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Allen ML, Avrin AC, Wittmer HU, Wang Y, Wilmers CC. Mesocarnivores vary in their spatiotemporal avoidance strategies at communications hubs of an apex carnivore. Oecologia 2024; 204:805-813. [PMID: 38564073 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05541-y] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Mesocarnivores face interspecific competition and risk intraguild predation when sharing resources with apex carnivores. Within a landscape, carnivores across trophic levels may use the same communication hubs, which provide a mix of risks (injury/death) and rewards (gaining information) for subordinate species. We predicted that mesocarnivores would employ different strategies to avoid apex carnivores at shared communication hubs, depending on their trophic position. To test our prediction, we examined how different subordinate carnivore species in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, USA, manage spatial overlap with pumas (Puma concolor), both at communication hubs and across a landscape-level camera trap array. We estimated species-specific occurrence, visitation rates, temporal overlap, and Avoidance-Attraction Ratios from camera traps and tested for differences between the two types of sites. We found that mesocarnivores generally avoided pumas at communication hubs, and this became more pronounced when pumas scent-marked during their most recent visit. Coyotes (Canis latrans), the pumas' closest subordinate competitor in our system, exhibited the strongest avoidance at communication hubs. Gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) avoided pumas the least, which may suggest possible benefits from pumas suppressing coyotes. Overall, mesocarnivores exhibited various spatiotemporal avoidance strategies at communication hubs rather than outright avoidance, likely because they benefit from information gained while 'eavesdropping' on puma activity. Variability in avoidance strategies may be due to differential predation risks, as apex carnivores often interact more aggressively with their closest competitors. Combined, our results show how apex carnivores trigger complex species interactions across the entire carnivore guild and how trophic position determines behavioral responses and subsequent space use of subordinate mesocarnivores across the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian L Allen
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, 1816 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, 1102 S. Goodwin, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Alexandra C Avrin
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, 1102 S. Goodwin, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Heiko U Wittmer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P. O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Yiwei Wang
- Environmental Studies Department, Center for Integrated Spatial Research, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Christopher C Wilmers
- Environmental Studies Department, Center for Integrated Spatial Research, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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2
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Diserens TA, Churski M, Bubnicki JW, Zalewski A, Brzeziński M, Kuijper DPJ. Wolf risk fails to inspire fear in two mesocarnivores suggesting facilitation prevails. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16469. [PMID: 36183040 PMCID: PMC9526698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20725-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Large carnivores not only supress mesocarnivores via killing and instilling fear, but also facilitate them through carrion provisioning. Hence, mesocarnivores frequently face a trade-off between risk avoidance and food acquisition. Here we used the raccoon dog and red fox in Białowieża Forest, Poland as models for investigating how large carnivores shape mesocarnivore foraging behaviour in an area with widespread large carnivore carrion provisioning. Using a giving up density experiment we quantified mesocarnivore foraging responses to wolf body odour across a landscape-scale gradient in wolf encounter rates. At locations with higher wolf encounter rates, raccoon dogs depleted feeding trays more than at plots with lower wolf encounter rates. Simulating wolf presence by adding wolf body odour caused raccoon dogs to deplete feeding trays more at locations with low wolf encounter rates, but less at locations with high wolf encounter rates. Fox foraging costs did not vary with the application of wolf body odour or wolf encounter rates. The frequency that the mesocarnivores visited experimental foraging patches was unaffected by wolf body odour or landscape level encounter rates. These results provide further evidence that large carnivore suppression can play a subordinate role to facilitation in determining mesocarnivore behaviour. The varying raccoon dog response to wolf odour across the landscape-scale gradient in wolf encounter rates shows how mesocarnivore-large carnivore interactions can be context-dependent. We suggest that rather than testing the effects of single risk cues on prey behaviour, future studies should focus on understanding how context modifies the ecological impacts of large carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A Diserens
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland. .,Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Ul. Miecznikowa 1, 02‑097, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Marcin Churski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Jakub W Bubnicki
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Andrzej Zalewski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Marcin Brzeziński
- Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Ul. Miecznikowa 1, 02‑097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dries P J Kuijper
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Ul. Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
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3
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Cheetah marking sites are also used by other species for communication: evidence from photographic data in a comparative setup. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00284-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractMany mammalian species communicate via olfactory communication placed at particular locations. The majority of these studies focused on intraspecific communication. More recently, studies have also investigated interspecific communication and recorded prey animals sniffing olfactory cues left by predators and predators investigating or counter-marking cues left by other predator species. The purpose of exchanging olfactory cues within a species community is little understood. Using a comparative study design, we investigated the behaviour of a mammalian community at cheetah marking trees and paired control trees using camera traps on Namibian farmland. We tested the predictions derived from hypotheses regarding the reasons for visits to the marking trees. Cheetah marking trees and control trees were visited 1101 times by 29 mammalian species (excluding cheetahs), with more species recorded at the marking trees than control trees. Two competitively subordinate carnivore species made more visiting and sniffing events, respectively, at cheetah marking trees than control trees, possibly to assess the time since cheetahs were in the area. Two opportunistic scavenger species sniffed more frequently at the marking trees than control trees, perhaps to feed on undigested prey remains in scats. One common prey species of cheetahs had fewer visiting events at the marking trees than control trees, likely to reduce encounters with cheetahs. Further, one species that is rarely preyed by cheetahs marked cheetah marking trees at the same frequency as control trees, suggesting it uses conspicuous sites rather for intraspecific than interspecific communication. Thus, trees used by cheetahs for marking also play an important role in olfactory communication for a variety of mammalian species.
