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Smith MM, Erb JD, Pauli JN. Reciprocated competition between two forest carnivores drives dietary specialization. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:1695-1706. [PMID: 37282830 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13962] [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: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Competition shapes animal communities, but the strength of the interaction varies spatially depending on the availability and aggregation of resources and competitors. Among carnivores, competition is particularly pronounced with the strongest interactions between similar species with intermediate differences in body size. While ecologists have emphasized interference competition among carnivores based on dominance hierarchies from body size (smaller = subordinate; larger = dominant), the reciprocity of exploitative competition from subordinate species has been overlooked even though efficient exploitation can limit resource availability and influence foraging. Across North America, fishers Pekania pennanti and martens (Martes spp.) are two phylogenetically related forest carnivores that exhibit a high degree of overlap in habitat use and diet and differ in body size by a factor of 2-5×, eliciting particularly strong interspecific competition. In the Great Lakes region, fishers and martens occur both allopatrically and sympatrically; where they co-occur, the numerically dominant species varies spatially. This natural variation in competitors and environmental conditions enables comparisons to understand how interference and exploitative competition alter dietary niche overlap and foraging strategies. We analysed stable isotopes (δ13 C and δ15 N) from 317 martens and 132 fishers, as well as dietary items (n = 629) from 20 different genera, to compare niche size and overlap. We then quantified individual diet specialization and modelled the response to environmental conditions that were hypothesized to influence individual foraging. Martens and fishers exhibited high overlap in both available and core isotopic δ-space, but no overlap of core dietary proportions. When the competitor was absent or rare, both martens and fishers consumed more smaller-bodied prey. Notably, the dominant fisher switched from being a specialist of larger to smaller prey in the absence of the subordinate marten. Environmental context also influenced dietary specialization: increasing land cover diversity and prey abundance reduced specialization in martens whereas vegetation productivity increased specialization for both martens and fishers. Despite an important dominance hierarchy, fishers adjusted their niche in the face of a subordinate, but superior, exploitative competitor. These findings highlight the underappreciated role of the subordinate competitor in shaping the dietary niche of a dominant competitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Smith
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - John D Erb
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jonathan N Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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2
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Hiruma M, Takada H, Washida A, Koike S. Dietary partitioning and competition between sika deer and Japanese serows in high elevation habitats. MAMMAL RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-023-00683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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3
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Brunet MJ, Monteith KL, Huggler KS, Thompson DJ, Burke PW, Zornes M, Lionberger P, Valdez M, Holbrook JD. Spatiotemporal predictions of the alternative prey hypothesis: Predator habitat use during decreasing prey abundance. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell J. Brunet
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | - Katey S. Huggler
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | | | | | - Mark Zornes
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department Green River Wyoming USA
| | - Patrick Lionberger
- Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs Field Office Rock Springs Wyoming USA
| | - Miguel Valdez
- Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs Field Office Rock Springs Wyoming USA
| | - Joseph D. Holbrook
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
- Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
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4
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Marino A, Rodríguez V. Competitive exclusion and herbivore management in a context of livestock‐wildlife conflict. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13210] [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)
- Andrea Marino
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC) Centro Nacional Patagónico‐Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Bvd. Brown Puerto Madryn CP U9120 ACD Argentina
| | - Victoria Rodríguez
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC) Centro Nacional Patagónico‐Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Bvd. Brown Puerto Madryn CP U9120 ACD Argentina
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Moyano S, Sardina Aragón P, Álvarez A, Ercoli M, López Geronazzo L, González Fossati J. Comparative anatomy of the skull of South American camelids. A contribution to their taxonomical identification. ZOOL ANZ 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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6
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Lancaster A, Corti P, Fernández T, Moraga CA, Radic‐Schilling S, Hardenberg A. Changes in foraging behaviour suggest competition between wild and domestic ungulates: Guanaco and domestic sheep in southern Patagonia. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12971] [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)
- A. Lancaster
- Conservation Biology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Chester Chester UK
| | - P. Corti
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - T. Fernández
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
- Programa de Magister en Ecología Aplicada Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - C. A. Moraga
- Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario de Fuego‐Patagonia y Antártica (Fundación CEQUA) Punta Arenas Chile
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - S. Radic‐Schilling
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Acuícolas Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de Magallanes Punta Arenas Chile
| | - A. Hardenberg
- Conservation Biology Research Group Department of Biological Sciences University of Chester Chester UK
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7
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Behavioural Indicators of Intra- and Inter-Specific Competition: Sheep Co-Grazing with Guanaco in the Patagonian Steppe. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113333. [PMID: 34828064 PMCID: PMC8614449 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In extensive livestock ranching, where animals are maintained at high numbers, competition between individuals is expected, but not generally assumed. To compensate for reduced food availability, herbivores modify their feeding behaviour, which can be used as an indicator of competition. We investigated behavioural changes of domestic sheep in Chilean Patagonia in response to herd size, food availability, and the presence of a wild competitor, the guanaco, considered a problem for sheep production by ranchers. Large sheep herds were associated with a decrease in sheep grazing, while food availability increased time spent feeding. Guanaco had no effect on sheep behaviours. Behavioural changes were mostly associated with competition between individual sheep and not with guanaco. We suggest that to improve sheep production, ranchers should focus on sheep management at appropriate herd sizes according to grassland capacities. Abstract In extensive livestock production, high densities may inhibit regulation processes, maintaining high levels of intraspecific competition over time. During competition, individuals typically modify their behaviours, particularly feeding and bite rates, which can therefore be used as indicators of competition. Over eight consecutive seasons, we investigated if variation in herd density, food availability, and the presence of a potential competitor, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe), was related with behavioural changes in domestic sheep in Chilean Patagonia. Focal sampling, instantaneous scan sampling, measures of bite and movement rates were used to quantify behavioural changes in domestic sheep. We found that food availability increased time spent feeding, while herd density was associated with an increase in vigilant behaviour and a decrease in bite rate, but only when food availability was low. Guanaco presence appeared to have no impact on sheep behaviour. Our results suggest that the observed behavioural changes in domestic sheep are more likely due to intraspecific competition rather than interspecific competition. Consideration of intraspecific competition where guanaco and sheep co-graze on pastures could allow management strategies to focus on herd density, according to rangeland carrying capacity.
