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Sergeyev M, Cherry MJ, Tanner EP, Lombardi JV, Tewes ME, Campbell TA. Multiscale assessment of habitat selection and avoidance of sympatric carnivores by the endangered ocelot. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8882. [PMID: 37264027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35271-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat selection by animals is a complex, dynamic process that can vary across spatial and temporal scales. Understanding habitat selection is a vital component of managing endangered species. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), a medium-sized endangered felid, overlap in their northern range with bobcats (Lynx rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans), with all three species sharing similar space and resource use. As the potential for competition between these three carnivores is high, understanding differences in habitat use and the effect of these potential competitors on habitat selection of ocelots is essential to conservation. Our objective was to compare habitat selection between species and examine if ocelots avoided areas used by competitors at broad and fine scales. We captured and collared 8 ocelots, 13 bobcats, and 5 coyotes on the East Foundation's El Sauz Ranch and the Yturria San Francisco Ranch in South Texas, USA from 2017 to 2021. We compared 2nd (position of home range) and 3rd (use within the home range) order selection across species and examined whether ocelots avoided areas categorized as high probability of use by bobcats and coyotes across both orders of selection. We found a preference for heterogeneous landscapes by bobcats and coyotes while ocelots were strongly tied to woody cover across both orders. At the 2nd order, ocelots selected areas with higher probability of use by bobcats and showed no response to higher probability of use by coyotes, suggesting ocelots did not avoid either species. However, at the 3rd order, ocelots avoided areas used by coyotes. Ocelots selected for areas of use by bobcats at the 2nd order and 3rd order. Results suggest that at the broader scale, placement of the home range is not affected by the presence of sympatric carnivores, however, at a finer scale, ocelots are avoiding coyotes but not bobcats. Our study emphasizes the importance of woody and herbaceous cover at the broad scale and dense vegetation at the finer scale to sustain ocelots. In addition, we show differing patterns of interspecific avoidance by ocelots across species and scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim Sergeyev
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA.
| | - Michael J Cherry
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
| | - Evan P Tanner
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
| | - Jason V Lombardi
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
| | - Michael E Tewes
- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University Kingsville, 205 Howe Agricultural Bldg, Kingsville, TX, 78363, USA
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Glass A, Eichholz MW. Snakes on the plains: The impacts of habitat structure on snake communities in Illinois grasslands. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Glass
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory Southern Illinois University Carbondale 1125 Lincoln Drive Carbondale IL 62901 USA
| | - Michael W. Eichholz
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and Center for Ecology Southern Illinois University Carbondale 1125 Lincoln Drive Carbondale IL 62901 USA
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Hoffman AS, Tutterow AM, Gade MR, Adams BT, Peterman WE. Variation in behavior drives multi‐scale responses to habitat conditions in timber rattlesnakes (
Crotalus horridus
). Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Hoffman
- School of Environment and Natural Resources The Ohio State University 2021 Coffey Road, 210 Kottman Hall Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Annalee M. Tutterow
- School of Environment and Natural Resources The Ohio State University 2021 Coffey Road, 210 Kottman Hall Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Meaghan R. Gade
- School of Environment and Natural Resources The Ohio State University 2021 Coffey Road, 210 Kottman Hall Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Bryce T. Adams
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station 359 Main Road Delaware Ohio 43015 USA
| | - William E. Peterman
- School of Environment and Natural Resources The Ohio State University 2021 Coffey Road, 210 Kottman Hall Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
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Gaudenti N, Nix E, Maier P, Westphal MF, Taylor EN. Habitat heterogeneity affects the thermal ecology of an endangered lizard. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:14843-14856. [PMID: 34765145 PMCID: PMC8571645 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8170] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Global climate change is already contributing to the extirpation of numerous species worldwide, and sensitive species will continue to face challenges associated with rising temperatures throughout this century and beyond. It is especially important to evaluate the thermal ecology of endangered ectotherm species now so that mitigation measures can be taken as early as possible. A recent study of the thermal ecology of the federally endangered Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia sila) suggested that they face major activity restrictions due to thermal constraints in their desert habitat, but that large shade-providing shrubs act as thermal buffers to allow them to maintain surface activity without overheating. We replicated this study and also included a population of G. sila with no access to large shrubs to facilitate comparison of the thermal ecology of G. sila populations in shrubless and shrubbed sites. We found that G. sila without access to shrubs spent more time sheltering inside rodent burrows than lizards with access to shrubs, especially during the hot summer months. Lizards from a shrubbed site had higher midday body temperatures and therefore poorer thermoregulatory accuracy than G. sila from a shrubless site, suggesting that greater surface activity may represent a thermoregulatory trade-off for G. sila. Lizards at both sites are currently constrained from using open, sunny microhabitats for much of the day during their short active seasons, and our projections suggest that climate change will exacerbate these restrictions and force G. sila to use rodent burrows for shelter even more than they do now, especially at sites without access to shrubs. The continued management of shrubs and of burrowing rodents at G. sila sites is therefore essential to the survival of this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Gaudenti
- Biological Sciences DepartmentCalifornia Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis ObispoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Emmeleia Nix
- Central Coast Field OfficeUS Bureau of Land ManagementMarinaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Paul Maier
- Biological Sciences DepartmentCalifornia Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis ObispoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Emily N. Taylor
- Biological Sciences DepartmentCalifornia Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis ObispoCaliforniaUSA
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Godley JS, Halstead BJ, McDiarmid RW. Ecology of the Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) at Rainey Slough, Florida: A Vanished Eden. HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 2017. [DOI: 10.1655/herpmonographs-d-16-00006.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian J. Halstead
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA 95620, USA
| | - Roy W. McDiarmid
- US Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Smithsonian Institution, MRC 111, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013, USA
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Multi-scale habitat selection in highly territorial bird species: Exploring the contribution of nest, territory and landscape levels to site choice in breeding rallids (Aves: Rallidae). ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Fritts S, Moorman C, Grodsky S, Hazel D, Homyack J, Farrell C, Castleberry S. Do biomass harvesting guidelines influence herpetofauna following harvests of logging residues for renewable energy? ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 26:926-939. [PMID: 27411261 DOI: 10.1890/14-2078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Forests are a major supplier of renewable energy; however, gleaning logging residues for use as woody biomass feedstock could negatively alter habitat for species dependent on downed wood. Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs) recommend retaining a portion of woody biomass on the forest floor following harvest. Despite BHGs being developed to help ensure ecological sustainability, their contribution to biodiversity has not been evaluated experimentally at operational scales. We compared herpetofauanal evenness, diversity, and richness and abundance of Anaxyrus terrestris and Gastrophryne carolinensis among six treatments that varied in volume and spatial arrangement of woody biomass retained after clearcutting loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations in North Carolina, USA (n = 4), 2011-2014 and Georgia (n = 4), USA 2011-2013. Treatments were: (1) biomass harvest with no BHGs, (2) 15% retention with biomass clustered, (3) 15% retention with biomass dispersed, (4) 30% retention with biomass clustered, (5) 30% retention with biomass dispersed, and (6) no biomass harvest. We captured individuals with drift fence arrays and compared evenness, diversity, and richness metrics among treatments with repeated-measure, linear mixed-effects models. We determined predictors of A. terrestris and G. carolinensis abundances using a priori candidate N-mixture models with woody biomass volume, vegetation structure, and groundcover composition as covariates. We had 206 captures of 25 reptile species and 8710 captures of 17 amphibian species during 53690 trap nights. Herpetofauna diversity, evenness, and richness were similar among treatments. A. terrestris abundance was negatively related to volume of retained woody biomass in treatment units in North Carolina in 2013. G. carolinensis abundance was positively related with volume of retained woody debris in treatment units in Georgia in 2012. Other relationships between A. terrestris and G. carolinensis abundances and habitat metrics were weak or absent. The lack of consistent community or population responses suggests the addition of a woody biomass harvest to a clearcut in pine plantations does not impact herpetofauna use of Coastal Plain loblolly plantations in the southeastern United States. We recommend additional research to examine relationships between woody biomass harvesting and rarer species or amphibians with high desiccation risk, particularly in other regions and harvesting systems.