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Sunde P, Böcker F, Rauset GR, Kjellander P, Chrenkova M, Skovdal TM, van Beeck Calkoen S, Mayer M, Heurich M. Mammal responses to predator scents across multiple study areas. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Sunde
- Department of Ecoscience—Wildlife Ecology Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Felix Böcker
- Department of Forest and Society Forest Research Institute Baden‐Württemberg Freiburg Germany
| | - Geir Rune Rauset
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Science Riddarhyttan Sweden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Trondheim Norway
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Science Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Monika Chrenkova
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
| | | | - Suzanne van Beeck Calkoen
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring Bavarian Forest National Park Grafenau Germany
- Wildlife Ecology and Management University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Martin Mayer
- Department of Ecoscience—Wildlife Ecology Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring Bavarian Forest National Park Grafenau Germany
- Wildlife Ecology and Management University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Koppang Norway
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Cozzi F, Iacona E, Ferretti F, Corlatti L. Effectiveness of a commercial lure to attract red fox. MAMMAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-022-00642-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn camera trap studies, attractants may be used to increase detection probabilities of wildlife, which may help to improve estimates of abundance and occupancy. Using a semi-experimental approach, we investigated if a commercial, strawberry scented lure increased detection probability and visiting time duration in red fox Vulpes vulpes, and the potential reasons for variation in these parameters. In September 2020, within the Stelvio National Park, central Italian Alps, 32 camera sites were randomly assigned to 4 different treatments: 8 to commercial lure, the target of our investigation; 8 to orange aroma, to test for the “curiosity” effect; 8 to cat kibble, to test for the “likability” effect; 8 to camera trap only, the control test. Detection probability and duration of visiting time were estimated using hurdle negative binomial regression models. Daily detection probability was significantly higher with lure (0.078), orange aroma (0.086), kibble (0.075) than with camera trap only (0.031); in the first day after treatment, the time an animal spent in front of the cameras significantly increased with orange aroma (16.61 s) and kibble (33.78 s) compared to lure (9.97 s) and camera trap only (0.38 s). Our results support the use of lures to improve detection probability and visit duration in red fox, but we could not disentangle the drivers of increased parameter estimates. When consumable costs are considered, the use of the commercial strawberry scented lure does not appear justified for both detection probability and visit duration, and cheaper alternatives may be preferable.
