Coexistence of predators in time: Effects of season and prey availability on species activity within a Mediterranean carnivore guild

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(20), P. 11408 - 11422

Published: Sept. 12, 2020

Abstract The degree of coexistence among predators can determine the structure ecological communities. Niche partitioning is a common strategy applied by species to enhance their coexistence. Diet, habitat, or time use be responsible for segregation carnivore species, latter factor being least studied in Mediterranean ecosystems. Terrestrial medium‐sized carnivores (i.e., mesocarnivores) carry out important functions ecosystems, and identifying interactions essential conservation. In this study, we explore activity terrestrial mesocarnivore guild order seasonal differences daily patterns competitors prey. We also investigate how abundance prey region, small mammals, influences predators. During year, camera trap devices ( n = 18) were installed Montseny Natural Park (Catalan Pre‐Coastal Range, North‐East Iberian Peninsula), region that hosts five species. Camera trapping detections used estimate corresponding overlaps. surveyed mammal plots 5) calculate test its effect on relative each Despite all target mesocarnivores are mainly nocturnal, overlap them varies according particularities season. Red fox Vulpes vulpes ) appears as generalist terms use, whereas stone marten Martes foina genet Genetta genetta show most similar both seem positively influenced abundance. Overall, diversity found way could facilitate pattern similarities should not directly translated negative interactions, they have strong influence habitat resource‐limited Therefore, overlaps taken into account when discussing wildlife management actions.

Language: Английский

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Habitat Suitability for Small Mammals in Mediterranean Landscapes: How and Why Shrubs Matter

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 1562 - 1562

Published: Jan. 28, 2022

Fires are usually seen as a threat for biodiversity conservation in the Mediterranean, but natural afforestation after abandonment of traditional land uses is leading to disappearance open spaces that benefit many species interest. create habitats which small mammals can live under more favourable conditions, such lower predation, interspecific competition, and higher food availability. We analysed role changes shrub cover preference by along Mediterranean post-fire succession. used data (period 2008–2018) from 17 plots woodlands shrublands present study area (Barcelona’s Natural Parks, Catalonia, NE Spain), vegetation structure was assessed LiDAR technology modelling ground-dwelling mammal preferences. The diversity, abundance, stability communities negatively responded structural complexity, resulted combined effects recovery wildfires. suggest biotic factors profiles (providing shelter) their interaction with predators competitors could be responsible observed patterns. Considering keystone sustainability forest, our results useful management current global change conditions.

Language: Английский

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Top-down and bottom-up effects modulate species co-existence in a context of top predator restoration

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: March 13, 2023

Abstract Mesopredators abundance is often limited by top-order predators and also key food resources. However, the contribution of these bidirectional forces to structure carnivore community still unclear. Here, we studied how presence absence an apex predator which currently recovering its former distribution range, Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus ), determined absolute fine-scale spatiotemporal avoidance mechanisms two sympatric mesocarnivores (stone marten Martes foina common genet Genetta genetta ) with different dietary plasticity. We hypothesized that causes a mesopredator suppression subordinate develop segregation strategies in respect their trophic niche breadth. placed 120 camera-traps Southern Spain for 8 months consecutive years estimate mesocarnivore abundances using SCR Bayesian models, prey availability assess spatio-temporal patterns. found reduced up 10 times. Stone marten, broad resources spectrum, showed total spatial exclusion predator. Meanwhile, allowed persist low density inside territories, probably taking advantage high preferred prey. Thus, strength top-down bottom-up effects was rather species-specific. Given recent recovery large populations worldwide, variation levels on species could modify ecosystem functions provided contrasting ways.

Language: Английский

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An integrated assessment of niche partitioning reveals mechanisms of coexistence between mesocarnivores

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 54, P. e03116 - e03116

Published: July 29, 2024

Species diversity depends on the capacity of species to coexist, and when these share similar ecological requirements some degree partitioning niche is expected. Within order Carnivora, direct indirect interspecific interactions shape community structure composition. Although strong negative (e.g., killing) are expected between large carnivores subordinate species, mesocarnivores that dominate most human disturbed landscapes can still strongly compete for resources given their body size energy requirements. To identify mechanisms coexistence mesocarnivore in a Mediterranean landscape we assessed overlap five (Vulpes vulpes, Meles meles, Martes foina, Herpestes ichneumon, Genetta genetta), by simultaneously measuring space, time, trophic resource use. The multi-species occupancy model fit camera-trapping data revealed spatial co-occurrence species' pairs an avoidance pattern only stone marten Eurasian badger (78 % probability effect). Using genetically identified scats, breadth overlap. Niche was narrow red fox, badger, marten, consumed almost exclusively fruits arthropods, so high. For genet mongoose, consumption different food mammals, birds, reptiles) increased decreased with other sympatric species. Finally, segregation more significant along temporal axis, since mongoose has diurnal activity remaining carnivore although mostly nocturnal, had small asynchronies peaks which could decrease chance encounters. Therefore, our results suggest habitat preferences rather than competition mesocarnivores' use this landscape. Nonetheless, fine-scale seems main mechanism facilitate coexistence, together differences use, especially high

