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van den Bosch M, Kellner KF, Mkasanga I, Mwampeta SB, Fyumagwa R, Gantchoff MG, Patterson BR, Belant JL. Spatial and temporal niche overlap of aardwolves and aardvarks in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10718. [PMID: 38020690 PMCID: PMC10630155 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Species interactions can influence species distributions, but mechanisms mitigating competition or facilitating positive interactions between ecologically similar species are often poorly understood. Aardwolves (Proteles cristata) and aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) are nocturnal, insectivorous mammals that co-occur in eastern and southern Africa, and knowledge of these species is largely limited to their nutritional biology. We used aardwolf and aardvark detections from 105 remote cameras during 2016-2018 to assess their spatial and temporal niche overlap in the grasslands of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Using a multispecies occupancy model, we identified a positive interaction between occupancy probabilities for aardwolves and aardvarks. Slope, proportion of grassland and termite mound density did not affect the occupancy probabilities of either species. The probability of aardwolf, but not aardvark, occupancy increased with distance to permanent water sources, which may relate to predation risk avoidance. Diel activity overlap between aardwolves and aardvarks was high during wet and dry seasons, with both species being largely nocturnal. Aardwolves and aardvarks have an important ecological role as termite consumers, and aardvarks are suggested to be ecosystem engineers. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the spatial and temporal niche of insectivores like aardwolves and aardvarks, suggesting high spatial and temporal niche overlap in which commensalism occurs, whereby aardwolves benefit from aardvark presence through increased food accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merijn van den Bosch
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Kenneth F. Kellner
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Imani Mkasanga
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Stanslaus B. Mwampeta
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | | | | | - Brent R. Patterson
- Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcesTrent UniversityPeterboroughOntarioCanada
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
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Paterson JT, Johnston AN, Ortega AC, Wallace C, Kauffman M. Hidden Markov movement models reveal diverse seasonal movement patterns in two North American ungulates. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10282. [PMID: 37484933 PMCID: PMC10361361 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal movement is the mechanism connecting landscapes to fitness, and understanding variation in seasonal animal movements has benefited from the analysis and categorization of animal displacement. However, seasonal movement patterns can defy classification when movements are highly variable. Hidden Markov movement models (HMMs) are a class of latent-state models well-suited to modeling movement data. Here, we used HMMs to assess seasonal patterns of variation in the movement of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), a species known for variable seasonal movements that challenge analytical approaches, while using a population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), for whom seasonal movements are well-documented, as a comparison. We used population-level HMMs in a Bayesian framework to estimate a seasonal trend in the daily probability of transitioning between a short-distance local movement state and a long-distance movement state. The estimated seasonal patterns of movements in mule deer closely aligned with prior work based on indices of animal displacement: a short period of long-distance movements in the fall season and again in the spring, consistent with migrations to and from seasonal ranges. We found seasonal movement patterns for pronghorn were more variable, as a period of long-distance movements in the fall was followed by a winter period in which pronghorn were much more likely to further initiate and remain in a long-distance movement pattern compared with the movement patterns of mule deer. Overall, pronghorn were simply more likely to be in a long-distance movement pattern throughout the year. Hidden Markov movement models provide inference on seasonal movements similar to other methods, while providing a robust framework to understand movement patterns on shorter timescales and for more challenging movement patterns. Hidden Markov movement models can allow a rigorous assessment of the drivers of changes in movement patterns such as extreme weather events and land development, important for management and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron N. Johnston
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Rocky Mountain Science CenterBozemanMontanaUSA
| | - Anna C. Ortega
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Cody Wallace
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Matthew Kauffman
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