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Versluijs E, Eriksen A, Fuchs B, Wikenros C, Sand H, Wabakken P, Zimmermann B. Wolf Responses to Experimental Human Approaches Using High-Resolution Positioning Data. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.792916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans pose a major mortality risk to wolves. Hence, similar to how prey respond to predators, wolves can be expected to show anti-predator responses to humans. When exposed to a threat, animals may show a fight, flight, freeze or hide response. The type of response and the circumstances (e.g., distance and speed) at which the animal flees are useful parameters to describe the responses of wild animals to approaching humans. Increasing knowledge about behavioral responses of wolves toward humans might improve appropriate management and decrease conflicts related to fear of wolves. We did a pilot study by conducting 21 approach trials on seven GPS-collared wolves in four territories to investigate their responses to experimental human approaches. We found that wolves predominantly showed a flight response (N = 18), in a few cases the wolf did not flee (N = 3), but no wolves were seen or heard during trials. When wolves were downwind of the observer the flight initiation distance was significantly larger than when upwind, consistent with the hypothesis that conditions facilitating early detection would result in an earlier flight. Our hypothesis that early detection would result in less intense flights was not supported, as we found no correlation between flight initiation distances and speed, distance or straightness of the flight. Wolves in more concealed habitat had a shorter flight initiation distance or did not flee at all, suggesting that perceived risk might have been affected by horizontal visibility. Contrary to our expectation, resettling positions were less concealed (larger horizontal visibility) than the wolves’ initial site. Although our small number of study animals and trials does not allow for generalizations, this pilot study illustrates how standardized human approach trials with high-resolution GPS-data can be used to describe wolf responses at a local scale. In continuation, this method can be applied at larger spatial scales to compare wolf flight responses within and between populations and across anthropogenic gradients, thus increasing the knowledge of wolf behavior toward humans, and potentially improving coexistence with wolves across their range.
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Delcourt J, Brochier B, Delvaux D, Vangeluwe D, Poncin P. Fox
Vulpes vulpes
population trends in Western Europe during and after the eradication of rabies. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johann Delcourt
- Service of Behavioural Biology Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution Institut de Zoologie University of Liège 22 quai van Beneden Liège Belgium
- High Fens Scientific Station (SSHF) Faculty of Sciences University of Liège Route de Botrange 137 4950 SourbrodtBelgium
| | - Bernard Brochier
- Former Head of the National Reference Center for Rabies Service of Viral Diseases, Sciensano 14 Rue Juliette Wytsman 1050 BrusselsBelgium
| | - Dylan Delvaux
- Service of Behavioural Biology Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution Institut de Zoologie University of Liège 22 quai van Beneden Liège Belgium
- High Fens Scientific Station (SSHF) Faculty of Sciences University of Liège Route de Botrange 137 4950 SourbrodtBelgium
| | - Didier Vangeluwe
- Belgian Ringing Scheme BeBirds Operational Directorate Natural Environment Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences 29 rue Vautier 1000 BruxellesBelgium
| | - Pascal Poncin
- Service of Behavioural Biology Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution Institut de Zoologie University of Liège 22 quai van Beneden Liège Belgium
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Di Bernardi C, Wikenros C, Hedmark E, Boitani L, Ciucci P, Sand H, Åkesson M. Multiple species-specific molecular markers using nanofluidic array as a tool to detect prey DNA from carnivore scats. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:11739-11748. [PMID: 34522337 PMCID: PMC8427573 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Large carnivore feeding ecology plays a crucial role for management and conservation for predators and their prey. One of the keys to this kind of research is to identify the species composition in the predator diet, for example, prey determination from scat content. DNA-based methods applied to detect prey in predators' scats are viable alternatives to traditional macroscopic approaches, showing an increased reliability and higher prey detection rate. Here, we developed a molecular method for prey species identification in wolf (Canis lupus) scats using multiple species-specific marker loci on the cytochrome b gene for 18 target species. The final panel consisted of 80 assays, with a minimum of four markers per target species, and that amplified specifically when using a high-throughput Nanofluidic array technology (Fluidigm Inc.). As a practical example, we applied the method to identify target prey species DNA in 80 wolf scats collected in Sweden. Depending on the number of amplifying markers required to obtain a positive species call in a scat, the success in determining at least one prey species from the scats ranged from 44% to 92%. Although we highlight the need to evaluate the optimal number of markers for sensitive target species detection, the developed method is a fast and cost-efficient tool for prey identification in wolf scats and it also has the potential to be further developed and applied to other areas and large carnivores as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Di Bernardi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin" University of Rome La Sapienza Rome Italy
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Eva Hedmark
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Luigi Boitani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin" University of Rome La Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Paolo Ciucci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin" University of Rome La Sapienza Rome Italy
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
| | - Mikael Åkesson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Riddarhyttan Sweden
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9
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Behavioral Interactions between Bacterivorous Nematodes and Predatory Bacteria in a Synthetic Community. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071362. [PMID: 34201688 PMCID: PMC8307948 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Theory and empirical studies in metazoans predict that apex predators should shape the behavior and ecology of mesopredators and prey at lower trophic levels. Despite the ecological importance of microbial communities, few studies of predatory microbes examine such behavioral res-ponses and the multiplicity of trophic interactions. Here, we sought to assemble a three-level microbial food chain and to test for behavioral interactions between the predatory nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the predatory social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus when cultured together with two basal prey bacteria that both predators can eat—Escherichia coli and Flavobacterium johnsoniae. We found that >90% of C. elegans worms failed to interact with M. xanthus even when it was the only potential prey species available, whereas most worms were attracted to pure patches of E. coli and F. johnsoniae. In addition, M. xanthus altered nematode predatory behavior on basal prey, repelling C. elegans from two-species patches that would be attractive without M. xanthus, an effect similar to that of C. elegans pathogens. The nematode also influenced the behavior of the bacterial predator: M. xanthus increased its predatory swarming rate in response to C. elegans in a manner dependent both on basal-prey identity and on worm density. Our results suggest that M. xanthus is an unattractive prey for some soil nematodes and is actively avoided when other prey are available. Most broadly, we found that nematode and bacterial predators mutually influence one another’s predatory behavior, with likely consequences for coevolution within complex microbial food webs.
