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Jameson TJM, Johnston GR, Barr M, Sandow D, Head JJ, Turner EC. Squamate scavenging services: Heath goannas ( Varanus rosenbergi) support carcass removal and may suppress agriculturally damaging blowflies. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11535. [PMID: 38919645 PMCID: PMC11197000 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Human-induced environmental change has caused widespread loss of species that support important functions for ecosystems and society. For example, vertebrate scavengers contribute to the functional health of ecosystems and provide services to agricultural landscapes by removing carcasses and associated pests. Widespread extirpation of native Australian mammals since the arrival of Europeans in Australia has removed many scavenging species from landscapes, while scavenging mammals such as European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been introduced. In much of Australia, squamate reptiles are the largest native terrestrial scavengers remaining, where large native mammals are extinct and conservation management is being undertaken to remove invasive mammals. The contribution of reptiles to scavenging functions is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the ecosystem functions provided by large reptiles as scavengers to better understand how populations can be managed to support ecosystem services. We investigated the ecosystem services provided by vertebrate scavengers in Australian coastal mallee ecosystems, focusing on the heath goanna (Varanus rosenbergi), the only extant native terrestrial scavenger in the region. We carried out exclosure experiments, isolating the scavenging activity of different taxonomic groups to quantify the contribution of different taxa to scavenging services, specifically the removal of rat carcasses, and its impact on the occurrence of agriculturally damaging blowflies. We compared areas with different native and invasive scavenger communities to investigate the impact of invasive species removal and native species abundance on scavenging services. Our results indicated that vertebrate scavenging significantly contributes to carcass removal and limitation of necrophagous fly breeding in carcasses and that levels of removal are higher in areas associated with high densities of heath goannas and low densities of invasive mammals. Therefore, augmentation of heath goanna populations represents a promising management strategy to restore and maximize scavenging ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom J. M. Jameson
- Department of Zoology and University Museum of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Gregory R. Johnston
- College of Science & EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- South Australian MuseumAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Max Barr
- Northern and Yorke Landscape BoardMinlatonSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Derek Sandow
- Northern and Yorke Landscape BoardClareSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jason J. Head
- Department of Zoology and University Museum of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Edgar C. Turner
- Department of Zoology and University Museum of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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2
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Bell O, Jones ME, Ruiz-Aravena M, Hamilton DG, Comte S, Hamer R, Hamede RK, Newton J, Bearhop S, McDonald RA. Human habitat modification, not apex scavenger decline, drives isotopic niche variation in a carnivore community. Oecologia 2024; 204:943-957. [PMID: 38619585 PMCID: PMC11062984 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05544-9] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Top carnivores can influence the structure of ecological communities, primarily through competition and predation; however, communities are also influenced by bottom-up forces such as anthropogenic habitat disturbance. Top carnivore declines will likely alter competitive dynamics within and amongst sympatric carnivore species. Increasing intraspecific competition is generally predicted to drive niche expansion and/or individual specialisation, while interspecific competition tends to constrain niches. Using stable isotope analysis of whiskers, we studied the effects of Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii declines upon the population- and individual-level isotopic niches of Tasmanian devils and sympatric spotted-tailed quolls Dasyurus maculatus subsp. maculatus. We investigated whether time since the onset of devil decline (a proxy for severity of decline) and landscape characteristics affected the isotopic niche breadth and overlap of devil and quoll populations. We quantified individual isotopic niche breadth for a subset of Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed quolls and assessed whether between-site population niche variation was driven by individual-level specialisation. Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed quolls demonstrated smaller population-level isotopic niche breadths with increasing human-modified habitat, while time since the onset of devil decline had no effect on population-level niche breadth or interspecific niche overlap. Individual isotopic niche breadths of Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed quolls were narrower in human-modified landscapes, likely driving population isotopic niche contraction, however, the degree of individuals' specialisation relative to one another remained constant. Our results suggest that across varied landscapes, mammalian carnivore niches can be more sensitive to the bottom-up forces of anthropogenic habitat disturbance than to the top-down effects of top carnivore decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Bell
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia.
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - David G Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
- Tasmanian Land Conservancy, 183 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS, 7007, Australia
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia
| | - Rowena Hamer
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Rodrigo K Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Jason Newton
- National Environmental Isotope Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, UK
| | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Robbie A McDonald
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK.
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3
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Newsome T, Cairncross R, Cunningham CX, Spencer EE, Barton PS, Ripple WJ, Wirsing AJ. Scavenging with invasive species. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:562-581. [PMID: 38148253 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13035] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Carrion acts as a hotspot of animal activity within many ecosystems globally, attracting scavengers that rely on this food source. However, many scavengers are invasive species whose impacts on scavenging food webs and ecosystem processes linked to decomposition are poorly understood. Here, we use Australia as a case study to review the extent of scavenging by invasive species that have colonised the continent since European settlement, identify the factors that influence their use of carcasses, and highlight the lesser-known ecological effects of invasive scavengers. From 44 published studies we identified six invasive species from 48 vertebrates and four main groups of arthropods (beetles, flies, ants and wasps) that scavenge. Invasive red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), feral pigs (Sus scrofa), black rats (Rattus rattus) and feral cats (Felis catus) were ranked as highly common vertebrate scavengers. Invasive European wasps (Vespula germanica) are also common scavengers where they occur. We found that the diversity of native vertebrate scavengers is lower when the proportion of invasive scavengers is higher. We highlight that the presence of large (apex) native vertebrate scavengers can decrease rates of scavenging by invasive species, but that invasive scavengers can monopolise carcass resources, outcompete native scavengers, predate other species around carcass resources and even facilitate invasion meltdowns that affect other species and ecological processes including altered decomposition rates and nutrient cycling. Such effects are likely to be widespread where invasive scavengers occur and suggest a need to determine whether excessive or readily available carcass loads are facilitating or exacerbating the impacts of invasive species on ecosystems globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Rhys Cairncross
- School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Calum X Cunningham
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, College of the Environment, Box 352100, Seattle, WA, 98195-2100, USA
| | - Emma E Spencer
- School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - William J Ripple
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Aaron J Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, College of the Environment, Box 352100, Seattle, WA, 98195-2100, USA
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4
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Krige Z, Spencer EE, Crowther MS, Dickman CR, Newsome TM. Flooding, season and habitat interact to drive changes in vertebrate scavenging and carcass persistence rates. Oecologia 2024; 204:861-874. [PMID: 38589583 PMCID: PMC11062959 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-024-05531-0] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Scavenging dynamics are influenced by many abiotic and biotic factors, but there is little knowledge of how scavengers respond to extreme weather events. As carrion is a major driver of the organisation and structure of food webs within ecological communities, understanding the response of scavengers to extreme weather events is critical in a world that is increasingly subject to climate change. In this study, vertebrate scavenging and carcass persistence rates were quantified in the Simpson Desert of central Australia; a system that experiences major fluctuations and extremes in weather conditions. Specifically, a total of 80 adult red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) carcasses were placed on the landscape and monitored using remote sensor cameras. This included 40 carcasses monitored before and then 40 carcasses monitored after a major flooding event. The carcasses were monitored equally before and after the flood across different seasons (warm and cool) and in dune and interdune habitats. Overall, a total of 8124 scavenging events for 97,976 visitation minutes were recorded for 11 vertebrate species within 30 days of carcass placement pre- and post-flood. Vertebrate scavenging increased post-flood in the warm season, especially by corvids which quadrupled their scavenging events during this time. There was little difference in carcass persistence between habitats, but carcasses persisted 5.3-fold longer post-flood in warm seasons despite increased vertebrate scavenging. The results demonstrate that a flood event can influence scavenging dynamics and suggest a need to further understand how seasons, habitats and extreme weather events can drive changes in carrion-based food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zyna Krige
