San Antón 15, 1°, 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Differentiation of activity rhythms and space use between two competing water shrew species in a laboratory experiment. MAMMAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-023-00675-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
AbstractHypotheses
about the differentiation of activity rhythms and space use between two competing species of water shrews, Neomys anomalus [AA] and N. fodiens [FF], were verified in a laboratory experiment. The animals were kept together for 2 months in an enclosure (195 × 145 cm) and their activity was video recorded using the time-lapse mode. Changes in activity rhythms, distances kept between active animals, and frequency of interspecific conflicts were compared between the early (first 24 h) and late (last 24 h, after 2 months) phases of the animals’ coexistence in the mixed group. In both phases, the activity of both species was relatively evenly distributed over 24 h, with breaks in activity nearly every 1 h. During the early phase, both species were equally and simultaneously active, whereas in the late phase, as predicted, the activity of FF was lower than that of AA, and asynchronous. In the late phase, pairs of different species (F-A) were rarely active simultaneously and kept long inter-individual distances. Consequently, the number of conflicts decreased. The results suggest that, over time, water shrews can develop mechanisms diminishing interference competition, which are based on shifts in activity rhythms, maintaining distance between individuals, and the rare usage of the same shelters and feeding sites.
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14
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Arumoogum N, Marshal JP, Parrini F. Anthropogenically driven spatial niche partitioning in a large herbivore assemblage. Oecologia 2023; 201:797-812. [PMID: 36856880 PMCID: PMC10038942 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05342-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how human activity can influence species distributions and spatial niche partitioning between sympatric species is a key area of contemporary ecology. Extirpations of large mammalian populations, the result of a 15-year civil war, within the Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, have been followed by an extended period of restoration. The species-specific recovery of these populations has provided an ideal system to identify how niche partitioning between coexisting species is altered as a consequence of extreme disturbance events. Here, we aimed to understand how distribution patterns of grazing herbivores, as well as spatial niche overlap between them, changed between the pre- and post-war scenarios. We focused on the following four grazer species: buffalo (Syncerus caffer); sable (Hippotragus niger); waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus); and zebra (Equus quagga). Using long-term aerial survey data, we quantified range size for each species, as well as spatial niche overlap between each species pair, for pre- and post-war periods. Range size of buffalo and zebra decreased drastically from the pre-war period; with both species inhabiting subsets of their historical distribution in the park. Sable and waterbuck have both colonised historically avoided habitat, with waterbuck doubling their pre-war range size. Spatial overlap between all four grazers pre-war was significantly high, indicating niche similarity; however, this decreased in the post-war period, with some species pairs displaying spatial niche dissimilarity. Our findings highlight how population responses to anthropogenic disturbance can result in significant alterations to species' distributions, with consequences for patterns of niche similarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhail Arumoogum
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, Biology Building, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa.
| | - Jason P Marshal
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, Biology Building, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - Francesca Parrini
- Centre for African Ecology, School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, Biology Building, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
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15
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Akrim F, Mahmood T, Belant JL, Nadeem MS, Qasim S, Dhendup T, Fatima H, Bukhari SA, Aslam A, Younis H, Rafique A, Subhani ZA, Hashmi SA, Munawar N. Niche partitioning by sympatric civets in the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14741. [PMID: 36846462 PMCID: PMC9951805 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Niche overlap between sympatric species can indicate the extent of interspecific competition. Sympatric competing species can exhibit spatial, temporal, and dietary adjustments to reduce competition. We investigated spatial, temporal, and dietary niche overlap of sympatric Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica), in and around Pir Lasura National Park, Pakistan. We used remote cameras to determine the frequency and timing of detections to estimate spatial and temporal overlap, and prey remains from scats to estimate dietary overlap. We collected scat samples of Asian palm civet (n = 108) and small Indian civet (n = 44) for dietary analysis. We found low spatial (Oij = 0.32) and temporal (Δ = 0.39) overlap, but high dietary niche overlap (0.9) between these two civet species. Both civet species were detected at only 11 camera sites and small Indian civets were detected most frequently during 2:00-5:00 h and 8:00-10:00 h, whereas Asian palm civets detections were greatest during 20:00-2:00 h. The overall niche breadth of Asian palm civet was slightly narrower (L = 9.69, Lst = 0.31) than that of the small Indian civet (L = 10, Lst = 0.52). We identified 27 dietary items (15 plant, 12 animal) from scats of Asian palm civet including Himalayan pear (Pyrus pashia; 27%), Indian gerbil (Tatera indica; 10%), Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta; 4%), and insects (5%). Scat analysis of small Indian civets revealed 17 prey items (eight plant, nine animal) including Himalayan pear (24%), domestic poultry (15%), Indian gerbil (11%), and house mouse (Mus musculus; 5%). Both civet species consumed fruits of cultivated orchard species. Spatial and temporal partitioning of landscapes containing diverse foods appears to facilitate coexistence between Asian palm civets and small Indian civets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faraz Akrim
- Department of Zoology, University of Kotli, Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Tariq Mahmood
- Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,Department of Zoology Wildlife and Fisheries, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Muhammad Sajid Nadeem
- Department of Zoology Wildlife and Fisheries, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Siddiqa Qasim
- Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Tashi Dhendup
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Hira Fatima
- Department of Wildlife & Ecology, University of Okara, Okara, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Syed Afaq Bukhari
- Department of Zoology, University of Kotli, Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Asad Aslam
- Department of Zoology, University of Kotli, Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Humera Younis
