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Beardsell A, Berteaux D, Dulude-De Broin F, Gauthier G, Clermont J, Gravel D, Bêty J. Predator-mediated interactions through changes in predator home range size can lead to local prey exclusion. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231154. [PMID: 37554032 PMCID: PMC10410220 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The strength of indirect biotic interactions is difficult to quantify in the wild and can alter community composition. To investigate whether the presence of a prey species affects the population growth rate of another prey species, we quantified predator-mediated interaction strength using a multi-prey mechanistic model of predation and a population matrix model. Models were parametrized using behavioural, demographic and experimental data from a vertebrate community that includes the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), a predator feeding on lemmings and eggs of various species such as sandpipers and geese. We show that the positive effects of the goose colony on sandpiper nesting success (due to reduction of search time for sandpiper nests) were outweighed by the negative effect of an increase in fox density. The fox numerical response was driven by changes in home range size. As a result, the net interaction from the presence of geese was negative and could lead to local exclusion of sandpipers. Our study provides a rare empirically based model that integrates mechanistic multi-species functional responses and behavioural processes underlying the predator numerical response. This is an important step forward in our ability to quantify the consequences of predation for community structure and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne Beardsell
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
| | | | - Gilles Gauthier
- Département de biologie et Centre d'études nordiques, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Jeanne Clermont
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Dominique Gravel
- Département de biologie et Centre d'études nordiques, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Joël Bêty
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique, Centre d'études nordiques et Centre de la science de la biodiversité du Québec, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada G5L 3A1
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2
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Rockweit JT, Jenkins JM, Hines JE, Nichols JD, Dugger KM, Franklin AB, Carlson PC, Kendall WL, Lesmeister DB, McCafferty C, Ackers SH, Andrews LS, Bailey LL, Burgher J, Burnham KP, Chestnut T, Conner MM, Davis RJ, Dilione KE, Forsman ED, Glenn EM, Gremel SA, Hamm KA, Herter DR, Higley JM, Horn RB, Lamphear DW, McDonald TL, Reid JA, Schwarz CJ, Simon DC, Sovern SG, Swingle JK, Wiens JD, Wise H, Yackulic CB. Range-wide sources of variation in reproductive rates of northern spotted owls. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2726. [PMID: 36053865 PMCID: PMC10078374 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a range-wide investigation of the dynamics of site-level reproductive rate of northern spotted owls using survey data from 11 study areas across the subspecies geographic range collected during 1993-2018. Our analytical approach accounted for imperfect detection of owl pairs and misclassification of successful reproduction (i.e., at least one young fledged) and contributed further insights into northern spotted owl population ecology and dynamics. Both nondetection and state misclassification were important, especially because factors affecting these sources of error also affected focal ecological parameters. Annual probabilities of site occupancy were greatest at sites with successful reproduction in the previous year and lowest for sites not occupied by a pair in the previous year. Site-specific occupancy transition probabilities declined over time and were negatively affected by barred owl presence. Overall, the site-specific probability of successful reproduction showed substantial year-to-year fluctuations and was similar for occupied sites that did or did not experience successful reproduction the previous year. Site-specific probabilities for successful reproduction were very small for sites that were unoccupied the previous year. Barred owl presence negatively affected the probability of successful reproduction by northern spotted owls in Washington and California, as predicted, but the effect in Oregon was mixed. The proportions of sites occupied by northern spotted owl pairs showed steep, near-monotonic declines over the study period, with all study areas showing the lowest observed levels of occupancy to date. If trends continue it is likely that northern spotted owls will become extirpated throughout large portions of their range in the coming decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy T. Rockweit
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Julianna M. Jenkins
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - James E. Hines
- US Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science CenterLaurelMarylandUSA
| | - James D. Nichols
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and ConservationUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Katie M. Dugger
- US Geological Survey, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Alan B. Franklin
- US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife ServicesNational Wildlife Research CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Peter C. Carlson
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - William L. Kendall
- US Geological Survey, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Damon B. Lesmeister
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Christopher McCafferty
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Steven H. Ackers
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - L. Steven Andrews
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Larissa L. Bailey
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Jesse Burgher
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Kenneth P. Burnham
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Tara Chestnut
- National Park Service, Mount Rainier National ParkAshfordWashingtonUSA
| | - Mary M. Conner
- Department of Wildland ResourcesUtah State UniversityLoganUtahUSA
| | - Raymond J. Davis
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest RegionCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Krista E. Dilione
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science CenterCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Eric D. Forsman
