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Szapu JS, Cserkész T, Pirger Z, Kiss C, Lanszki J. Exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides in steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii) and European polecat (Mustela putorius) in central Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174282. [PMID: 38960164 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174282] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Poisoning caused by coumarin-type anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) stands as the predominant method for controlling rodents globally. ARs, through secondary poisoning, pose a significant threat to predators due to their lethal and sublethal effects. We examined the concentration of accumulated ARs in liver samples of mostly road-killed steppe polecats (Mustela eversmanii) and European polecats (M. putorius) collected throughout Hungary between 2005 and 2021. The steppe polecat samples were found mainly from Eastern Hungary, while European polecats from Western Hungary. We measured the concentration of six residues by HPLC-FLD. Our analysis revealed the presence of one first-generation and four second-generation ARs in 53% of the steppe polecat (36) and 39% of the European polecat (26) samples. In 17 samples we detected the presence of at least two AR compounds. Although we did not find significant variance in AR accumulation between the two species, steppe polecats displayed greater prevalence and maximum concentration of ARs, whereas European polecat samples exhibited a more diverse accumulation of these compounds. Brodifacoum and bromadiolone were the most prevalent ARs; the highest concentrations were 0.57 mg/kg and 0.33 mg/kg, respectively. The accumulation of ARs was positively correlated with human population density and negatively correlated with the extent of the more natural habitats in both species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in steppe polecats globally, and for European polecats in Central European region. Although the extent of AR accumulation in European polecat in Hungary appears comparatively lower than in many other European countries, the issue of secondary poisoning remains a serious problem as these ARs intrude into food webs. Reduced and more prudent usage of pesticides would provide several benefits for wildlife, included humans. However, we advocate a prioritization of ecosystem services through the complete prohibition of the toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianna Szulamit Szapu
- Doctoral School of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Tamás Cserkész
- Hungarian Natural History Museum, Baross utca 13, 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zsolt Pirger
- HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kunó utca 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary; National Laboratory for Water Science and Water Security, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kunó utca 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary.
| | - Csaba Kiss
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Eszterházy tér 1, 3300 Eger, Hungary.
| | - József Lanszki
- HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kunó utca 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary; Institute of Animal Science, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor út 40, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary.
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Cong W, Li J, Hacker C, Li Y, Zhang Y, Jin L, Zhang Y, Li D, Xue Y, Zhang Y. Different coexistence patterns between apex carnivores and mesocarnivores based on temporal, spatial, and dietary niche partitioning analysis in Qilian Mountain National Park, China. eLife 2024; 13:RP90559. [PMID: 39259595 PMCID: PMC11390114 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90559] [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] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well as ecological processes. Understanding how sympatric species coexist in natural ecosystems is a central research topic in community ecology and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- and interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, and dietary niche partitioning between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus, snow leopard Panthera uncia, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx) and mesocarnivores (Pallas's cat Otocolobus manul, red fox Vulpes vulpes, Tibetan fox Vulpes ferrilata) in Qilian Mountain National Park, China, using camera trapping data and DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that apex carnivore species had more overlap temporally (coefficients of interspecific overlap ranging from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically (Pianka's index ranging from 0.458 to 0.892), mesocarnivore species had high dietary overlap with each other (Pianka's index ranging from 0.945 to 0.997), and apex carnivore and mesocarnivore species had high temporal overlap (coefficients of interspecific overlap ranging from 0.497 to 0.855). Large dietary overlap was observed between wolf and snow leopard (Pianka's index = 0.892) and Pallas's cat and Tibetan fox (Pianka's index = 0.997), suggesting the potential for increased resource competition for these species pairs. We concluded that spatial niche partitioning is likely to key driver in facilitating the coexistence of apex carnivore species, while spatial and temporal niche partitioning likely facilitate the coexistence of mesocarnivore species, and spatial and dietary niche partitioning facilitate the coexistence between apex and mesocarnivore species. Our findings consider partitioning across temporal, spatial, and dietary dimensions while examining diverse coexistence patterns of carnivore species in Qilian Mountain National Park, China. These findings will contribute substantially to current understanding of carnivore guilds and effective conservation management in fragile alpine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cong
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Li
- Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Charlotte Hacker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Ye Li