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Corti P, Collado B, Salgado M, Moraga CA, Radic-Schilling S, Tejeda C, Ruiz-Aravena M. Dynamic of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in a domestic-wildlife interface: Domestic sheep and guanaco as reservoir community. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e161-e174. [PMID: 34347393 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural herbivore populations have experienced uninterrupted pressures from direct and evident domestic-wildlife interactions and competition, to indirect or less obvious ones such as pathogen transmission. Thus, pathogen spillover between wild and domestic animals is a constant concern because the domestic-wildlife interface represents the ecological frontier in which pathogen transmission takes place in both directions. In Patagonian steppe communities, extensive sheep ranching and guanaco (Lama guanicoe) populations coexist, and guanaco have shown to be infected by pathogens such as Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) likely transmitted from livestock. MAP causes chronic enteritis and affects mostly domestic ruminants. We evaluated MAP prevalence and pathogen shedding in both species' faeces collected in non-shared and shared sites according to presence/absence of sheep and guanaco along a year, in four different seasons (autumn, winter, and spring 2018, and summer 2019). Our results indicate that MAP circulates in both sheep and guanaco populations with self-sustained transmission; however, both species differ in their levels of competence. We detected higher pathogen shedding in sites occupied by sheep, suggesting that sheep populations may be the main source of infection for susceptible animals due to their large numbers which drive MAP dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Corti
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre, Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Bernardita Collado
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Miguel Salgado
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Claudio A Moraga
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Acuícolas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Sergio Radic-Schilling
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Acuícolas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Carlos Tejeda
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
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Pozo RA, Cusack JJ, Acebes P, Malo JE, Traba J, Iranzo EC, Morris-Trainor Z, Minderman J, Bunnefeld N, Radic-Schilling S, Moraga CA, Arriagada R, Corti P. Reconciling livestock production and wild herbivore conservation: challenges and opportunities. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:750-761. [PMID: 34103191 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.05.002] [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: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Increasing food security and preventing further loss of biodiversity are two of humanity's most pressing challenges. Yet, efforts to address these challenges often lead to situations of conflict between the interests of agricultural production and those of biodiversity conservation. Here, we focus on conflicts between livestock production and the conservation of wild herbivores, which have received little attention in the scientific literature. We identify four key socio-ecological challenges underlying such conflicts, which we illustrate using a range of case studies. We argue that addressing these challenges will require the implementation of co-management approaches that promote the participation of relevant stakeholders in processes of ecological monitoring, impact assessment, decision-making, and active knowledge sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Pozo
- Escuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota, 2260000, Chile.
| | - J J Cusack
- Centro de Modelación y Monitoreo de Ecosistemas, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile.
| | - P Acebes
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group (TEG-UAM), Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - J E Malo
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group (TEG-UAM), Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - J Traba
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group (TEG-UAM), Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - E C Iranzo
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group (TEG-UAM), Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España; Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre, Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Z Morris-Trainor
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - J Minderman
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - N Bunnefeld
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - S Radic-Schilling
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Acuícolas, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - C A Moraga
- Departamento de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Acuícolas, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile; School of Natural Resources and Environment, and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, University of Florida, FL, USA; Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario de Fuego-Patagonia y Antártica (Fundación CEQUA), Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - R Arriagada
- Department of Ecosystems and Environment, Millennium Nucleus Center for the Socioeconomic Impact of Environmental Policies (CESIEP), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center for Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR(2)), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - P Corti
- Laboratorio de Manejo y Conservación de Vida Silvestre, Instituto de Ciencia Animal y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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10
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Castellaro G, Orellana CL, Escanilla JP. Summer Diet of Horses ( Equus ferus caballus Linn.), Guanacos ( Lama guanicoe Müller), and European Brown Hares ( Lepus europaeus Pallas) in the High Andean Range of the Coquimbo Region, Chile. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051313. [PMID: 34063638 PMCID: PMC8147654 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For an adequate management of natural grasslands, the knowledge and understanding of the dietary habits of herbivores and their trophic interactions are fundamental. During two summer seasons, in a mountain range of a sector of the Coquimbo Region, Chile, the botanical composition, diversity, and similarity of the diets of horses, European brown hares, and guanacos were studied, as was the selectivity of the main grassland plant species, using feces microhistology. The contribution of hydromorphic grasses was similar in the diets of guanacos (35.90 ± 7.27%) and horses (32.25 ± 4.50%), differing from that found in hares (16.32 ± 5.32%). Dryland grassland grasses contributed similarly to the diets of horses (13.21 ± 3.22%), guanacos (22.53 ± 5.21%) and hares (18.35 ± 3.81%), as well as graminoids, which averaged 47.79 ± 6.66%, 35.63 ± 10.76% and 38.94 ± 7.88%, in diets of horses, guanacos, and hares, respectively, without significant differences. The contribution of herbaceous dicotyledons was only important in hares (23.76 ± 3.76%), while that of shrubs was low (<3%) and similar among the three herbivores. Dietary diversity was similar among the three herbivore species (73-79%), with a higher degree of dietary overlap between horses and guanacos (55.7%), which was higher than that obtained between hares and guanacos (50%) and between horses and hares (48%), for which there would be a potential trophic competition between them. The most abundant species of dryland and wet grasslands generally fulfill a functional role of subsistence and a nutritional role of maintenance; however, for the three herbivores studied, a different selective behavior was evidenced, according to their physiological differences, with the selection process little affected by the relative abundance of these species in the grasslands. Due to the above, herbivores resort to the selection of certain species that, despite being not very abundant in grasslands, play an important nutritional and functional role, improving the quality of their diets.
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Mesas A, Baldi R, González BA, Burgi V, Chávez A, Johnson WE, Marín JC. Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051218. [PMID: 33922526 PMCID: PMC8146674 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Determining the impacts of human activities on natural populations is important for biodiversity conservation. In this paper, we study the past and more recent effects of urbanization and livestock activity on the genetic diversity and population structure of endemic guanaco populations of the arid Monte and Patagonian Steppe of central Argentina. Our results reveal that urbanization, the installation of fences, and the competition from sheep grazing coincided with the isolation of several guanaco populations, especially in areas with the highest intensity of livestock activity. However, our genetic analyses suggest that a more recent increase in connectivity among groups is occurring. Our results highlight the importance of implementing conservation management plans for natural populations in arid and human-intervened environments. Abstract Extensive livestock production and urbanization entail modifications of natural landscapes, including installation of fences, development of agriculture, urbanization of natural areas, and construction of roads and infrastructure that, together, impact native fauna. Here, we evaluate the diversity and genetic structure of endemic guanacos (Lama guanicoe) of the Monte and Patagonian Steppe of central Argentina, which have been reduced and displaced by sheep ranching and other impacts of human activities. Analyses of genetic variation of microsatellite loci and d-loop revealed high levels of genetic variation and latitudinal segregation of mitochondrial haplotypes. There were indications of at least two historical populations in the Monte and the Patagonian Steppe based on shared haplotypes and shared demographic history among localities. Currently, guanacos are structured into three groups that were probably reconnected relatively recently, possibly facilitated by a reduction of sheep and livestock in recent decades and a recovery of the guanaco populations. These results provide evidence of the genetic effects of livestock activity and urbanization on wild herbivore populations, which were possibly exacerbated by an arid environment with limited productive areas. The results highlight the importance of enacting conservation management plans to ensure the persistence of ancestral and ecologically functional populations of guanacos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Mesas
- Laboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bio-Bío, Chillán 3780000, Chile; (A.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Ricardo Baldi
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales, Centro Nacional Patagónico, CONICET, Puerto Madryn U9120 ACD, Argentina; (R.B.); (V.B.)