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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5
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Disease-driven decline in a top predator affects evolution of a competing mesopredator. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:192-193. [PMID: 38191838 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02274-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
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6
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Beer MA, Proft KM, Veillet A, Kozakiewicz CP, Hamilton DG, Hamede R, McCallum H, Hohenlohe PA, Burridge CP, Margres MJ, Jones ME, Storfer A. Disease-driven top predator decline affects mesopredator population genomic structure. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:293-303. [PMID: 38191839 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02265-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Top predator declines are pervasive and often have dramatic effects on ecological communities via changes in food web dynamics, but their evolutionary consequences are virtually unknown. Tasmania's top terrestrial predator, the Tasmanian devil, is declining due to a lethal transmissible cancer. Spotted-tailed quolls benefit via mesopredator release, and they alter their behaviour and resource use concomitant with devil declines and increased disease duration. Here, using a landscape community genomics framework to identify environmental drivers of population genomic structure and signatures of selection, we show that these biotic factors are consistently among the top variables explaining genomic structure of the quoll. Landscape resistance negatively correlates with devil density, suggesting that devil declines will increase quoll genetic subdivision over time, despite no change in quoll densities detected by camera trap studies. Devil density also contributes to signatures of selection in the quoll genome, including genes associated with muscle development and locomotion. Our results provide some of the first evidence of the evolutionary impacts of competition between a top predator and a mesopredator species in the context of a trophic cascade. As top predator declines are increasing globally, our framework can serve as a model for future studies of evolutionary impacts of altered ecological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Beer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Kirstin M Proft
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Anne Veillet
- Hilo Core Genomics Facility, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, USA
| | - Christopher P Kozakiewicz
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | - David G Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- CANECEV, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Hamish McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | | | - Mark J Margres
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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7
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Hutchinson DJ, Jones EM, Pay JM, Clarke JR, Lohr MT, Hampton JO. Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species. Aust Vet J 2023; 101:313-319. [PMID: 37311719 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13252] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing recognition of the harmful effects of lead exposure on avian and mammalian scavengers. This can lead to both lethal and non-lethal effects which may negatively impact wildlife populations. Our objective was to assess medium-term lead exposure in wild Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Frozen liver samples (n = 41), opportunistically collected in 2017-2022, were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine liver lead concentrations. These results were then used to calculate the proportion of animals with elevated lead levels (>5 mg/kg dry weight) and examine the role of explanatory variables that may have influenced the results. The majority of samples analysed were from the south-east corner of Tasmania, within 50 km of Hobart. No Tasmanian devil samples were found to have elevated lead levels. The median liver lead concentration was 0.17 mg/kg (range 0.05-1.32 mg/kg). Female devils were found to have significantly higher liver lead concentrations than males (P = 0.013), which was likely related to lactation, but other variables (age, location, body mass) were not significant. These results suggest that wild Tasmanian devil populations currently show minimal medium-term evidence of exposure to lead pollution, although samples were concentrated in peri-urban areas. The results provide a baseline level which can be used to assess the impact of any future changes in lead use in Tasmania. Furthermore, these data can be used as a comparison for lead exposure studies in other mammalian scavengers, including other carnivorous marsupial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Hutchinson
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - E M Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia
| | - J M Pay
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia
| | - J R Clarke
- Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - M T Lohr
- School of Science, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
- SLR Consulting, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - J O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
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8
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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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9
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Butler-Valverde MJ, DeVault TL, Rhodes OE, Beasley JC. Carcass appearance does not influence scavenger avoidance of carnivore carrion. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18842. [PMID: 36344611 PMCID: PMC9640519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The selection or avoidance of certain carrion resources by vertebrate scavengers can alter the flow of nutrients in ecosystems. Evidence suggests higher trophic level carrion is scavenged by fewer vertebrate species and persists longer when compared to lower trophic level carrion, although it is unclear how scavengers distinguish between carcasses of varying species. To investigate carnivore carrion avoidance and explore sensory recognition mechanisms in scavenging species, we investigated scavenger use of intact and altered (i.e., skin, head, and feet removed) coyote-Canis latrans (carnivore) and wild pig-Sus scrofa (omnivore) carcasses experimentally placed at the Savannah River Site, SC, USA. We predicted carnivore carcasses would persist longer due to conspecific and intraguild scavenger avoidance. Further, we hypothesized visually modifying carcasses would not reduce avoidance of carnivore carrion, given scavengers likely depend largely on chemical cues when assessing carrion resources. As expected, mammalian carnivores largely avoided scavenging on coyote carcasses, resulting in carnivore carcasses having longer depletion times than wild pig carcasses at intact and altered trials. Therefore, nutrients derived from carnivore carcasses are not as readily incorporated into higher trophic levels and scavengers largely depend on olfactory cues when assessing benefits and risks associated with varying carrion resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda J. Butler-Valverde
- grid.213876.90000 0004 1936 738XSavannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802 USA
| | - Travis L. DeVault
- grid.213876.90000 0004 1936 738XSavannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802 USA
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- grid.213876.90000 0004 1936 738XSavannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802 USA
| | - James C. Beasley
- grid.213876.90000 0004 1936 738XSavannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802 USA
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10
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Fielding MW, Cunningham CX, Buettel JC, Stojanovic D, Yates LA, Jones ME, Brook BW. Dominant carnivore loss benefits native avian and invasive mammalian scavengers. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220521. [PMID: 36285494 PMCID: PMC9597402 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Scavenging by large carnivores is integral for ecosystem functioning by limiting the build-up of carrion and facilitating widespread energy flows. However, top carnivores have declined across the world, triggering trophic shifts within ecosystems. Here, we compare findings from previous work on predator decline against areas with recent native mammalian carnivore loss. Specifically, we investigate top-down control on utilization of experimentally placed carcasses by two mesoscavengers—the invasive feral cat and native forest raven. Ravens profited most from carnivore loss, scavenging for five times longer in the absence of native mammalian carnivores. Cats scavenged on half of all carcasses in the region without dominant native carnivores. This was eight times more than in areas where other carnivores were at high densities. All carcasses persisted longer than the three-week monitoring period in the absence of native mammalian carnivores, while in areas with high carnivore abundance, all carcasses were fully consumed. Our results reveal that top-carnivore loss amplifies impacts associated with carnivore decline—increased carcass persistence and carrion access for smaller scavengers. This suggests that even at low densities, native mammalian carnivores can fulfil their ecological functions, demonstrating the significance of global carnivore conservation and supporting management approaches, such as trophic rewilding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W. Fielding