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Elizabeth M. Glenn
- US Geological Survey, Northwest Climate Adaptation Science CenterCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Scott A. Gremel
- National Park Service, Olympic National ParkPort AngelesWashingtonUSA
| | - Keith A. Hamm
- Green Diamond Resource Company, California Timberlands DivisionKorbelCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - J. Mark Higley
- Hoopa Tribal Council, Forestry DivisionHoopaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Rob B. Horn
- US Bureau of Land ManagementRoseburgOregonUSA
| | - David W. Lamphear
- Green Diamond Resource Company, California Timberlands DivisionKorbelCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Janice A. Reid
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Carl J. Schwarz
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsSimon Fraser UniversityBurnabyBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - David C. Simon
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science CenterCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Stan G. Sovern
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - James K. Swingle
- US Department of Agriculture, Forest ServicePacific Northwest Research StationCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - J. David Wiens
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science CenterCorvallisOregonUSA
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3
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Pakanen V, Tornberg R, Airaksinen E, Rönkä N, Koivula K. The abundance of small mammals is positively linked to survival from nest depredation but negatively linked to local recruitment of a ground nesting precocial bird. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9292. [PMID: 36110877 PMCID: PMC9465198 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Generalist predators using small mammals as their primary prey are suggested to shift hunting alternative prey such as bird nests, when small mammals are in short supply (the alternative prey hypothesis, APH). Nest survival and survival of young individuals should be positively linked to small mammal abundance and negatively linked to predator abundance, but little information exists from survival of chicks, especially until recruitment. We test these predictions of the APH using 13 years (2002-2014) of life history data from a ground nesting shorebird breeding on coastal meadows. We use small mammal abundance in the previous autumn as a proxy for spring predator abundance, mainly of mammalian predators. We examine whether small mammal abundance in the spring and previous autumn explain annual variation in nest survival from depredation and local recruitment of the southern dunlin Calidris alpina schinzii. As predicted by the APH, survival from nest predation was positively linked to spring small mammal abundance and negatively linked to autumn small mammal abundance. Importantly, local recruitment showed opposite responses. This counterintuitive result may be explained by density-dependent survival. When nest depredation rates are low, predators may show stronger numerical and functional responses to high shorebird chick abundance on coastal meadows, whereas in years of high nest depredation, few hatching chicks lure fewer predators. The opposite effects on nest and local recruitment demonstrate the diverse mechanisms by which population size variation in primary prey can affect dynamics of alternative prey populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Risto Tornberg
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | | | - Nelli Rönkä
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Kari Koivula
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
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4
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Dunham KD, Tucker AM, Koons DN, Abebe A, Dobson FS, Grand JB. Demographic responses to climate change in a threatened Arctic species. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:10627-10643. [PMID: 34367602 PMCID: PMC8328435 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The Arctic is undergoing rapid and accelerating change in response to global warming, altering biodiversity patterns, and ecosystem function across the region. For Arctic endemic species, our understanding of the consequences of such change remains limited. Spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri), a large Arctic sea duck, use remote regions in the Bering Sea, Arctic Russia, and Alaska throughout the annual cycle making it difficult to conduct comprehensive surveys or demographic studies. Listed as Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, understanding the species response to climate change is critical for effective conservation policy and planning. Here, we developed an integrated population model to describe spectacled eider population dynamics using capture-mark-recapture, breeding population survey, nest survey, and environmental data collected between 1992 and 2014. Our intent was to estimate abundance, population growth, and demographic rates, and quantify how changes in the environment influenced population dynamics. Abundance of spectacled eiders breeding in western Alaska has increased since listing in 1993 and responded more strongly to annual variation in first-year survival than adult survival or productivity. We found both adult survival and nest success were highest in years following intermediate sea ice conditions during the wintering period, and both demographic rates declined when sea ice conditions were above or below average. In recent years, sea ice extent has reached new record lows and has remained below average throughout the winter for multiple years in a row. Sea ice persistence is expected to further decline in the Bering Sea. Our results indicate spectacled eiders may be vulnerable to climate change and the increasingly variable sea ice conditions throughout their wintering range with potentially deleterious effects on population dynamics. Importantly, we identified that different demographic rates responded similarly to changes in sea ice conditions, emphasizing the need for integrated analyses to understand population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylee D. Dunham
- Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitSchool of Forestry and Wildlife SciencesAuburn UniversityAuburnALUSA
- Present address:
Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Anna M. Tucker
- Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitSchool of Forestry and Wildlife SciencesAuburn UniversityAuburnALUSA