- Department of Zoology, University of Kotli, Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Aamish Rafique
- Department of Zoology, University of Kotli, Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Ahmed Subhani
- Department of Zoology, University of Kotli, Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | | | - Nadeem Munawar
- Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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16
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Bandyopadhyay M, Biswas S, Dasgupta T, Krishnamurthy R. Patterns of coexistence between two mesocarnivores in presence of anthropogenic disturbances in Western Himalaya. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:397. [PMID: 36781547 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Species' coexistence depends on species-specific resource utilization in a given habitat. Human disturbances in this context can constrain the realized niche by altering their community dynamics. In this study, we considered Western Himalaya as a case study to test the hypothesis that human disturbances influence mesocarnivore coexistence patterns. We regarded red fox and leopard cat as the focal species and assessed the coexistence patterns in low and high human disturbance areas in three dimensions: spatial, temporal, and dietary habit. We used camera trap detections and mitochondrial DNA-based species identification of fecal samples. We used generalized linear mixed-effect modelling (GLMM), activity overlap, Levin's niche breadth, and Pianka's overlap index to capture the spatial, temporal, and dietary interactions respectively. We found that red fox and leopard cat coexisted by spatial segregation in low human disturbance area, whereas dietary segregation was the means of coexistence in high human disturbance area. We observed a broader dietary breadth for red fox and a narrower for leopard cat in high human disturbance area. The altered coexistence pattern due to differential human disturbances indicates intensive anthropogenic activities adjacent to natural forests. It can link to increased opportunities for shared spaces between mesocarnivores and humans, leading to future disease spread and conflicts. Our study contributes to scant ecological knowledge of these mesocarnivores and adds to our understanding of community dynamics in human-altered ecosystems. The study elucidates the need for long-term monitoring of wildlife inhabiting interface areas to ensure human and wildlife coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Suvankar Biswas
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Tryambak Dasgupta
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ramesh Krishnamurthy
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
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Li J, Li D, Dong W. Coexistence patterns of sympatric giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Changqing National Nature Reserve, China. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2023.1029447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar species may co-occur in sympatry because of the partitioning of habitat use and resources at different spatial and temporal scales. Understanding coexistence patterns of species may contribute to further uncovering the underlying coexistence mechanisms, and ultimately benefit the conservation of threatened species. In this study, camera trapping was used to investigate spatial and temporal activity patterns of sympatric giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Changqing National Nature Reserve in Qinling Mountains, China. Our study obtained 281 independent detections of giant pandas and 185 of Asiatic black bears during 93,606 camera-trap days from April 2014 to October 2017. We performed occupancy modeling and temporal overlap analyses to examine the spatial-temporal relationships between pandas and bears, and results showed that: (1) giant pandas had higher detection probabilities than Asiatic black bears, while having lower occupancy probabilities; (2) Elevation positively predicted giant panda and negatively predicted Asiatic black bear occupancy, understory vegetation type negatively predicted giant panda occupancy, and distance to nearest settlement positively predicted Asiatic black bear occupancy; (3) giant pandas were more active in spring and winter, while Asiatic black bears were more active in summer, and the two species had low spatial overlap with one another throughout the year; (4) both giant pandas and Asiatic black bears showed mainly diurnal activity patterns, and had high temporal overlap with one another in spring and moderate temporal overlap with one another in autumn. Our results provide detailed information of the spatial and temporal ecology of sympatric giant pandas and Asiatic black bears in the Qinling Mountains of China, which could act as a guide to construct conservation priorities as well as design efficient management programs.
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Tobajas J, Ramos‐López B, Piqué J, Sanchez‐Rojas G. Predation risk in tree squirrels: implications of the presence of free‐ranging dogs. J Zool (1987) 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Tobajas
- Departamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal Universidad de Córdoba Córdoba Spain
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CISC‐UCLM‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, (UAEH), Área Académica de Biología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo Mineral de la Reforma Mexico
| | - B. Ramos‐López
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CISC‐UCLM‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
- TYC GIS Soluciones Integrales S.L. Madrid Spain
| | - J. Piqué
- TRAGSATEC, Calle Julián Camarillo 6B Madrid Spain
| | - G. Sanchez‐Rojas
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, (UAEH), Área Académica de Biología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo Mineral de la Reforma Mexico
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Spatiotemporal Patterns of Wolves, and Sympatric Predators and Prey Relative to Human Disturbance in Northwestern Greece. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In an era of increasing human pressure on nature, understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of wildlife relative to human disturbance can inform conservation efforts, especially for large carnivores. We examined the temporal activity and spatial patterns of wolves and eight sympatric mammals at 71 camera trap stations in Greece. Grey wolves temporally overlapped the most with wild boars (Δ = 0.84) and medium-sized mammals (Δ > 0.75), moderately with brown bears (Δ = 0.70), and least with roe deer (Δ = 0.46). All wild mammals were mainly nocturnal and exhibited low temporal overlap with human disturbance (humans, vehicles, livestock, and dogs; Δ = 0.18–0.36), apart from roe deer, which were more diurnal (Δ = 0.80). Six out of nine species increased their nocturnality at sites of high human disturbance, particularly roe deer and wolves. The detection of wolves was negatively associated with paved roads, the detection of roe deer was negatively associated with human disturbance, and the detection of wild boars was negatively associated with dogs. The detection of bears, boars, and foxes increased closer to settlements. Our study has applied implications for wolf conservation and human–wildlife coexistence.