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Wooster EIF, Ramp D, Lundgren EJ, O’Neill AJ, Wallach AD. Red foxes avoid apex predation without increasing fear. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Apex predators structure ecosystems by hunting mesopredators and herbivores. These trophic cascades are driven not only by the number of animals they kill, but also by how prey alter their behaviors to reduce risk. The different levels of risk navigated by prey has been likened to a “landscape of fear.” In Australia, dingoes are known to suppress red fox populations, driving a trophic cascade. However, most of what we know of this relationship comes from circumstances where predators are persecuted, which can affect their social and trophic interactions. Utilizing camera traps, we monitored fox behavior when accessing key resource points used by territorial dingoes, in a region where both predators are protected. We predicted that foxes would avoid and be more cautious in areas of high dingo activity. Indeed, foxes avoided directly encountering dingoes. However, contrary to our expectations, foxes were not more cautious or vigilant where dingo activity was high. In fact, fox activity and scent-marking rates increased where dingo scent-marking was concentrated. Further, foxes were increasingly confident with increasing levels of conspecific activity. Our results suggest that responses to the threat of predation are more complex than fear alone. In socially stable conditions, it is possible that prey may develop knowledge of their predators, facilitating avoidance, and reducing fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn I F Wooster
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Ramp
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erick J Lundgren
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Adam J O’Neill
- Dingo for Biodiversity Project, Mount Perry, Queensland, Australia
| | - Arian D Wallach
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Roda F, Sentilles J, Molins C, Duchamp C, Hansen É, Jean N. Wolf scat detection dog improves wolf genetic monitoring in new French colonized areas. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.20102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Roda
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Service départemental du Var, Draguignan, France; e-mail: ,
| | - Jérôme Sentilles
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la Recherche et de l'Appui Scientifique, Unité Prédateurs et Animaux Déprédateurs et Exotiques, Equipe ours, Villeneuve-de-Rivière, France; e-mail:
| | - Caroline Molins
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la Recherche et de l'Appui Scientifique, Unité petite faune sédentaire et espèces outre-mer, Gap, France; e-mail:
| | - Christophe Duchamp
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la Recherche et de l'Appui Scientifique, Unité Prédateurs et Animaux Déprédateurs et Exotiques, Equipe loup-lynx, Gap, France; e-mail:
| | - Éric Hansen
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction interrégionale Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur et Corse, Les jardins de la Duranne, bâtiment A, Aix-en-Provence Cedex, France; e-mail:
| | - Nicolas Jean
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction des Grands Prédateurs Terrestres, Gap, France; e-mail:
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Diserens TA, Bubnicki JW, Schutgens E, Rokx K, Kowalczyk R, Kuijper DPJ, Churski M. Fossoriality in a risky landscape: badger sett use varies with perceived wolf risk. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. A. Diserens
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
- Faculty of Biology University of Warsaw Warsaw Poland
| | - J. W. Bubnicki
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - E. Schutgens
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - K. Rokx
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - R. Kowalczyk
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - D. P. J. Kuijper
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - M. Churski
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
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13
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Tourani M, Brøste EN, Bakken S, Odden J, Bischof R. Sooner, closer, or longer: detectability of mesocarnivores at camera traps. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Tourani
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås Norway
| | - E. N. Brøste
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås Norway
| | - S. Bakken
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås Norway
| | - J. Odden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Oslo Norway
| | - R. Bischof
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås Norway
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14
