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Franchini M, Atzeni L, Lovari S, Nasanbat B, Ravchig S, Herrador FC, Bombieri G, Augugliaro C. Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia. Curr Zool 2023; 69:670-681. [PMID: 37876635 PMCID: PMC10591146 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac093] [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: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of interactions between apex and smaller carnivores may range from competition to facilitation. Conversely, interactions between predators and prey are mainly driven by the prey reducing the likelihood of encounters with predators. In this study, we investigated (1) the spatiotemporal interactions between an apex (the snow leopard) and a meso-predator (the red fox), and (2) the temporal interactions between the snow leopard and its potential prey (Siberian ibex, argali, Asian wild ass, Tolai hare) through camera trapping in the Mongolian Great Gobi-A. The probability of occurrence for the red fox was higher in the presence of the snow leopard than in its absence. Moreover, the red fox activity pattern matched that of the snow leopard, with both species mostly active at sunset. This positive spatiotemporal interaction suggests that the presence of the snow leopard may be beneficial for the red fox in terms of scavenging opportunities. However, other explanations may also be possible. Amongst prey, the Siberian ibex and the argali were mainly active during the day, whereas the Asian wild ass and the Tolai hare were more nocturnal. These findings suggest that potential prey (especially the Siberian ibex and the argali) may shape their behavior to decrease the opportunity for encounters with the snow leopard. Our results have revealed complex interactions between apex and smaller predators and between apex predator and its potential prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Franchini
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative Italia, Via Rovigo, 12, 31040 Pederobba (TV), Italy
- Department of Agri-Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via Sondrio 2/A, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Luciano Atzeni
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative Italia, Via Rovigo, 12, 31040 Pederobba (TV), Italy
- Wildlife Institute, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Sandro Lovari
- Maremma Natural History Museum, Grosseto, and Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Battogtokh Nasanbat
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Samiya Ravchig
- School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | - Giovanni Bombieri
- Department of Research and Conservation, Wildlife Initiative Italia, Via Rovigo, 12, 31040 Pederobba (TV), Italy
- World Biodiversity Association—C/o Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Lungadige Porta Vittoria, 9 37129 Verona, Italia
| | - Claudio Augugliaro
- Wildlife Initiative, Bayangol, 6th Khoroo, Micro District 10, Ulaanbaatar 210349, Mongolia
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore, Quartier Sorge, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
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2
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Sergeyev M, Cherry MJ, Tanner EP, Lombardi JV, Tewes ME, Campbell TA. Multiscale assessment of habitat selection and avoidance of sympatric carnivores by the endangered ocelot. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8882. [PMID: 37264027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35271-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat selection by animals is a complex, dynamic process that can vary across spatial and temporal scales. Understanding habitat selection is a vital component of managing endangered species. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), a medium-sized endangered felid, overlap in their northern range with bobcats (Lynx rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans), with all three species sharing similar space and resource use. As the potential for competition between these three carnivores is high, understanding differences in habitat use and the effect of these potential competitors on habitat selection of ocelots is essential to conservation. Our objective was to compare habitat selection between species and examine if ocelots avoided areas used by competitors at broad and fine scales. We captured and collared 8 ocelots, 13 bobcats, and 5 coyotes on the East Foundation's El Sauz Ranch and the Yturria San Francisco Ranch in South Texas, USA from 2017 to 2021. We compared 2nd (position of home range) and 3rd (use within the home range) order selection across species and examined whether ocelots avoided areas categorized as high probability of use by bobcats and coyotes across both orders of selection. We found a preference for heterogeneous landscapes by bobcats and coyotes while ocelots were strongly tied to woody cover across both orders. At the 2nd order, ocelots selected areas with higher probability of use by bobcats and showed no response to higher probability of use by coyotes, suggesting ocelots did not avoid either species. However, at the 3rd order, ocelots avoided areas used by coyotes. Ocelots selected for areas of use by bobcats at the 2nd order and 3rd order. Results suggest that at the broader scale, placement of the home range is not affected by the presence of sympatric carnivores, however, at a finer scale, ocelots are avoiding coyotes but not bobcats. Our study emphasizes the importance of woody and herbaceous cover at the broad scale and dense vegetation at the finer scale to sustain ocelots. In addition, we show differing patterns of interspecific avoidance by ocelots across species and scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim Sergeyev
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA.