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Huggler KS, Hayes MM, Burke PW, Zornes M, Thompson DJ, Lionberger P, Valdez M, Monteith KL. Coursing the mottled mosaic: Generalist predators track pulses in availability of neonatal ungulates. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10378. [PMID: 37502310 PMCID: PMC10369373 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The density and distribution of resources shape animal movement and behavior and have direct implications for population dynamics. Resource availability often is "pulsed" in space and time, and individuals should cue in on resource pulses when the energetic gain of doing so exceeds that of stable resources. Birth pulses of prey represent a profitable but ephemeral resource and should thereby result in shifting functional responses by predators. We evaluated movements and resource selection of coyotes (Canis latrans) across a gradient of reproductive stages ranging from late gestation to peak lactation of female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in southwest Wyoming, USA, to test whether coyotes exhibited shifts in selection and movement behavior relative to the availability and vulnerability of neonatal mule deer. We expected coyotes to track pulses in availability of neonatal mule deer, and such behavior would be represented by shifts in resource selection and search behavior of coyotes that would be strongest during peak parturition of mule deer. Coyotes selected areas of high relative probability of use by female mule deer and did so most strongly during peak parturition. Furthermore, searching behavior of coyotes intensified during pulses of availability of deer neonates. Our findings support the notion that coyotes exploit pulses of neonatal deer, presumably as an attempt to capitalize on a vulnerable, energy-rich resource. Our work quantifies the behavioral mechanisms by which coyotes consume ungulate neonates and provides one of the first examples of a mammalian predator-prey system centered on a pulsed resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katey S. Huggler
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesWyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Matthew M. Hayes
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesWyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Patrick W. Burke
- Wyoming Game and Fish DepartmentGreen River RegionGreen RiverWyomingUSA
| | - Mark Zornes
- Wyoming Game and Fish DepartmentGreen River RegionGreen RiverWyomingUSA
| | | | - Patrick Lionberger
- Bureau of Land ManagementRock Springs Field OfficeRock SpringsWyomingUSA
| | - Miguel Valdez
- Bureau of Land ManagementRock Springs Field OfficeRock SpringsWyomingUSA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesWyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
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Huggler KS, Holbrook JD, Hayes MM, Burke PW, Zornes M, Thompson DJ, Clapp JG, Lionberger P, Valdez M, Monteith KL. Risky business: How an herbivore navigates spatiotemporal aspects of risk from competitors and predators. Ecol Appl 2022; 32:e2648. [PMID: 35535971 PMCID: PMC9787716 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding factors that influence animal behavior is central to ecology. Basic principles of animal ecology imply that individuals should seek to maximize survival and reproduction, which means carefully weighing risk against reward. Decisions become increasingly complex and constrained, however, when risk is spatiotemporally variable. We advance a growing body of work in predator-prey behavior by evaluating novel questions where a prey species is confronted with multiple predators and a potential competitor. We tested how fine-scale behavior of female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) during the reproductive season shifted depending upon spatial and temporal variation in risk from predators and a potential competitor. We expected female deer to avoid areas of high risk when movement activity of predators and a competitor were high. We used GPS data collected from 76 adult female mule deer, 35 adult female elk, 33 adult coyotes, and six adult mountain lions. Counter to our expectations, female deer exhibited selection for multiple risk factors, however, selection for risk was dampened by the exposure to risk within home ranges of female deer, producing a functional response in habitat selection. Furthermore, temporal variation in movement activity of predators and elk across the diel cycle did not result in a shift in movement activity by female deer. Instead, the average level of risk within their home range was the predominant factor modulating the response to risk by female deer. Our results counter prevailing hypotheses of how large herbivores navigate risky landscapes and emphasize the importance of accounting for the local environment when identifying effects of risk on animal behavior. Moreover, our findings highlight additional behavioral mechanisms used by large herbivores to mitigate multiple sources of predation and potential competitive interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katey S. Huggler
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Joseph D. Holbrook
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Matthew M. Hayes
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Patrick W. Burke
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Green River RegionGreen RiverWyomingUSA