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Calum X. Cunningham
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Jessie C. Buettel
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Luke A. Yates
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Barry W. Brook
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7001, Australia
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11
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Dujon AM, Boutry J, Tissot S, Meliani J, Guimard L, Rieu O, Ujvari B, Thomas F. A review of the methods used to induce cancer in invertebrates to study its effects on the evolution of species and ecosystem functioning. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M. Dujon
- Deakin University Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Justine Boutry
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Sophie Tissot
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Jordan Meliani
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Lena Guimard
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Océane Rieu
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
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12
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Bragato PJ, Spencer EE, Dickman CR, Crowther MS, Tulloch A, Newsome TM. Effects of habitat, season and flood on corvid scavenging dynamics in Central Australia. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. Bragato
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Emma E. Spencer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Chris R. Dickman
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Mathew S. Crowther
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Ayesha Tulloch
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Thomas M. Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
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13
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Stobo‐Wilson AM, Murphy BP, Legge SM, Caceres‐Escobar H, Chapple DG, Crawford HM, Dawson SJ, Dickman CR, Doherty TS, Fleming PA, Garnett ST, Gentle M, Newsome TM, Palmer R, Rees MW, Ritchie EG, Speed J, Stuart J, Suarez‐Castro AF, Thompson E, Tulloch A, Turpin JM, Woinarski JC. Counting the bodies: Estimating the numbers and spatial variation of Australian reptiles, birds and mammals killed by two invasive mesopredators. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alyson M. Stobo‐Wilson
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
- CSIRO Land and Water Winnellie Northern Territory Australia
| | - Brett P. Murphy
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
| | - Sarah M. Legge
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Hernan Caceres‐Escobar
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
| | - David G. Chapple
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Heather M. Crawford
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Stuart J. Dawson
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Invasive Species and Environment Biosecurity South Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Chris R. Dickman
- Desert Ecology Research Group School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08 University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Tim S. Doherty
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Patricia A. Fleming
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Stephen T. Garnett
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
| | - Matthew Gentle
- Pest Animal Research Centre Invasive Plants and Animals Biosecurity Queensland Toowoomba Queensland Australia
- School of Agriculture and Environmental Science University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba Queensland Australia
| | - Thomas M. Newsome
- Global Ecology Lab School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Russell Palmer
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Bentley Western Australia Australia
| | - Matthew W. Rees
- Quantitative & Applied Ecology Group School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Euan G. Ritchie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Victoria Australia
| | - James Speed
- Pest Animal Research Centre Invasive Plants and Animals Biosecurity Queensland Toowoomba Queensland Australia
| | - John‐Michael Stuart
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Harry Butler Institute Murdoch University Perth Western Australia Australia
| | - Andrés F. Suarez‐Castro
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Research School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland St. Lucia Queensland Australia
- Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt Bogota D.C. Colombia
| | - Eilysh Thompson
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Victoria Australia
| | - Ayesha Tulloch
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Jeff M. Turpin
- School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale New South Wales Australia
| | - John C.Z. Woinarski
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Casuarina Northern Territory Australia
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
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14
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Lewis AC, Hughes C, Rogers TL. Effects of intraspecific competition and body mass on diet specialization in a mammalian scavenger. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8338. [PMID: 35126999 PMCID: PMC8794717 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals that rely extensively on scavenging rather than hunting must exploit resources that are inherently patchy, dangerous, or subject to competition. Though it may be expected that scavengers should therefore form opportunistic feeding habits in order to survive, a broad species diet may mask specialization occurring at an individual level. To test this, we used stable isotope analysis to analyze the degree of specialization in the diet of the Tasmanian devil, one of few mammalian species to develop adaptations for scavenging. We found that the majority of individuals were dietary specialists, indicating that they fed within a narrow trophic niche despite their varied diet as a species. Even in competitive populations, only small individuals could be classified as true trophic generalists; larger animals in those populations were trophic specialists. In populations with reduced levels of competition, all individuals were capable of being trophic specialists. Heavier individuals showed a greater degree of trophic specialization, suggesting either that mass is an important driver of diet choice or that trophic specialization is an efficient foraging strategy allowing greater mass gain. Devils may be unique among scavenging mammals in the extent to which they can specialize their diets, having been released from the competitive pressure of larger carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Lewis
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
- The Carnivore ConservancyUlverstoneTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Channing Hughes
- The Carnivore ConservancyUlverstoneTasmaniaAustralia
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Tracey L. Rogers
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
- Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
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15
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Peacock DE. Damage to human remains attributed to scavenging by quolls (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/am21037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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16
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Morehouse AT, Hughes C, Manners N, Bectell J, Tigner J. Dealing With Deadstock: A Case Study of Carnivore Conflict Mitigation From Southwestern Alberta. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.786013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock deaths are an unfortunate reality for livestock producers and dead livestock (i.e., deadstock) disposal options can have implications beyond the ranch itself. In Alberta, Canada, natural disposal (i.e., disposing of the carcass in a manner that allows for scavenging) has increased since the 2003 detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canadian cattle. Prior to BSE, rendering companies removed deadstock for free. However, rendering companies started charging producers to remove deadstock to offset costs associated with new regulatory requirements enacted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which has resulted in increased on-farm natural disposal of deadstock. This increase has ecological implications because deadstock are a major attractant for large carnivores. Carnivores feeding on deadstock are often near other agricultural attractants such as stored grain and feed, silage, and living livestock, which can exacerbate conflict potential and pose a risk to human safety. To help mitigate conflicts associated with deadstock, the Waterton Biosphere Reserve's (a local non-profit) Carnivores and Communities Program (CACP) supported expansion of community deadstock removal efforts beginning in 2009, including reimbursement of on-farm removal costs, bear-resistant deadstock bins, and a livestock compost facility (operational 2013–2014). Here, we present an evaluative case study describing the development, implementation, and results of the deadstock removal program, including the compost facility. We tracked the number of head of livestock removed each year, the number of participating landowners, the average cost per head, and total program costs. We also used an online survey to assess participants' perspectives of the deadstock removal program and future needs. To date, the CACP has removed >5,400 livestock carcasses, representing between 15.1 and 22.6% of available carcasses in the program area, and 67.3% of livestock owners indicated they currently use the deadstock removal program to dispose of deadstock. Average cost to compost an animal was significantly less than other removal methods ($36.89 composting vs. $79.59 non-composting, one-tailed t-test, unequal sampling variances: t = 4.08, df = 5.87, p = 0.003). We conclude by discussing both ecological and social implications for deadstock removal as a conflict mitigation measure and make suggestions for future management considerations.