- Present address:
U.S. Geological SurveyPatuxent Wildlife Research CenterLaurelMDUSA
| | - David N. Koons
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology & Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
| | - Asheber Abebe
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsAuburn UniversityAuburnALUSA
| | | | - James B. Grand
- U.S. Geological SurveyAlabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitAuburnALUSA
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5
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Roberts AJ, Dooley JL, Ross BE, Nichols TC, Leafloor JO, Dufour KW. An Integrated Population Model for Harvest Management of Atlantic Brant. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Roberts
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management Laurel MD 20708 USA
| | - Joshua L. Dooley
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management Vancouver WA 98683 USA
| | - Beth E. Ross
- U.S. Geological Survey South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | | | | | - Kevin W. Dufour
- Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Canadian Wildlife Service Saskatoon Saskatchewan S7N 0X4 Canada
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6
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Morelli F, Laursen K, Svitok M, Benedetti Y, Møller AP. Eiders, nutrients and eagles: Bottom-up and top-down population dynamics in a marine bird. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1844-1853. [PMID: 33844857 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of this long-term study (1978-2016) was to find the underlying factors behind the declining trends of eider Somateria mollissima in the Baltic/Wadden Sea. Specifically, we aimed at quantifying the bottom-up effect of nutrients, through mussel stocks, on reproduction and abundance of eider, and the top-down effects caused by white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla predation. Bottom-up effects increase marine primary productivity with subsequent effects on food availability for a major mussel predator. Top-down effects may also regulate eider populations because during incubation female eiders are vulnerable to predation by eagles. Our structural equation modelling explained a large percentage of the variance in eider abundance. We conclude that the Baltic/Wadden Sea eider population was regulated directly by white-tailed sea eagle predation on incubating females and indirectly by the amount of nutrients in seawater affecting both mussel stocks and the breeding success of eiders, reflecting density dependence. These findings may explain the decreasing trend in the Baltic/Wadden Sea eider population during the last decades as an additive effect of top-down and bottom-up factors, and likely as an interaction between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Morelli
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Community Ecology & Conservation, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic.,Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Karsten Laursen
- Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, Denmark
| | - Marek Svitok
- Department of Biology and General Ecology, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia.,Department of Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Yanina Benedetti
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Community Ecology & Conservation, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay Cedex, France.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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7
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A phenological comparison of grizzly (Ursus arctos) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) as waterfowl nest predators in Wapusk National Park. Polar Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02647-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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8
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Hervey SD, Barnas AF, Stechmann TJ, Rockwell RF, Ellis‐Felege SN, Darby BJ. Kin grouping is insufficient to explain the inclusive fitness gains of conspecific brood parasitism in the common eider. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:4825-4838. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.15258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D. Hervey
- Department of Biology University of North Dakota Grand Forks ND USA
| | - Andrew F. Barnas
- Department of Biology University of North Dakota Grand Forks ND USA
| | | | - Robert F. Rockwell
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
| | | | - Brian J. Darby
- Department of Biology University of North Dakota Grand Forks ND USA
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9
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Population trends of king and common eiders from spring migration counts at Point Barrow, Alaska between 1994 and 2016. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-019-02581-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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10
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Nordberg EJ, Schwarzkopf L. Predation risk is a function of alternative prey availability rather than predator abundance in a tropical savanna woodland ecosystem. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7718. [PMID: 31118446 PMCID: PMC6531519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44159-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Typically, factors influencing predation risk are viewed only from the perspective of predators or prey populations but few studies have examined predation risk in the context of a food web. We tested two competing hypotheses regarding predation: (1) predation risk is dependent on predator density; and (2) predation risk is dependent on the availability of alternative prey sources. We use an empirical, multi-level, tropical food web (birds-lizards-invertebrates) and a mensurative experiment (seasonal fluctuations in abundance and artificial lizards to estimate predation risk) to test these hypotheses. Birds were responsible for the majority of attacks on artificial lizards and were more abundant in the wet season. Artificial lizards were attacked more frequently in the dry than the wet season despite a greater abundance of birds in the wet season. Lizard and invertebrate (alternative prey) abundances showed opposing trends; lizards were more abundant in the dry while invertebrates were more abundant in the wet season. Predatory birds attacked fewer lizards when invertebrate prey abundance was highest, and switched to lizard prey when invertebrate abundance reduced, and lizard abundance was greatest. Our study suggests predation risk is not predator density-dependent, but rather dependent on the abundance of invertebrate prey, supporting the alternative prey hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Nordberg