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Alexander KA, Nichols CA. Behavior - Landscape Interactions May Create Super-Spreader Environments: Vigilance-Olfactory Interactions Across Land Type and Disease Transmission Potential in the Banded Mongoose. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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15
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Cornhill KL, Kerley GIH. Cheetah communication at scent-marking sites can be inhibited or delayed by predators. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-2802-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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16
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Mori E, Bagnato S, Serroni P, Sangiuliano A, Rotondaro F, Marchianò V, Cascini V, Poerio L, Ferretti F. Spatiotemporal mechanisms of coexistence in an European mammal community in a protected area of southern Italy. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Mori
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita Università degli Studi di Siena Siena Italy
| | - S. Bagnato
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita Università degli Studi di Siena Siena Italy
| | - P. Serroni
- Ente Parco Nazionale del Pollino Complesso Monumentale Santa Maria della Consolazione Rotonda Italy
| | - A. Sangiuliano
- Ente Parco Nazionale del Pollino Complesso Monumentale Santa Maria della Consolazione Rotonda Italy
| | - F. Rotondaro
- Ente Parco Nazionale del Pollino Complesso Monumentale Santa Maria della Consolazione Rotonda Italy
| | - V. Marchianò
- Ente Parco Nazionale del Pollino Complesso Monumentale Santa Maria della Consolazione Rotonda Italy
| | - V. Cascini
- A.S.D. Pollino Discovery Viggianello Italy
| | - L. Poerio
- A.S.D. Pollino Discovery Viggianello Italy
| | - F. Ferretti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita Università degli Studi di Siena Siena Italy
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17
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The Wily and Courageous Red Fox: Behavioural Analysis of a Mesopredator at Resource Points Shared by an Apex Predator. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9110907. [PMID: 31683979 PMCID: PMC6912404 DOI: 10.3390/ani9110907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a widespread and ecologically significant terrestrial mesopredator, that has expanded its range with human globalisation. Despite this, we know relatively little about their behaviour under the wide range of ecological conditions they experience, particularly how they navigate the risk of encounters with apex predators. We conducted the first ethological study of foxes outside their historic native range, in Australia, where both the foxes and their main predator were protected from human hunting. Using remote camera traps, we recorded foxes visiting key resource points regularly utilised by territorial dingoes (Canis dingo), their local apex predator, in the Painted Desert, South Australia. We constructed an ethogram sensitive to a range of behaviours and attitudes. Since foxes are suppressed by dingoes, we expected that the foxes would primarily be in a cautious state. In contrast, we found that foxes were in a confident state most of the time. Where human hunting is absent, social stability of predators may increase predictability and therefore decrease fear.
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How Behavior of Nontarget Species Affects Perceived Accuracy of Scat Detection Dog Surveys. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13830. [PMID: 30218000 PMCID: PMC6138736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32244-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Detection dogs, specially trained domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), have become a valuable, noninvasive, conservation tool because they remove the dependence of attracting species to a particular location. Further, detection dogs locate samples independent of appearance, composition, or visibility allowing researchers to collect large sets of unbiased samples that can be used in complex ecological queries. One question not fully addressed is why samples from nontarget species are inadvertently collected during detection dog surveys. While a common explanation has been incomplete handler or dog training, our study aimed to explore alternative explanations. Our trials demonstrate that a scat’s genetic profile can be altered by interactions of nontarget species with target scat via urine-marking, coprophagy, and moving scats with their mouths, all pathways to contamination by nontarget species’ DNA. Because detection dogs are trained to locate odor independent of masking, the collection of samples with a mixed olfactory profile (target and nontarget) is possible. These scats will likely have characteristics of target species’ scats and are therefore only discovered faulty once genetic results indicate a nontarget species. While the collection of nontarget scats will not impact research conclusions so long as samples are DNA tested, we suggest ways to minimize their collection and associated costs.