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17
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Dujon AM, Vittecoq M, Bramwell G, Thomas F, Ujvari B. Machine learning is a powerful tool to study the effect of cancer on species and ecosystems. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M. Dujon
- Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences Centre for Integrative Ecology Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CREECUMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
| | - Marion Vittecoq
- CREECUMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
- MIVEGECUniversity of MontpellierCNRSIRD Montpellier France
- Tour du Valat Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands Arles France
| | - Georgina Bramwell
- Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences Centre for Integrative Ecology Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREECUMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- MIVEGECUniversity of MontpellierCNRSIRD Montpellier France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences Centre for Integrative Ecology Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
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18
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Lester EK, Langlois TJ, McCormick MI, Simpson SD, Bond T, Meekan MG. Relative influence of predators, competitors and seascape heterogeneity on behaviour and abundance of coral reef mesopredators. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08463] [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)
- Emily K. Lester
- School of Biological Sciences and the UWA Oceans Inst., Univ. of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
- Australian Inst. of Marine Science, UWA Oceans Inst. Crawley WA Australia
| | - Tim J. Langlois
- School of Biological Sciences and the UWA Oceans Inst., Univ. of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| | - Mark I. McCormick
- Coastal Marine Field Station, School of Science, Univ of Waikato Tauranga New Zealand
| | | | - Todd Bond
- School of Biological Sciences and the UWA Oceans Inst., Univ. of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| | - Mark G. Meekan
- Australian Inst. of Marine Science, UWA Oceans Inst. Crawley WA Australia
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19
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Sea Turtles in the Cancer Risk Landscape: A Global Meta-Analysis of Fibropapillomatosis Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101295. [PMID: 34684244 PMCID: PMC8540842 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several cancer risk factors (exposure to ultraviolet-B, pollution, toxins and pathogens) have been identified for wildlife, to form a “cancer risk landscape.” However, information remains limited on how the spatiotemporal variability of these factors impacts the prevalence of cancer in wildlife. Here, we evaluated the cancer risk landscape at 49 foraging sites of the globally distributed green turtle (Chelonia mydas), a species affected by fibropapillomatosis, by integrating data from a global meta-analysis of 31 publications (1994–2019). Evaluated risk factors included ultraviolet light exposure, eutrophication, toxic phytoplanktonic blooms, sea surface temperature, and the presence of mechanical vectors (parasites and symbiotic species). Prevalence was highest in areas where nutrient concentrations facilitated the emergence of toxic phytoplankton blooms. In contrast, ultraviolet light exposure and the presence of parasitic and/or symbiotic species did not appear to impact disease prevalence. Our results indicate that, to counter outbreaks of fibropapillomatosis, management actions that reduce eutrophication in foraging areas should be implemented.
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20
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Szcodronski KE, Cross PC. Scavengers reduce potential brucellosis transmission risk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C. Cross
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center U.S. Geological Survey Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
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21
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Ní Leathlobhair M, Yetsko K, Farrell JA, Iaria C, Marino G, Duffy DJ, Murchison EP. Genotype data not consistent with clonal transmission of sea turtle fibropapillomatosis or goldfish schwannoma. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 6:219. [PMID: 34622016 PMCID: PMC8459624 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17073.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent discoveries of transmissible cancers in multiple bivalve species suggest that direct transmission of cancer cells within species may be more common than previously thought, particularly in aquatic environments. Fibropapillomatosis occurs with high prevalence in green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas) and the geographic range of disease has increased since fibropapillomatosis was first reported in this species. Widespread incidence of schwannomas, benign tumours of Schwann cell origin, reported in aquarium-bred goldfish (Carassius auratus), suggest an infectious aetiology. We investigated the hypothesis that cancers in these species arise by clonal transmission of cancer cells. Through analysis of polymorphic microsatellite alleles, we demonstrate concordance of host and tumour genotypes in diseased animals. These results imply that the tumours examined arose from independent oncogenic transformation of host tissue and were not clonally transmitted. Further, failure to experimentally transmit goldfish schwannoma via water exposure or inoculation suggest that this disease is unlikely to have an infectious aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máire Ní Leathlobhair
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kelsey Yetsko
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, 32080, USA
| | - Jessica A. Farrell
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Carmelo Iaria
- Centre of Experimental Fish Pathology of Sicily (CISS), Viale Giovanni Palatucci, University of Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, n 31, University of Messina, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Marino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Viale Giovanni Palatucci, University of Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - David J. Duffy
- The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Sea Turtle Hospital, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida, 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Elizabeth P. Murchison
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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22
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Newsome TM, Spencer EE. Megafires attract avian scavenging but carcasses still persist. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Newsome
- Global Ecology Lab School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Emma E. Spencer
- Global Ecology Lab School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
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23
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Tobajas J, Descalzo E, Ferreras P, Mateo R, Margalida A. Effects on carrion consumption in a mammalian scavenger community when dominant species are excluded. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00163-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractCarrion is a valuable resource exploited not only by obligate scavengers but also by a wide variety of facultative scavengers. These species provide several important ecosystem services which can suffer if the scavenger community composition is altered, thus reducing the ecosystem provided. We studied the response of the Mediterranean facultative scavenger community to the exclusion of larger scavenger species (red fox Vulpes vulpes, European badger Meles meles, and wild boar Sus scrofa) using an exclusion fence permeable to small scavenger species (mainly Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon, common genet Genetta genetta, and stone marten Martes foina). The exclusion of dominant facultative scavengers led to a significant reduction in the amount of carrion consumed and an increase in carrion available for smaller species and decomposers, over a longer period of time. Although carrion consumption by the non-excluded species increased inside the exclusion area relative to the control area, it was insufficient to compensate for the carrion not eaten by the dominant scavengers. Of the small scavenger species, only the Egyptian mongoose significantly increased its carrion consumption in the exclusion area, and was the main beneficiary of the exclusion of dominant facultative scavengers. Therefore, altering the facultative scavenger community in Mediterranean woodlands can reduce the efficiency of small carcass removal and benefit other opportunistic species, such as the Egyptian mongoose, by increasing the carrion available to them. This interaction could have substantial implications for disease transmission, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem function.
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24
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Naves‐Alegre L, Morales‐Reyes Z, Sánchez‐Zapata JA, Durá‐Alemañ CJ, Gonçalves Lima L, Machado Lima L, Sebastián‐González E. Uncovering the vertebrate scavenger guild composition and functioning in the
Cerrado
biodiversity hotspot. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.13006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Naves‐Alegre
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche Elche Spain
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández Elche Spain
| | - Zebensui Morales‐Reyes
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche Elche Spain
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández Elche Spain
| | - José Antonio Sánchez‐Zapata
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche Elche Spain
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO‐UMH), Universidad Miguel Hernández Elche Spain
| | - Carlos Javier Durá‐Alemañ
- Área de Formación e Investigación del Centro Internacional de Estudios de Derecho Ambiental (CIEDA‐CIEMAT) Soria Spain
| | | | | | - Esther Sebastián‐González
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche Elche Spain
- Departamento de Ecología Universidad de Alicante Alicante Spain
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25
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Ellis-Soto D, Ferraro KM, Rizzuto M, Briggs E, Monk JD, Schmitz OJ. A methodological roadmap to quantify animal-vectored spatial ecosystem subsidies. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1605-1622. [PMID: 34014558 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Energy, nutrients and organisms move over landscapes, connecting ecosystems across space and time. Meta-ecosystem theory investigates the emerging properties of local ecosystems coupled spatially by these movements of organisms and matter, by explicitly tracking exchanges of multiple substances across ecosystem borders. To date, meta-ecosystem research has focused mostly on abiotic flows-neglecting biotic nutrient flows. However, recent work has indicated animals act as spatial nutrient vectors when they transport nutrients across landscapes in the form of excreta, egesta and their own bodies. Partly due to its high level of abstraction, there are few empirical tests of meta-ecosystem theory. Furthermore, while animals may be viewed as important mediators of ecosystem functions, better integration of tools is needed to develop predictive insights of their relative roles and impacts on diverse ecosystems. We present a methodological roadmap that explains how to do such integration by discussing how to combine insights from movement, foraging and ecosystem ecology to develop a coherent understanding of animal-vectored nutrient transport on meta-ecosystems processes. We discuss how the slate of newly developed technologies and methods-tracking devices, mechanistic movement models, diet reconstruction techniques and remote sensing-that when integrated have the potential to advance the quantification of animal-vectored nutrient flows and increase the predictive power of meta-ecosystem theory. We demonstrate that by integrating novel and established tools of animal ecology, ecosystem ecology and remote sensing, we can begin to identify and quantify animal-mediated nutrient translocation by large animals. We also provide conceptual examples that show how our proposed integration of methodologies can help investigate ecosystem impacts of large animal movement. We conclude by describing practical advancements to understanding cross-ecosystem contributions of animals on the move. Understanding the mechanisms by which animals shape ecosystem dynamics is important for ongoing conservation, rewilding and restoration initiatives around the world, and for developing more accurate models of ecosystem nutrient budgets. Our roadmap will enable ecologists to better qualify and quantify animal-mediated nutrient translocation for animals on the move.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Ellis-Soto
