1
|
White LM, Gifford SJ, Kaufman G, Gese E, Peyton MA, Parmenter RR, Cain JW. Seroprevalence, Blood Chemistry, and Patterns of Canine Parvovirus, Distemper Virus, Plague, and Tularemia in Free-Ranging Coyotes (Canis latrans) in Northern New Mexico, USA. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:14-25. [PMID: 37889940 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife diseases have implications for ecology, conservation, human health, and health of domestic animals. They may impact wildlife health and population dynamics. Exposure rates of coyotes (Canis latrans) to pathogens such as Yersinia pestis, the cause of plague, may reflect prevalence rates in both rodent prey and human populations. We captured coyotes in north-central New Mexico during 2005-2008 and collected blood samples for serologic surveys. We tested for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV, Canine morbillivirus), canine parvovirus (CPV, Carnivore protoparvovirus), plague, tularemia (Francisella tularensis), and for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen. Serum biochemistry variables that fell outside reference ranges were probably related to capture stress. We detected antibodies to parvovirus in 32/32 samples (100%), and to Y. pestis in 26/31 (84%). More than half 19/32 (59%) had antibodies against CDV, and 5/31 (39%) had antibodies against F. tularensis. We did not detect any heartworm antigens (n = 9). Pathogen prevalence was similar between sexes and among the three coyote packs in the study area. Parvovirus exposure appeared to happen early in life, and prevalence of antibodies against CDV increased with increasing age class. Exposure to Y. pestis and F. tularensis occurred across all age classes. The high coyote seroprevalence rates observed for CPV, Y. pestis, and CDV may indicate high prevalence in sympatric vertebrate populations, with implications for regional wildlife conservation as well as risk to humans via zoonotic transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leah M White
- New Mexico State University, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, PO Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA
| | - Suzanne J Gifford
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
- US Forest Service, 4389 US-4, Mendon, Vermont 05701, USA
| | - Gail Kaufman
- Consulting DVM, 8631 Groundsel RD NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120, USA
| | - Eric Gese
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Utah Field Station, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 83222, USA
| | - Mark A Peyton
- National Park Service, Valles Caldera National Preserve, PO Box 359, Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025, USA
| | - Robert R Parmenter
- National Park Service, Valles Caldera National Preserve, PO Box 359, Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025, USA
| | - James W Cain
- US Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, New Mexico State University, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, PO Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huggler KS, Hayes MM, Burke PW, Zornes M, Thompson DJ, Lionberger P, Valdez M, Monteith KL. Coursing the mottled mosaic: Generalist predators track pulses in availability of neonatal ungulates. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10378. [PMID: 37502310 PMCID: PMC10369373 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The density and distribution of resources shape animal movement and behavior and have direct implications for population dynamics. Resource availability often is "pulsed" in space and time, and individuals should cue in on resource pulses when the energetic gain of doing so exceeds that of stable resources. Birth pulses of prey represent a profitable but ephemeral resource and should thereby result in shifting functional responses by predators. We evaluated movements and resource selection of coyotes (Canis latrans) across a gradient of reproductive stages ranging from late gestation to peak lactation of female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in southwest Wyoming, USA, to test whether coyotes exhibited shifts in selection and movement behavior relative to the availability and vulnerability of neonatal mule deer. We expected coyotes to track pulses in availability of neonatal mule deer, and such behavior would be represented by shifts in resource selection and search behavior of coyotes that would be strongest during peak parturition of mule deer. Coyotes selected areas of high relative probability of use by female mule deer and did so most strongly during peak parturition. Furthermore, searching behavior of coyotes intensified during pulses of availability of deer neonates. Our findings support the notion that coyotes exploit pulses of neonatal deer, presumably as an attempt to capitalize on a vulnerable, energy-rich resource. Our work quantifies the behavioral mechanisms by which coyotes consume ungulate neonates and provides one of the first examples of a mammalian predator-prey system centered on a pulsed resource.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katey S. Huggler
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesWyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Matthew M. Hayes
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesWyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Patrick W. Burke
- Wyoming Game and Fish DepartmentGreen River RegionGreen RiverWyomingUSA
| | - Mark Zornes
- Wyoming Game and Fish DepartmentGreen River RegionGreen RiverWyomingUSA
| | | | - Patrick Lionberger
- Bureau of Land ManagementRock Springs Field OfficeRock SpringsWyomingUSA
| | - Miguel Valdez
- Bureau of Land ManagementRock Springs Field OfficeRock SpringsWyomingUSA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesWyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mayette A, Loseto L, Pearce T, Hornby C, Marcoux M. Group characteristics and spatial organization of the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) population using aerial photographs. CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
While it is known that beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) are social animals, sociality within populations remains complex and poorly understood. Using aerial photographs taken in mid-July and early August 2019, we examined group characteristics and spatial organization of the Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga population in two distinct summering areas: (1) the continental shelf and offshore region of the southeast Beaufort Sea, and (2) the inshore of the Mackenzie Estuary. Observations revealed that the average group size was similar in both environments. A piecewise regression analysis showed that belugas were found to be most frequently within 24.6 m of another beluga in the offshore, and within 22.0 m in the inshore. The average inter-individual distance of groups composed of subadults and/or adults was greater than that of groups including younger whales in both environments. Also, the swimming direction of individuals in a group differed less in the offshore than in the inshore. We suggest that habitat shapes the types of activity conducted and that spatial cohesion within groups persists across environmental conditions but changes with age composition. By identifying elements of social structure and important areas for Eastern Beaufort Sea belugas, our results highlight the value of habitat conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Mayette