| | - Michael J Cherry
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
| | - Evan P Tanner
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
| | - Jason V Lombardi
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
| | - Michael E Tewes
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
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Fornitano L, Gouvea JA, Costa RT, Bianchi RDC. Ocelot occupancy in fragmented areas of the Brazilian Cerrado and Atlantic Forest. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2022.2099694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Fornitano
- Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (Fcav), Jaboticabal, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biodiversidade, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (Ibilce), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Abonizio Gouvea
- Programa de Pós-graduação Interunidades em Ecologia Aplicada, “Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ)/Centro de Energia Nuclear (CENA) – Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Theodoro Costa
- Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (Fcav), Jaboticabal, Brazil
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biodiversidade, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (Ibilce), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cassia Bianchi
- Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (Fcav), Jaboticabal, Brazil
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4
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Marneweck CJ, Allen BL, Butler AR, Do Linh San E, Harris SN, Jensen AJ, Saldo EA, Somers MJ, Titus K, Muthersbaugh M, Vanak A, Jachowski DS. Middle‐out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney J. Marneweck
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Benjamin L. Allen
- Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba QLD 4350 Australia
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth 6034 South Africa
| | - Andrew R. Butler
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Emmanuel Do Linh San
- Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Fort Hare Alice 5700 South Africa
| | - Stephen N. Harris
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Alex J. Jensen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Saldo
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology University of Pretoria Pretoria 0002 South Africa
| | - Keifer Titus
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Michael Muthersbaugh
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Abi Vanak
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Bengaluru 560064 India
- School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal 3629 South Africa
| | - David S. Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Clemson University Clemson SC 29634 USA
- School of Life Sciences University of KwaZulu‐Natal 3629 South Africa
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5
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Can prey occupancy act as a surrogate for mesopredator occupancy? A case study of ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00232-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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LaBarge LR, Evans MJ, Miller JRB, Cannataro G, Hunt C, Elbroch LM. Pumas
Puma concolor
as ecological brokers: a review of their biotic relationships. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura R. LaBarge
- Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, Department of Environment and Sustainability, The State University of New York University at Buffalo Amherst NY14260USA
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Bücklestraße 5 Konstanz DE78467Germany
| | - Michael J. Evans
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University 4400 University Dr Fairfax VA22030USA
| | - Jennifer R. B. Miller
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University 4400 University Dr Fairfax VA22030USA
| | - Gillian Cannataro
- Center for Conservation Innovation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
- Conservation, Management and Welfare Sciences Association of Zoos and Aquariums 8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 710 Silver Spring MD20910‐3314USA
| | - Christian Hunt
- Field Conservation Defenders of Wildlife Washington DC20036USA
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Webster AB, Pretorius ME, Somers MJ. The Determinants of Mesocarnivore Activity Patterns in Highveld Grassland and Riparian Habitats. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3957/056.051.0178] [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)
- Andrea B. Webster
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mariëtte E. Pretorius
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael J. Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Bolze GJ, Tirelli FP, Queirolo D, Ramos Pereira MJ. Living on the edge: density and activity patterns of the ocelot, Leopardus pardalis, in the austral limit of the Atlantic Forest. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2021.2008146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Jardim Bolze
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Flávia Pereira Tirelli
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, Brazil
| | - Diego Queirolo
- CENUR Noreste, Universidad de la República, Rivera, Uruguay
- Department of Biological Sciences, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Maria João Ramos Pereira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
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9
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Malhotra R, Jiménez JE, Harris NC. Patch characteristics and domestic dogs differentially affect carnivore space use in fragmented landscapes in southern Chile. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13391] [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] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rumaan Malhotra
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Jaime E. Jiménez
- Advanced Environmental Research Institute Department of Biological Sciences University of North Texas Denton Texas USA
| | - Nyeema C. Harris
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
- Applied Wildlife Ecology Lab School of the Environment Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