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Matteo Rizzuto
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada
| | - Emily Briggs
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Julia D Monk
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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26
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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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27
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Fielding MW, Buettel JC, Brook BW, Stojanovic D, Yates LA. Roadkill islands: Carnivore extinction shifts seasonal use of roadside carrion by generalist avian scavenger. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2268-2276. [PMID: 34013520 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Global road networks facilitate habitat modification and are integral to human expansion. Many animals, particularly scavengers, use roads as they provide a reliable source of food, such as carrion left after vehicle collisions. Tasmania is often cited as the 'roadkill capital of Australia', with the isolated offshore islands in the Bass Strait experiencing similar, if not higher, levels of roadkill. However, native mammalian predators on the islands are extirpated, meaning the remaining scavengers are likely to experience lower interference competition. In this study, we used a naturally occurring experiment to examine how the loss of mammalian carnivores within a community impacts roadside foraging behaviour by avian scavengers. We monitored the locations of roadkill and forest ravens Corvus tasmanicus, an abundant scavenger species, on eight road transects across the Tasmanian mainland (high scavenging competition) and the Bass Strait islands (low scavenging competition). We represented raven observations as one-dimensional point patterns, using hierarchical Bayesian models to investigate the dependence of raven spatial intensity on habitat, season, distance to roadkill and route location. We found that roadkill carcasses were a strong predictor of raven presence along road networks. The effect of roadkill was amplified on roads on the Bass Strait islands, where roadside carrion was a predictor of raven presence across the entire year. In contrast, ravens were more often associated with roadkill on Tasmanian mainland roads in the autumn, when other resources were low. This suggests that in the absence of competing mammalian scavengers, ravens choose to feed on roadside carrion throughout the year, even in seasons when other resources are available. This lack of competition could be disproportionately benefiting forest ravens, leading to augmented raven populations and changes to the vertebrate community structure. Our study provides evidence that scavengers modify their behaviour in response to reduced scavenger species diversity, potentially triggering trophic shifts and highlighting the importance of conserving or reintroducing carnivores within ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Fielding
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Jessie C Buettel
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Barry W Brook
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Luke A Yates
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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28
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Cunningham CX, Comte S, McCallum H, Hamilton DG, Hamede R, Storfer A, Hollings T, Ruiz-Aravena M, Kerlin DH, Brook BW, Hocking G, Jones ME. Quantifying 25 years of disease-caused declines in Tasmanian devil populations: host density drives spatial pathogen spread. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:958-969. [PMID: 33638597 PMCID: PMC9844790 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are strong drivers of wildlife population dynamics, however, empirical analyses from the early stages of pathogen emergence are rare. Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), discovered in 1996, provides the opportunity to study an epizootic from its inception. We use a pattern-oriented diffusion simulation to model the spatial spread of DFTD across the species' range and quantify population effects by jointly modelling multiple streams of data spanning 35 years. We estimate the wild devil population peaked at 53 000 in 1996, less than half of previous estimates. DFTD spread rapidly through high-density areas, with spread velocity slowing in areas of low host densities. By 2020, DFTD occupied >90% of the species' range, causing 82% declines in local densities and reducing the total population to 16 900. Encouragingly, our model forecasts the population decline should level-off within the next decade, supporting conservation management focused on facilitating evolution of resistance and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calum X. Cunningham
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,Correspondence: ;
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
| | - Hamish McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute and School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia
| | - David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,CANECEV – Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC), Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Tracey Hollings
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia,School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Douglas H. Kerlin
- Environmental Futures Research Institute and School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia
| | - Barry W. Brook
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Greg Hocking
- Game Services Tasmania, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, TAS, PO Box 44, Hobart 7001, Australia
| | - Manna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
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29
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Pettit L, Ward‐Fear G, Shine R. A biological invasion impacts ecosystem services: cane toads change the rate of scavenging and the suite of scavengers. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan Pettit
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales2006Australia
| | - Georgia Ward‐Fear
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales2019Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales2006Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales2019Australia
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30
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Dujon AM, Ujvari B, Thomas F. Cancer risk landscapes: A framework to study cancer in ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:142955. [PMID: 33109371 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a family of diseases that has been documented in most metazoan species and ecosystems. Human induced environmental changes are increasingly exposing wildlife to carcinogenic risk factors, and negative repercussions on ecosystems and on the conservation of endangered species are already been observed. It is therefore of key importance to understand the spatiotemporal variability of those risk factors and how they interact with the biosphere to mitigate their effects. Here we introduce the concept of cancer risk landscape that can be applied to understand how species are exposed to, interact with, and modify cancer risk factors. With this publication we aim to provide a framework in order to stimulate a discussion on how to mitigate cancer-causing risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M Dujon
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia; CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; CANECEV-Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC), Montpellier 34090, France.
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia; CANECEV-Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC), Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia; CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; CANECEV-Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC), Montpellier 34090, France
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31
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Abstract
Many large predators are also facultative scavengers that may compete with and depredate other species at carcasses. Yet, the ecological impacts of facultative scavenging by large predators, or their "scavenging effects," still receive relatively little attention in comparison to their predation effects. To address this knowledge gap, we comprehensively examine the roles played by, and impacts of, facultative scavengers, with a focus on large canids: the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), dhole (Cuon alpinus), dingo (Canis dingo), Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), gray wolf (Canis lupus), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), and red wolf (Canis rufus). Specifically, after defining facultative scavenging as use or usurpation of a carcass that a consumer has not killed, we (1) provide a conceptual overview of the community interactions around carcasses that can be initiated by facultative scavengers, (2) review the extent of scavenging by and the evidence for scavenging effects of large canids, (3) discuss external factors that may diminish or enhance the effects of large canids as scavengers, and (4) identify aspects of this phenomenon that require additional research attention as a guide for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Wirsing
- School of Environment and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Thomas M Newsome
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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32
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The Role of Carrion in the Landscapes of Fear and Disgust: A Review and Prospects. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Animal behavior is greatly shaped by the ‘landscape of fear’, induced by predation risk, and the equivalent ‘landscape of disgust’, induced by parasitism or infection risk. However, the role that carrion may play in these landscapes of peril has been largely overlooked. Here, we aim to emphasize that animal carcasses likely represent ubiquitous hotspots for both predation and infection risk, thus being an outstanding paradigm of how predation and parasitism pressures can concur in space and time. By conducting a literature review, we highlight the manifold inter- and intra-specific interactions linked to carrion via predation and parasitism risks, which may affect not only scavengers, but also non-scavengers. However, we identified major knowledge gaps, as reviewed articles were highly biased towards fear, terrestrial environments, vertebrates, and behavioral responses. Based on the reviewed literature, we provide a conceptual framework on the main fear- and disgust-based interaction pathways associated with carrion resources. This framework may be used to formulate predictions about how the landscape of fear and disgust around carcasses might influence animals’ individual behavior and ecological processes, from population to ecosystem functioning. We encourage ecologists, evolutionary biologists, epidemiologists, forensic scientists, and conservation biologists to explore the promising research avenues associated with the scary and disgusting facets of carrion. Acknowledging the multiple trophic and non-trophic interactions among dead and live animals, including both herbivores and carnivores, will notably improve our understanding of the overlapping pressures that shape the landscape of fear and disgust.