| | - Mark Zornes
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Green River RegionGreen RiverWyomingUSA
| | - Daniel J. Thompson
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Large Carnivore SectionLanderWyomingUSA
| | - Justin G. Clapp
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Large Carnivore SectionLanderWyomingUSA
| | - Patrick Lionberger
- Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs Field OfficeRock SpringsWyomingUSA
| | - Miguel Valdez
- Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs Field OfficeRock SpringsWyomingUSA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
- Haub School of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
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Broekman MJE, Hilbers JP, Huijbregts MAJ, Mueller T, Ali AH, Andrén H, Altmann J, Aronsson M, Attias N, Bartlam‐Brooks HLA, van Beest FM, Belant JL, Beyer DE, Bidner L, Blaum N, Boone RB, Boyce MS, Brown MB, Cagnacci F, Černe R, Chamaillé‐Jammes S, Dejid N, Dekker J, L. J. Desbiez A, Díaz‐Muñoz SL, Fennessy J, Fichtel C, Fischer C, Fisher JT, Fischhoff I, Ford AT, Fryxell JM, Gehr B, Goheen JR, Hauptfleisch M, Hewison AJM, Hering R, Heurich M, Isbell LA, Janssen R, Jeltsch F, Kaczensky P, Kappeler PM, Krofel M, LaPoint S, Latham ADM, Linnell JDC, Markham AC, Mattisson J, Medici EP, de Miranda Mourão G, Van Moorter B, Morato RG, Morellet N, Mysterud A, Mwiu S, Odden J, Olson KA, Ornicāns A, Pagon N, Panzacchi M, Persson J, Petroelje T, Rolandsen CM, Roshier D, Rubenstein DI, Saïd S, Salemgareyev AR, Sawyer H, Schmidt NM, Selva N, Sergiel A, Stabach J, Stacy‐Dawes J, Stewart FEC, Stiegler J, Strand O, Sundaresan S, Svoboda NJ, Ullmann W, Voigt U, Wall J, Wikelski M, Wilmers CC, Zięba F, Zwijacz‐Kozica T, Schipper AM, Tucker MA. Evaluating expert-based habitat suitability information of terrestrial mammals with GPS-tracking data. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 2022; 31:1526-1541. [PMID: 36247232 PMCID: PMC9544534 DOI: 10.1111/geb.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
AIM Macroecological studies that require habitat suitability data for many species often derive this information from expert opinion. However, expert-based information is inherently subjective and thus prone to errors. The increasing availability of GPS tracking data offers opportunities to evaluate and supplement expert-based information with detailed empirical evidence. Here, we compared expert-based habitat suitability information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with habitat suitability information derived from GPS-tracking data of 1,498 individuals from 49 mammal species. LOCATION Worldwide. TIME PERIOD 1998-2021. MAJOR TAXA STUDIED Forty-nine terrestrial mammal species. METHODS Using GPS data, we estimated two measures of habitat suitability for each individual animal: proportional habitat use (proportion of GPS locations within a habitat type), and selection ratio (habitat use relative to its availability). For each individual we then evaluated whether the GPS-based habitat suitability measures were in agreement with the IUCN data. To that end, we calculated the probability that the ranking of empirical habitat suitability measures was in agreement with IUCN's classification into suitable, marginal and unsuitable habitat types. RESULTS IUCN habitat suitability data were in accordance with the GPS data (> 95% probability of agreement) for 33 out of 49 species based on proportional habitat use estimates and for 25 out of 49 species based on selection ratios. In addition, 37 and 34 species had a > 50% probability of agreement based on proportional habitat use and selection ratios, respectively. MAIN CONCLUSIONS We show how GPS-tracking data can be used to evaluate IUCN habitat suitability data. Our findings indicate that for the majority of species included in this study, it is appropriate to use IUCN habitat suitability data in macroecological studies. Furthermore, we show that GPS-tracking data can be used to identify and prioritize species and habitat types for re-evaluation of IUCN habitat suitability data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J. E. Broekman
- Department of Environmental ScienceInstitute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Jelle P. Hilbers
- Department of Environmental ScienceInstitute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Mark A. J. Huijbregts
- Department of Environmental ScienceInstitute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für NaturforschungFrankfurt (Main)Germany
- Department of Biological SciencesGoethe UniversityFrankfurt (Main)Germany
| | | | - Henrik Andrén
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
| | - Jeanne Altmann
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Malin Aronsson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
- Department of ZoologyStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Nina Attias
- Ecology and Conservation Graduate ProgramFederal University of Mato Grosso do SulCampo GrandeMato Grosso do SulBrazil
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS)Campo GrandeMato Grosso do SulBrazil
| | | | | | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterState University of New York College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | - Dean E. Beyer
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Laura Bidner