- University of Manitoba Clayton H Riddell Faculty of Environment Earth and Resources, 194380, Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Lisa Loseto
- University of Manitoba Clayton H Riddell Faculty of Environment Earth and Resources, 194380, Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada Central and Arctic Region, 111145, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Tristan Pearce
- University of Northern British Columbia, 6727, Department of Global & International Studies Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, V2N 4Z9
| | - Claire Hornby
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada Central and Arctic Region, 111145, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Marianne Marcoux
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada Central and Arctic Region, 111145, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Draper JP, Atwood TB, Beckman NG, Kettenring KM, Young JK. Mesopredator frugivory has no effect on seed viability and emergence under experimental conditions. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John P. Draper
- Department of Watershed Sciences and the Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Trisha B. Atwood
- Department of Watershed Sciences and the Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Noelle G. Beckman
- Department of Biology and the Ecology Center Utah State University 5305 Old Main Hill Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Karin M. Kettenring
- Department of Watershed Sciences and the Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Julie K. Young
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Predator Research Facility National Wildlife Research Center Millville Utah 84326 USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chamberlain MJ, Cohen BS, Wightman PH, Rushton E, Hinton JW. Fine-scale movements and behaviors of coyotes ( Canis latrans) during their reproductive period. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:9575-9588. [PMID: 34306644 PMCID: PMC8293769 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In canids, resident breeders hold territories but require different resources than transient individuals (i.e., dispersers), which may result in differential use of space, land cover, and food by residents and transients. In the southeastern United States, coyote (Canis latrans) reproduction occurs during spring and is energetically demanding for residents, but transients do not reproduce and therefore can exhibit feeding behaviors with lower energetic rewards. Hence, how coyotes behave in their environment likely differs between resident and transient coyotes. We captured and monitored 36 coyotes in Georgia during 2018-2019 and used data from 11 resident breeders, 12 predispersing residents (i.e., offspring of resident breeders), and 11 transients to determine space use, movements, and relationships between these behaviors and landcover characteristics. Average home range size for resident breeders and predispersing offspring was 20.7 ± 2.5 km² and 50.7 ± 10.0 km², respectively. Average size of transient ranges was 241.4 ± 114.5 km². Daily distance moved was 6.3 ± 3.0 km for resident males, 5.5 ± 2.7 km for resident females, and 6.9 ± 4.2 km for transients. We estimated first-passage time values to assess the scale at which coyotes respond to their environment, and used behavioral change-point analysis to determine that coyotes exhibited three behavioral states. We found notable differences between resident and transient coyotes in regard to how landcover characteristics influenced their behavioral states. Resident coyotes tended to select for areas with denser vegetation while resting and foraging, but for areas with less dense vegetation and canopy cover when walking. Transient coyotes selected areas closer to roads and with lower canopy cover while resting, but for areas farther from roads when foraging and walking. Our findings suggest that behaviors of both resident and transient coyotes are influenced by varying landcover characteristics, which could have implications for prey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bradley S. Cohen
- College of Arts and SciencesTennessee Technological UniversityCookevilleTNUSA
| | - Patrick H. Wightman
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
| | - Emily Rushton
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resources DivisionSocial CircleGAUSA
| | - Joseph W. Hinton
- College of Forest Resources and Environmental ScienceMichigan Technological UniversityHoughtonMIUSA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Herzog CJ, Bateman HL. Using Trail Cameras to Document Meso and Large Mammal Use of Native and Nonnative Riparian Forest Types in Southeastern Arizona. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2021. [DOI: 10.3398/064.081.0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheyenne J. Herzog
- Arizona State University, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Mesa, AZ 85212
| | - Heather L. Bateman
- Arizona State University, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Mesa, AZ 85212
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Klauder K, Borg BL, Prugh LR. Living on the edge: spatial response of coyotes (Canis latrans) to wolves (Canis lupus) in the subarctic. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how mesopredators manage the risks associated with apex predators is key to explaining impacts of apex predators on mesopredator populations and patterns of mesopredator space use. Here we examine the spatial response of coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) to risk posed by wolves (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) using data from sympatric individuals fitted with GPS collars in subarctic Alaska, USA, near the northern range limit for coyotes. We show that coyotes do not universally avoid wolves, but instead demonstrate season-specific responses to both wolf proximity and long-term use of the landscape by wolves. Specifically, coyotes switched from avoiding wolves in summer to preferring areas with wolves in winter, and this selection was consistent across short-term and longer term temporal scales. In the summer, coyotes responded less strongly to risk of wolves when in open areas than when in closed vegetation. We also demonstrate that coyotes maintain extremely large territories averaging 291 km2, and experience low annual survival (0.50) with large carnivores being the largest source of mortality. This combination of attraction and avoidance predicated on season and landcover suggests that mesopredators use complex behavioral strategies to mediate the effects of apex predators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaija Klauder
- University of Washington, College of the Environment, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Bridget L. Borg
- National Park Service, Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9, Denali Park, AK 99755, USA
| | - Laura R. Prugh
- University of Washington, College of the Environment, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gifford SJ, Gese EM, Parmenter RR. FOOD HABITS OF COYOTES (CANIS LATRANS) IN THE VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE, NEW MEXICO. SOUTHWEST NAT 2020. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-64-2-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne J. Gifford
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322 (SJG)
| | - Eric M. Gese
- United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322 (EMG)
| | - Robert R. Parmenter
- Valles Caldera National Preserve, P.O. Box 359, Jemez Springs, NM 87025 (RRP)
| |
Collapse
|