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33
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Dujon AM, Bramwell G, Roche B, Thomas F, Ujvari B. Transmissible cancers in mammals and bivalves: How many examples are there?: Predictions indicate widespread occurrence. Bioessays 2020; 43:e2000222. [PMID: 33210313 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transmissible cancers are elusive and understudied parasitic life forms caused by malignant clonal cells (nine lineages are known so far). They emerge by completing sequential steps that include breaking cell cooperation, evade anti-cancer defences and shedding cells to infect new hosts. Transmissible cancers impair host fitness, and their importance as selective force is likely largely underestimated. It is, therefore, crucial to determine how common they might be in the wild. Here, we draw a parallel between the steps required for a transmissible cancer to emerge and the steps required for an intelligent civilisation to emerge in the Milky Way using a modified Drake equation. Using numerical analyses, we estimate the potential number of extant marine and bivalve species in which transmissible cancers might exist. Our results suggest that transmissible cancers are more common than expected, and that new lineages can be found by screening a large number of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M Dujon
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic, Australia.,CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CANECEV International Research Project, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC), Montpellier
| | - Georgina Bramwell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic, Australia.,CANECEV International Research Project, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC), Montpellier
| | - Benjamin Roche
- IRD, Sorbonne Université, Bondy, France.,MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, México
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,CANECEV International Research Project, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC), Montpellier
| | - Beata Ujvari
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic, Australia.,CANECEV International Research Project, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC), Montpellier
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34
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Kwon YM, Gori K, Park N, Potts N, Swift K, Wang J, Stammnitz MR, Cannell N, Baez-Ortega A, Comte S, Fox S, Harmsen C, Huxtable S, Jones M, Kreiss A, Lawrence C, Lazenby B, Peck S, Pye R, Woods G, Zimmermann M, Wedge DC, Pemberton D, Stratton MR, Hamede R, Murchison EP. Evolution and lineage dynamics of a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000926. [PMID: 33232318 PMCID: PMC7685465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) is a transmissible cancer clone endangering the Tasmanian devil. The expansion of DFT1 across Tasmania has been documented, but little is known of its evolutionary history. We analysed genomes of 648 DFT1 tumours collected throughout the disease range between 2003 and 2018. DFT1 diverged early into five clades, three spreading widely and two failing to persist. One clade has replaced others at several sites, and rates of DFT1 coinfection are high. DFT1 gradually accumulates copy number variants (CNVs), and its telomere lengths are short but constant. Recurrent CNVs reveal genes under positive selection, sites of genome instability, and repeated loss of a small derived chromosome. Cultured DFT1 cell lines have increased CNV frequency and undergo highly reproducible convergent evolution. Overall, DFT1 is a remarkably stable lineage whose genome illustrates how cancer cells adapt to diverse environments and persist in a parasitic niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Kwon
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Gori
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi Park
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Potts
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Swift
- Mount Pleasant Laboratories, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Prospect, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jinhong Wang
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maximilian R. Stammnitz
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi Cannell
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Baez-Ortega
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Toledo Zoo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Colette Harmsen
- Mount Pleasant Laboratories, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Prospect, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Stewart Huxtable
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alexandre Kreiss
- Menzies Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Clare Lawrence
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Billie Lazenby
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Sarah Peck
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Ruth Pye
- Menzies Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Gregory Woods
- Menzies Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mona Zimmermann
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David C. Wedge
- Oxford Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Pemberton
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- CANECEV, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Elizabeth P. Murchison
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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35
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Hamede R, Owen R, Siddle H, Peck S, Jones M, Dujon AM, Giraudeau M, Roche B, Ujvari B, Thomas F. The ecology and evolution of wildlife cancers: Applications for management and conservation. Evol Appl 2020; 13:1719-1732. [PMID: 32821279 PMCID: PMC7428810 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecological and evolutionary concepts have been widely adopted to understand host-pathogen dynamics, and more recently, integrated into wildlife disease management. Cancer is a ubiquitous disease that affects most metazoan species; however, the role of oncogenic phenomena in eco-evolutionary processes and its implications for wildlife management and conservation remains undeveloped. Despite the pervasive nature of cancer across taxa, our ability to detect its occurrence, progression and prevalence in wildlife populations is constrained due to logistic and diagnostic limitations, which suggests that most cancers in the wild are unreported and understudied. Nevertheless, an increasing number of virus-associated and directly transmissible cancers in terrestrial and aquatic environments have been detected. Furthermore, anthropogenic activities and sudden environmental changes are increasingly associated with cancer incidence in wildlife. This highlights the need to upscale surveillance efforts, collection of critical data and developing novel approaches for studying the emergence and evolution of cancers in the wild. Here, we discuss the relevance of malignant cells as important agents of selection and offer a holistic framework to understand the interplay of ecological, epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics of cancer in wildlife. We use a directly transmissible cancer (devil facial tumour disease) as a model system to reveal the potential evolutionary dynamics and broader ecological effects of cancer epidemics in wildlife. We provide further examples of tumour-host interactions and trade-offs that may lead to changes in life histories, and epidemiological and population dynamics. Within this framework, we explore immunological strategies at the individual level as well as transgenerational adaptations at the population level. Then, we highlight the need to integrate multiple disciplines to undertake comparative cancer research at the human-domestic-wildlife interface and their environments. Finally, we suggest strategies for screening cancer incidence in wildlife and discuss how to integrate ecological and evolutionary concepts in the management of current and future cancer epizootics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityVic.Australia
| | - Rachel Owen
- Centre for Biological SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Hannah Siddle
- Centre for Biological SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Sarah Peck
- Wildlife Veterinarian, Veterinary Register of TasmaniaSouth HobartTas.Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
| | - Antoine M. Dujon
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityVic.Australia
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Centre de Recherches en Ecologie et Evolution de la SantéUnité Mixte de RecherchesInstitut de Recherches pour le Développement 224‐Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5290‐Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Benjamin Roche
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Centre de Recherches en Ecologie et Evolution de la SantéUnité Mixte de RecherchesInstitut de Recherches pour le Développement 224‐Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5290‐Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Beata Ujvari
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityVic.Australia
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Centre de Recherches en Ecologie et Evolution de la SantéUnité Mixte de RecherchesInstitut de Recherches pour le Développement 224‐Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5290‐Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
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Peers MJL, Konkolics SM, Lamb CT, Majchrzak YN, Menzies AK, Studd EK, Boonstra R, Kenney AJ, Krebs CJ, Martinig AR, McCulloch B, Silva J, Garland L, Boutin S. Prey availability and ambient temperature influence carrion persistence in the boreal forest. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:2156-2167. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean M. Konkolics
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Clayton T. Lamb
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | | | - Allyson K. Menzies
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences Macdonald CampusMcGill University Ste‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | - Emily K. Studd
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences Macdonald CampusMcGill University Ste‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Toronto Scarborough Toronto ON Canada
| | - Alice J. Kenney
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | - Charles J. Krebs
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
| | | | - Baily McCulloch
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Joseph Silva
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Laura Garland
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Stan Boutin
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
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37