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Buenos Aires C1426 AKC, Argentina
- South American Camelids Specialist Group, SSC, IUCN, Santiago 8330015, Chile;
| | - Benito A. González
- South American Camelids Specialist Group, SSC, IUCN, Santiago 8330015, Chile;
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Vida Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y de la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
| | - Virginia Burgi
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales, Centro Nacional Patagónico, CONICET, Puerto Madryn U9120 ACD, Argentina; (R.B.); (V.B.)
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Buenos Aires C1426 AKC, Argentina
- South American Camelids Specialist Group, SSC, IUCN, Santiago 8330015, Chile;
| | - Alexandra Chávez
- Laboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bio-Bío, Chillán 3780000, Chile; (A.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Warren E. Johnson
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA;
| | - Juan C. Marín
- Laboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bio-Bío, Chillán 3780000, Chile; (A.M.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Dry season resource selection among sympatric ungulates in a tropical coastal landscape: implications for conservation and management. Trop Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42965-021-00156-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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13
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Neophobia in 10 ungulate species-a comparative approach. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021; 75:102. [PMID: 34177046 PMCID: PMC8219784 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neophobia (the fearful reaction to novel stimuli or situations) has a crucial effect on individual fitness and can vary within and across species. However, the factors predicting this variation are still unclear. In this study, we assessed whether individual characteristics (rank, social integration, sex) and species socio-ecological characteristics (dietary breadth, group size, domestication) predicted variation in neophobia. For this purpose, we conducted behavioral observations and experimental tests on 78 captive individuals belonging to 10 different ungulate species-an ideal taxon to study inter-specific variation in neophobia given their variety in socio-ecological characteristics. Individuals were tested in their social groups by providing them with familiar food, half of which had been positioned close to a novel object. We monitored the individual latency to approach and eat food and the proportion of time spent in its proximity. Using a phylogenetic approach and social network analyses, we showed that across ungulate species neophobia was higher in socially more integrated individuals, as compared to less integrated ones. In contrast, rank and sex did not predict inter-individual differences in neophobia. Moreover, species differed in their levels of neophobia, with Barbary sheep being on average less neophobic than all the other study species. As group size in Barbary sheep was larger than in all the other study species, these results support the hypothesis that larger group size predicts lower levels of neophobia, and confirm ungulates as a highly promising taxon to study animal behavior and cognition with a comparative perspective. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In several species, individuals may respond fearfully to novel stimuli, therefore reducing the risks they may face. However, it is yet unclear if certain individuals or species respond more fearfully to novelty. Here, we provided food to 78 individual ungulates with different characteristics (e.g., sex, rank, social integration, group size, domestication, dietary breadth) in different controlled conditions (e.g., when food was close to novel or to familiar objects). Across species, we found that socially integrated individuals responded more fearfully in all species. Moreover, being in larger groups decreased the probability of fearfully responding to novelty. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00265-021-03041-0.
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14
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Exotic Prey Facilitate Coexistence between Pumas and Culpeo Foxes in the Andes of Central Chile. DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12090317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Coexistence between species with similar ecological niches implies species must segregate along one or more niche axes to survive. Space, time, and trophic resources are regarded as the principal axes upon which species segregate. We examined segregation along these niche axes to determine mechanisms underlying coexistence between the two main predators, puma (Puma concolor) and culpeo foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) in the Andes of Central Chile. We used occupancy modeling to examine space use and overlap, Kernel Density Estimation to determine temporal activity patterns and overlap, and analysis of prey remains in feces to assess diet breadth and similarity. We found high spatial overlap and positive associations between detection of the carnivores lending little support for spatial segregation. Similarly, we found high nocturnal, temporal overlap between pumas and foxes that matched peaks in activity of prey. In contrast, we found relatively low dietary overlap indicating niche segregation likely occurs along the dietary axis. The Puma diet was dominated by introduced, exotic hares and foxes appeared to shift away from hares to rabbits, small mammals, and seeds. Given that lagomorphs are the main dietary resource for pumas in particular, management decisions regarding the control or eradication of such exotic species could negatively affected puma survival.
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Relative abundance and activity patterns of terrestrial carnivorous mammals in Península Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina. MAMMALIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2019-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the relative abundance and activity patterns of terrestrial carnivorous mammals living in San Pablo de Valdés Wildlife Reserve, which is located in Península Valdés (PV), Chubut province, Argentina. To this end, camera traps were placed in different plant communities of this reserve and they were used from January 2015 to December 2016. A total of 256 independent events, with a sampling effort of 1811 camera nights, were obtained. The following species were identified in order of relative abundance: Conepatus chinga, Lycalopex gymnocercus, Leopardus geoffroyi, Puma concolor, and Leopardus colocolo, and the activity patterns of the first three were estimated. Those of P. concolor and L. colocolo could not be estimated as insufficient independent events were obtained. Our results show a cathemeral activity pattern in C. chinga and L. geoffroyi and a more nocturnal pattern in L. gymnocercus. Our results highlight the need to expand the sampling area to obtain further details on the behavioral patterns and population parameters of the carnivores identified. Knowledge of ecological issues, such as relative abundance and activity patterns of carnivorous mammals, is imperative to formulate monitoring and conservation programs.