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Lixiao Jin
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Diqiang Li
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Yadong Xue
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Yuguang Zhang
- Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, China
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Sandoval‐Serés E, Mbizah M, Phiri S, Chatikobo SP, Valeix M, van der Meer E, Dröge E, Madhlamoto D, Madzikanda H, Blinston P, Loveridge AJ. Food resource competition between African wild dogs and larger carnivores in an ecosystem with artificial water provision. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11141. [PMID: 38500850 PMCID: PMC10944706 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11141] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Predators of similar size often compete over prey. In semi-arid ecosystems where water is a limiting resource, prey availability can be affected by water distribution, which further increases resource competition and exacerbate conflict among predators. This can have implications for carnivore dietary competition. Hence, we evaluated the dynamics of food resource competition between African wild dogs and four competing predators (cheetahs, leopards, lions and spotted hyaenas) in different seasons and across areas with different waterhole densities in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. We used the frequency of occurrence of prey items found in predators' scats to analyse diet composition, overlap and prey preference. For most predators, kudu was most frequently consumed and preferred. Low and medium water-dependent prey (medium and small-sized) were mostly consumed by wild dogs, leopards and cheetahs. Wild dog diet overlap was high with all predators, particularly with hyaenas and lions. There were no seasonal differences in the predators diet. The diet overlap of wild dogs with lions was highest in the low waterhole density area, and wild dog diet composition did not differ significantly from the diet of lions and hyaenas. In the low waterhole density area, wild dogs and hyaenas broadened their niche breadth, and predators diet had a higher proportion of low water-dependent prey. A low density of waterholes increased food resource competition. However, high density of waterholes, where there is more prey availability, can increase the aggregation and density of predators, and hence, increase the risks involved in interspecific competition on wild dogs. To reduce food resource competition on wild dogs, we propose to conserve larger-bodied prey that are less dependent on water (e.g. kudu, reedbuck, eland and gemsbok). As the use of water pumping is common practice, we propose maintaining water management heterogeneity where prey which is less dependent on water can also thrive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Sandoval‐Serés
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Biology, Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubneyUK
- Painted Dog Conservation (PDC)DeteZimbabwe
| | - Moreangels Mbizah
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Biology, Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubneyUK
- Wildlife Conservation ActionBelgravia, HarareZimbabwe
| | | | | | - Marion Valeix
- CNRS, Université de Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS UMRVilleurbanneFrance
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3MontpellierFrance
- Long‐Term Socio‐Ecological Research Site (LTSER) France, Zone Atelier ‘Hwange’Hwange National ParkZimbabwe
| | | | - Egil Dröge
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Biology, Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubneyUK
- Zambian Carnivore ProgramMfuweZambia
| | - Daphine Madhlamoto
- Scientific Services Main Camp, Hwange National ParkZimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA)DeteZimbabwe
| | | | | | - Andrew J. Loveridge
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Biology, Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubneyUK
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Lanszki J, Bende Z, Nagyapáti N, Lanszki Z, Pongrácz P. Optimal prey for red fox cubs-An example of dual optimizing foraging strategy in foxes from a dynamic wetland habitat. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10033. [PMID: 37091567 PMCID: PMC10119026 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most abundant mesopredator in the Central European region. Detailed knowledge about their feeding behavior is important both from ecological and wildlife management reasons. Food choices of foxes are poorly predictable in high-biodiversity marshlands. The main aim of our study was to sample parallel the main food-type abundances in the study area and analyze the diet of fox cubs and cohabiting adults across 3 years during the period of maternal dependence of the cubs. According to the optimal foraging theory, we predicted that the cubs' diet would show higher energy content, would be more varied, and the individual prey species fed to the young would be larger. We analyzed the composition of adult fox and cub fecal samples collected separately around dens in a marshland of western Hungary, May 2014, 2017 and 2020, when the abundance values of main food sources differed. Rodents and waterfowl dominated the diet, but their relative occurrence in the samples showed yearly variations. We found that vixens follow a dual optimizing foraging strategy regarding their provisioning of the cubs and their own diet. Adult foxes optimized their diet according to the actual yearly abundances of their main food sources. Additionally, they preferred prey items that can be consumed at the site of capture (large carrion and small individual prey items). Cubs on the other hand were provisioned with optimal high-energy food, even if those in question became less abundant in that year. Vixens mostly fed to their young either larger rodents and waterfowl, or multiple small rodents at a time-these type of prey are both optimal for transportation as a single load. Providing optimal prey at an early age in a changing environment may contribute to the ecological success of the red fox.