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Bell O, Jones ME, Ruiz‐Aravena M, Hamede RK, Bearhop S, McDonald RA. Age-related variation in the trophic characteristics of a marsupial carnivore, the Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:7861-7871. [PMID: 32760570 PMCID: PMC7391331 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related changes in diet have implications for competitive interactions and for predator-prey dynamics, affecting individuals and groups at different life stages. To quantify patterns of variation and ontogenetic change in the diets of Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus harrisii, a threatened marsupial carnivore, we analyzed variation in the stable isotope composition of whisker tissue samples taken from 91 individual devils from Wilmot, Tasmania from December 2014 to February 2017. Both δ13C and δ15N decreased with increasing age in weaned Tasmanian devils, indicating that as they age devils rely less on small mammals and birds, and more on large herbivores. Devils <12 months old had broader group isotopic niches, as estimated by Bayesian standard ellipses (SEAB mode = 1.042) than devils from 12 to 23 months old (mode = 0.541) and devils ≥24 months old (mode = 0.532). Devils <24 months old had broader individual isotopic niches (SEAB mode range 0.492-1.083) than devils ≥24 months old (mode range 0.092-0.240). A decrease in δ15N from the older whisker sections to the more recently grown sections in devils <24 months old likely reflects the period of weaning in this species, as this pattern was not observed in devils ≥24 months old. Our data reveal changes in the isotopic composition of devil whiskers with increasing age, accompanied by a reduction in isotopic variation both among population age classes and within individuals, reflecting the effect of weaning in early life, and a likely shift from an initially diverse diet of small mammals, birds, and invertebrates towards increasing consumption of larger herbivores in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Bell
- Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz‐Aravena
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State UniversityBozemanMTUSA
| | | | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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38
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Frank SC, Blaalid R, Mayer M, Zedrosser A, Steyaert SMJG. Fear the reaper: ungulate carcasses may generate an ephemeral landscape of fear for rodents. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:191644. [PMID: 32742677 PMCID: PMC7353961 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.191644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Animal carcasses provide an ephemeral pulse of nutrients for scavengers that use them. Carcass sites can increase species interactions and/or ephemeral, localized landscapes of fear for prey within the vicinity. Few studies have applied the landscape of fear to carcasses. Here, we use a mass die-off of reindeer caused by lightning in Norway to test whether rodents avoided larger scavengers (e.g. corvids and fox). We used the presence and abundance of faeces as a proxy for carcass use over the course of 2 years and found that rodents showed the strongest avoidance towards changes in raven abundance (β = -0.469, s.e. = 0.231, p-value = 0.0429), but not fox, presumably due to greater predation risk imposed by large droves of raven. Moreover, the emergence of rodent occurrence within the carcass area corresponded well with the disappearance of raven during the second year of the study. We suggest that carcasses have the potential to shape the landscape of fear for prey, but that the overall effects of carcasses on individual fitness and populations of species ultimately depend on the carcass regime, e.g. carcass size, count, and areal extent, frequency and the scavenger guild. We discuss conservation implications and how carcass provisioning and landscapes of fear could be potentially used to manage populations and ecosystems, but that there is a gap in understanding that must first be bridged.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. C. Frank
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
| | - R. Blaalid
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Thormøhlensgate 55, 5006 Bergen
| | - M. Mayer
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - A. Zedrosser
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
- Department of Integrative Biology, Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - S. M. J. G. Steyaert
- Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø i Telemark, Norway
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, 7711 Steinkjer, Norway
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Andersen GE, McGregor HW, Johnson CN, Jones ME. Activity and social interactions in a wide-ranging specialist scavenger, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), revealed by animal-borne video collars. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230216. [PMID: 32203534 PMCID: PMC7089560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Observing animals directly in the field provides the most accurate understanding of animal behaviour and resource selection. However, making prolonged observation of undisturbed animals is difficult or impossible for many species. To overcome this problem for the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a cryptic and nocturnal carnivore, we developed animal-borne video collars to investigate activity patterns, foraging behaviour and social interactions. We collected 173 hours of footage from 13 individual devils between 2013 and 2017. Devils were active mostly at night, and resting was the most common behaviour in all diel periods. Devils spent more time scavenging than hunting and exhibited opportunistic and flexible foraging behaviours. Scavenging occurred mostly in natural vegetation but also in anthropogenic vegetation and linear features (roads and fence lines). Scavenging frequency was inversely incremental with size e.g. small carcasses were scavenged most frequently. Agonistic interactions with conspecifics occurred most often when devils were traveling but also occurred over carcasses or dens. Interactions generally involved vocalisations and brief chases without physical contact. Our results highlight the importance of devils as a scavenger in the Tasmanian ecosystem, not just of large carcasses for which devils are well known but in cleaning up small items of carrion in the bush. Our results also show the complex nature of intraspecific interactions, revealing greater detail on the context in which interactions occur. In addition, this study demonstrates the benefits of using animal-borne imaging in quantifying behaviour of elusive, nocturnal carnivores not previously seen using conventional field methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hugh W. McGregor
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Christopher N. Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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Andersen GE, Johnson CN, Jones ME. Space use and temporal partitioning of sympatric Tasmanian devils and spotted‐tailed quolls. AUSTRAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Georgina E. Andersen
- School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Private Bag 55 Hobart Tasmania7001Australia
| | - Christopher N. Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Private Bag 55 Hobart Tasmania7001Australia
- School of Biological Sciences and Australian research Council Centre for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences University of Tasmania Private Bag 55 Hobart Tasmania7001Australia
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41
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Bain GC, MacDonald MA, Hamer R, Gardiner R, Johnson CN, Jones ME. Changing bird communities of an agricultural landscape: declines in arboreal foragers, increases in large species. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200076. [PMID: 32269823 PMCID: PMC7137982 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Birds are declining in agricultural landscapes around the world. The causes of these declines can be better understood by analysing change in groups of species that share life-history traits. We investigated how land-use change has affected birds of the Tasmanian Midlands, one of Australia's oldest agricultural landscapes and a focus of habitat restoration. We surveyed birds at 72 sites, some of which were previously surveyed in 1996-1998, and tested relationships of current patterns of abundance and community composition to landscape and patch-level environmental characteristics. Fourth-corner modelling showed strong negative responses of aerial foragers and exotics to increasing woodland cover; arboreal foragers were positively associated with projective foliage cover; and small-bodied species were reduced by the presence of a hyperaggressive species of native honeyeater, the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala). Analysis of change suggests increases in large-bodied granivorous or carnivorous birds and declines in some arboreal foragers and nectarivores. Changes in species richness were best explained by changes in noisy miner abundance and levels of surrounding woodland cover. We encourage restoration practitioners to trial novel planting configurations that may confer resistance to invasion by noisy miners, and a continued long-term monitoring effort to reveal the effects of future land-use change on Tasmanian birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen C. Bain
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Michael A. MacDonald
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB Cymru, Castlebridge 3, 5-19 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB, UK
| | - Rowena Hamer
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Riana Gardiner
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Chris N. Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
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42
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Turner KL, Conner LM, Beasley JC. Effect of mammalian mesopredator exclusion on vertebrate scavenging communities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2644. [PMID: 32060353 PMCID: PMC7021701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59560-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Carrion is a valuable resource used by facultative scavengers across the globe. Due to conflicts with humans, many vertebrate scavengers have experienced population declines due to direct persecution or indirect effects of human activities. However, little is known about the implications of altered scavenger community composition on the fate and efficiency of carrion removal within ecosystems. In particular, mammalian mesopredators are efficient scavengers that are often subjected to control, thus, it is important to understand how the reduction of this scavenger guild influences the fate of carrion resources and efficiency of carrion removal within ecosystems. We evaluated the influence of the absence of mammalian mesopredators on vertebrate scavenging dynamics by comparing the efficiency of carrion removal and species composition at carrion between sites where we experimentally manipulated mesopredator abundance and paired control sites. Overall scavenging rates were high, even within our mesopredator exclusion sites (79% of carcasses). Despite the exclusion of an entire guild of dominant scavengers, we saw little effect on scavenging dynamics due to the extensive acquisition of carrion by avian scavengers. However, we observed a slight reduction in vertebrate scavenging efficiency in sites where mesopredators were excluded. Our results suggest vertebrate communities are highly efficient at carrion removal, as we saw a functional response by avian scavengers to increased carrion availability. These data provide insights into the impact of mesopredator control on food web dynamics, and build upon the growing body of knowledge investigating the role of vertebrate scavengers on ecosystem services provided through carrion removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L Turner
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.,USDA-APHIS-WS, 400 Northeast Dr Suite L, Columbia, SC, 29203, USA
| | - L Mike Conner
- The Jones Center at Ichauway, 3988 Jones Center Drive, Newton, GA, 39870, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, P.O. Box Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.
