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Youngmann JL, Lance SL, Kilgo JC, Ruth C, Cantrell J, D’Angelo GJ. Assessing springtime vertebrate prey of sympatric mesopredators in the southeastern United States using metabarcoding analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293270. [PMID: 37878654 PMCID: PMC10599563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Coyotes (Canis latrans) colonized the eastern United States over the last century and formed a 3-species predator guild with bobcats (Lynx rufus) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) across much of the southeastern United States. Diets among the three species vary along with respective impacts on game species such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). To determine predation impacts on vertebrate prey and dietary overlap in consumption of prey items, we assessed diets of coyote, bobcat, and gray fox during spring, coinciding with white-tailed deer fawning and wild turkey nesting and brood rearing. We sampled across three sites along the Savannah River in South Carolina from mid-May through mid-June of 2020-2021. We collected 180 scat samples along 295.9 kilometers (71.1-122.4 km/site) of unpaved secondary roads and used DNA metabarcoding to determine vertebrate diet items. We identified predator species of scat using DNA metabarcoding and species-specific mtDNA fragment analysis (153 were coyote, 20 bobcat, and seven gray fox). Overall, we found evidence that two species, coyote and bobcat, consumed deer while all three consumed turkeys. Frequency of deer in the diet varied across sites for coyotes from 62-86% and wild turkey was present with a frequency of occurrence of 9% for coyotes, 5% for bobcats, and 14% for gray fox. Vertebrate diet specialization was evident across predator species with high frequency of deer in coyote diets, rabbits and small mammals in bobcat diets, and herpetofauna in gray fox diets. During deer fawning and wild turkey nesting and brood rearing, dietary overlap appears to be mediated by disparate selection of prey items, which reduced competition among coyotes, bobcats, and gray foxes. Use of DNA metabarcoding may augment our understanding of dietary preferences within this predator guild by providing increased resolution of diet composition among important game species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L. Youngmann
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Stacey L. Lance
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - John C. Kilgo
- United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station, New Ellenton, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Charles Ruth
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jay Cantrell
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gino J. D’Angelo
- Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Fowler NL, Petroelje TR, Kautz TM, Svoboda NJ, Duquette JF, Kellner KF, Beyer DE, Belant JL. Variable effects of wolves on niche breadth and density of intraguild competitors. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8542. [PMID: 35154647 PMCID: PMC8829107 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The parallel niche release hypothesis (PNR) indicates that reduced competition with dominant competitors results in greater density and niche breadth of subordinate competitors and which may support an adaptive advantage.We assessed support for the PNR by evaluating relationships between variation in niche breadth and intra- and interspecific density (an index of competition) of wolves (Canis lupus) coyotes (C. latrans), and bobcats (Lynx rufus).We estimated population density (wolf track surveys, coyote howl surveys, and bobcat hair snare surveys) and variability in space use (50% core autocorrelated kernel density home range estimators), temporal activity (hourly and overnight speed), and dietary (isotopic δ13C and δ15N) niche breadth of each species across three areas of varying wolf density in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, 2010-2019.Densities of wolves and coyotes were inversely related, and increased variability in space use, temporal activity, and dietary niche breadth of coyotes was associated with increased coyote density and decreased wolf density supporting the PNR. Variability in space use and temporal activity of wolves and dietary niche breadth of bobcats also increased with increased intraspecific density supporting the PNR.Through demonstrating decreased competition between wolves and coyotes and increased coyote niche breadth and density, our study provides multidimensional support for the PNR. Knowledge of the relationship between niche breadth and population density can inform our understanding of the role of competition in shaping the realized niche of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas L. Fowler
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, KodiakKodiakAlaskaUSA
| | - Tyler R. Petroelje
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | - Todd M. Kautz
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Jared F. Duquette
- Division of Wildlife ResourcesIllinois Department of Natural ResourcesChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Kenneth F. Kellner
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | - Dean E. Beyer
- Wildlife DivisionMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesMarquetteMichiganUSA
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
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Masters HM, Maher CR. Diet reveals potential for competition and coexistence among coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). CAN J ZOOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Species can alleviate competition by reducing diet overlap. Non-native coyotes (Canis latrans Say, 1823) and historically native gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Schreber, 1775)) have expanded their ranges and may compete with native red foxes (Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)). To examine potential competition among canids in Maine, USA, we compared δ13C and δ15N from muscle and hair samples to assess relative resource use, and we compared frequency of occurrence of prey items from stomach contents to assess diets. For these species, red foxes consumed anthropogenically based foods the most in fall and early winter, gray foxes consumed anthropogenically based foods the most in summer, and coyotes consumed anthropogenically based foods the least in all seasons. Coyotes held the highest relative trophic position in fall and early winter, red foxes held the highest relative trophic position in summer, and gray foxes held the lowest relative trophic position. Based on stomach contents, gray foxes had the broadest diet and consumed the most plants, and coyotes had the narrowest diet. Red foxes were the only species to show isotopic niche overlap with both potential competitors across seasons. Thus, they may be most susceptible to competitive exclusion among these canids, with implications for community dynamics as ranges shift due to human activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry M. Masters
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103, USA
| | - Christine R. Maher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103, USA
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Webster SC, Chamberlain MJ, Hinton JW, Beasley JC. Isotope analysis reveals dietary overlap among sympatric canids. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
When colonizing new regions, invading species might compete strongly with phylogenetically related species native to the regions they are colonizing, eventually leading to coexistence or displacement. In the southeast of the United States, recently established coyotes (Canis latrans) compete with red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), although it remains unclear if competition is leading to resource partitioning or displacement by species. Using nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes, we tested the hypothesis that coyotes compete with foxes for food resources, with canids partitioning those resources to mitigate competition. We compared diets of canids in the southeast to those in the Plains region of the United States, a region where all three species historically have coexisted. We analyzed 217 hair samples from both regions pre-1960, prior to coyote colonization of the southeast, and post-2000, after coyotes were ubiquitous there, to assess differences in diet among species for both regions (southeast versus Plains and time periods, pre- versus postcolonization by coyotes). Modeling revealed significant dietary overlap among historical and contemporary populations in the southeast. Historically, all species partitioned resources in the Plains. Contemporarily, red fox and coyotes co-occurring in the Plains overlapped in diet; however, gray fox diet did not overlap with those of red fox and coyotes. Absence of partitioning in diet among co-occurring canids in the southeast indicates that interspecific competition could be strong in the region. Competition among canid populations in the southeast could lead to further resource partitioning among species that promotes coexistence or competitive exclusion of smaller fox species where coyote populations are abundant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Webster