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Berger J, Wangchuk T, Briceño C, Vila A, Lambert JE. Disassembled Food Webs and Messy Projections: Modern Ungulate Communities in the Face of Unabating Human Population Growth. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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17
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Galende GI, Vega R. Summer diet selection of a rock specialist: the Wolffsohn´s viscacha (Lagidium wolffsohni) in protected natural area of Pinturas River, Cueva de las Manos, Patagonia, Argentina. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2020.1763763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gladys I. Galende
- Department of Zoology, Bariloche Regional University Center, National University of Comahue, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Rocío Vega
- Department of Zoology, Bariloche Regional University Center, National University of Comahue, Río Negro, Argentina
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Antún M, Baldi R. Choosing what is left: the spatial structure of a wild herbivore population within a livestock-dominated landscape. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8945. [PMID: 32296614 PMCID: PMC7150538 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Shrublands and grasslands comprise over 30% of the land surface and are among the most exploited ecosystems for livestock production. Across natural landscapes, the distribution and abundance of wild herbivores are affected by interspecific competition for foraging resources, hunting and the development of infrastructure among other factors. In Argentine Patagonia, the abundance of domestic sheep grazing on native vegetation outnumbers the widely distributed guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and sheep ranching monopolizes the most productive lands. In this work, we aimed to assess the spatial variation in the abundance of guanacos in Península Valdés, a representative landscape of Patagonia, investigating the incidence of natural and human-related factors. We conducted ground surveys during the austral autumn in 2017 totaling 383.4 km along areas with and without sheep ranching. We built density surface models to account for the variation in guanaco abundance and obtained a map of guanaco density at a resolution of 4 km2. We estimated an overall density of 11.71 guanacos.km−2 for a prediction area of 3,196 km2, although the density of guanacos tripled in areas where sheep ranching was terminated (in around 20% of the surface of Península Valdés) compared to areas with sheep. Guanacos were more abundant at lower values of primary productivity and sheep stocking rates and further from inhabited ranch buildings, suggesting competition with sheep and conflict with humans. Although guanacos selected open, grass-dominated habitats across sheep-free sites, fences dividing properties and paddocks played a significant role in the spatial structure of their population in Península Valdés affecting negatively the abundance of guanacos. Our results indicate that actions to improve habitat connectivity for guanacos, favor the coexistence among guanacos and sheep ranching, and promote responsible human activities and attitudes towards wildlife are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros Antún
- Grupo de Estudio de Mamíferos Terrestres, Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC) - CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Biología y Ambiente, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Baldi
- Grupo de Estudio de Mamíferos Terrestres, Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC) - CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.,Programa de Maestría en Conservación de la Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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19
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Cenzano AM, Arslan I. Comprehensive and quantitative profiling of lipid molecular species by LC-ESI-MS/MS of four native species from semiarid Patagonian Monte. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2020; 146:447-456. [PMID: 31812010 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The maintenance of lipid and fatty acids unsaturated composition has been described as one of the mechanisms associated to drought tolerance, but research about the lipid profile in native plants of semiarid environment is still limited. The primary objective was to study whether lipid profiles correlates with drought resistance strategies (tolerant or avoidant) of two life forms (shrubs and grasses). The lipid classes and molecular species of green leaves of Larrea divaricata and Lycium chilense shrubs and Pappostipa speciosa and Poa ligularis grasses were determined using LC-ESI-MS/MS. The soil water content was very low during spring and leaf relative water content was between 47 and 74% in the four species. Lipid profiling was different between both life forms. The prevalent compounds were digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and phosphatidic acid (PA). The lipid signature shows that L. divaricata adjust its lipid composition to tolerate drought, increasing the content of: a) total lipids and total phospholipids, b) structural phospholipids (36:4 and 36:2-PC, phosphatidylcholine; 36:4-PE, phosphatidylethanolamine), c) chloroplast and mitochondria lipids (32:1 and 32:0-PG, phosphatidylglycerol; 34:3, 36:6 and 36:3-DGDG), d) signaling lipids (34:3, 34:2 and 36:5-PA and PI, phosphatidylinositol), and e) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs, 18:3 and 18:2) and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs, in 40:2 and 42:2-PS, phosphatidylserine). This membrane lipid composition contributes to membrane stabilization as metabolic-functional strategy for drought tolerance in the Patagonian Monte. In addition, the 18:3 present in lipids of both grasses could be incorporated to lamb fed based on pastures and result healthy for human dietary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Cenzano
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología y Bioquímica Vegetal (ECOFIVE), Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IPEEC- CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, CP 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
| | - Idris Arslan
- Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Department, Incivez, 67100, Zonguldak, Turkey.
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20
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Christopherson V, Tremblay JP, Gagné PN, Bérubé J, St-Laurent MH. Meeting caribou in the alpine: Do moose compete with caribou for food? Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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21
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Oliva G, Paredes P, Ferrante D, Cepeda C, Rabinovich J. Remotely sensed primary productivity shows that domestic and native herbivores combined are overgrazing Patagonia. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Oliva
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA), INTA Río Gallegos Santa Cruz Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral Río Gallegos Santa Cruz Argentina
| | - Paula Paredes
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA), INTA Río Gallegos Santa Cruz Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral Río Gallegos Santa Cruz Argentina
| | - Daniela Ferrante
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA), INTA Río Gallegos Santa Cruz Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral Río Gallegos Santa Cruz Argentina
| | - Carla Cepeda
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA), INTA Río Gallegos Santa Cruz Argentina
| | - Jorge Rabinovich
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Buenos Aires Argentina
- CEPAVE Universidad Nacional de La Plata La Plata Argentina
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22
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Zubillaga M, Skewes O, Soto N, Rabinovich JE. How density-dependence and climate affect guanaco population dynamics. Ecol Modell 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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23
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McLaren BE, MacNearney D, Siavichay CA. Livestock and the functional habitat of vicuñas in Ecuador: a new puzzle. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian E. McLaren
- Lakehead University 955 Oliver Road Thunder Bay Ontario P7B 5E1 Canada
- Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo Km 1/2 Panamericana Sur Riobamba EC060155 Ecuador
| | | | - Carlos A. Siavichay
- Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo Km 1/2 Panamericana Sur Riobamba EC060155 Ecuador
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24
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Endo Y, Takada H, Takatsuki S. Comparison of the Food Habits of the Sika Deer (Cervus nippon), the Japanese Serow (Capricornis crispus), and the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Sympatric Herbivorous Mammals from Mt. Asama, Central Japan. MAMMAL STUDY 2017. [DOI: 10.3106/041.042.0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitomo Endo
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71, Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Hayato Takada
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71, Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Seiki Takatsuki
- Life Museum of Azabu University, Azabu University, 1-17-71, Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
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25
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Larreguy C, Carrera AL, Bertiller MB. Reductions of plant cover induced by sheep grazing change the above-belowground partition and chemistry of organic C stocks in arid rangelands of Patagonian Monte, Argentina. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 199:139-147. [PMID: 28527740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.04.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to estimate the size and chemical quality of the total organic C stock and its partition between above-belowground plant parts and soil at sites with different plant cover induced by sheep grazing in the arid Patagonian Monte. This study was conducted at six representative sites with increasing signs of canopy disturbance attributed to grazing pressure. We used faeces density as a proxy of grazing pressure at each site. We assessed the total plant cover, shrub and perennial grass cover, total standing aboveground biomass (AGB), litter mass and belowground biomass (BGB) at each site. We further estimated the content of organic C, lignin and soluble phenols in plant compartments and the content of organic C, organic C in humic substances (recalcitrant C) and water soluble C (labile C) in soil at each site. Total plant cover was significantly related to grazing pressure. Standing AGB and litter mass decreased with increasing canopy disturbance while BGB did not vary across sites. Total organic C stock and the organic C stock in standing AGB increased with increasing total plant, shrub, and perennial grass cover. The organic C stock in litter mass increased with increasing total plant and shrub cover, while the organic C stock in BGB did not vary across sites. Lignin content in plant compartments increased with increasing total and shrub cover, while soluble phenols content did not change across sites. The organic C stock and the water soluble C content in soil were positively associated with perennial grass cover. Changes in total plant cover induced by grazing pressure negatively affected the size of the total organic C stock, having minor impact on the size of belowground than aboveground components. The reduction of perennial grass cover was reflected in decreasing chemical quality of the organic C stock in soil. Accordingly, plant managerial strategies should not only be focused on the amount of organic C sequestered but also on the chemical quality of organic C stocks since C chemistry could have an important impact on ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Larreguy
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales - CCT CENPAT- CONICET, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, 9120, Chubut, Argentina.
