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Barrientos R, Vickers W, Longcore T, Abelson ES, Dellinger J, Waetjen DP, Fandos G, Shilling FM. Nearby night lighting, rather than sky glow, is associated with habitat selection by a top predator in human-dominated landscapes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220370. [PMID: 37899023 PMCID: PMC10613539 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasing in extent and intensity across the globe. It has been shown to interfere with animal sensory systems, orientation and distribution, with the potential to cause significant ecological impacts. We analysed the locations of 102 mountain lions (Puma concolor) in a light-polluted region in California. We modelled their distribution relative to environmental and human-disturbance variables, including upward radiance (nearby lights), zenith brightness (sky glow) and natural illumination from moonlight. We found that mountain lion probability of presence was highly related to upward radiance, that is, related to lights within approximately 500 m. Despite a general pattern of avoidance of locations with high upward radiance, there were large differences in degree of avoidance among individuals. The amount of light from artificial sky glow was not influential when included together with upward radiance in the models, and illumination from moonlight was not influential at all. Our results suggest that changes in visibility associated with lunar cycles and sky glow are less important for mountain lions in their selection of light landscapes than avoiding potential interactions with humans represented by the presence of nearby lights on the ground. This article is part of the theme issue 'Light pollution in complex ecological systems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Barrientos
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, José Antonio Novais 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Winston Vickers
- Wildlife Health Center, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Travis Longcore
- Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Eric S. Abelson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
| | - Justin Dellinger
- Large Carnivore Section, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 260 Buena Vista Dr., Lander, WY 82520, USA
| | - David P. Waetjen
- Road Ecology Center, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Guillermo Fandos
- Department of Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, José Antonio Novais 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fraser M. Shilling
- Road Ecology Center, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Prude CH, Cain JW. Habitat diversity influences puma Puma concolor diet in the Chihuahuan Desert. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charles H. Prude
- C. H. Prude, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Dept of Fish Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM, USA and Turner Biodiversity, Turner Enterprises Inc., Engle, NM, USA
| | - James W. Cain
- J. W. Cain III (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4743516X) ✉ , U.S. Geological Survey, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Dept of Fish Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM, USA
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3
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Lehman CP, Rominger EM, Neiles BY. Mountain goat survival and mortality during a period of increased puma abundance in the Black Hills, South Dakota. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9143. [PMID: 32523807 PMCID: PMC7263294 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated survival and cause-specific mortality for a mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) population during a period when the puma (Puma concolor) population was growing in the Black Hills, South Dakota, 2006–2018. We obtained survival data from 47 adult goats (n = 33 females, n = 14 males). Annual survival varied from 0.538 (95% CI [0.285–0.773]) to 1.00 (95% CI [1.00–1.00]) and puma predation was the primary cause-specific mortality factor over a 12-year period. Cumulative hectares of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) disturbance was a covariate of importance (wi = 0.972; β = 0.580, 95% CI [0.302–0.859]) influencing survival. To our knowledge, this is the first account of puma being the primary mortality factor of mountain goats over a long-term study. The Black Hills system is unique because we could examine the expanded realized niche of puma in the absence of other large carnivores and their influence on mountain goats. We hypothesize that puma were being sustained at higher densities due to alternate prey sources (e.g., white-tailed deer; Odocoileous virginianus) and this small population of mountain goats was susceptible to predation by one or several specialized puma in the Black Hills. However, we also hypothesize a changing landscape with increased tree mortality due to insect infestation provided conditions for better predator detection by goats and increased survival. Alternatively, open canopy conditions may have increased understory forage production potentially increasing mountain goat survival but we did not evaluate this relationship. Survival and mortality rates of mountain goats should continue to be monitored as this small population may be highly susceptible to population declines due to slow growth rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chadwick P Lehman
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, Custer, SD, United States of America
| | - Eric M Rominger
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe, NM, United States of America
| | - Brady Y Neiles
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, Custer, SD, United States of America
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Dellinger JA, Cristescu B, Ewanyk J, Gammons DJ, Garcelon D, Johnston P, Martins Q, Thompson C, Vickers TW, Wilmers CC, Wittmer HU, Torres SG. Using Mountain Lion Habitat Selection in Management. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin A. Dellinger
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1701 Nimbus Rd., Suite D Rancho Cordova CA 95670 USA
| | - Bogdan Cristescu
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department University of California 1156 High St. Santa Cruz CA 95064 USA
| | - Jonathan Ewanyk
- Institute for Wildlife Studies PO Box 1104 Arcata CA 95518 USA
| | - Daniel J. Gammons
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 787 N Main St., Suite 220 Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - David Garcelon
- Institute for Wildlife Studies PO Box 1104 Arcata CA 95518 USA
| | | | | | - Craig Thompson
- United States Forest Service, Northern Region 26 Fort Missoula Rd. Missoula MT 59804 USA
| | - T. Winston Vickers
- Wildlife Health Center University of California 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr. Davis CA 95616 USA
| | - Christopher C. Wilmers
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department University of California 1156 High St. Santa Cruz CA 95064 USA
| | - Heiko U. Wittmer
- School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600 Wellington 6140 NZ
| | - Steven G. Torres
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife 1701 Nimbus Rd., Suite D Rancho Cordova CA 95670 USA
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Esparza-Carlos JP, Íñiguez-Dávalos LI, Laundré J. Microhabitat and presence of top predators affect prey apprehension in a subtropical mountain forest. J Mammal 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Esparza-Carlos
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Independencia Nacional, Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, México
| | - Luis Ignacio Íñiguez-Dávalos
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, Independencia Nacional, Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, México
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Lehman CP, Rota CT, Raithel JD, Millspaugh JJ. Pumas affect elk dynamics in absence of other large carnivores. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chadwick P. Lehman
- South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks; 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer SD 57730 USA
| | - Christopher T. Rota
- West Virginia University; School of Natural Resources; Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Program; PO Box 6125 Morgantown WV 26506-6125 USA
| | - Jarod D. Raithel
- Utah State University; Department of Wildland Resources; 5200 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Joshua J. Millspaugh
- University of Montana; Wildlife Biology Program; Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences; 32 Campus Drive Missoula MT 59812 USA
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