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30601, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | - Michael J Chamberlain
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30601, USA
| | - Joseph W Hinton
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30601, USA
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
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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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Human disturbance increases trophic niche overlap in terrestrial carnivore communities. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:26842-26848. [PMID: 33046630 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012774117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal foraging and competition are defined by the partitioning of three primary niche axes: space, time, and resources. Human disturbance is rapidly altering the spatial and temporal niches of animals, but the impact of humans on resource consumption and partitioning-arguably the most important niche axis-is poorly understood. We assessed resource consumption and trophic niche partitioning as a function of human disturbance at the individual, population, and community levels using stable isotope analysis of 684 carnivores from seven communities in North America. We detected significant responses to human disturbance at all three levels of biological organization: individual carnivores consumed more human food subsidies in disturbed landscapes, leading to significant increases in trophic niche width and trophic niche overlap among species ranging from mesocarnivores to apex predators. Trophic niche partitioning is the primary mechanism regulating coexistence in many communities, and our results indicate that humans fundamentally alter resource niches and competitive interactions among terrestrial consumers. Among carnivores, niche overlap can trigger interspecific competition and intraguild predation, while the consumption of human foods significantly increases human-carnivore conflict. Our results suggest that human disturbances, especially in the form of food subsidies, may threaten carnivores by increasing the probability of both interspecific competition and human-carnivore conflict. Ultimately, these findings illustrate a potential decoupling of predator-prey dynamics, with impacts likely cascading to populations, communities, and ecosystems.
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Jacquier M, Simon L, Ruette S, Vandel JM, Hemery A, Devillard S. Isotopic evidence of individual specialization toward free-ranging chickens in a rural population of red foxes. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1352-9] [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]
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Sivy KJ, Pozzanghera CB, Colson KE, Mumma MA, Prugh LR. Apex predators and the facilitation of resource partitioning among mesopredators. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J. Sivy
- Dept of Biology and Wildlife; Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks; Fairbanks AK 99775 USA
| | | | - Kassidy E. Colson
- Alaska Dept of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation; Palmer AK USA
| | - Matthew A. Mumma
- Ecosystem Science and Management, Univ. of Northern British Columbia; Prince George BC Canada
| | - Laura R. Prugh
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Univ. of Washington; Seattle WA USA
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Kemp BM, Judd K, Monroe C, Eerkens JW, Hilldorfer L, Cordray C, Schad R, Reams E, Ortman SG, Kohler TA. Prehistoric mitochondrial DNA of domesticate animals supports a 13th century exodus from the northern US southwest. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178882. [PMID: 28746407 PMCID: PMC5528258 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The 13th century Puebloan depopulation of the Four Corners region of the US Southwest is an iconic episode in world prehistory. Studies of its causes, as well as its consequences, have a bearing not only on archaeological method and theory, but also social responses to climate change, the sociology of social movements, and contemporary patterns of cultural diversity. Previous research has debated the demographic scale, destinations, and impacts of Four Corners migrants. Much of this uncertainty stems from the substantial differences in material culture between the Four Corners vs. hypothesized destination areas. Comparable biological evidence has been difficult to obtain due to the complete departure of farmers from the Four Corners in the 13th century CE and restrictions on sampling human remains. As an alternative, patterns of genetic variation among domesticated species were used to address the role of migration in this collapse. We collected mitochondrial haplotypic data from dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) remains from archaeological sites in the most densely-populated portion of the Four Corners region, and the most commonly proposed destination area for that population under migration scenarios. Results are consistent with a large-scale migration of humans, accompanied by their domestic turkeys, during the 13th century CE. These results support scenarios that suggest contemporary Pueblo peoples of the Northern Rio Grande are biological and cultural descendants of Four Corners populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M. Kemp
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Judd
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology and Ancient DNA, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Cara Monroe
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jelmer W. Eerkens
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Lindsay Hilldorfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Connor Cordray
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology and Ancient DNA, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Schad
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology and Ancient DNA, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Erin Reams
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology and Ancient DNA, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Scott G. Ortman
- Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
- Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Cortez, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Timothy A. Kohler
- Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
- Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Cortez, Colorado, United States of America
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Walter WD, Kurle CM, Hopkins JB. Applications of stable isotope analysis in mammalian ecology. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2014; 50:287-290. [PMID: 25013986 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2014.933214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this editorial, we provide a brief introduction and summarize the 10 research articles included in this Special Issue on Applications of stable isotope analysis in mammalian ecology. The first three articles report correction and discrimination factors that can be used to more accurately estimate the diets of extinct and extant mammals using stable isotope analysis. The remaining seven applied research articles use stable isotope analysis to address a variety of wildlife conservation and management questions from the oceans to the mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- W David Walter
- a US Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit , Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA
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