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
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11
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Falvo CA, Koons DN, Aubry LM. Seasonal climate effects on the survival of a hibernating mammal. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:3756-3769. [PMID: 31015964 PMCID: PMC6468137 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Global climate change and associated regional climate variability is impacting the phenology of many species, ultimately altering individual fitness and population dynamics. Yet, few studies have considered the effects of pertinent seasonal climate variability on phenology and fitness. Hibernators may be particularly susceptible to changes in seasonal climate since they have a relatively short active season in which to reproduce and gain enough mass to survive the following winter. To understand whether and how seasonal climate variability may be affecting hibernator fitness, we estimated survival from historical (1964-1968) and contemporary (2014-2017) mark-recapture data collected from the same population of Uinta ground squirrels (UGS, Urocitellus armatus), a hibernator endemic to the western United States. Despite a locally warming climate, the phenology of UGS did not change over time, yet season-specific climate variables were important in regulating survival rates. Specifically, older age classes experienced lower survival when winters or the following springs were warm, while juveniles benefited from warmer winter temperatures. Although metabolic costs decrease with decreasing temperature in the hibernacula, arousal costs increase with decreasing temperature. Our results suggest that this trade-off is experienced differently by immature and mature individuals. We also observed an increase in population density during that time period, suggesting resources are less limited today than they used to be. Cheatgrass is now dominating the study site and may provide a better food source to UGS than native plants did historically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caylee A. Falvo
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColorado
- Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColorado
| | - David N. Koons
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColorado
- Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColorado
| | - Lise M. Aubry
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation BiologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColorado
- Graduate Degree Program in EcologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColorado
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12
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Kellett DK, Alisauskas RT. Mayfield estimates versus apparent nest success in colonial geese. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dana K. Kellett
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X4Canada, and Department of Biology, 112 Science Place, University of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSK S7N 5E2Canada
| | - Ray T. Alisauskas
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X4Canada, and Department of Biology, 112 Science Place, University of SaskatchewanSaskatoonSK S7N 5E2Canada
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13
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Ramírez-Cruz GA, Solano-Zavaleta I, Mendoza-Hernández PE, Méndez-Janovitz M, Suárez-Rodríguez M, Zúñiga-Vega JJ. This town ain't big enough for both of us…or is it? Spatial co-occurrence between exotic and native species in an urban reserve. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211050. [PMID: 30657793 PMCID: PMC6338412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exotic species pose a threat to most ecosystems because of their potential to establish negative interactions with native biota. However, exotic species can also offer resources to native species, especially within highly modified environments such as urban ecosystems. We studied 17 exotic-native pairs of species with the potential to compete with one another, or in which one of the species could offer resources to the other, in an urban ecological reserve located within Mexico City. We used two-species occupancy models to analyze the potential association between the presence of the exotic species and the spatial distribution of the native species, as well as to assess if these species tend to avoid each other (negative spatial interaction) or to co-occur more often than expected under the hypothesis of independent occurrences (positive spatial interaction). Our results revealed few cases in which the exotic species influenced occupancy of the native species, and these spatial interactions were mainly positive, indicated by the fact that the occupancy of the native species was usually higher when the exotic species was also present. Seven of the eight observed non-independent patterns of co-occurrence were evident during the dry months of the year, when resources become scarce for most species. Our results also demonstrate that the observed patterns of species co-occurrence depend on the distance to the nearest urban structure and the amount of herb, shrub, and tree cover, indicating that these habitat features influence whether native species avoid or co-occur with exotic species. Our study represents an important contribution to the understanding of temporal dynamics in the co-occurrence between exotic and native species within urban ecological reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo A. Ramírez-Cruz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Israel Solano-Zavaleta
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Pedro E. Mendoza-Hernández
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Marcela Méndez-Janovitz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Monserrat Suárez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - J. Jaime Zúñiga-Vega
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- * E-mail:
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14
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High goose abundance reduces nest predation risk in a simple rodent-free high-Arctic ecosystem. Polar Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-017-2223-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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15