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Affiliation(s)
- József Lanszki
- Fish and Conservation Ecology Research GroupBalaton Limnological Research InstituteTihanyHungary
| | - Zsolt Bende
- Balaton Uplands National Park DirectorateCsopakHungary
| | | | | | - Péter Pongrácz
- Department of EthologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
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Prpić J, Kunić A, Keros T, Lojkić I, Brnić D, Jemeršić L. Absence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Circulation in the Most Widespread Wild Croatian Canine Species, the Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes) and Jackal ( Canis aureus moreoticus). Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040834. [PMID: 37110256 PMCID: PMC10145003 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040834] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals, and the identification of new host species is reported successively worldwide. Nevertheless, its zoonotic potential and natural transmission, especially in wildlife remains unclear, primarily due to the discrete nature of HEV infections. Since the red fox (Vulpus vulpus) is the most widespread carnivore worldwide, and has been recognized as a potential HEV reservoir, its role as a potent host species is of increasing interest. Another wild canine species, the jackal (Canis aureus moreoticus), is becoming more important within the same habitat as that of the red fox since its number and geographical distribution have been rapidly growing. Therefore, we have chosen these wild species to determine their potential role in the epidemiology and persistence of HEV in the wilderness. The main reason for this is the finding of HEV and a rather high HEV seroprevalence in wild boars sharing the same ecological niche as the wild canine species, as well as the risk of the spread of HEV through red foxes into the outskirts of cities, where possible indirect and even direct contact with people are not excluded. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the possibility of natural HEV infection of free-living wild canines, by testing samples for the presence of HEV RNA and anti-HEV antibodies to gain better epidemiological knowledge of the disease. For this purpose, 692 red fox and 171 jackal muscle extracts and feces samples were tested. Neither HEV RNA nor anti-HEV antibodies were detected. Although HEV circulation was not detected in the tested samples, to our knowledge, these are the first results that include jackals as a growing and important omnivore wildlife species for the presence of HEV infection in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Prpić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Kunić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Keros
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Lojkić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dragan Brnić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lorena Jemeršić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Lanszki Z, Lanszki J, Tóth GE, Cserkész T, Csorba G, Görföl T, Csathó AI, Jakab F, Kemenesi G. Detection and sequence analysis of Canine morbillivirus in multiple species of the Mustelidae family. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:450. [PMID: 36564834 PMCID: PMC9789673 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03551-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine morbillivirus (canine distemper virus, CDV) is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. Canine distemper is a serious viral disease that affects many mammalian species, including members of the Mustelidae family. These animals have an elusive nature, which makes related virological studies extremely challenging. There is a significant knowledge gap about the evolution of their viruses and about the possible effects of these viruses to the population dynamics of the host animals. Spleen and lung tissue samples of 170 road-killed mustelids belonging to six species were collected between 1997 and 2022 throughout Hungary and tested for CDV with real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS Three species were positive for viral RNA, 2 out of 64 Steppe polecats (Mustela eversmanii), 1 out of 36 European polecats (Mustela putorius) and 2 out of 36 stone martens (Martes foina); all 18 pine martens (Martes martes), 10 least weasels (Mustela nivalis) and 6 stoats (Mustela erminea) tested negative. The complete CDV genome was sequenced in five samples using pan-genotype CDV-specific, amplicon-based Nanopore sequencing. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, all five viral sequences were grouped to the Europe/South America 1 lineage and the distribution of one sequence among trees indicated recombination of the Hemagglutinin gene. We verified the recombination with SimPlot analysis. CONCLUSIONS This paper provides the first CDV genome sequences from Steppe polecats and additional complete genomes from European polecats and stone martens. The infected specimens of various species originated from distinct parts of the country over a long time, indicating a wide circulation of CDV among mustelids throughout Hungary. Considering the high virulence of CDV and the presence of the virus in these animals, we highlight the importance of conservation efforts for wild mustelids. In addition, we emphasize the importance of full genomic data acquisition and analysis to better understand the evolution of the virus. Since CDV is prone to recombination, specific genomic segment analyses may provide less representative evolutionary traits than using complete genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Lanszki
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Lanszki
- grid.418201.e0000 0004 0484 1763Balaton Limnological Research Institute, 8237 Tihany, Hungary ,grid.129553.90000 0001 1015 7851Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Gábor Endre Tóth
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Cserkész
