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McKee RK, Taillie PJ, Hart KM, Lopez CL, Sanjar A, McCleery RA. Ecological function maintained despite mesomammal declines. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19668. [PMID: 39181911 PMCID: PMC11344858 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66534-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Mid-sized mammals (i.e., mesomammals) fulfill important ecological roles, serving as essential scavengers, predators, pollinators, and seed dispersers in the ecosystems they inhabit. Consequently, declines in mesomammal populations have the potential to alter ecological processes and fundamentally change ecosystems. However, ecosystems characterized by high functional redundancy, where multiple species can fulfil similar ecological roles, may be less impacted by the loss of mesomammals and other vertebrates. The Greater Everglades Ecosystem in southern Florida is a historically biodiverse region that has recently been impacted by multiple anthropogenic threats, most notably the introduction of the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus). Since pythons became established, mesomammal populations have become greatly reduced. To assess whether these declines in mesomammals have affected two critical ecosystem functions-scavenging and frugivory-we conducted experiments in areas where mesomammals were present and absent. We did not observe significant differences in scavenging or frugivory efficiency in areas with and without mesomammals, but we did observe significant differences in the communities responsible for scavenging and frugivory. Despite the observed evidence of redundancy, the changes in community composition could potentially lead to indirect consequences on processes like seed dispersal and disease dynamics within this ecosystem, emphasizing the need for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K McKee
- Department of Biology, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia, 31207, United States.
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
| | - Paul J Taillie
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
- Department of Geography, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kristen M Hart
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, FL, USA
| | - Christopher L Lopez
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Adam Sanjar
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Robert A McCleery
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
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Bartel SL, Stephenson T, Crowder DW, Jones ME, Storfer A, Strickland MS, Lynch L. Global change influences scavenging and carrion decomposition. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:152-164. [PMID: 37816662 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.09.008] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Carrion decomposition is fundamental to nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems because it provides a high-quality resource to diverse organisms. A conceptual framework incorporating all phases of carrion decomposition with the full community of scavengers is needed to predict the effects of global change on core ecosystem processes. Because global change can differentially impact scavenger guilds and rates of carrion decomposition, our framework explicitly incorporates complex interactions among microbial, invertebrate, and vertebrate scavenger communities across three distinct phases of carcass decomposition. We hypothesize that carrion decomposition rates will be the most impacted when global change affects carcass discovery rates and the foraging behavior of competing scavenger guilds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah L Bartel
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 166 FSHN, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, 301 Abelson Hall, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Torrey Stephenson
- Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - David W Crowder
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 166 FSHN, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Life Sciences Building, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, 301 Abelson Hall, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Michael S Strickland
- Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Laurel Lynch
- Department of Soil and Water Systems, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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Orihuela‐Torres A, Sebastián‐González E, Pérez‐García JM. Outdoor recreation alters terrestrial vertebrate scavenger assemblage and carrion removal in a protected Mediterranean wetland. Anim Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Orihuela‐Torres
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH) Miguel Hernández University Orihuela Spain
- Department of Ecology University of Alicante Alicante Spain
| | | | - J. M. Pérez‐García
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH) Miguel Hernández University Orihuela Spain
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Myers JB, Bender MJ. Scavenging by a Barred Owl in Northern Georgia. SOUTHEAST NAT 2022. [DOI: 10.1656/058.021.0406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna B. Myers
- University of North Georgia, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA, 30542
| | - Michael J. Bender
- University of North Georgia, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, GA, 30542
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Orihuela‐Torres A, Pérez‐García JM, Sánchez‐Zapata JA, Botella F, Sebastián‐González E. Scavenger guild and consumption patterns of an invasive alien fish species in a Mediterranean wetland. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9133. [PMID: 35923937 PMCID: PMC9339756 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive Alien Species (IAS) alter ecosystems, disrupting ecological processes and driving the loss of ecosystem services. The common carp Cyprinus carpio is a hazardous and widespread IAS, becoming the most abundant species in many aquatic ecosystems. This species transforms ecosystems by accumulating biomass to the detriment of other species, thus altering food webs. However, some terrestrial species, such as vertebrate scavengers, may benefit from dead carps, by incorporating part of the carp biomass into the terrestrial environment. This study describes the terrestrial vertebrate scavenger assemblage that benefits from carp carcasses in a Mediterranean wetland. We also evaluate the seasonal differences in the scavenger assemblage composition and carrion consumption patterns. Eighty carp carcasses (20 per season) were placed in El Hondo Natural Park, a seminatural mesohaline wetland in south-eastern Spain, and we monitored their consumption using camera traps. We recorded 14 scavenger species (10 birds and four mammals) consuming carp carcasses, including globally threatened species. Vertebrates consumed 73% of the carrion biomass and appeared consuming at 82% of the carcasses. Of these carcasses consumed, 75% were completely consumed and the mean consumption time of carcasses completely consumed by vertebrates was 44.4 h (SD = 42.1 h). We recorded differences in species richness, abundance, and assemblage composition among seasons, but we did not find seasonal differences in consumption patterns throughout the year. Our study recorded a rich and efficient terrestrial vertebrate scavenger assemblage benefitting from carp carcasses. We detected a seasonal replacement on the scavenger species, but a maintenance of the ecological function of carrion removal, as the most efficient carrion consumers were present throughout the year. The results highlight the importance of vertebrate scavengers in wetlands, removing possible infectious focus, and moving nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Orihuela‐Torres