| | - A L Carrera
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales - CCT CENPAT- CONICET, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, 9120, Chubut, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - UNPSJB, Boulevard Brown 3000, Puerto Madryn, 9120, Chubut, Argentina
| | - M B Bertiller
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales - CCT CENPAT- CONICET, Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, 9120, Chubut, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - UNPSJB, Boulevard Brown 3000, Puerto Madryn, 9120, Chubut, Argentina
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26
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Kuhnen VV, Romero GQ, Linhares AX, Vizentin-Bugoni J, Porto EAC, Setz EZF. Diet overlap and spatial segregation between two neotropical marsupials revealed by multiple analytical approaches. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181188. [PMID: 28704561 PMCID: PMC5507539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Species co-existence depends on how organisms utilize their environment and resources. When two sympatric species are similar in some ecological requirements, their coexistence may arise from differences in resource use over time and/or space. Interactions among coexisting marsupials remain poorly understood, especially in the Neotropics. Here we combine spatial niche measurements, individual-resource networks, and isotopic niche approaches, to investigate the ecological strategies used by the Neotropical marsupials Didelphis aurita and Metachirus nudicaudatus to co-occur in an area of Serra do Mar State Park (southeast of Brazil). Both individual-resource networks and isotopic niche approaches indicate similar patterns of omnivory for both species. Isotopic analysis showed the species’ trophic niche to be similar, with 52% of overlap, and no differences between proportional contributions of each resource to their diets. Moreover, individual-resource network analysis found no evidence of diet nestedness or segregation. The trophic niche overlap observed was associated with spatial segregation between species. Despite using the same area over the year, D. aurita and M. nudicaudatus exhibited spatial segregation among seasons. These results illustrate that the detection of spatial segregation is scale-dependent and must be carefully considered. In conclusion, our findings provide a new perspective on the ecology of these two Neotropical marsupials by illustrating how the association of distinct but complementary methods can be applied to reach a more complete understanding of resource partitioning and species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Villanova Kuhnen
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Gustavo Quevedo Romero
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arício Xavier Linhares
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Erica Aline Correa Porto
- Graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eleonore Zulnara Freire Setz
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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27
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Sarno RJ, Grigione MM, Higa A, Childers E, Ecoffey T. The association between continual, year-round hunting and bellowing rate of bison bulls during the rut. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3153. [PMID: 28396826 PMCID: PMC5385126 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of hunting (selective harvest, trophy hunting) on the demography of mammals is well documented. However, despite continual year-round hunting of bison in some populations, little is known about how the behavior of survivors may be altered. Therefore, in this initial study, we used focal-animal observations in adjacent populations of continually hunted and protected Plains bison (Bison bison bison) in western South Dakota, to examine the potential impact of hunting on bellowing rate—an important behavior that serves to intimidate rival bulls and potentially influences mate choice by females. In addition to hunting, we investigated how the number of attendant males, number of adult females, group size, and number of days from the start of rut influenced bellowing rate. Bulls bellowed an order of magnitude more often in the protected population than in the hunted populations, whereas bellowing rate was not significantly different in the hunted populations. Hunting was significantly and negatively associated with bellowing rate, while all other predictors were found to be positively associated with bellowing rate. Furthermore, the impact of hunting on bellowing rate became more pronounced (i.e., dampened bellowing rate more strongly) as the number of attendant males increased. Changes in bellowing behavior of bulls (and possibly mate choice by cows) can alter breeding opportunities. Therefore, our data suggest the need for studies with broader-scale geographical and temporal replication to determine the extent that continual year-round hunting has on bellowing rate of bison during the rut. If reduced bellowing is associated with human hunting on a larger scale, then wildlife managers may need to adjust hunting rate and duration, timing (season), and the time lag between hunting events in order to insure that bison are able to express their full repertoire of natural mating behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J Sarno
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University , Hempstead , NY , United States
| | - Melissa M Grigione
- Department of Biology, Pace University , Pleasantville , NY , United States
| | - Alessandra Higa
- Math and Science Department, Oglala Lakota College , Kyle , SD , United States
| | - Eddie Childers
- Badlands National Park, National Park Service , Interior , SD , United States
| | - Trudy Ecoffey
- Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture , Pine Ridge , SD , United States
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28
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Davis NE, Gordon IR, Coulson G. The influence of evolutionary history and body size on partitioning of habitat resources by mammalian herbivores in south-eastern Australia. AUST J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/zo16075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Habitat use is the most common dimension along which sympatric species partition resources to reduce competition. We conducted faecal pellet counts at Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, to examine habitat use by an assemblage of mammalian herbivores with disparate evolutionary histories and varying body size: introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hog deer (Axis porcinus), and native eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) and common wombat (Vombatus ursinus). Overlap in habitat use was low between four pairs of species, suggesting spatial partitioning of resources to reduce the potential for interspecific competition. More generally, however, overlap in habitat use was high, particularly between native and introduced grazers. These results indicate the potential for competition if resources were limiting and suggest that assemblages of species with independent evolutionary histories have inherently less resource partitioning to facilitate coexistence than assemblages of species with common evolutionary histories. Despite evidence of high overlap in habitat use between native and introduced species at a broad scale, and variation in the competitive ability of species, coexistence was likely facilitated by niche complementarity, including temporal and fine-scale partitioning of spatial resources. There was no relationship between body size and the diversity of habitats used. In contemporary assemblages of native and introduced species, evolutionary history is likely to have a strong influence on resource partitioning.