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10
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Structure and inter-specific relationships of a felid community of the upper Amazonian basin under different scenarios of human impact. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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11
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Pasa JB, Arrais RC, Massara RL, Pereira G, de Azevedo FCC. Factors influencing the habitat use by ocelots in one of the last large Atlantic Forest remnants in southeastern Brazil. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:4631-4643. [PMID: 33976836 PMCID: PMC8093706 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are widely distributed throughout the Americas, being dependent on forested areas to survive. Although ocelot ecology is broadly studied throughout the species range distribution, studies concerning factors that may affect ocelot occupancy in the Atlantic Forest are still scarce. We used camera traps to evaluate factors influencing the probabilities of detection and occupancy of ocelots in a protected area of the Atlantic Forest, the Rio Doce State Park (RDSP), southeastern Brazil. To assess ocelot occupancy and detection probabilities, we measured the distances between sampling stations and rivers, lakes, cities, pasture, and Eucalyptus plantations. In addition, we recorded the mean rainfall levels for each sampling occasion, and native grassland areas within a 500 m-buffer around each sampling station. We found a strong and positive association between ocelot detection and the dry season, which might be due to a higher number of individuals moving through the Park during this season. Moreover, we found a strong and positive association of ocelot detection with native grassland areas around lakes, which may be related to the ocelot behavior of searching for prey in these areas. Conversely, the ocelot occupancy probability was intermediate ( Ψ ^ = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.36-0.69) and was not strongly associated with the evaluated covariates, which may be explained by the high-quality of forest habitats and water resources that are homogeneously distributed within the Park. Our study indicates that the RDSP still provides a structurally suitable forest habitat for ocelots, but because of the current worrying scenario of over fragmentation, reduction of forest cover, and weakness of the protective legislation of this biome, the long-term persistence of the species in RDSP is uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Benck Pasa
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em EcologiaUniversidade Federal de São João del ReiSão João del ReiBrazil
| | - Ricardo Corassa Arrais
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em EcologiaConservação e Manejo de Vida SilvestreInstituto de Ciências BiológicasUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | - Rodrigo Lima Massara
- Laboratório de Ecologia e ConservaçãoDepartamento de Biologia GeralUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
- Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e ConservaçãoBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | - Gabriel Pereira
- Departamento de GeociênciasUniversidade Federal de São João del ReiSão João del ReiBrazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Geografia FísicaUniversidade de São PauloBrazil
| | - Fernando Cesar Cascelli de Azevedo
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em EcologiaUniversidade Federal de São João del ReiSão João del ReiBrazil
- Departamento de Ciências NaturaisUniversidade Federal de São João del ReiSão João del ReiBrazil
- Instituto Pró‐CarnívorosAtibaiaBrazil
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12
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Graves V, Tirelli F, Horn P, Resende L, Bolze G, Dutra J, Fonseca C, Pereira MJ. Impact of anthropogenic factors on occupancy and abundance of carnivorans in the Austral Atlantic forest. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Linck P, Tirelli FP, Bastos MC, Fonseca AN, Cardoso LF, Trigo TC. Daily activity patterns and occurrence of Leopardus guttulus (Carnivora, Felidae) in Lami Biological Reserve, southern Brazil. IHERINGIA. SERIE ZOOLOGIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4766e2021006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Linck
- Secretaria Estadual de Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Flávia P. Tirelli
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Brazil
| | | | - Anderson N. Fonseca
- Reserva Biológica do Lami José Lutzenberger, Brazil; Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiane C. Trigo
- Secretaria Estadual de Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Brazil; Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Brazil
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14
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Activity patterns in a feline assemblage in south-west Mexico, and their relationship with prey species. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467420000164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeveral species of neotropical felines are morphologically and ecologically similar, and are sympatric along large areas of their distribution. This requires mechanisms to allow their coexistence, such as temporal segregation of their activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between activity patterns of felines and their prey using camera trapping data and their seasonal variation in two tropical environments in south-western Mexico. Excepting Puma concolor, activity patterns for each feline species did not differ significantly between seasons nor between vegetation types. Activity patterns did not differ significantly between species of similar size: mid-sized species had high activity pattern overlaps in the medium forest while large-sized species overlapped to a lesser extent in the cloud forest. Leopardus wiedii differed from large-sized predators in its activity patterns. We recorded a relatively high temporal overlap between felines and their main prey species, particularly in the periods of maximum activity. We found no evidence of temporal segregation between the felines of the Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca and we suggest their coexistence is mediated by the selection of prey with different activity patterns.