- grid.424755.50000 0001 1498 9209Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Csorba
- grid.424755.50000 0001 1498 9209Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Görföl
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | | | - Ferenc Jakab
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
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Zhong H, Li F, Díaz‐Sacco JJ, Shi K. Dietary and temporal partitioning facilitates coexistence of sympatric carnivores in the Everest region. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9531. [PMID: 36440311 PMCID: PMC9682211 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Carnivores, especially top predators, are important because they maintain the structure and function of ecosystems by top-down control. Exploring the coexistence between carnivores belonging to different ecological guilds can provide the data needed for the development of effective conservation strategies of endangered species. We used scats and camera traps to molecularly analyze the dietary composition of four predators that inhabit the Everest region and assess their activity patterns. Dietary analysis revealed 22 food Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) of 7 orders and 2 classes. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and wolf (Canis lupus) had high dietary overlap (Pianka's index = 0.95), as they both mainly preyed on ungulates (%PR = 61%, 50%), while lynx (Lynx lynx) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) mainly consumed small mammals (%PR = 62%, 76%). We observed lower dietary overlaps (Pianka's index = 0.53-0.70) between predators with large body size difference (snow leopard versus lynx, snow leopard versus red fox, wolf versus lynx, wolf versus fox), and dietary difference was significant (p < .01), proving dietary partitioning. In activity pattern analysis, predators exhibited higher temporal overlaps with the more frequently consumed prey species, showing that predator activity can be regulated by prey availability. We observed no obvious temporal avoidance between snow leopard and wolf because they had high activity overlap (Δ = 0.87). Red fox had the lowest coefficients of activity overlap with snow leopard and wolf (Δ = 0.60, 0.59), suggesting that fox tends to avoid snow leopard and wolf temporally. In this study, we revealed how dietary and temporal partitioning facilitates the coexistence of carnivores in Everest. These results will help to increase the understanding of coexistence mechanism of carnivore communities, and provide the scientific foundation for the conservation of wildlife living in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhong
- Wildlife Institute, School of Ecology and Nature ConservationBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
- Eco‐Bridge ContinentalBeijingChina
| | - Fengjiao Li
- Wildlife Institute, School of Ecology and Nature ConservationBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
- Eco‐Bridge ContinentalBeijingChina
| | - Juan José Díaz‐Sacco
- Wildlife Institute, School of Ecology and Nature ConservationBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Kun Shi
- Wildlife Institute, School of Ecology and Nature ConservationBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
- Eco‐Bridge ContinentalBeijingChina
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Stepkovitch B, Kingsford RT, Moseby KE. A comprehensive review of mammalian carnivore translocations. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ben Stepkovitch
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
| | - Richard T. Kingsford
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
| | - Katherine E. Moseby
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences UNSW Sydney New South Wales 2052 Australia
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9
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Shao X, Lu Q, Xiong M, Bu H, Shi X, Wang D, Zhao J, Li S, Yao M. Prey partitioning and livestock consumption in the world's richest large carnivore assemblage. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4887-4897.e5. [PMID: 34551283 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Large mammalian carnivores have undergone catastrophic declines during the Anthropocene across the world. Despite their pivotal roles as apex predators in food webs and ecosystem dynamics, few detailed dietary datasets of large carnivores exist, prohibiting deep understanding of their coexistence and persistence in human-dominated landscapes. Here, we present fine-scaled, quantitative trophic interactions among sympatric carnivores from three assemblages in the Mountains of Southwest China, a global biodiversity hotspot harboring the world's richest large-carnivore diversity, derived from DNA metabarcoding of 1,097 fecal samples. These assemblages comprise a large-carnivore guild ranging from zero to five species along with two mesocarnivore species. We constructed predator-prey food webs for each assemblage and identified 95 vertebrate prey taxa and 260 feeding interactions in sum. Each carnivore species consumed 6-39 prey taxa, and dietary diversity decreased with increased carnivore body mass across guilds. Dietary partitioning was more evident between large-carnivore and mesocarnivore guilds, yet different large carnivores showed divergent proportional utilization of different-sized prey correlating with their own body masses. Large carnivores particularly selected livestock in Tibetan-dominated regions, where the indigenous people show high tolerance toward wild predators. Our results suggest that dietary niche partitioning and livestock subsidies facilitate large-carnivore sympatry and persistence and have key implications for sustainable conservation promoting human-carnivore coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinning Shao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qi Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mengyin Xiong