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Niels Blaum
- Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Randall B. Boone
- Department of Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Michael B. Brown
- Giraffe Conservation FoundationErosNamibia
- Conservation Ecology CenterSmithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology InstituteFront RoyalVirginiaUSA
| | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular EcologyResearch and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund MachTrentoItaly
| | - Rok Černe
- Slovenia Forest ServiceLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Simon Chamaillé‐Jammes
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3MontpellierFrance
| | - Nandintsetseg Dejid
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für NaturforschungFrankfurt (Main)Germany
| | | | - Arnaud L. J. Desbiez
- Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS)Campo GrandeMato Grosso do SulBrazil
- IPÊ (Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; Institute for Ecological Research)São PauloBrazil
- Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)EdinburghUK
| | - Samuel L. Díaz‐Muñoz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Claudia Fichtel
- German Primate Center, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology UnitGöttingenGermany
| | - Christina Fischer
- Faunistics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology, and Landscape DevelopmentAnhalt University of Applied SciencesBernburgGermany
| | - Jason T. Fisher
- School of Environmental StudiesUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | | | - Adam T. Ford
- Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of British ColumbiaKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - John M. Fryxell
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - Benedikt Gehr
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental StudiesUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jacob R. Goheen
- Department of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Morgan Hauptfleisch
- Department of Agriculture And Natural Resources Sciences, Biodiversity Research CentreNamibia University of Science and TechnologyWindhoekNamibia
| | - A. J. Mark Hewison
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, CEFSCastanet‐TolosanFrance
- LTSER ZA Pyrénées GaronneAuzeville‐TolosaneFrance
| | - Robert Hering
- Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of Conservation and ResearchBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and ManagementAlbert Ludwigs University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife ManagementInland Norway University of Applied SciencesKoppangNorway
| | - Lynne A. Isbell
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
- Animal Behavior Graduate GroupUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Florian Jeltsch
- Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Petra Kaczensky
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife ManagementInland Norway University of Applied SciencesKoppangNorway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
- Research Institute of Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Peter M. Kappeler
- German Primate Center, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology UnitGöttingenGermany
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Biotechnical FacultyUniversity of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Scott LaPoint
- Black Rock ForestCornwallNew YorkUSA
- Lamont‐Doherty Earth ObservatoryColumbia UniversityPalisadesNew YorkUSA
| | - A. David M. Latham
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- Wildlife Ecology and ManagementManaaki Whenua – Landcare ResearchLincolnNew Zealand
| | - John D. C. Linnell
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife ManagementInland Norway University of Applied SciencesKoppangNorway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
| | | | | | - Emilia Patricia Medici
- IPÊ (Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; Institute for Ecological Research)São PauloBrazil
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)Campo GrandeMato Grosso do SulBrazil
| | | | | | - Ronaldo G. Morato
- National Research Center for Carnivores ConservationChico Mendes Institute for the Conservation of BiodiversityAtibaiaBrazil
| | - Nicolas Morellet
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, CEFSCastanet‐TolosanFrance
- LTSER ZA Pyrénées GaronneAuzeville‐TolosaneFrance
| | - Atle Mysterud
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of BiosciencesUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Stephen Mwiu
- Wildlife Research and Training InstituteNaivashaKenya
| | - John Odden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchOsloNorway
| | - Kirk A. Olson
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Mongolia ProgramUlaanbaatarMongolia
| | - Aivars Ornicāns
- Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”SalaspilsLatvia
| | | | | | - Jens Persson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesRiddarhyttanSweden
| | - Tyler Petroelje
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterState University of New York College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | | | - David Roshier