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15
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Vilella M, Ferrandiz‐Rovira M, Sayol F. Coexistence of predators in time: Effects of season and prey availability on species activity within a Mediterranean carnivore guild. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:11408-11422. [PMID: 33144974 PMCID: PMC7593183 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The degree of coexistence among predators can determine the structure of ecological communities. Niche partitioning is a common strategy applied by species to enhance their coexistence. Diet, habitat, or time use can be responsible for segregation among carnivore species, the latter factor being the least studied in Mediterranean ecosystems. Terrestrial medium-sized carnivores (i.e., mesocarnivores) carry out important functions in ecosystems, and identifying their interactions is essential for their conservation.In this study, we explore the activity of a terrestrial mesocarnivore guild in order to determine seasonal differences in daily activity patterns of competitors and prey. We also investigate how the abundance of a common mesocarnivore prey in the region, small mammals, influences the activity of predators.During a year, camera trap devices (n = 18) were installed in Montseny Natural Park (Catalan Pre-Coastal Range, North-East Iberian Peninsula), a region that hosts five mesocarnivore species. Camera trapping detections were used to estimate their daily activity patterns and corresponding overlaps. We also surveyed small mammal plots (n = 5) in order to calculate prey abundance and test its effect on the relative activity of each carnivore species.Despite all target mesocarnivores are mainly nocturnal, the activity overlap among them varies according to species particularities and season. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) appears as a generalist species in terms of time use, whereas stone marten (Martes foina) and genet (Genetta genetta) show the most similar activity patterns and both of them seem to be positively influenced by small mammal abundance. Overall, the diversity found in the way mesocarnivore species use time could facilitate their coexistence.Despite activity pattern similarities among carnivore species should not be directly translated to negative interactions, they can have a strong influence in habitat and resource-limited ecosystems. Therefore, activity overlaps should be taken into account when discussing wildlife management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Vilella
- Delegació d’Osona (GNO‐ICHN)Institució Catalana d’Història NaturalVicSpain
| | - Mariona Ferrandiz‐Rovira
- CREAFCerdanyola del VallèsCataloniaSpain
- Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCataloniaSpain
| | - Ferran Sayol
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment ResearchDepartment of Genetics, Evolution and EnvironmentUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity CentreGothenburgSweden
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16
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Sévêque A, Gentle LK, López-Bao JV, Yarnell RW, Uzal A. Human disturbance has contrasting effects on niche partitioning within carnivore communities. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 95:1689-1705. [PMID: 32666614 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Among species, coexistence is driven partly by the partitioning of available resources. The mechanisms of coexistence and competition among species have been a central topic within community ecology, with particular focus on mammalian carnivore community research. However, despite growing concern regarding the impact of humans on the behaviour of species, very little is known about the effect of humans on species interactions. The aim of this review is to establish a comprehensive framework for the impacts of human disturbance on three dimensions (spatial, temporal and trophic) of niche partitioning within carnivore communities and subsequent effects on both intraguild competition and community structure. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on carnivore niche partitioning (246 studies) and extracted 46 reported effects of human disturbance. We found evidence that human disturbance impacts resource partitioning, either positively or negatively, in all three niche dimensions. The repercussions of such variations are highly heterogeneous and differ according to both the type of human disturbance and how the landscape and/or availability of resources are affected. We propose a theoretical framework of the three main outcomes for the impacts of human disturbance on intraguild competition and carnivore community structure: (i) human disturbance impedes niche partitioning, increasing intraguild competition and reducing the richness and diversity of the community; (ii) human disturbance unbalances niche partitioning and intraguild competition, affecting community stability; and (iii) human disturbance facilitates niche partitioning, decreasing intraguild competition and enriching the community. We call for better integration of the impact of humans on carnivore communities in future research on interspecific competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Sévêque
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Louise K Gentle
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - José V López-Bao
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO/CSIC/PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, 33600, Spain
| | - Richard W Yarnell
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Antonio Uzal
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, NG25 0QF, UK
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17
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Lombardi JV, MacKenzie DI, Tewes ME, Perotto‐Baldivieso HL, Mata JM, Campbell TA. Co-occurrence of bobcats, coyotes, and ocelots in Texas. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4903-4917. [PMID: 32551069 PMCID: PMC7297750 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Interspecific competition among carnivores has been linked to differences in behavior, morphology, and resource use. Insights into these interactions can enhance understanding of local ecological processes that can have impacts on the recovery of endangered species, such as the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Ocelots, bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) share a small geographic range overlap from South Texas to south-central Mexico but relationships among the three are poorly understood. From May 2011 to March 2018, we conducted a camera trap study to examine co-occurrence patterns among ocelots, bobcats, and coyotes on the East Foundation's El Sauz Ranch in South Texas. We used a novel multiseason extension to multispecies occupancy models with ≥2 interacting species to conduct an exploratory analysis to examine interspecific interactions and examine the potential effects of patch-level and landscape-level metrics relative to the occurrence of these carnivores. We found strong evidence of seasonal mutual coexistence among all three species and observed a species-specific seasonal trend in detection. Seasonal coexistence patterns were also explained by increasing distance from a high-speed roadway. However, these results have important ecological implications for planning ocelot recovery in the rangelands of South Texas. This study suggests a coexistence among ocelots, bobcats, and coyotes under the environmental conditions on the El Sauz Ranch. Further research would provide a better understanding of the ecological mechanisms that facilitate coexistence within this community. As road networks in the region expand over the next few decades, large private working ranches will be needed to provide important habitat for ocelots and other carnivore species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason V. Lombardi