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH)Miguel Hernández UniversityOrihuelaSpain
- Department of EcologyAlicante UniversityAlicanteSpain
| | - Juan Manuel Pérez‐García
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH)Miguel Hernández UniversityOrihuelaSpain
| | - José Antonio Sánchez‐Zapata
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH)Miguel Hernández UniversityOrihuelaSpain
| | - Francisco Botella
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH)Miguel Hernández UniversityOrihuelaSpain
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Turner KL, Conner LM, Beasley JC. Effects of red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) control on carrion use by vertebrate scavengers. FOOD WEBS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fooweb.2021.e00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Newsome TM, Barton B, Buck JC, DeBruyn J, Spencer E, Ripple WJ, Barton PS. Monitoring the dead as an ecosystem indicator. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5844-5856. [PMID: 34141188 PMCID: PMC8207411 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dead animal biomass (carrion) is present in all terrestrial ecosystems, and its consumption, decomposition, and dispersal can have measurable effects on vertebrates, invertebrates, microbes, parasites, plants, and soil. But despite the number of studies examining the influence of carrion on food webs, there has been no attempt to identify how general ecological processes around carrion might be used as an ecosystem indicator. We suggest that knowledge of scavenging and decomposition rates, scavenger diversity, abundance, and behavior around carrion, along with assessments of vegetation, soil, microbe, and parasite presence, can be used individually or in combination to understand food web dynamics. Monitoring carrion could also assist comparisons of ecosystem processes among terrestrial landscapes and biomes. Although there is outstanding research needed to fully integrate carrion ecology and monitoring into ecosystem management, we see great potential in using carrion as an ecosystem indicator of an intact and functional food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Brandon Barton
- Department of Biological SciencesMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateMSUSA
| | - Julia C. Buck
- Biology and Marine BiologyUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNCUSA
| | - Jennifer DeBruyn
- Biosystems Engineering and Soil ScienceUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTNUSA
| | - Emma Spencer
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - William J. Ripple
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisORUSA
| | - Philip S. Barton
- School of ScienceFederation University AustraliaMt HelenVICAustralia
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Walker MA, Uribasterra M, Asher V, Getz WM, Ryan SJ, Ponciano JM, Blackburn JK. Factors influencing scavenger guilds and scavenging efficiency in Southwestern Montana. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4254. [PMID: 33608624 PMCID: PMC7895951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83426-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Scavenging of carrion shapes ecological landscapes by influencing scavenger population demography, increasing inter- and intra-specific interactions, and generating ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and disease moderation. Previous research found the cues promoting, or the constraints limiting, an individual's propensity or ability to scavenge vary widely, depending on anthropogenic and environmental factors. Here we investigated differences in scavenging patterns in a complex scavenger guild in Southwestern Montana. We used camera traps established at 13 carcass sites to monitor carcass detection, visitation, and consumption times, during 2016-2018 and generalized linear models to explore the influence of carcass characteristics, habitat features, and seasonality, on carcass selection and scavenging efficiency. We found that scavenger species diversity was higher at higher elevations and in grassland habitats. Scavenging efficiency was influenced inter alia by seasonality, distance to water, and elevation. We found that most carcass consumption was via facultative scavengers (bears, wolves, magpies, Corvus spp.) rather than turkey vultures, the only obligate scavengers in the study area. However, growing populations of turkey vultures may lead to increased competition with facultative scavengers over carrion, and could have cascading effects on food webs in this ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A Walker
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maria Uribasterra
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Valpa Asher
- Turner Enterprises Inc., 1123 Research Drive, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Wayne M Getz
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, USA.,School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sadie J Ryan
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Jason K Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Crawford DA, Conner LM, Morris G, Cherry MJ. Predation risk increases intraspecific heterogeneity in white-tailed deer diel activity patterns. Behav Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Prey species often mitigate predation risk through alteration of spatiotemporal diel activity patterns whereby prey access high-quality resources in risky areas during predator downtimes. However, dominance hierarchies exist in some prey species, and temporal partitioning is a mechanism thought to reduce aggressive intraspecific interactions. How demographic-specific responses to predation risk influence intraspecific temporal partitioning in prey are largely unknown and could be key to understanding the effects of predators on intraspecific interactions in prey. To assess the effects of predation risk on intraspecific interactions in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), we monitored deer diel activity during the fawning season in four pairs of predator exclusion and control plots (~40 ha) from 2015 to 2018 using 16 camera traps. We examined the effect of predation risk on diel activity of males, females, and nursery groups by comparing the within-group coefficient of activity overlap (d̂) across predator exclusion and control plots. We then examined within-treatment activity overlap between groups in the predator exclosure and control plots. All groups maintained different diel activity patterns in safe and risky areas. Unconstrained by predation risk, all groups behaved more similarly, and interspecific group overlap was greater in the predator exclusion plots than control plots. Male-nursery group overlap exhibited the strongest treatment effect, increasing 24% in predator exclusion plots (d̂ = 0.91, confidence interval [CI]: 0.87–0.95) relative to control plots (d̂ = 0.67, CI: 0.57–0.76). Our results suggest predators increase heterogeneity in prey behavior and may be important drivers of behavioral processes, such as temporal partitioning, that minimize antagonistic intraspecific interactions of prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Crawford
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Michael J Cherry
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX, USA
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