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Amin R, Wacher T, Fankem O, Bruce T, Gilbert ON, Ndimbe MS, Fowler A. Giant pangolin and white-bellied pangolin observations from a World Heritage site. MAMMALIA 2023. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2021-0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Pangolins are one of the most threatened mammal groups, as a result of habitat loss and exploitation for their meat, scales, and other body parts. However, there is a lack of quantitative data on pangolin populations; their behaviour and ecology make them challenging to survey. We undertook systematic camera-trap surveys of the 5260 km2 World Heritage Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, sampling 305 sites in eight grids over 28,277 camera-trap days. We recorded 768 images of giant pangolin in 99 independent detections at 57 sites (RAI = 0.35), and 2282 images in 355 detections (RAI = 1.26) of white-bellied pangolin at 137 sites. Ground-dwelling giant pangolins were largely confined to the core of the Reserve. Semi-arboreal white-bellied pangolins were predominantly distributed in the northeast, east and south of the Reserve. Lower occupancy in the west and northwest could partly be due to pressures from human settlements around the Hydromekin Dam and Sud-Cameroun Hévéa rubber plantation. Our study suggests that at the ground-level the two species do not spatially segregate, and both were active throughout the night. We found high diel activity overlap, although there was a significant difference in activity peak times. There was also evidence of white-bellied pangolin possibly exhibiting fine-scale behavioural avoidance of giant pangolin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan Amin
- Zoological Society of London , Regents Park , London NW1 4RY , UK
| | - Tim Wacher
- Zoological Society of London , Regents Park , London NW1 4RY , UK
| | - Oliver Fankem
- Zoological Society of London – Cameroon , Yaoundé , Cameroon
| | - Tom Bruce
- Zoological Society of London – Cameroon , Yaoundé , Cameroon
| | | | | | - Andrew Fowler
- Zoological Society of London – Cameroon , Yaoundé , Cameroon
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Watabe R, Saito MU. Winter weather conditions result in temporal niche overlap among three sympatric medium-sized carnivores in northeastern Japan. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03271-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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22
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Ikeda T, Higashide D, Shichijo T. Impact of human disturbance in Japan on the distribution and diel activity pattern of terrestrial mammals. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Corral L, Frink TJ, Fontaine JJ. Is time partitioning the currency of coexistence for a grassland canid community? WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Corral
- Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln NE USA
| | | | - Joseph J. Fontaine
- Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln NE USA
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Fedele E, Mori E, Giampaoli Rustichelli M, Del Sala F, Giannini F, Meriggi M, Santini G, Zaccaroni M. Alien versus alien: spatiotemporal overlaps among introduced ungulates in a Mediterranean island ecosystem. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00313-8] [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
AbstractAssessing the spatiotemporal behaviour of alien species is pivotal to designing effective management plans. Interspecific niche partitioning among ungulates is reported as a strategy to avoid direct interactions. The Mediterranean mouflon and wild boar are two ungulates introduced to Elba island for hunting and aesthetic purposes. We used intensive camera trapping to test whether species occupancy and temporal activity rhythms would vary in response to the presence or absence of the co-occurring species through multi-species occupancy modelling. Our findings report a lack of spatial and temporal segregation between the two species for the late spring–summer and late summer–autumn seasons. In contrast, results for the winter–early spring period suggest that spatial partitioning between wild boar and mouflon is present in areas with high artificial cover (e.g., paved roads). Animals may indeed exploit roads to move more rapidly in search of food; however, their occurrence in these areas seems to be influenced by the presence of the other species.
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Salgado R, Barja I, Hernández MDC, Lucero B, Castro-Arellano I, Bonacic C, Rubio AV. Activity patterns and interactions of rodents in an assemblage composed by native species and the introduced black rat: implications for pathogen transmission. BMC ZOOL 2022; 7:48. [PMID: 36042784 PMCID: PMC9412813 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-022-00152-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The degree of temporal overlap between sympatric wild hosts species and their behavioral interactions can be highly relevant to the transmission of pathogens. However, this topic has been scantly addressed. Furthermore, temporal overlap and interactions within an assemblage of wild rodents composed of native and introduced species have been rarely discussed worldwide. We assessed the nocturnal activity patterns and interactions between rodent taxa of an assemblage consisting of native species (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, Abrothrix hirta, and Abrothrix olivaceus) and the introduced black rat (Rattus rattus) in a temperate forest from southern Chile. All rodent species in this study are known hosts for various zoonotic pathogens.