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InstituteTexas A&M University–KingsvilleKingsvilleTXUSA
| | | | - Michael E. Tewes
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InstituteTexas A&M University–KingsvilleKingsvilleTXUSA
| | | | - José M. Mata
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research InstituteTexas A&M University–KingsvilleKingsvilleTXUSA
- Department of Ecosystem Science and ManagementCollege of Agriculture and Life SciencesTexas A&M University–College StationCollege StationTXUSA
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Easter T, Bouley P, Carter N. Intraguild dynamics of understudied carnivores in a human-altered landscape. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5476-5488. [PMID: 32607168 PMCID: PMC7319246 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesocarnivores constitute a diverse and often abundant group of species, which are increasingly occupying hweigher trophic levels within multi-use landscapes. Yet, we know relatively little about their interactions with each other, especially in human-altered areas. Using camera trap data collected in a forestry concession in the Greater Gorongosa ecosystem of central Mozambique, we examined the spatiotemporal relationships and potential for intraguild competition among three understudied African carnivores: African civets (Civettictis civetta), bushy-tailed mongooses (Bdeogale crassicauda), and large-spotted genets (Genetta maculata). After accounting for habitat preferences and tolerance to anthropogenic factors, we found that African civets and bushy-tailed mongooses avoid each other spatially and temporally. Additionally, civets and mongooses were also both more likely to use sites farther away from human settlements, possibly decreasing the total available habitat for each species if competition is driving this spatial partitioning. In contrast, we did not find evidence for spatial or temporal partitioning between large-spotted genets and African civets, but bushy-tailed mongooses altered their activity patterns where they co-occurred with genets. Our study contributes to scant ecological knowledge of these mesocarnivores and adds to our understanding of community dynamics in human-altered ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Easter
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | | | - Neil Carter
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
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Horn PE, Pereira MJR, Trigo TC, Eizirik E, Tirelli FP. Margay (Leopardus wiedii) in the southernmost Atlantic Forest: Density and activity patterns under different levels of anthropogenic disturbance. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232013. [PMID: 32374736 PMCID: PMC7202647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The margay (Leopardus wiedii) is a small Neotropical arboreal wild cat. This species is thought to be forest-dependent, although few studies so far have directly evaluated the relationships between spatiotemporal aspects of its ecology and landscape characteristics. The aim of this study was to estimate margay population density and activity patterns in six areas with different habitat types and levels of anthropogenic disturbance in the southernmost Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Our working hypothesis was that density and activity patterns differed between areas in response to differences in forest cover and anthropogenic disturbance. Margay records were obtained using camera trapping, during spring and summer from 2017 to 2019. In all areas, the sampling scheme consisted of 20 un-baited stations, set 1km apart, each containing two paired cameras. We assessed the potential effects of environmental variables, including anthropogenic factors, on margay density, rate of detection and space use by comparing nine spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models. Activity patterns of the margay, its potential prey, and competitors were described and compared using the date and time of the records. We obtained 66 records of margay. Two of the six sampled areas were excluded from subsequent analyses due to the small number of records. The density estimated by the top-ranked model varied from 9.6±6.4 individuals/100km2 in the area with the highest human disturbance to 37.4±15.1 individuals/100km2 in a less disturbed area. Margay densities responded positively to vegetation cover, supporting the hypothesis of forest dependence by the species. Both the margay and their potential prey (small rodents and marsupials) were found to be mostly nocturnal. Margay activity also overlapped with that of the ocelot, Leopardus pardalis, and with mammals associated with human presence (wild boar, cattle, domestic dogs and cats). This is the first multi-area study on patterns of density and activity of the margay in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We concluded that the margay is mostly nocturnal, and while its densities are positively influenced by forest cover and negatively influenced by human disturbance, the activity pattern of the species does not seem to change across landscapes with distinct levels of human modification. Margay populations seem to be able to persist under moderate levels of habitat modification, highlighting the importance of preserving even small native forest remnants in the highly fragmented Atlantic Forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula E. Horn
- Departamento de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Maria J. R. Pereira
- Departamento de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tatiane C. Trigo
- Departamento de Biodiversidade, Setor de Mastozoologia, Museu de Ciências Naturais, Secretaria de Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Eizirik
- Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, São Paulo, Brazil
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Flávia P. Tirelli