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Hollerbach L, Heurich M, Reiners TE, Nowak C. Detection dogs allow for systematic non-invasive collection of DNA samples from Eurasian lynx. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Ferreras P, Díaz-Ruiz F, Monterroso P. Improving mesocarnivore detectability with lures in camera-trapping studies. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr18037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Camera trapping is commonly employed for studying carnivores because it provides better data than do other methods, and with lower costs. Increasing the probability of detecting the target species can reduce parameter uncertainty and survey effort required to estimate density and occurrence. Different methods, including attractants and baits, can be used to increase detectability. However, their efficacy has rarely been quantitatively assessed.
Aims
To quantify the efficacy of scent and bait attractants to increase the detection probability of mesocarnivores by camera trapping.
Methods
We tested two scent lures, valerian extract (Val) and lynx urine (LU), their combination (Val–LU), and a non-reward bait (i.e. not accessible to the animal), raw chicken, as carnivore attractants in two protected areas of central Spain. We used camera-trapping records under an occupancy-modelling framework to estimate attractant-specific detection probabilities for six mesocarnivore species, and quantified their effects by comparing these estimates with the baseline (i.e. no attractant) detectability.
Key results
The weekly detection probability of four mesocarnivore species (red fox, Vulpes vulpes, stone marten, Martes foina, common genet, Genetta genetta, and Eurasian badger, Meles meles) significantly increased when Val–LU (between 0.11 ± 0.07 and 0.67 ± 0.05) or chicken (between 0.31 ± 0.02 and 0.77 ± 0.22) were used as attractant, when compared with baseline detectability (between 0.01 ± 0.02 and 0.29 ± 0.05). Although rarely, wildcats (Felis silvestris) were mostly detected with Val–LU. The probability of detecting a species after k sampling occasions (7 days each) where it was present was highly improved with both Val–LU and chicken for all species (e.g. from 0.20 to 0.98 after four sampling occasions with chicken for the stone marten). Both attractants reduced the sampling time required to ascertain that a species was absent to between 42% and 15% of baseline values.
Conclusions
The tested attractants greatly improved the detectability of most Iberian mesocarnivores. Although chicken was preferable for some species such as stone marten, Val–LU is most efficient for detecting the whole mesocarnivore community, including rare species such as wildcats.
Implications
Attractant selection in studies using non-invasive detection methods must be supported by quantitative assessment of the detection probability associated to each attractant. Researchers must choose those attractants best fitting target species and study aims.
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Wikenros C, Aronsson M, Liberg O, Jarnemo A, Hansson J, Wallgren M, Sand H, Bergström R. Fear or food - abundance of red fox in relation to occurrence of lynx and wolf. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9059. [PMID: 28831079 PMCID: PMC5567382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08927-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Apex predators may affect mesopredators through intraguild predation and/or supply of carrion from their prey, causing a trade-off between avoidance and attractiveness. We used wildlife triangle snow-tracking data to investigate the abundance of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in relation to lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolf (Canis lupus) occurrence as well as land composition and vole (Microtus spp.) density. Data from the Swedish wolf-monitoring system and VHF/GPS-collared wolves were used to study the effect of wolf pack size and time since wolf territory establishment on fox abundance. Bottom-up processes were more influential than top-down effects as the proportion of arable land was the key indicator of fox abundance at the landscape level. At this spatial scale, there was no effect of wolf abundance on fox abundance, whereas lynx abundance had a positive effect. In contrast, at the wolf territory level there was a negative effect of wolves on fox abundance when including detailed information of pack size and time since territory establishment, whereas there was no effect of lynx abundance. This study shows that different apex predator species may affect mesopredator abundance in different ways and that the results may be dependent on the spatiotemporal scale and resolution of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Wikenros
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91, Riddarhyttan, Sweden.
| | - Malin Aronsson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Olof Liberg
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Anders Jarnemo
- School of Business, Engineering, and Science, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, SE-301 18, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Jessica Hansson
- School of Business, Engineering, and Science, Halmstad University, P.O. Box 823, SE-301 18, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Märtha Wallgren
- Forestry Research Institute of Sweden, Uppsala Science Park, SE-751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Håkan Sand
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-730 91, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Roger Bergström
- Forestry Research Institute of Sweden, Uppsala Science Park, SE-751 83, Uppsala, Sweden.,Gropgränd 2A, SE-753 10, Uppsala, Sweden
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