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Steen DA, Barbour M, McClure CJW, Wray KP, Macey JN, Stevenson DJ. Landscape Scale Habitat Selection of Harlequin Coralsnakes (Micrurus fulvius) in Three Large, Protected Areas in the Southeastern United States. COPEIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-15-235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Goulet C, Litvaitis JA, Marchand MN. Habitat Associations of the Eastern Hognose Snake at the Northern Edge of Its Geographic Distribution: Should a Remnant Population Guide Restoration? Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2015. [DOI: 10.1656/045.022.0309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Steen DA, McClure CJW, Sutton WB, Rudolph DC, Pierce JB, Lee JR, Smith LL, Gregory BB, Baxley DL, Stevenson DJ, Guyer C. Copperheads are Common when Kingsnakes are Not: Relationships Between the Abundances of a Predator and One of their Prey. HERPETOLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-13-00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Steen
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | | | - William B. Sutton
- School of Agricultural, Forest and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - D. Craig Rudolph
- United States Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75965, USA
| | - Josh B. Pierce
- United States Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75965, USA
| | - James R. Lee
- The Nature Conservancy, CSJFTC-ENV Building 6530, Camp Shelby, MS 39407, USA
| | - Lora L. Smith
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, 3988 Jones Center Drive, Newton, GA 39870, USA
| | - Beau B. Gregory
- Coastal and Nongame Resources Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
| | - Danna L. Baxley
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, KY 40601, USA
| | - Dirk J. Stevenson
- The Orianne Society, Indigo Snake Initiative, Clayton, GA 30525, USA
| | - Craig Guyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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Steen DA, McClure CJW, Brock JC, Craig Rudolph D, Pierce JB, Lee JR, Jeffrey Humphries W, Gregory BB, Sutton WB, Smith LL, Baxley DL, Stevenson DJ, Guyer C. Snake co-occurrence patterns are best explained by habitat and hypothesized effects of interspecific interactions. J Anim Ecol 2013; 83:286-95. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Steen
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center; 3988 Jones Center Drive Newton GA 39870 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Auburn University; Auburn AL 36849 USA
| | | | - Jean C. Brock
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center; 3988 Jones Center Drive Newton GA 39870 USA
| | - D. Craig Rudolph
- United States Forest Service; Southern Research Station; Nacogdoches TX 75965 USA
| | - Josh B. Pierce
- United States Forest Service; Southern Research Station; Nacogdoches TX 75965 USA
| | - James R. Lee
- The Nature Conservancy; CSJFTC-ENV Building 6530 Camp Shelby MS 39407 USA
| | | | - Beau B. Gregory
- Coastal and Nongame Resources Division; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Baton Rouge LA 70808 USA
| | - William B. Sutton
- School of Agriculture; Forestry and Environmental Sciences; Clemson SC 29634 USA
| | - Lora L. Smith
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center; 3988 Jones Center Drive Newton GA 39870 USA
| | - Danna L. Baxley
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Frankfort KY 40601 USA
| | | | - Craig Guyer
- Department of Biological Sciences; Auburn University; Auburn AL 36849 USA
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Miller GJ, Smith LL, Johnson SA, Franz R. Home Range Size and Habitat Selection in the Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus). COPEIA 2012. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-12-054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Steen DA, McClure CJW, Brock JC, Rudolph DC, Pierce JB, Lee JR, Humphries WJ, Gregory BB, Sutton WB, Smith LL, Baxley DL, Stevenson DJ, Guyer C. Landscape-level influences of terrestrial snake occupancy within the southeastern United States. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2012; 22:1084-1097. [PMID: 22827120 DOI: 10.1890/11-1777.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Habitat loss and degradation are thought to be the primary drivers of species extirpations, but for many species we have little information regarding specific habitats that influence occupancy. Snakes are of conservation concern throughout North America, but effective management and conservation are hindered by a lack of basic natural history information and the small number of large-scale studies designed to assess general population trends. To address this information gap, we compiled detection/nondetection data for 13 large terrestrial species from 449 traps located across the southeastern United States, and we characterized the land cover surrounding each trap at multiple spatial scales (250-, 500-, and 1000-m buffers). We used occupancy modeling, while accounting for heterogeneity in detection probability, to identify habitat variables that were influential in determining the presence of a particular species. We evaluated 12 competing models for each species, representing various hypotheses pertaining to important habitat features for terrestrial snakes. Overall, considerable interspecific variation existed in important habitat variables and relevant spatial scales. For example, kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) were negatively associated with evergreen forests, whereas Louisiana pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni) occupancy increased with increasing coverage of this forest type. Some species were positively associated with grassland and scrub/shrub (e.g., Slowinski's cornsnake, Elaphe slowinskii) whereas others, (e.g., copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix, and eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus) were positively associated with forested habitats. Although the species that we studied may persist in varied landscapes other than those we identified as important, our data were collected in relatively undeveloped areas. Thus, our findings may be relevant when generating conservation plans or restoration goals. Maintaining or restoring landscapes that are most consistent with the ancestral habitat preferences of terrestrial snake assemblages will require a diverse habitat matrix over large spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Steen
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, 3988 Jones Center Drive, Newton, Georgia 39870, USA.
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Faust TM, Blomquist SM. Size and Growth in Two Populations of Black Kingsnakes,Lampropeltis nigra,in East Tennessee. SOUTHEAST NAT 2011. [DOI: 10.1656/058.010.0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Baxley D, Lipps GJ, Qualls CP. Multiscale Habitat Selection by Black Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) in Southern Mississippi. HERPETOLOGICA 2011. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-10-00029.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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