- Departamento de Zoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, São Paulo, Brazil
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Marinho PH, Fonseca CR, Sarmento P, Fonseca C, Venticinque EM. Temporal niche overlap among mesocarnivores in a Caatinga dry forest. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-1371-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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21
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Coexistence and habitat use of the South American coati and the mountain coati along an elevational gradient. Mamm Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Dog days are just starting: the ecology invasion of free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris) in a protected area of the Atlantic Forest. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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23
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Wang B, Rocha DG, Abrahams MI, Antunes AP, Costa HCM, Gonçalves ALS, Spironello WR, de Paula MJ, Peres CA, Pezzuti J, Ramalho E, Reis ML, Carvalho Jr E, Rohe F, Macdonald DW, Tan CKW. Habitat use of the ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis) in Brazilian Amazon. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:5049-5062. [PMID: 31110661 PMCID: PMC6509378 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amazonia forest plays a major role in providing ecosystem services for human and sanctuaries for wildlife. However, ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Amazon has threatened both. The ocelot is an ecologically important mesopredator and a potential conservation ambassador species, yet there are no previous studies on its habitat preference and spatial patterns in this biome. From 2010 to 2017, twelve sites were surveyed, totaling 899 camera trap stations, the largest known dataset for this species. Using occupancy modeling incorporating spatial autocorrelation, we assessed habitat use for ocelot populations across the Brazilian Amazon. Our results revealed a positive sigmoidal correlation between remote-sensing derived metrics of forest cover, disjunct core area density, elevation, distance to roads, distance to settlements and habitat use, and that habitat use by ocelots was negatively associated with slope and distance to river/lake. These findings shed light on the regional scale habitat use of ocelots and indicate important species-habitat relationships, thus providing valuable information for conservation management and land-use planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Wang
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of BotanyThe Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Daniel G. Rocha
- Graduate Group in EcologyDepartment of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of California DavisDavisCalifornia
- Grupo de Ecologia e Conservação de Felinos na AmazôniaInstituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável MamirauáTeféBrazil
| | - Mark I. Abrahams
- Field Conservation and Science DepartmentBristol Zoological SocietyBristolUK
| | - André P. Antunes
- Redefauna - Rede de Pesquisa em BiodiversidadeConservação e Uso da Fauna da AmazôniaManausBrazil
| | - Hugo C. M. Costa
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da BiodiversidadeUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBrazil
| | | | | | - Milton José de Paula
- Centre for Advanced Amazon StudiesUniversity of ParaAltamiraBrazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em EcologiaUniversidade Federal do Pará e EMBRAPA Amazônia OrientalBelémBrazil
| | - Carlos A. Peres
- School of Environmental ScienceCetre for Ecology, Evolution and ConservationUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Juarez Pezzuti
- Centre for Advanced Amazon StudiesUniversity of ParaAltamiraBrazil
| | | | | | - Elildo Carvalho Jr
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos CarnívorosInstituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da BiodiversidadeAtibaiaBrazil
- Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Fabio Rohe
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva – GCBEvInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPAManausBrazil
- Wildlife Conservation Society Brazil – Amazon ProgramManausBrazil
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
| | - Cedric Kai Wei Tan
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
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Carvalho WD, Rosalino LM, Godoy MSM, Giorgete MF, Adania CH, Esbérard CEL. Temporal activity of rural free-ranging dogs: implications for the predator and prey species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. NEOBIOTA 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.45.30645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Domestic or free-ranging dogs (Canislupusfamiliaris) can have deleterious effects on wildlife, acting as predators or competitors to native species. These impacts can be highly important in fragmented pristine habitats or well-preserved areas located in human dominated landscapes and where biodiversity values are usually high, such as those in southeastern Brazil. Here we explored the level of overlap or mismatch in the distributions of activity patterns of rural free-ranging dogs and potential wild prey (Didelphisaurita, Cuniculuspaca; Sylvilagusbrasiliensis) and a wild predator (Leoparduspardalis) in areas of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. We further explored the possible influence of the wild predator on the dog presence pattern detected in the territory analyzed. Our camera-trap data (714 camera-trap days) showed that while rural free-ranging dogs display a cathemeral activity pattern, with activity peaks at dusk and dawn, ocelot and prey species are mainly nocturnal. Moreover, we found no evidence of an effect of ocelot presence, the distance to human houses and the presence of native forests on site occupancy by dogs. The ocelot activity patterns in this study were similar to those already reported in previous studies. On the other hand, previous studies have indicated that that free-ranging dogs are often reported to be more diurnal, and it seems that the rural free-ranging dogs in our study area may have adjusted their behaviour to be more active at dawn and dusk periods. This might be to both maintain some overlap with potential prey, e.g. Sylvilagusbrasiliensis, and also to avoid ocelots by being less active in periods when this predator is more active (which also coincides with peaks in activity for potential prey species). We hypothesize that the presence of ocelots might be influencing the temporal niche dimension of rural free-ranging dogs. As a sustainable management strategy, we propose conserving territories to promote the presence of medium to large predators in natural areas, in order to control free-ranging dogs and protect their vertebrate prey species.