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Lamarre JF, Legagneux P, Gauthier G, Reed ET, Bêty J. Predator-mediated negative effects of overabundant snow geese on arctic-nesting shorebirds. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Lamarre
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie and Centre d’études Nordiques (CEN); Université du Québec à Rimouski; 300 allée des Ursulines Rimouski Quebec G5L 3A1 Canada
| | - Pierre Legagneux
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie and Centre d’études Nordiques (CEN); Université du Québec à Rimouski; 300 allée des Ursulines Rimouski Quebec G5L 3A1 Canada
| | - Gilles Gauthier
- Département de Biologie and Centre d’études Nordiques (CEN); Université Laval; 1045 Avenue de la Médecine Québec Quebec G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Eric T. Reed
- Canadian Wildlife Service; Environment and Climate Change Canada; 5019 52nd Street Yellowknife Northwest Territories X1A 2P7 Canada
| | - Joël Bêty
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie and Centre d’études Nordiques (CEN); Université du Québec à Rimouski; 300 allée des Ursulines Rimouski Quebec G5L 3A1 Canada
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16
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Lee DE, Kissui BM, Kiwango YA, Bond ML. Migratory herds of wildebeests and zebras indirectly affect calf survival of giraffes. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:8402-8411. [PMID: 28031792 PMCID: PMC5167056 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In long‐distance migratory systems, local fluctuations in the predator–prey ratio can exhibit extreme variability within a single year depending upon the seasonal location of migratory species. Such systems offer an opportunity to empirically investigate cyclic population density effects on short‐term food web interactions by taking advantage of the large seasonal shifts in migratory prey biomass. We utilized a large‐mammal predator–prey savanna food web to evaluate support for hypotheses relating to the indirect effects of “apparent competition” and “apparent mutualism” from migratory ungulate herds on survival of resident megaherbivore calves, mediated by their shared predator. African lions (Panthera leo) are generalist predators whose primary, preferred prey are wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) and zebras (Equus quagga), while lion predation on secondary prey such as giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) may change according to the relative abundance of the primary prey species. We used demographic data from five subpopulations of giraffes in the Tarangire Ecosystem of Tanzania, East Africa, to test hypotheses relating to direct predation and indirect effects of large migratory herds on calf survival of a resident megaherbivore. We examined neonatal survival via apparent reproduction of 860 adult females, and calf survival of 449 giraffe calves, during three precipitation seasons over 3 years, seeking evidence of some effect on neonate and calf survival as a consequence of the movements of large herds of migratory ungulates. We found that local lion predation pressure (lion density divided by primary prey density) was significantly negatively correlated with giraffe neonatal and calf survival probabilities. This supports the apparent mutualism hypothesis that the presence of migratory ungulates reduces lion predation on giraffe calves. Natural predation had a significant effect on giraffe calf and neonate survival, and could significantly affect giraffe population dynamics. If wildebeest and zebra populations in this ecosystem continue to decline as a result of increasingly disrupted migrations and poaching, then giraffe calves will face increased predation pressure as the predator–prey ratio increases. Our results suggest that the widespread population declines observed in many migratory systems are likely to trigger demographic impacts in other species due to indirect effects like those shown here.
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17
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Terletzky PA, Koons DN. Estimating ungulate abundance while accounting for multiple sources of observation error. WILDLIFE SOC B 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pat A. Terletzky
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
| | - David N. Koons
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
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18
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Fox AD, Jónsson JE, Aarvak T, Bregnballe T, Christensen TK, Clausen KK, Clausen P, Dalby L, Holm TE, Pavón-Jordan D, Laursen K, Lehikoinen A, Lorentsen SH, Møller AP, Nordström M, Öst M, Söderquist P, Roland Therkildsen O. Current and Potential Threats to Nordic Duck Populations — A Horizon Scanning Exercise. ANN ZOOL FENN 2015. [DOI: 10.5735/086.052.0404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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19
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Öst M, Jaatinen K. Smart and safe? Antipredator behavior and breeding success are related to head size in a wild bird. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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20
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Ježková M, Svobodová J, Kreisinger J. Dynamics of rodent abundance and ground-nest predation risks in forest habitats of Central Europe: no evidence for the alternative prey hypothesis. FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v63.i4.a6.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ježková
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Science, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Svobodová
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Science, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 1176, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Kreisinger
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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21
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Jaatinen K, Seltmann MW, Öst M. Context-dependent stress responses and their connections to fitness in a landscape of fear. J Zool (1987) 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Jaatinen
- Aronia Coastal Zone Research Team; Åbo Akademi University and Novia University of Applied Sciences; Ekenäs Finland
| | - M. W. Seltmann
- Aronia Coastal Zone Research Team; Åbo Akademi University and Novia University of Applied Sciences; Ekenäs Finland