Results
We found a high nocturnal temporal overlap within the rodent assemblage. However, pairwise comparisons of temporal activity patterns indicated significant differences among all taxa. Rattus rattus showed aggressive behaviors against all native rodents more frequently than against their conspecifics. As for native rodents, agonistic behaviors were the most common interactions between individuals of the same taxon and between individuals of different taxa (O. longicaudatus vs Abrothrix spp.).
Conclusions
Our findings reveal several interactions among rodent taxa that may have implications for pathogens such as hantaviruses, Leptospira spp., and vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, their transmission may be facilitated by the temporal overlap observed between rodent taxa.
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26
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Eastern Spotted Skunks Alter Nightly Activity and Movement in Response to Environmental Conditions. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-188.1.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Temporal variation in the behaviour of a cooperatively breeding bird, Jungle Babbler (Argya striata). Trop Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42965-022-00254-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Temporal Activity Patterns of the Eurasian Beaver and Coexisting Species in a Mediterranean Ecosystem. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151961. [PMID: 35953950 PMCID: PMC9367497 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyses of temporal partitioning and overlaps in activity rhythms are pivotal to shed light on interspecific coexistence between similar species or prey and predators. In this work, we assessed the overlap of activity rhythms between the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber and its potential competitors and predators through camera trapping in an area in Central Italy. Interspecific overlaps of temporal activity patterns were estimated for the beavers, potential predators (the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the grey wolf Canis lupus), and a potential competitor, the coypu Myocastor coypus. The beavers showed a mostly crepuscular behaviour. Although high temporal overlap was observed between the Eurasian beavers and the red foxes and grey wolves, the activity of the beavers did not overlap with that of the predators. Accordingly, the beavers were more active on the darkest nights, i.e., avoiding bright moonlight.
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Li Z, Wang J, Khattak RH, Han X, Liu P, Liu Z, Teng L. Coexistence mechanisms of sympatric ungulates: Behavioral and physiological adaptations of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and red deer (Cervus elaphus alxaicus) in Helan Mountains, China. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.925465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying the coexistence mechanisms of sympatric wildlife helps to shed light on why the earth has so many different species. When ungulates share ranges, food and habitat requirements may partially or fully overlap. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine how sympatric ungulates share limited resources. Carcasses of 27 adult blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and three adult red deer (Cervus elaphus alxaicus) were collected in the Helan Mountains, China. Nutritive indices of plant species foraged and morphometric measurements of the digestive system of the two sympatric ungulates were determined. In addition, 120 passive, infrared motion-triggered cameras recorded spatial overlap and temporal overlap between the two species. Camera trapping revealed relatively limited spatial overlap and significantly different activity rhythms between blue sheep and red deer. Differences were also observed in stomach weight, surface enlargement factor of the rumen, and intestine length between the two species. However, the combined relative weight of the stomach and intestine was not different between species. The low spatiotemporal overlap decreased opportunities for encounters between sympatric blue sheep and red deer, and significant differences in digestive systems allowed the two species to consume different plant species or different parts of the same species. Thus, the two sympatric ungulates coexist harmoniously in the Helan Mountains because of long-term evolutionary behavioral and physiological adaptations that eliminate negative effects on the survival of the other species.
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Lazzeri L, Fazzi P, Lucchesi M, Mori E, Velli E, Cappai N, Ciuti F, Ferretti F, Fonda F, Paniccia C, Pavanello M, Pecorella S, Sangiuliano A, Sforzi A, Siclari A, Spada A. The rhythm of the night: patterns of activity of the European wildcat in the Italian peninsula. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00276-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe European wildcat is a threatened carnivore, whose ecology is still scarcely studied, especially in Mediterranean areas. In this study, we estimated activity rhythm patterns of this felid, by means of camera-trapping at three spatial scales: (i) whole country (Italy); (ii) biogeographical areas; (iii) latitudinal zones. The activity rhythms patterns were also calculated according to temporal scales: (1) warm semester; (2) cold semester and (3) seasonal scales. Lastly, we also tested whether the effect of moon phases affected the wildcat activity. We conducted the analysis on a total of 975 independent events collected in 2009–2021, from 285 locations, in ~ 65,800 camera days. We showed that the wildcat in Italy exhibits a > 70% nocturnal behaviour, with 20% of diurnal activity, at all spatial scales, and throughout the whole year, with peaks at 10.00 p.m. and 04.00 a.m. We observed a high overlap of wildcat activity rhythms between different biogeographical and latitudinal zones. The wildcat was mainly active on the darkest nights, reducing its activity in bright moonlight nights. Diurnal activity was greater in the warm months and decreased with the distance from shrubs and woodlands, most likely according to activity rhythms of its main prey, water presence in summer, the care of offspring and the availability of shelter sites. Conversely, the distance to paved roads seems to have no significant effects on diurnal activity, suggesting that, in presence of natural shelters, the wildcat probably may tolerate these infrastructures. We suggested limited plasticity in activity rhythm patterns of the wildcat, emphasizing the importance of dark hours for this species.