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Cain JW, Avery MM, Caldwell CA, Abbott LB, Holechek JL. Diet composition, quality and overlap of sympatric American pronghorn and gemsbok. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James W. Cain
- J. W. Cain III and C. A. Caldwell , U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, New Mexico State Univ., PO Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Mindi M. Avery
- M. M. Avery, Dept of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Colleen A. Caldwell
- J. W. Cain III and C. A. Caldwell , U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, New Mexico State Univ., PO Box 30003, MSC 4901, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Laurie B. Abbott
- L. B. Abbott (posthumous) and J. L. Holechek, Dept of Animal and Range Science, New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Jerry L. Holechek
- L. B. Abbott (posthumous) and J. L. Holechek, Dept of Animal and Range Science, New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, USA
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Vilela AE, Agüero PR, Ravetta D, González-Paleo L. Long-term effect of carbohydrate reserves on growth and reproduction of Prosopis denudans (Fabaceae): implications for conservation of woody perennials. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 4:cov068. [PMID: 27293747 PMCID: PMC4758841 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cov068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Prosopis denudans, an extreme xerophyte shrub, is consumed by ungulates and threatened by firewood gathering, because it is one of the preferred species used by Mapuche indigenous people of Patagonia. In a scenario of uncontrolled use of vegetation, it is very difficult to develop a conservation plan that jointly protects natural resources and its users. We performed a field experiment to assess the impact of defoliation on growth, reproduction and stores of a wild population of P. denudans. We imposed four levels of defoliation (removal of 100, 66, 33 and 0% of leaves) and evaluated the short- and long-term (3 years) effects of this disturbance. Seasonal changes in shoot carbohydrates suggested that they support leaf-flush and blooming. Severely defoliated individuals also used root reserves to support growth and leaf-flush after clipping. Vegetative growth was not affected by defoliation history. Leaf mass area increased after the initial clipping, suggesting the development of structural defenses. The depletion of root reserves at the end of the first year affected inflorescence production the following spring. We conclude that P. denudans shrubs could lose up to one-third of their green tissues without affecting growth or inflorescence production. The removal of a higher proportion of leaves will diminish stores, which in turn, will reduce or completely prevent blooming and, therefore, fruit production the following seasons. Very few studies integrate conservation and plant physiology, and we are not aware, so far, of any work dealing with long-term plant carbon economy of a long-lived perennial shrub as an applied tool in conservation. These results might help the development of management strategies that consider both the use and the conservation of wild populations of P. denudans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra E. Vilela
- CONICET-Museo Egidio Feruglio, Fontana 140, Trelew, Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina
| | - Paola R. Agüero
- CONICET-Museo Egidio Feruglio, Fontana 140, Trelew, Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina
| | - Damián Ravetta
- CONICET-Museo Egidio Feruglio, Fontana 140, Trelew, Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina
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Garnick S, Di Stefano J, Elgar MA, Coulson G. Do body size, diet type or residence time explain habitat use in a vertebrate herbivore community? AUST J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/zo15061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Many theories attempt to explain patterns of community organisation among large herbivores. We explored the role of body size, diet type and residence time on habitat use in a community comprising four metatherians (western grey kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosus; eastern grey kangaroo, M. giganteus; red-necked wallaby, Notamacropus rufogriseus; swamp wallaby, Wallabia bicolor) and two eutherians (red deer, Cervus elaphus; European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus) in south-eastern Australia. We used camera traps to estimate habitat occupancy, quantified habitat specialisation using relative entropy, and ran regressions using percentage grass consumed, log(mass) and log(time at site) as predictor variables and relative entropy as the response. If body size influenced habitat use, we predicted smaller species would occupy fewer habitats. If diet type influenced habitat use, we predicted intermediate feeders would use more habitats. If the time that a species had been present at a site predicted community organisation, newer species would use more habitats. None of these theories explained habitat use in our community. Red deer used a narrower range of habitats than expected, perhaps due to the poor suitability of habitats available in the Grampians. While interactions between our hypotheses are likely to be important, the body size model deserves further attention in this community.
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Variation of morphological and chemical traits in sexes of the dioecious perennial grass Poa ligularis in relation to shrub cover and aridity in Patagonian ecosystems. POPUL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10144-015-0530-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Marino A, Rodríguez V, Pazos G. Resource-defense polygyny and self-limitation of population density in free-ranging guanacos. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arv207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Jung TS, Stotyn SA, Czetwertynski SM. Dietary overlap and potential competition in a dynamic ungulate community in Northwestern Canada. J Wildl Manage 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S. Jung
- Yukon Department of Environment; P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse; Y1A 2C6, Yukon Canada
| | - Shannon A. Stotyn
- Environment Canada; 91780 Alaska Highway; Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5X7 Canada
| | - Sophie M. Czetwertynski
- Department of Renewable Resources; University of Alberta; 751 General Services Building, Edmonton; Alberta, T6G 2H1 Canada
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Laguna M, Abramson G, Kuperman M, Lanata J, Monjeau J. Mathematical model of livestock and wildlife: Predation and competition under environmental disturbances. Ecol Modell 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Rivas LF, Novaro AJ, Funes MC, Walker RS. Rapid Assessment of Distribution of Wildlife and Human Activities for Prioritizing Conservation Actions in a Patagonian Landscape. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127265. [PMID: 26061066 PMCID: PMC4464884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Large landscapes encompassing reserves and areas with other human uses are necessary for conservation of many species. Generating information for conservation planning over such landscapes may be expensive and time-consuming, though resources for conservation are generally limited and conservation is often urgent. We developed a sign-based occupancy survey to help prioritize conservation interventions by simultaneously assessing the distribution of 3 species, the lesser rhea, guanaco, and mara, and their association with human activities in a 20,000-km2 landscape in the northern Patagonian steppe. We used a single-season occupancy model with spatial rather than temporal replication of surveys in order to reduce costs of multiple visits to sites. We used covariates related to detectability, environmental factors, and different human activities to identify the most plausible models of occupancy, and calculated importance weights of covariates from these models to evaluate relative impacts of human activities on each species. Abundance of goats had the strongest negative association with lesser rheas and guanacos, and road density with maras. With six months of fieldwork, our results provided initial hypotheses for adaptive conservation interventions for each species. Addressing high livestock densities for rheas and guanacos, poaching by urban hunters for all three species, and hunting by rural people for rheas are priorities for conservation in this landscape. Our methodology provided new insights into the responses of these species, although low detection probabilities for maras indicate that the sampling scheme should be altered for future monitoring of this species. This method may be adapted for any large landscape where a rapid, objective means for prioritizing conservation actions on multiple species is needed and data are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena F. Rivas
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
- Patagonian Steppe Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - Andrés J. Novaro
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
- Patagonian Steppe Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - Martín C. Funes
- Patagonian Steppe Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - R. Susan Walker
- Patagonian Steppe Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
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Kelt DA, Aliperti JR, Meserve PL, Milstead WB, Previtali MA, Gutiérrez JR. Energetic compensation is historically contingent and not supported for small mammals in South American or Asian deserts. Ecology 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/14-1569.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Barros A, Pickering C, Gudes O. Desktop analysis of potential impacts of visitor use: a case study for the highest park in the Southern Hemisphere. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 150:179-195. [PMID: 25500135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Nature-based tourism and recreation activities have a range of environmental impacts, but most protected area agencies have limited capacity to assess them. To prioritise where and what impacts to monitor and manage, we conducted a desktop assessment using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) by combining recreation ecology research with data on visitor usage and key environmental features for a popular protected area used for mountaineering and trekking, Aconcagua Provincial Park (2400-6962 m a.s.l.) in the Andes of Argentina. First, we integrated visitor data from permits with environmental data using GIS. We then identified key impact indicators for different activities based on the recreation ecology literature. Finally, we integrated this data to identify likely ecological impacts based on the types of activities, amount of use and altitudinal zones. Visitors only used 2% of the Park, but use was concentrated in areas of high conservation value including in alpine meadows and glacier lakes. Impacts on water resources were likely to be concentrated in campsites from the intermediate to the nival/glacial zones of the Park while impacts on terrestrial biodiversity were likely to be more severe in the low and intermediate alpine zones (2400-3800 m a.s.l.). These results highlight how visitor data can be used to identify priority areas for on-ground assessment of impacts in key locations. Improvements to the management of visitors in this Park involves more effective ways of dealing with water extraction and human waste in high altitude campsites and the impacts of hikers and pack animals in the low and intermediate alpine zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Barros
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia.