| | - M. Öst
- Aronia Coastal Zone Research Team; Åbo Akademi University and Novia University of Applied Sciences; Ekenäs Finland
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22
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Koons DN, Rockwell RF, Aubry LM. Effects of exploitation on an overabundant species: the lesser snow goose predicament. J Anim Ecol 2013; 83:365-74. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David N. Koons
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
| | - Robert F. Rockwell
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology; American Museum of Natural History; Central Park West at 79th Street New York NY 10024 USA
| | - Lise M. Aubry
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
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23
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Jónsson JE, Gardarsson A, Gill JA, Pétursdóttir UK, Petersen A, Gunnarsson TG. Relationships between Long-Term Demography and Weather in a Sub-Arctic Population of Common Eider. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67093. [PMID: 23805292 PMCID: PMC3689676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of local weather on individuals and populations are key drivers of wildlife responses to climatic changes. However, studies often do not last long enough to identify weather conditions that influence demographic processes, or to capture rare but extreme weather events at appropriate scales. In Iceland, farmers collect nest down of wild common eider Somateria mollissima and many farmers count nests within colonies annually, which reflects annual variation in the number of breeding females. We collated these data for 17 colonies. Synchrony in breeding numbers was generally low between colonies. We evaluated 1) demographic relationships with weather in nesting colonies of common eider across Iceland during 1900–2007; and 2) impacts of episodic weather events (aberrantly cold seasons or years) on subsequent breeding numbers. Except for episodic events, breeding numbers within a colony generally had no relationship to local weather conditions in the preceding year. However, common eider are sexually mature at 2–3 years of age and we found a 3-year time lag between summer weather and breeding numbers for three colonies, indicating a positive effect of higher pressure, drier summers for one colony, and a negative effect of warmer, calmer summers for two colonies. These findings may represent weather effects on duckling production and subsequent recruitment. Weather effects were mostly limited to a few aberrant years causing reductions in breeding numbers, i.e. declines in several colonies followed severe winters (1918) and some years with high NAO (1992, 1995). In terms of life history, adult survival generally is high and stable and probably only markedly affected by inclement weather or aberrantly bad years. Conversely, breeding propensity of adults and duckling production probably do respond more to annual weather variations; i.e. unfavorable winter conditions for adults increase probability of death or skipped breeding, whereas favorable summers can promote boom years for recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jón Einar Jónsson
- University of Iceland, Research Centre at Snæfellsnes, Stykkishólmur, Iceland
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Jennifer A. Gill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aevar Petersen
- Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Garðabær, Iceland
| | - Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson
- University of Iceland, Research Centre at Snæfellsnes, Stykkishólmur, Iceland
- University of Iceland, South Iceland Research Centre, Selfoss and Gunnarsholt Hella, Iceland
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24
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Guttery MR, Dahlgren DK, Messmer TA, Connelly JW, Reese KP, Terletzky PA, Burkepile N, Koons DN. Effects of Landscape-Scale Environmental Variation on Greater Sage-Grouse Chick Survival. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65582. [PMID: 23824519 PMCID: PMC3688806 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective long-term wildlife conservation planning for a species must be guided by information about population vital rates at multiple scales. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations declined substantially during the twentieth century, largely as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation. In addition to the importance of conserving large tracts of suitable habitat, successful conservation of this species will require detailed information about factors affecting vital rates at both the population and range-wide scales. Research has shown that sage-grouse population growth rates are particularly sensitive to hen and chick survival rates. While considerable information on hen survival exists, there is limited information about chick survival at the population level, and currently there are no published reports of factors affecting chick survival across large spatial and temporal scales. We analyzed greater sage-grouse chick survival rates from 2 geographically distinct populations across 9 years. The effects of 3 groups of related landscape-scale covariates (climate, drought, and phenology of vegetation greenness) were evaluated. Models with phenological change in greenness (NDVI) performed poorly, possibly due to highly variable production of forbs and grasses being masked by sagebrush canopy. The top drought model resulted in substantial improvement in model fit relative to the base model and indicated that chick survival was negatively associated with winter drought. Our overall top model included effects of chick age, hen age, minimum temperature in May, and precipitation in July. Our results provide important insights into the possible effects of climate variability on sage-grouse chick survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Guttery
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - David K. Dahlgren
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Hays, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Terry A. Messmer
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | - John W. Connelly
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Blackfoot, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Kerry P. Reese
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Pat A. Terletzky
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | | | - David N. Koons
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
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