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Nagy-Reis MB, Iwakami VH, Estevo CA, Setz EZ. Temporal and dietary segregation in a neotropical small-felid assemblage and its relation to prey activity. Mamm Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Dias DDM, Lima Massara R, de Campos CB, Henrique Guimarães Rodrigues F. Human activities influence the occupancy probability of mammalian carnivores in the Brazilian Caatinga. Biotropica 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas de Matos Dias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia; Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Lima Massara
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação; Rua José Hemetério de Andrade; Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - Claudia Bueno de Campos
- Instituto para a Conservação dos Carnívoros Neotropicais - Pró-Carnívoros; Atibaia, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Flávio Henrique Guimarães Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia; Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Belo Horizonte Brazil
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Dias DM, Massara RL, de Campos CB, Rodrigues FHG. Feline predator–prey relationships in a semi‐arid biome in Brazil. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. M. Dias
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - R. L. Massara
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
- Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação Belo Horizonte Brazil
| | - C. B. de Campos
- Instituto para a Conservação dos Carnívoros Neotropicais – Pró‐Carnívoros Atibaia Brazil
| | - F. H. G. Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
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Massara RL, Paschoal AMDO, Bailey LL, Doherty PF, Barreto MDF, Chiarello AG. Effect of humans and pumas on the temporal activity of ocelots in protected areas of Atlantic Forest. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Cruz P, Iezzi ME, De Angelo C, Varela D, Di Bitetti MS, Paviolo A. Effects of human impacts on habitat use, activity patterns and ecological relationships among medium and small felids of the Atlantic Forest. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200806. [PMID: 30067785 PMCID: PMC6070200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Competition theory and niche theory suggest that two morphologically similar species may coexist by reducing the overlap of at least one dimension of their ecological niche. The medium and small Neotropical felids are an interesting group of carnivore species for studying intraguild competition. Due to differences in size it is expected that the larger ocelot exert strong interference competition on the smaller felids (southern tiger cat, margay and jaguarundi); which, in turn, may exert exploitative competition among themselves. Moreover, landscape changes due to human activities may alter these interspecific interactions. We studied the habitat use and the spatial and temporal interspecific relations of the medium and small Atlantic Forest felids, in a landscape with different levels of anthropogenic impact. We estimated the detection probability, and occupancy probability of these cats and whether these parameters are affected by environmental and anthropogenic variables or by the estimated occupancy and detection probability of the ocelot. We estimated the overlap in daily activity patterns between pairs of the four species and changes in their activity in response to anthropogenic impact. We also studied the potential changes that may have occurred in the daily activity of the small felids in relation to ocelot's occupancy probability. The probability of habitat use of the small- and medium-size felids was negatively associated to the intensity of landscape use by humans. Co-occurrence models indicated that the probability of habitat use by southern tiger cats decreased with ocelot occupancy probability. This effect was higher as human disturbance increased. Moreover, the ocelot and the southern tiger cat became more nocturnal in sites with higher human access, suggesting that they may be temporally avoiding encounters with humans or dogs. Conservation of medium and small felids in the Atlantic Forest depends not only on the establishment and implementations of protected areas but also on the management of human's land uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Cruz
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- * E-mail:
| | - María Eugenia Iezzi
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Carlos De Angelo
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Diego Varela
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Mario S. Di Bitetti
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Misiones, Argentina
| | - Agustin Paviolo
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
- Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico, Bertoni, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
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Azevedo FC, Lemos FG, Freitas‐Junior MC, Rocha DG, Azevedo FCC. Puma activity patterns and temporal overlap with prey in a human‐modified landscape at Southeastern Brazil. J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. C. Azevedo
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia Universidade Federal de Viçosa Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - F. G. Lemos
- Programa de Conservação Mamíferos do Cerrado Goiás Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Instituto de Biotecnologia Universidade Federal de Goiás/Regional Catalão Goiás Brazil
| | | | - D. G. Rocha
- Grupo de Ecologia e Conservação de Felinos na Amazônia Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá Tefé Amazonas Brazil