| | - Catherine Pickering
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Ori Gudes
- Department of Spatial Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia; Research Centre for Community Science, Population and Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, QLD 4131, Australia
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Travaini A, Zapata SC, Bustamante J, Pedrana J, Zanón JI, Rodríguez A. Guanaco abundance and monitoring in Southern Patagonia: distance sampling reveals substantially greater numbers than previously reported. Zool Stud 2015; 54:e23. [PMID: 31966110 DOI: 10.1186/s40555-014-0097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are thought to have declined in Patagonia mainly as a result of hunting and sheep ranching. Currently accepted estimates of total population size are extrapolated from densities obtained through strip transects in local studies. We used road surveys (8,141 km) and distance sampling to estimate guanaco density and population size over major environmental gradients of Santa Cruz, a large region in southern Patagonia. We also calculated the survey effort required to detect population trends in Santa Cruz. RESULTS We found considerable spatial variation in density (1.1 to 7.4 ind/km2), with a mean value of 4.8 ind/km2, which is more than twice the mean value guessed for central and northern Patagonia. Consequently, guanaco numbers in Santa Cruz were estimated at 1.1 million individuals (95% CI 0.7 to 1.6), which almost doubles current estimates of guanaco population size in South America. High guanaco abundance was found in arid lands, overgrazed and unable to support profitable sheep stocks. Detecting a 50% change in guanaco population size over a 10-year period requires substantial monitoring effort: the annual survey of between 40 and 80 30-km transects, which becomes up to 120 transects if trends are to be detected over 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Regional patterns in guanaco density can only be detected through large-scale surveys. Coupling these surveys with distance sampling techniques produce robust estimates of density and its variation. Figures so obtained improve currently available estimates of guanaco population size across its geographic range, which seem to be extrapolated from strip counts over small areas. In arid lands degraded by sheep overgrazing, sustainable use of guanaco populations would help harmonize guanaco conservation, socio-economic progress of rural areas, and eventually the restoration of shrub-steppes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Travaini
- Centro de Investigación de Puerto Deseado, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, CONICET, Avenida Prefectura Naval s/n, 9050 Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz, Argentina
| | - Sonia C Zapata
- Centro de Investigación de Puerto Deseado, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, Avenida Prefectura Naval s/n, 9050 Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz, Argentina
| | - Javier Bustamante
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Remote Sensing and GIS Lab (LAST-EBD), Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Julieta Pedrana
- Centro de Investigación de Puerto Deseado, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, CONICET, Avenida Prefectura Naval s/n, 9050 Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz, Argentina.,Recursos Naturales y Gestión Ambiental, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, EEA Balcarce, CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan I Zanón
- Centro de Investigación de Puerto Deseado, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral, Avenida Prefectura Naval s/n, 9050 Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz, Argentina.,Centro para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves Rapaces en Argentina, UNLPam, INCITAP, CONICET, Avda. Uruguay 151, 6300 Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Rodríguez
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
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Arzamendia Y, Vilá B. Vicugna habitat use and interactions with domestic ungulates in Jujuy, Northwest Argentina. MAMMALIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2013-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWorldwide vicugna numbers are slowly recovering after the implementation of conservation measures in several areas of the Andean Puna. Amongst some communities, vicugnas are sustainably managed through captures, shearing, and release schemes. In this study, we explored habitat use and interactions between vicugnas and domestic livestock in Jujuy, Northwest Argentina. We measured the habitat selectivity of vicugna by evaluating the relationship between the availability and its use of vegetation. We estimated the extent and overlap of habitat niche, as well as the foraging effort of vicugnas on the basis of their individual behaviour. Vicugnas and domestic livestock were highly selective in their use of land. They also had similar foraging preferences, grazing rather on the mixed steppe grasses and grasslands that offered greater grass cover. The distribution of vicugna in relation to domestic animals differed according to species and density. With mean density of llamas, vicugnas showed mixed herds but with any other livestock and greater densities, they were segregated. In mixed grazing, when vicugnas engaged with llamas, no behavioural interaction or competition was observed. The presence of herders with dogs was the main stress factor for vicugnas. Here we discuss the importance of a multi-specific management approach.
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Green K, Davis NE, Robinson WA. The diet of the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) above the winter snowline in the decade following a wildfire. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/am14037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The use of high elevations with deep snow cover presents a challenge to mammalian herbivores, which is exacerbated by subalpine vegetation dynamics such as slow regrowth following disturbance. We postulated that post-fire responses of common wombats (Vombatus ursinus) at high elevations would differ from those at low elevations. We examined the winter diet of common wombats in the Snowy Mountains in the decade after fire in burnt and unburnt areas and compared our results to published diet studies from low elevations. Optimal foraging theory predicts that as food resources become scarce herbivores respond by widening their choice of foods, yet we found that wombats have only marginally wider dietary breadth at higher than at lower elevations in terms of plant forms and diet breadth in terms of species was not greater. The use of shrubs and the tall herb Dianella tasmanica enables wombats to reduce the energetic costs of digging for food in snow. Able to survive fire in a burrow, the wombat is then capable of responding to reduced foraging opportunities following fire by broadening the range of species consumed and adopting foraging strategies that exploit temporally improved food quality, demonstrated by the greater proportion of grass consumed in burnt sites.