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43
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Cunningham CX, Johnson CN, Jones ME. A native apex predator limits an invasive mesopredator and protects native prey: Tasmanian devils protecting bandicoots from cats. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:711-721. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.13473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Calum X. Cunningham
- School of Natural Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
| | - Christopher N. Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
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Welti N, Scherler P, Grüebler MU. Carcass predictability but not domestic pet introduction affects functional response of scavenger assemblage in urbanized habitats. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nora Welti
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute Sempach Switzerland
| | - Patrick Scherler
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute Sempach Switzerland
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O'Bryan CJ, Holden MH, Watson JEM. The mesoscavenger release hypothesis and implications for ecosystem and human well-being. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:1340-1348. [PMID: 31131976 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Many apex scavenger species, including nearly all obligate scavengers, are in a state of rapid decline and there is growing evidence these declines can drastically alter ecological food webs. Our understanding of how apex scavengers regulate populations of mesoscavengers, those less-efficient scavengers occupying mid-trophic levels, is improving; yet, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the evidence around the competitive release of these species by the loss of apex scavengers. Here we present current evidence that supports the mesoscavenger release hypothesis, the increase in mesoscavengers and increase in carrion in the face of declining apex scavengers. We provide two models of scavenger dynamics to demonstrate that the mesoscavenger release hypothesis is consistent with ecological theory. We further examine the ecological and human well-being implications of apex scavenger decline, including carrion removal and disease regulation services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J O'Bryan
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Matthew H Holden
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Centre for Applications in Natural Resource Mathematics, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - James E M Watson
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Global Conservation Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, USA
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46
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Cunningham CX, Johnson CN, Jones ME. Harnessing the power of ecological interactions to reduce the impacts of feral cats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/14888386.2019.1585289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher N. Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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Hohenlohe PA, McCallum HI, Jones ME, Lawrance MF, Hamede RK, Storfer A. Conserving adaptive potential: lessons from Tasmanian devils and their transmissible cancer. CONSERV GENET 2019; 20:81-87. [PMID: 31551664 PMCID: PMC6759055 DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of adaptive genetic variation has long been a goal of management of natural populations, but only recently have genomic tools allowed identification of specific loci associated with fitness-related traits in species of conservation concern. This raises the possibility of managing for genetic variation directly relevant to specific threats, such as those due to climate change or emerging infectious disease. Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) face the threat of a transmissible cancer, devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), that has decimated wild populations and led to intensive management efforts. Recent discoveries from genomic and modeling studies reveal how natural devil populations are responding to DFTD, and can inform management of both captive and wild devil populations. Notably, recent studies have documented genetic variation for disease-related traits and rapid evolution in response to DFTD, as well as potential mechanisms for disease resistance such as immune response and tumor regression in wild devils. Recent models predict dynamic persistence of devils with or without DFTD under a variety of modeling scenarios, although at much lower population densities than before DFTD emerged, contrary to previous predictions of extinction. As a result, current management that focuses on captive breeding and release for maintaining genome-wide genetic diversity or demographic supplementation of populations could have negative consequences. Translocations of captive devils into wild populations evolving with DFTD can cause outbreeding depression and/or increases in the force of infection and thereby the severity of the epidemic, and we argue that these risks outweigh any benefits of demographic supplementation in wild populations. We also argue that genetic variation at loci associated with DFTD should be monitored in both captive and wild populations, and that as our understanding of DFTD-related genetic variation improves, considering genetic management approaches to target this variation is warranted in developing conservation strategies for Tasmanian devils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
| | - Hamish I. McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Matthew F. Lawrance
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Cunningham CX, Johnson CN, Barmuta LA, Hollings T, Woehler EJ, Jones ME. Top carnivore decline has cascading effects on scavengers and carrion persistence. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.1582. [PMID: 30487308 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Top carnivores have suffered widespread global declines, with well-documented effects on mesopredators and herbivores. We know less about how carnivores affect ecosystems through scavenging. Tasmania's top carnivore, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), has suffered severe disease-induced population declines, providing a natural experiment on the role of scavenging in structuring communities. Using remote cameras and experimentally placed carcasses, we show that mesopredators consume more carrion in areas where devils have declined. Carcass consumption by the two native mesopredators was best predicted by competition for carrion, whereas consumption by the invasive mesopredator, the feral cat (Felis catus), was better predicted by the landscape-level abundance of devils, suggesting a relaxed landscape of fear where devils are suppressed. Reduced discovery of carcasses by devils was balanced by the increased discovery by mesopredators. Nonetheless, carcasses persisted approximately 2.6-fold longer where devils have declined, highlighting their importance for rapid carrion removal. The major beneficiary of increased carrion availability was the forest raven (Corvus tasmanicus). Population trends of ravens increased 2.2-fold from 1998 to 2017, the period of devil decline, but this increase occurred Tasmania-wide, making the cause unclear. This case study provides a little-studied potential mechanism for mesopredator release, with broad relevance to the vast areas of the world that have suffered carnivore declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calum X Cunningham
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Christopher N Johnson
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Leon A Barmuta
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Tracey Hollings
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.,Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Eric J Woehler
- Birdlife Tasmania, GPO Box 68, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
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