- Graduate Group in Ecology Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology University of California Davis CA USA
| | - F. C. C. Azevedo
- Departamento de Ciências Naturais Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei Minas Gerais Brazil
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Marinho PH, Bezerra D, Antongiovanni M, Fonseca CR, Venticinque EM. Activity patterns of the threatened northern tiger cat Leopardus tigrinus and its potential prey in a Brazilian dry tropical forest. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Giordano C, Lyra-Jorge MC, Miotto RA, Pivello VR. Food habits of three carnivores in a mosaic landscape of São Paulo state, Brazil. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-018-1172-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Elbroch LM, Kusler A. Are pumas subordinate carnivores, and does it matter? PeerJ 2018; 6:e4293. [PMID: 29379688 PMCID: PMC5786880 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interspecific competition affects species fitness, community assemblages and structure, and the geographic distributions of species. Established dominance hierarchies among species mitigate the need for fighting and contribute to the realized niche for subordinate species. This is especially important for apex predators, many of which simultaneous contend with the costs of competition with more dominant species and the costs associated with human hunting and lethal management. METHODS Pumas are a widespread solitary felid heavily regulated through hunting to reduce conflicts with livestock and people. Across their range, pumas overlap with six apex predators (gray wolf, grizzly bear, American black bear, jaguar, coyote, maned wolf), two of which (gray wolf, grizzly bear) are currently expanding in North America following recovery efforts. We conducted a literature search to assess whether pumas were subordinate or dominant with sympatric apex predators, as well as with three felid mesocarnivores with similar ecology (ocelot, bobcat, Canada lynx). We also conducted an analysis of the spatial distributions of pumas and their dominant sympatric competitors to estimate in what part of their range, pumas are dominant versus subordinate. RESULTS We used 64 sources to assess dominance among pumas and other apex predators, and 13 sources to assess their relationships with felid mesocarnivores. Evidence suggested that wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, and jaguars are dominant over pumas, but that pumas are dominant over coyotes and maned wolves. Evidence suggested that pumas are also dominant over all three felid mesocarnivores with which they share range. More broadly, pumas are subordinate to at least one other apex carnivore in 10,799,252 (47.5%) of their 22,735,268 km2 range across North and South America. DISCUSSION Subordinate pumas change their habitat use, suffer displacement at food sources, likely experience increased energetic demands from harassment, exhibit increased starvation, and are sometimes directly killed in competitive interactions with dominant competitors. Nevertheless, we lack research clearly linking the costs of competition to puma fitness. Further, we lack research that assesses the influence of human effects simultaneous with the negative effects of competition with other sympatric carnivores. Until the time that we understand whether competitive effects are additive with human management, or even potentially synergistic, we encourage caution among managers responsible for determining harvest limits for pumas and other subordinate, apex carnivores in areas where they are sympatric with dominant species. This may be especially important information for managers working in regions where wolves and brown bears are recolonizing and recovering, and historic competition scenarios among multiple apex predators are being realized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Kusler
- Panthera, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Pace University Pleasantville/Briarcliff, Pleasantville, NY, United States of America
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L. Massara R, Paschoal AMDO, L. Bailey L, F. Doherty P, Hirsch A, G. Chiarello A. Factors influencing ocelot occupancy in Brazilian Atlantic Forest reserves. Biotropica 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo L. Massara
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Avenida Antonio Carlos, no.6627 Belo Horizonte MG 31270-901 Brazil
- Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação; Rua José Hemetério de Andrade, no.570 Belo Horizonte MG 30493-180 Brazil
| | - Ana Maria de Oliveira Paschoal
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação; Departamento de Biologia Geral; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Avenida Antonio Carlos, no.6627 Belo Horizonte MG 31270-901 Brazil
- Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação; Rua José Hemetério de Andrade, no.570 Belo Horizonte MG 30493-180 Brazil
| | - Larissa L. Bailey
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; Colorado State University; Fort Collins CO 80523-1474 USA
| | - Paul F. Doherty
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; Colorado State University; Fort Collins CO 80523-1474 USA
| | - André Hirsch
- Programa Institucional de Bioengenharia; Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei; Rodovia MG 424 - km 47 Sete Lagoas MG 35701-970 Brazil
| | - Adriano G. Chiarello
- Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto; Universidade de São Paulo; Avenida Bandeirantes, no. 3900 Ribeirão Preto SP 14040-901 Brazil
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