- Australian Wildlife ConservancySubiacoWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Daniel I. Rubenstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Sonia Saïd
- Direction de la Recherche et de l'Appui ScientifiqueOffice Français de la BiodiversitéBirieuxFrance
| | - Albert R. Salemgareyev
- Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK)Nur‐SultanKazakhstan
| | - Hall Sawyer
- Western Ecosystems Technology Inc.LaramieWyomingUSA
| | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Department of BioscienceAarhus UniversityRoskildeDenmark
- Arctic Research CentreAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of SciencesKrakowPoland
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of SciencesKrakowPoland
| | - Jared Stabach
- Conservation Ecology CenterSmithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology InstituteFront RoyalVirginiaUSA
| | - Jenna Stacy‐Dawes
- Conservation Science and Wildlife HealthSan Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceEscondidoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Frances E. C. Stewart
- School of Environmental StudiesUniversity of VictoriaVictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Department of BiologyWilfrid Laurier UniversityWaterlooOntarioCanada
| | - Jonas Stiegler
- Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Olav Strand
- Norwegian Institute for Nature ResearchTrondheimNorway
| | | | - Nathan J. Svoboda
- Carnivore Ecology Laboratory, Forest and Wildlife Research CenterMississippi State UniversityMississippi StateMississippiUSA
- Alaska Department of Fish and GameKodiakAlaskaUSA
| | - Wiebke Ullmann
- Plant Ecology and Nature ConservationUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Ulrich Voigt
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife ResearchUniversity of Veterinary Medicine Hannover FoundationHannoverGermany
| | | | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of MigrationMax Planck Institute of Animal BehaviorRadolfzellGermany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective BehaviourUniversity of KonstanzConstanceGermany
| | - Christopher C. Wilmers
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies DepartmentUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | - Aafke M. Schipper
- Department of Environmental ScienceInstitute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
- PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment AgencyThe HagueThe Netherlands
| | - Marlee A. Tucker
- Department of Environmental ScienceInstitute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
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6
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Fowler NL, Petroelje TR, Kautz TM, Svoboda NJ, Duquette JF, Kellner KF, Beyer DE, Belant JL. Variable effects of wolves on niche breadth and density of intraguild competitors. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8542. [PMID: 35154647 PMCID: PMC8829107 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The parallel niche release hypothesis (PNR) indicates that reduced competition with dominant competitors results in greater density and niche breadth of subordinate competitors and which may support an adaptive advantage.We assessed support for the PNR by evaluating relationships between variation in niche breadth and intra- and interspecific density (an index of competition) of wolves (Canis lupus) coyotes (C. latrans), and bobcats (Lynx rufus).We estimated population density (wolf track surveys, coyote howl surveys, and bobcat hair snare surveys) and variability in space use (50% core autocorrelated kernel density home range estimators), temporal activity (hourly and overnight speed), and dietary (isotopic δ13C and δ15N) niche breadth of each species across three areas of varying wolf density in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, 2010-2019.Densities of wolves and coyotes were inversely related, and increased variability in space use, temporal activity, and dietary niche breadth of coyotes was associated with increased coyote density and decreased wolf density supporting the PNR. Variability in space use and temporal activity of wolves and dietary niche breadth of bobcats also increased with increased intraspecific density supporting the PNR.Through demonstrating decreased competition between wolves and coyotes and increased coyote niche breadth and density, our study provides multidimensional support for the PNR. Knowledge of the relationship between niche breadth and population density can inform our understanding of the role of competition in shaping the realized niche of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas L. Fowler
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, KodiakKodiakAlaskaUSA
| | - Tyler R. Petroelje
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | - Todd M. Kautz
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Jared F. Duquette
- Division of Wildlife ResourcesIllinois Department of Natural ResourcesChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Kenneth F. Kellner
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
| | - Dean E. Beyer
- Wildlife DivisionMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesMarquetteMichiganUSA
| | - Jerrold L. Belant
- Global Wildlife Conservation CenterCollege of Environmental Science and ForestryState University of New YorkSyracuseNew YorkUSA
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