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Evaluating the temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning between carnivores by different analytical method in northeastern Japan. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11987. [PMID: 35835847 PMCID: PMC9283404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16020-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning is an important strategy for carnivore coexistence. Camera-trap data has been analyzed through several methods to assess the temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning. However, different analytical approaches used to may evaluate niche partitioning detect different results. In this study, we evaluated the temporal or spatio-temporal partitioning among sympatric medium-sized carnivores, red foxes, raccoon dogs, and Japanese martens, based on three analytical methods-the temporal overlap, temporal co-occurrence, and time-to-encounter analysis-to evaluate. From May to October 2019 and 2020, we obtained the activity of the target species using camera-traps in northeastern Japan. We analyzed the data with the coefficient of temporal overlap, probabilistic co-occurrence analysis, checkerboard score, and multi-response permutation procedures. The results of the assessment of the niche partitioning differed depending on the analytical methods based on temporal and spatio-temporal partitioning. Therefore, we conclude that the choice of analytical approach is important for evaluating the temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning.
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Temporal and Spatial Activity Patterns of Sympatric Wild Ungulates in Qinling Mountains, China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131666. [PMID: 35804566 PMCID: PMC9264793 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Information on species’ niche differentiation will contribute to a greater understanding of the mechanisms of coexistence benefitting the conservation and management of ecological communities. The widespread reduction in apex predators and more restricted hunting management has con-tributed to an increase in the abundance of wild ungulates in the Qinling Mountains, presumably resulting in an intensifying interspecific competition pressure. However, the activity patterns of the species in this region are completely unknown due to difficulty in accessing the locations where they occur. Thus, we used camera trapping to systematically investigate spatial and temporal activity patterns of sympatric ungulates in the Qinling Mountains, where top predators are virtually absent. This intensive camera-trap survey elucidated much more detailed studies of spatial and temporal activity patterns in multiple sympatric wild ungulates under natural conditions. Further, our results provided detailed information of the spatial and temporal ecology of ungulate communities in forest ecosystems, which would be a guide to establishing conservation priorities as well as efficient management programs. Abstract Dramatic increases in populations of wild ungulates have brought a new ecological issue in the Qinling mountains. Information on species’ niche differentiation will contribute to a greater understanding of the mechanisms of coexistence, so as to ultimately benefit the conservation and management of ecological communities. In this study, camera trapping was used to investigate spatial and temporal activity patterns of sympatric wild ungulates in the Qinling Mountains of China, where top predators were virtually absent. We obtained 15,584 independent detections of seven wild ungulate species during 93,606 camera-trap days from April 2014 to October 2017. Results showed that (i) the capture rate differed significantly across species, with the capture rate of reeve muntjac being significantly higher than that of other species; (ii) the wild boar had a higher occupancy rates (ψ = 0.888) than other six ungulates, and distance to settlements had a negative relationship with wild boar (β = −0.24 ± 0.17); (iii) the forest musk deer and mainland serow had low spatial overlaps with other five wild ungulates, while spatial overlap indices of any two given pairs of wild ungulates were relatively high; (iv) all wild ungulates species (expect wild boar) were mainly active during crepuscular and diurnal periods, and showed bimodal activity peaks at around 05:00–07:00 and 17:00–19:00; and finally, (v) all wild ungulates showed moderate to high temporal overlaps. The results provided detailed information of the spatial and temporal ecology of wild ungulate communities in forest ecosystems of China, which also would be a guide to establish conservation priorities as well as efficient management programs.
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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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D’Ammando G, Caro T, Oelze VM, Phillips S, Sime P, Stewart FA, Piel AK. Ecological Drivers of Habitat Use by Meso Mammals in a Miombo Ecosystem in the Issa Valley, Tanzania. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.773568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vast stretches of East and Southern Africa are characterized by a mosaic of deciduous woodlands and evergreen riparian forests, commonly referred to as “miombo,” hosting a high diversity of plant and animal life. However, very little is known about the communities of small-sized mammals inhabiting this heterogeneous biome. We here document the diversity and abundance of 0.5–15 kg sized mammals (“meso-mammals”) in a relatively undisturbed miombo mosaic in western Tanzania, using 42 camera traps deployed over a 3 year-period. Despite a relatively low diversity of meso-mammal species (n = 19), these comprised a mixture of savanna and forest species, with the latter by far the most abundant. Our results show that densely forested sites are more intensely utilized than deciduous woodlands, suggesting riparian forest within the miombo matrix might be of key importance to meso-mammal populations. Some species were captured significantly more often in proximity to (and sometimes feeding on) termite mounds (genus Macrotermes), as they are a crucial food resource. There was some evidence of temporal partitioning in activity patterns, suggesting hetero-specific avoidance to reduce foraging competition. We compare our findings to those of other miombo sites in south-central Africa.