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Reus ML, Cappa FM, Andino N, Campos VE, de los Ríos C, Campos CM. Trophic interactions between the native guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and the exotic donkey (Equus asinus) in the hyper-arid Monte desert (Ischigualasto Park, Argentina). STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2014.948772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Effects of livestock on guanaco Lama guanicoe density, movements and habitat selection in a forest–grassland mosaic in Tierra del Fuego, Chile. ORYX 2014. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605312001238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractLocally abundant ungulates often come into conflict with human activities. After a population collapse that reached its nadir in the 1970s, the guanaco Lama guanicoe population in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, recovered and is now in conflict with sheep ranching and commercial logging. We studied the effects of livestock density and environmental factors on guanaco abundance and spatial ecology, using seasonal counts and radio-telemetry in a private protected area (Karukinka) and neighbouring ranches in a forest–grassland mosaic in Tierra del Fuego. Guanaco density was highest in low-elevation areas with more grassland cover and little snow accumulation in winter. In low-elevation areas, guanaco density decreased with increasing livestock density. Radio-tracked guanacos exhibited a partial migration pattern: two individuals migrated seasonally, selecting grasslands and avoiding forests mainly in summer, whereas six sedentary individuals used habitats according to their availability. Migratory guanacos spent the summer in Karukinka and winter on nearby ranches. High sheep densities and poor range condition on the ranches reduce key forage resources available to guanacos and may promote use of forests by guanacos, affecting forest regeneration and increasing conflict with logging. Current guanaco harvest by loggers may fail to reduce the impact of guanacos on logged-forest regeneration if guanaco spatial ecology and sheep management are not considered. Our results provide insight into the interactions among guanacos, forests and livestock ranching, and may be used to reduce conflicts and guide conservation in the Fuegian ecosystem.
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Guanaco Lama guanicoe numbers plummet in an area subject to poaching from oil-exploration trails in Patagonia. ORYX 2014. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605312001226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractWe report changes in guanaco Lama guanicoe density, recruitment, and social structure associated with increased access of poachers along an extensive network of hydrocarbon-exploration roads in northern Patagonia, and conservation measures taken in response. Mean guanaco densities declined 93–96% and mean group size declined from 9.8 to 5.0 guanacos per group at three sites surveyed during 1982–1983 and 2002–2007, whereas yearling proportions did not change significantly. Additional surveys during 2002–2007 suggest population declines and fragmentation have occurred over a wide area of intense hydrocarbon exploration and extraction. Guanaco densities in 2002–2007 showed a strong negative association with the density of access points along hydrocarbon-exploration roads and, to a lesser degree, with livestock densities. The increase in poaching in recent decades, resulting from increased access and an urban population that has appropriate vehicles, has probably been the main cause of the decline of the guanaco population, although overgrazing by livestock and decreased plant productivity may also be contributing factors. Closing of exploration roads with levees and ditches in 2006 and 2010 by a hydrocarbon company, under supervision by the local government and scientists, restricted access by unauthorized vehicles to a 220,000-ha area, including two of the sites where guanaco numbers collapsed. This action, in combination with increased ranger patrols, may allow guanaco recovery in the coming years.
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Rodríguez MV, Bertiller MB. Temporal asynchrony in fine-root biomass may contribute to shrub and grass coexistence in mixed patches. AUSTRAL ECOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mónica Beatriz Bertiller
- Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET); Boulevard Brown 2825 9120 Puerto Madryn Chubut Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco; Puerto Madryn Chubut Argentina
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Schroeder NM, Ovejero R, Moreno PG, Gregorio P, Taraborelli P, Matteucci SD, Carmanchahi PD. Including species interactions in resource selection of guanacos and livestock in Northern Patagonia. J Zool (1987) 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. M. Schroeder
- CONICET; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA); Mendoza Argentina
- CONICET; GIEFAS-INIBIOMA-AUSMA-UNCo; San Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | - R. Ovejero
- CONICET; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA); Mendoza Argentina
- CONICET; GIEFAS-INIBIOMA-AUSMA-UNCo; San Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | - P. G. Moreno
- CONICET; GIEFAS-INIBIOMA-AUSMA-UNCo; San Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
- CONICET; ICiVet-Litoral, LEcEn, FCV-UNL; Santa Fe Argentina
| | - P. Gregorio
- CONICET; GIEFAS-INIBIOMA-AUSMA-UNCo; San Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | - P. Taraborelli
- CONICET; Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA); Mendoza Argentina
- CONICET; GIEFAS-INIBIOMA-AUSMA-UNCo; San Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
| | | | - P. D. Carmanchahi
- CONICET; GIEFAS-INIBIOMA-AUSMA-UNCo; San Martín de los Andes Neuquén Argentina
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Bär Lamas M, Larreguy C, Carrera A, Bertiller M. Changes in plant cover and functional traits induced by grazing in the arid Patagonian Monte. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Habitat use and preference by guanacos, vicuñas, and livestock in an altitudinal gradient in northwest Argentina. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-013-0748-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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49
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Good intentions gone wrong: did conservation management threaten Endangered huemul deer Hippocamelus bisulcus in the future Patagonia National Park? ORYX 2013. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605312000531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractConservation interventions increasingly involve active management of relative species abundances, especially when taxa of conservation concern are threatened by complex food web interactions. Unfortunately, the complexity of such interspecific interactions means that well-meaning management interventions can have unexpected, sometimes detrimental, effects on the species they are intended to protect. Here we report that the abrupt removal of an abundant non-native prey species (domestic sheep) and the cessation of predator control, actions intended to protect huemul deer Hippocamelus bisulcus in the future Patagonia National Park, appear to have had negative effects on this Endangered ungulate. During and following the changes in predator–prey management, predation of huemul fawns and females older than 1 year by native culpeo foxes Lycalopex culpaeus and pumas Puma concolor increased 3- and 5-fold, respectively. Predictions from demographic models suggest that elevated mortality rates of female huemul older than 1 year will, on average, cause this population of huemul to decline. These results highlight risks of unintended consequences when aggressive management actions are taken to protect taxa embedded in complex food webs. They also suggest that careful consideration of both inter- and intra-trophic level effects among all species in a system is warranted before conservation interventions are undertaken.
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Iranzo EC, Traba J, Acebes P, González BA, Mata C, Estades CF, Malo JE. Niche segregation between wild and domestic herbivores in Chilean Patagonia. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59326. [PMID: 23555656 PMCID: PMC3605456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Competition arises when two co-occuring species share a limiting resource. Potential for competition is higher when species have coexisted for a short time, as it is the case for herbivores and livestock introduced in natural systems. Sheep, introduced in the late 19th century in Patagonia, bear a great resemblance in size and diet to the guanaco, the main native herbivore in Patagonia. In such circumstances, it could be expected that the two species compete and one of them could be displaced. We investigated spatial overlap and habitat selection by coexisting sheep and guanaco in winter and in summer. Additionally, we studied habitat selection of the guanaco in a control situation free from sheep, both in summer and winter. We also determined overlap between species in areas with different intensity of use (named preferred and marginal areas) in order to further detect the potential level of competition in the case of overlapping. Guanaco and sheep showed significantly different habitat preferences through all seasons, in spite of their spatial overlap at landscape scale. Additionally, the habitat used by guanaco was similar regardless of the presence or absence of livestock, which further indicates that sheep is not displacing guanaco where they coexist. These results suggest that habitat segregation between guanaco and sheep is due to a differential habitat selection and not to a competitive displacement process. Therefore, the potential for competition is considered low, contrary to what has been previously observed, although this could be a density-dependent result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza C Iranzo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group-TEG, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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