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hongliang Bu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoyun Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Dajun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jindong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Meng Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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10
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Graf L, Hatlauf J. Distance estimation of howling golden jackals (Canis aureus) using relative sound level. MAMMAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-021-00587-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractGolden jackals (Canis aureus) display a complex repertoire of calls, utilized in different communication types (e.g., marking territories, attraction of mating partners). Resident golden jackal groups can successfully be detected by active bioacoustic stimulation, as well as with passive recording devices. For monitoring, basic knowledge of the calls of the focal species and potential restrictions and strengths of the monitoring devices should be considered. We therefore tested possible applications of a low-budget autonomous recording unit for bioacoustic golden jackal monitoring and examined the following research questions: How far can group calls be detected? Can the distance to the recording device be estimated? To answer these questions, we placed 11 AudioMoth recording devices in a linear transect to record live imitated and replayed howls. For the estimation of the number of responding animals, the number of howling individuals was determined based on the maximum number of simultaneously visible fundamental frequencies in a spectrogram. To predict the distance of the playback howls to the recording devices, the relative sound level (RSL) of each call was measured and fitted in linear models. Reliable distance estimations using RSL were possible up to 400 m. Estimated number of responding animals showed a negative relationship with distance. Our results present a baseline for future studies and show that AudioMoths can be a helpful asset in distance estimation of golden jackal packs—both in passive but also active monitoring.
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11
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Dyck MA, Wyza E, Popescu VD. When carnivores collide: a review of studies exploring the competitive interactions between bobcats
Lynx rufus
and coyotes
Canis latrans. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A. Dyck
- Department of Biological Sciences Ohio University 57 Oxbow Trail 107 Irvine Hall Athens OH 45701USA
| | - Eileen Wyza
- Department of Biological Sciences Ohio University 57 Oxbow Trail 107 Irvine Hall Athens OH 45701USA
| | - Viorel D. Popescu
- Department of Biological Sciences Ohio University 57 Oxbow Trail 107 Irvine Hall Athens OH 45701USA
- Center for Environmental Research University of Bucharest 1 N. Balcescu Blvd Bucharest010042Romania
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Identification of Hepatitis E Virus in the Feces of Red Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101841. [PMID: 33050408 PMCID: PMC7601027 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Orthohepeviruses, commonly known as Hepatitis E virus (HEV), is a diverse virus group belonging to the family of Hepeviridae and is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans worldwide. These viruses show a relatively strict host specificity, e.g., rodent-related, avian-related, or even bat-related virus groups. However, similar (HEV-like) viruses have been identified in carnivores; some of them form a new genetically separated group, while others show a close evolutionary relationship with the rodent-related group, thus makes the strict host-specificity questionable and the classification of these new strains uncertain. Herein, we investigated feces of red foxes, the most widespread carnivore species worldwide, to identify the Hepatitis E virus and to ascertain their evolutionary origin via sequencing. The non-invasively collected fecal samples can provide information about the presence of viruses specific to the host and viruses derived from their prey as well. The virus we detected from our samples showed a very close relationship (91% identity) with rodent-related HEV described before from common voles, whilst a more distant relationship (85%) with fox-specific HEV strains was observed. Our results strongly support “the dietary-origin” of unclassified HEV-like strains described from various predator species. Abstract Orthohepeviruses (HEV) can infect a wide range of animals, showing a relatively strict host specificity; however, its zoonotic potential, natural transmission in the wildlife are less known. Several new HEV-like viruses have been identified in various animal species, including carnivores; however, the phylogenetic relationship among these viruses is poorly resolved, since some of them were known as rodent-related so far. The red fox, the most widespread carnivore worldwide, is a known reservoir of several viruses that transmit from wildlife to humans or domestic animals; they might have a defined role in the circulation of rodent-borne HEV. In this study, we performed a HEV survey by heminested RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription PCR) on red fox fecal samples to investigate the presence of HEV in red foxes living in natural conditions, and to explore the origin of the virus via phylogenetic analysis. Out of the 26 investigated samples, HEV RNA was identified in one sample. Following Sanger sequencing, the novel sequence displayed 91% identity on the nucleotide level with recently published European common vole-HEV derived from Microtus arvalis. In contrast, it shared 85% nucleotide similarity with HEV strains described previously in red foxes. Our results strongly support “the dietary-origin” of unclassified HEV-like strains described from predators that usually prey on rodents.