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Tian J, Zou Q, Zhang M, Hu C, Khattak RH, Su H. Spatial and temporal differentiation are not distinct but are covariant for facilitating coexistence of small and medium-sized carnivores in Southwestern China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02017] [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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Rosalino LM, Teixeira D, Camarinha C, Pereira G, Magalhães A, Castro G, Lima C, Fonseca C. Even generalist and resilient species are affected by anthropic disturbance: evidence from wild boar activity patterns in a Mediterranean landscape. MAMMAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-022-00632-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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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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Müller L, Briers‐Louw WD, Amin R, Lochner CS, Leslie AJ. Carnivore coexistence facilitated by spatial and dietary partitioning and fine‐scale behavioural avoidance in a semi‐arid ecosystem. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lana Müller
- The Cape Leopard Trust Cape Town South Africa
| | | | - Rajan Amin
- Conservation Programmes Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park London UK
| | | | - Alison Jane Leslie
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch Western Cape South Africa
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Widodo FA, Imron MA, Sunarto S, Giordano AJ. Carnivores and their prey in Sumatra: Occupancy and activity in human-dominated forests. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265440. [PMID: 35303739 PMCID: PMC8932565 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the effect of anthropogenic disturbance, and its interaction with carnivores and their prey, is crucial to support the conservation of threatened carnivores, particularly in rapidly changing landscapes. Based on systematic camera-trap sampling of four protected areas in Riau Province of central Sumatra, we assessed the habitat occupancy and spatiotemporal overlap between people, potential carnivore prey, and four threatened species of medium-sized or large carnivores: Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), dholes (Cuon alpinus), and Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi). To assess spatial overlap of target species, we used single-species occupancy models and applied a Species Interaction Factor (SIF) to conditional two-species occupancy models. We also used kernel density estimation (KDE) to assess temporal overlap among these species. Our habitat use models showed that altitude (elevation) strongly influenced the occupancy of all large carnivores and potential prey species. Except for Sunda clouded leopards, the occurrence of large carnivore species was positively related to the spatial co-occurrence of humans (SIF > 1). In addition, we found that sun bears and dholes both exhibited high spatial overlap with tigers, and that sun bears alone exhibited high temporal overlap with people. Our findings contribute to an improved understanding of the contemporary ecology of carnivores and their prey in rapidly changing, southeast Asian landscapes. Such knowledge is important to the conservation and recovery of large carnivores in conservation hotspots that are increasingly dominated by humans across Sumatra, as well as globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Febri Anggriawan Widodo
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia, Central Sumatra, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
- Wildlife Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- S.P.E.C.I.E.S. – The Society for the Preservation of Endangered Carnivores and their International Ecological Study, Ventura, California, United States of America
- International Development Studies, Faculty of Geoscience, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Muhammad Ali Imron
- Wildlife Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- S.P.E.C.I.E.S. – The Society for the Preservation of Endangered Carnivores and their International Ecological Study, Ventura, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sunarto Sunarto
- Institute for Sustainable Earth and Resources (I-SER), University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Anthony J. Giordano
- S.P.E.C.I.E.S. – The Society for the Preservation of Endangered Carnivores and their International Ecological Study, Ventura, California, United States of America
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Can prey occupancy act as a surrogate for mesopredator occupancy? A case study of ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00232-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Viviano A, Scarfò M, Mori E. Temporal Partitioning between Forest-Dwelling Small Rodents in a Mediterranean Deciduous Woodland. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030279. [PMID: 35158603 PMCID: PMC8833473 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Temporal partitioning is reported as one of the main strategies adopted by coexisting mammal species to limit interspecific competition and behavioural interference. In the last decades, camera-trapping surveys have provided valuable insights in assessing temporal niche and activity rhythms of medium and large-sized mammalian species. Conversely, this method has been poorly applied to small rodents. In this work we aimed at assessing temporal niche partitioning between two species of forest-dwelling small rodents—Apodemus flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus—by means of intensive camera-trapping. Camera traps were placed in areas where previous genetic analyses have confirmed the only presence of A. flavicollis amongst wood mice species, to prevent misinterpretation of records. We collected 124 independent records of A. flavicollis and 67 records of C. glareolus over three years. The former was mostly nocturnal, with activity peaking after midnight, whereas the latter was mostly active at dawn and dusk. Therefore, a limited temporal overlap was observed, confirming the potential for interspecific competition. Intraguild interference competition between A. flavicollis and C. glareolus may play a pivotal role forcing C. glareolus to be more active in daylight hours where, the more strictly nocturnal A. flavicollis is present. Nocturnal activity of C. glareolus was limited and not influenced by moon phases, whereas A. flavicollis was mostly active in the darkest nights, avoiding bright moonlight nights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Viviano
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agro-Ambientali, Produzioni Agroalimentari e Gestione degli Agroecosistemi, Università degli Studi di Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Manuel Scarfò
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy;