Language: Английский

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Fine‐scale coexistence between Mediterranean mesocarnivores is mediated by spatial, temporal, and trophic resource partitioning

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(22), P. 15520 - 15533

Published: Nov. 1, 2021

The partition of the ecological niche can enhance coexistence predators due to differences in how they exploit three main resources: food, space, and time, latter being an axis that often remains unexplored.We studied segregation a Mediterranean mesocarnivore community composed by

Language: Английский

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Eye catching light: Anthropogenic light at night and its evolutionary influence on the avian eye

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 112039 - 112039

Published: Feb. 22, 2025

Variation among avian species in their responses to artificial night lighting was recently linked differences dim light vision, but whether vision is under selection from human-caused unexplored. Here, we approximated using eye geometries museum specimens of six collected across 100+ years and sought determine proxies for were related within-species variation vision. We found strongly three weakly a forth, the relationship varied by species. This likely ecological traits may also reflect facilitates increased temporal activity or results physiological costs each These suggest that altered sensory environments are source shaping abilities animals anthropocene.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating the temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning between carnivores by different analytical method in northeastern Japan

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: July 14, 2022

Temporal and spatio-temporal niche partitioning is an important strategy for carnivore coexistence. Camera-trap data has been analyzed through several methods to assess the temporal partitioning. However, different analytical approaches used may evaluate detect results. In this study, we evaluated or among sympatric medium-sized carnivores, red foxes, raccoon dogs, Japanese martens, based on three methods-the overlap, co-occurrence, time-to-encounter analysis-to evaluate. From May October 2019 2020, obtained activity of target species using camera-traps in northeastern Japan. We with coefficient probabilistic co-occurrence analysis, checkerboard score, multi-response permutation procedures. The results assessment differed depending Therefore, conclude that choice approach evaluating

Language: Английский

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Effect of anthropic disturbances on the activity pattern of two generalist mesocarnivores inhabiting Mediterranean forestry plantations

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(4), P. 1251 - 1270

Published: Feb. 17, 2023

Abstract Humans have been altering the Mediterranean landscapes for millennia. To diminish probability of encounters with domestic animals, humans and their activities, many species adjust behavior to become more nocturnal. Even habitat-generalist species, such as red fox stone marten that are somehow tolerant environmental changes, might be affected by anthropic disturbances. Nevertheless, only a small number studies were implemented in Iberia targeting these mesocarnivores’ activity patterns, fewer assessed temporal ecology Eucalyptus plantations, current main forest cover Portugal. Based on camera traps, we aimed analyze: 1) spatio-temporal patterns marten; 2) how they distinct human disturbances (i.e., humans, livestock, dogs, hunting). Foxes presented higher crepuscular activity, while martens entirely nocturnal, suggesting some avoidance behavior. Both mesocarnivores showed overlap dogs’ than or livestock. Foxes’ vary between seasons habitats but not influenced hunting period. Results suggest both mesocarnivores, besides setting apart from related disturbances, also show tendency temporally avoid each other. While increase nocturnality may indicate an disturbance impact, reduction strategy reduce competition. These results help support sustainable management highlighting critical periods where overlaps occur, thus impacts wildlife higher.

Language: Английский

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Different coexistence patterns between apex carnivores and mesocarnivores based on temporal, spatial, and dietary niche partitioning analysis in Qilian Mountain National Park, China

eLife, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Jan. 24, 2024

Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well ecological processes. Understanding how sympatric species coexist natural ecosystems is a central research topic community ecology biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, dietary between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus , snow leopard Panthera uncia Eurasian lynx Lynx ) mesocarnivores (Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul red fox Vulpes vulpes Tibetan ferrilata Qilian Mountain National Park, China, using camera trapping data DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that carnivore had more overlap temporally (coefficients of ranging from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically (Pianka’s index 0.458 0.892), mesocarnivore high with each other 0.945 0.997), temporal 0.497 0.855). Large was observed wolf = 0.892) Pallas’s suggesting the potential for increased resource competition these pairs. We concluded spatial likely driver facilitating coexistence species, while facilitate species. findings consider across dimensions examining diverse patterns China. These will contribute substantially current understanding guilds effective conservation management fragile alpine ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Ecological Traits and Intraguild Competition Mediate Spatial and Temporal Overlaps Among Sympatric Mesocarnivores

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 108 - 108

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

In terrestrial mammalian carnivore guilds, interspecific competitions (interferences and resource competitions) among sympatric species induce their ecological behavioral patterns population dynamics, thereby shaping community structures. Competitive must partition niches for sympatry, while the extent of niche overlaps is mediated by either traits (e.g., body size differences) or environmental features. We aimed to elucidate spatial temporal in mesocarnivore which are traits, regional environments, anthropogenic disturbances. investigated occurrence diel activities six estimated overlap indices various landscapes with different disturbances central Bulgaria. Statistical modeling demonstrated that mesocarnivores declined when pairs were within same family large carnivores (particularly wolves, Canis lupus) present. Furthermore, we found was associated taxonomic differences as well trophic competitions. Our findings indicated intensity interferences key decline relax antagonistic interactions.

Language: Английский

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