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Wu F, Liao B, Chen Y, Jiang Z, Guo Y, Li M. Niches of nine mangrove species in a Sonneratia apetala-colonized area of Dongzhai Harbor, Hainan Island, China. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:11838-11846. [PMID: 33145004 PMCID: PMC7593169 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution of mangroves is influenced by the environment. We aimed to understand the ecological adaptability of various mangrove species within the range of the exotic species, Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham., in Dongzhai Harbor, Hainan Island, China. We used three niche breadth indexes (Simpson, Levins, and Shannon-Weiner) and two niche overlap indexes (Pianka and Levins) to quantitatively determine the niche characteristics of nine mangrove species. The results showed that the order of the niche breadth values of mangrove species was as follows: Aegiceras corniculatum (Linn.) Blanco > Kandelia obovata Sheue et al. > Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Poir. > Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. Hailanci > S. apetala > S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. > Rhizophora stylosa Griff > Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C. B. Rob. > B. sexangula (Lour.) Poir. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the niche breadth of each population was significantly correlated with the importance value of the population in the whole sample (R1 = R2 = 0.771, R3 = 0.644, p < .05). The nine mangrove species were divided into three groups by Bray-Curtis cluster analysis; the groups were similar to the distribution of mangrove species in the natural state as determined by tide level. Niche similarity analysis showed that the niche similarity of most mangroves ranged between 0.5 and 0.8 and that the species pairs A. corniculatum-B. gymnorrhiza, A. corniculatum-Avicennia marina, and K. obovata-S. caseolaris were characterized by large niche similarity ratios. Although it had a moderate niche breadth, S. apetala had a relatively broad niche overlap with mangroves in the mid- and low-tide zones (S. caseolaris, A. corniculatum, K. obovata, and Avicennia marina), a moderate overlap with B. gymnorrhiza and R. stylosa, only a slight overlap with C. tagal, and no overlap with B. sexangular. There was no obvious linear relationship between niche width and niche overlap of mangroves. Due to its inefficiency in utilizing certain resources and relatively high degree of resource selection, it seems likely that S. apetala will not pose a threat to the survival of native plants, let alone completely replace native species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wu
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry ResearchResearch Institute of Tropical ForestryChinese Academy of ForestryGuangzhouChina
- Zhaoqing Xinghu National Wetland Park Management CenterZhaoqingChina
| | - Baowen Liao
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry ResearchResearch Institute of Tropical ForestryChinese Academy of ForestryGuangzhouChina
| | - Yujun Chen
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry ResearchResearch Institute of Tropical ForestryChinese Academy of ForestryGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhongmao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry ResearchResearch Institute of Tropical ForestryChinese Academy of ForestryGuangzhouChina
| | - Yunpeng Guo
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry ResearchResearch Institute of Tropical ForestryChinese Academy of ForestryGuangzhouChina
| | - Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Tropical Forestry ResearchResearch Institute of Tropical ForestryChinese Academy of ForestryGuangzhouChina
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Cornhill KL, Kerley GI. Does Competition Shape Cheetah Prey Use Following African Wild Dog Reintroductions? AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.3957/056.050.0075] [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)
- Kristina L. Cornhill
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
| | - Graham I.H. Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
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