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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Salehie O, Ismail TB, Shahid S, Sammen SS, Malik A, Wang X. Selection of the gridded temperature dataset for assessment of thermal bioclimatic environmental changes in Amu Darya River basin. STOCHASTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND RISK ASSESSMENT : RESEARCH JOURNAL 2022; 36:2919-2939. [PMID: 35075345 PMCID: PMC8769093 DOI: 10.1007/s00477-022-02172-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Assessment of the thermal bioclimatic environmental changes is important to understand ongoing climate change implications on agriculture, ecology, and human health. This is particularly important for the climatologically diverse transboundary Amy Darya River basin, a major source of water and livelihood for millions in Central Asia. However, the absence of longer period observed temperature data is a major obstacle for such analysis. This study employed a novel approach by integrating compromise programming and multicriteria group decision-making methods to evaluate the efficiency of four global gridded temperature datasets based on observation data at 44 stations. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated by comparing the results obtained using symmetrical uncertainty, a machine learning similarity assessment method. The most reliable gridded data was used to assess the spatial distribution of global warming-induced unidirectional trends in thermal bioclimatic indicators (TBI) using a modified Mann-Kendall test. Ranking of the products revealed Climate Prediction Center (CPC) temperature as most efficient in reconstruction observed temperature, followed by TerraClimate and Climate Research Unit. The ranking of the product was consistent with that obtained using SU. Assessment of TBI trends using CPC data revealed an increase in the Tmin in the coldest month over the whole basin at a rate of 0.03-0.08 °C per decade, except in the east. Besides, an increase in diurnal temperature range and isothermally increased in the east up to 0.2 °C and 0.6% per decade, respectively. The results revealed negative implications of thermal bioclimatic change on water, ecology, and public health in the eastern mountainous region and positive impacts on vegetation in the west and northwest. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00477-022-02172-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obaidullah Salehie
- School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia
- Faculty of Environment, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Tarmizi bin Ismail
- School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia
| | - Shamsuddin Shahid
- School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia
| | - Saad Sh Sammen
- Faculty of Environment, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Anurag Malik
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Diyala, Baqubah, Diyala Governorate Iraq
- Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda, Punjab 151001 India
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology–Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029 China
- Research Center for Climate Change, Ministry of Water Resources, Nanjing, 210029 China
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Ngoprasert D, Steinmetz R, Sribuarod K, Gale GA. The overlap of sympatric sun bears and Asiatic black bears in space and time. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00201-7] [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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OUP accepted manuscript. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Rocha M, Serronha A, Rodrigues M, Alves PC, Monterroso P. Comfort over safety: thermoregulation overshadows predation risk effects in the activity of a keystone prey. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Rocha
- Escola de Ciências Universidade do Minho Braga Portugal
| | - A. Serronha
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos InBIO Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto CIBIO Vairão Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics Biodiversity and Land Planning CIBIO Vairão Portugal
| | - M. Rodrigues
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos InBIO Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto CIBIO Vairão Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics Biodiversity and Land Planning CIBIO Vairão Portugal
- Estação Biológica de Mértola (EBM) Mértola Portugal
| | - P. C. Alves
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos InBIO Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto CIBIO Vairão Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics Biodiversity and Land Planning CIBIO Vairão Portugal
- Estação Biológica de Mértola (EBM) Mértola Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Universidade do Porto Porto Portugal
- Wildlife Biology Program Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT USA
| | - P. Monterroso
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos InBIO Laboratório Associado Universidade do Porto CIBIO Vairão Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics Biodiversity and Land Planning CIBIO Vairão Portugal
- Estação Biológica de Mértola (EBM) Mértola Portugal
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Webster AB, Pretorius ME, Somers MJ. The Determinants of Mesocarnivore Activity Patterns in Highveld Grassland and Riparian Habitats. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3957/056.051.0178] [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)
- Andrea B. Webster
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte E. Pretorius
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Habitat Selection and Activity Patterns of Japanese Serows and Sika Deer with Currently Sympatric Distributions. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123398. [PMID: 34944175 PMCID: PMC8698128 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Investigating the interspecific interactions between species provides a suitable model for understanding the mechanisms of coexistence between sympatric species. We assessed the spatial and temporal partitioning of spaces between Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus) and sika deer (Cervus nippon), which are usually allopatric, in an area with early-stage invasion of sika deer into Japanese serow habitat. The habitat selection and activity patterns of the two species were evaluated using camera traps. Both species were recorded in >25% of the same camera sites and showed similar selection tendencies for water resources. The Japanese serows selected steep slopes, whereas the sika deer selected areas distant from human settlements, resulting in low spatial overlap. Additionally, the Japanese serows were more active during the daytime, whereas the sika deer were active at the crepuscule. The observed spatial and temporal partitioning likely reduces their encounter rates, thereby minimizing possible interference competition. However, spatial and temporal overlaps between the two species are likely to increase as the density of sika deer increases, potentially resulting in a decline in the density of Japanese serows with smaller body sizes. Trapping for deer management should be focused on areas with gentle slopes, away from valleys and human settlements, to reduce the unintentional capture of Japanese serows. Abstract The Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) and sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan are usually allopatric. However, a recent expansion in the distribution range of sika deer, combined with an increase in abundance, has resulted in an overlap of the distribution ranges of the two species. We examined the habitat selection and activity patterns of Japanese serows and sika deer using camera traps placed at 83 sites within a 210 km2 study area, where the distribution range of these two species has recently overlapped. Although both species were photographed throughout the study area, we observed a low spatial overlap between them. The Japanese serows selected steep slopes, and the sika deer selected areas far away from human settlements. In addition, the Japanese serows and sika deer exhibited temporal partitioning with diurnal and crepuscular activity patterns, respectively. The observed partitioning could be explained by differences in their species-specific habitat selections, rather than competition, because the photographic capture rate of the Japanese serows was not affected by that of the sika deer and vice versa. These partitioning behaviors are likely to reduce the rate of encounters between the two ungulates, which enables their coexistence considering the sika deer density remains low.
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Ferreiro‐Arias I, Isla J, Jordano P, Benítez‐López A. Fine-scale coexistence between Mediterranean mesocarnivores is mediated by spatial, temporal, and trophic resource partitioning. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:15520-15533. [PMID: 34824772 PMCID: PMC8601891 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The partition of the ecological niche can enhance the coexistence of predators due to differences in how they exploit three main resources: food, space, and time, the latter being an axis that often remains unexplored.We studied niche segregation in a Mediterranean mesocarnivore community composed by Vulpes vulpes, Genetta genetta, Meles meles, and Herpestes ichneumon, addressing simultaneously different niche axes: the temporal, trophic, and spatial axes.We assessed temporal segregation between mesopredators and prey and between potential competitors, using camera trap data between 2018 and 2020 in a Mediterranean landscape in Southern Spain. We deployed camera traps in 35 stations in three sites with varying vegetation cover within Doñana National Park. We further examined the spatial overlap in activity centers and trophic preferences between potential competitors using diet information from studies performed in the study area.We found an overall temporal segregation between trophic generalist species, with species showing higher temporal overlap differing in their trophic preferences and/or showing limited spatial overlap. Furthermore, we observed an overall high overlap between the activity patterns of predators and their major prey in the area (the common genet vs. small mammals and the red fox vs. European rabbit).Our study suggests that coexistence of the different species that compose the mesocarnivore assemblage in Mediterranean landscapes can be facilitated by subtle differences along the three main niche axes, with temporal segregation being a most pronounced mechanism. Our findings reinforce the idea that the coexistence mechanisms underlying community structure are multidimensional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iago Ferreiro‐Arias
- Integrative Ecology GroupEstación Biológica de DoñanaConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasSevillaSpain
| | - Jorge Isla
- Integrative Ecology GroupEstación Biológica de DoñanaConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasSevillaSpain
| | - Pedro Jordano
- Integrative Ecology GroupEstación Biológica de DoñanaConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasSevillaSpain
- Department Biología Vegetal y EcologíaUniversidad de SevillaSevillaSpain
| | - Ana Benítez‐López
- Integrative Ecology GroupEstación Biológica de DoñanaConsejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasSevillaSpain
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Kupferman CA, Crupi AP, Waits LP, Gilbert SL. Spatial and temporal partitioning of mustelids in Southeast Alaska. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin A. Kupferman
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory University of Georgia P.O. Drawer E Aiken South Carolina 29802 USA
| | - Anthony P. Crupi
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game 802 3rd Street Douglas Alaska 99824 USA
| | - Lisette P. Waits
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1136 Moscow Idaho 83844 USA
| | - Sophie L. Gilbert
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1136 Moscow Idaho 83844 USA
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Abundance and use pattern of wildcats of ancient human-modified cattle pastures in northern Iberian Peninsula. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-021-01533-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe wildcat is typically found in low densities. Here, we estimated wildcat abundance in cattle pastures interspersed between forests in northern Iberian Peninsula, and their patterns of intra-annual and daily use. We censused wildcats three times daily (morning, afternoon, and night) from a car during 4 years in summer season. We also carried out four monthly tracks (two in the morning and two in the afternoon) for a complete year. Overall, we recorded 191 wildcats in pastures and 5 on the road in forest zones. Thirteen different individual wildcats were identified during the summer censuses, but only 29.9% of the wildcats observed (n = 196) could be assigned to an individual wildcat. The number of wildcats sighted decreased especially during the last year, when sightings were 52–67% lower than in previous years. Wildcats were seen significantly more during the morning and night censuses than during the afternoon ones. Estimated annual summer densities in pasture areas ranged between 0.11 and 0.46 sightings/km2. Throughout the year, wildcats were observed 5.9 times more during summer-autumn than during winter-spring, and they could be observed in any time of the day, but more often close to dusk. It is noteworthy that the ancient human-transformed landscapes for cattle pastures could be an important habitat for wildcats in northern Iberian Peninsula, and conserving these areas should be important to maintaining wildcat populations.
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