Environmental Health and Societal Wealth Predict Movement Patterns of an Urban Carnivore

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT How societal, ecological and infrastructural attributes interact to influence wildlife movement is uncertain. We explored whether neighbourhood socioeconomic status environmental quality were associated with coyote ( Canis latrans ) patterns in Los Angeles, California assessed the performance of integrated social–ecological models. found that coyotes living more anthropogenically burdened regions (i.e. higher pollution, denser development, etc.) had larger home ranges showed greater daily displacement mean step length than less regions. Coyotes experiencing differing levels anthropogenic burdens demonstrated divergent selection for vegetation, road densities other habitat conditions. Further, models included societal covariates performed better only features linear infrastructure. This study provides a unique lens examining drivers urban movement, which should be applicable planners conservationists when building equitable, healthy wildlife‐friendly cities.

Language: Английский

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A review of sarcoptic mange in North American wildlife

International Journal for Parasitology Parasites and Wildlife, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 9, P. 285 - 297

Published: June 13, 2019

The "itch mite" or "mange mite",

Language: Английский

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Urbanization alters predator‐avoidance behaviours

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 88(5), P. 793 - 803

Published: March 1, 2019

Abstract Urbanization is considered the fastest growing form of global land‐use change and can dramatically modify habitat structure ecosystem functioning. While ecological processes continue to operate within cities, urban ecosystems are profoundly different from their more natural counterparts. Thus, predictions derived rarely generalizable environments. In this study, we used data a large‐scale long‐term camera trap project in Chicago IL , USA determine whether urbanization alters predator‐avoidance behaviour prey species. We studied three behavioural mechanisms often induced by fear predation (spatial distribution, daily activity patterns vigilance) white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus when coyote Canis latrans )—an apex predator—was present. found no evidence spatial segregation between either Furthermore, neither nor changed or increased vigilance areas coyotes were Eastern cottontail, however, had uppermost level highly sites absent. Our study demonstrates that predator–prey dynamics might be modified ecosystems—moving what traditionally thought as two‐player system (predator prey) three‐player (predator, people).

Language: Английский

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Does Use of Backyard Resources Explain the Abundance of Urban Wildlife?

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Oct. 26, 2020

While urbanization is clearly contributing to biodiversity loss, certain wildlife assemblages can paradoxically be diverse and abundant in moderately developed areas. One hypothesis explain this phenomenon that anthropogenic resources for (i.e. food shelter) outweigh the costs associated with urbanization. To test hypothesis, we used camera traps measure mammal species richness, diversity, relative abundance (i.e., detection rate) 58 residential yards Raleigh, North Carolina, focusing on six types of features might as resources: animal feeding, vegetable gardens, compost piles, chicken coops, brushpiles, water sources. We also placed cameras at random control sites within each yard sampled forests nearby suburban rural areas comparison. fit mixed-effects Poisson models determine whether features, yard-scale characteristics, or landscape-scale landcover predicted eight species. tested if native canid predators was related number prey (rodents lagomorphs). Species most higher than forests. Within a yard, purposeful feeding had strongest effect abundance, eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) being common (32.3 squirrels/day feeders; 0.55 sites; 0.29 forests; 0.10 forests). observed using (e.g., eating) although canids were less likely other taxa use yards. The presence feature did not strongly affect site suggesting influence these highly localized. positive association fences. These results demonstrate there high resources, especially supplemental by urban wildlife, increase may then attract predators, which supports explains wildlife.

Language: Английский

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Behavioral responses by an apex predator to urbanization

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 30(3), P. 821 - 829

Published: Jan. 29, 2019

Wildlife can respond to urbanization positively (synanthropic) or negatively (misanthropic), and for some species, this is a nonlinear process, whereby low levels of elicit positive response, but response becomes negative at high urbanization. We applied concepts from foraging theory predict behavioral responses coyotes (Canis latrans) along an gradient in the Chicago metropolitan area, USA. estimated home range size complexity, metrics 3 movement behaviors (encamped, foraging, traveling) using Hidden Markov models. found exhibited highly urbanized landscapes: viewed landscape as lower quality, riskier, more fragmented (home time spent encamped increased). Conversely, we evidence both suburban not only higher quality than natural fragments equally risky, also it decreased, did change, complexity Although spatial became increasingly increased, were still able occupy landscapes. Our study demonstrates how wildlife be dependent on degree represents one first descriptions apex predator space use landscape.

Language: Английский

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How do animals navigate the urban jungle? A review of cognition in urban-adapted animals

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 46, P. 101177 - 101177

Published: July 6, 2022

Language: Английский

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The cascading pathogenic consequences ofSarcoptes scabieiinfection that manifest in host disease

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. 180018 - 180018

Published: April 1, 2018

Sarcoptic mange, caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, causes a substantive burden of disease to humans, domestic animals and wildlife, globally. There are many effects S. scabiei infection, culminating in which hosts suffer. However, major knowledge gaps remain on pathogenic impacts this infection. Here, we focus bare-nosed wombat host (Vombatus ursinus) investigate mange on: (i) heat loss thermoregulation, (ii) field metabolic rates, (iii) foraging resting behaviour across full circadian cycles, (iv) fatty acid composition adipose, bone marrow, brain muscle tissues. Our findings indicate that mange-infected V. ursinus lose more environment from alopecia-affected body regions than healthy individuals. Additionally, individuals have higher rates wild. these demands difficult meet, because infected spend less time inactive relative their counterparts, despite being outside burrow for longer. Lastly, infection results altered adipose tissue, with increased amounts omega-6 acids, decreased omega-3 consequence chronic cutaneous inflammation inhibition anti-inflammatory responses. These highlight interactions mange-induced physiological behavioural changes, implications treatment rehabilitation

Language: Английский

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Sustaining Transmission in Different Host Species: The Emblematic Case ofSarcoptes scabiei

BioScience, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 72(2), P. 166 - 176

Published: Sept. 14, 2021

Abstract Some pathogens sustain transmission in multiple different host species, but how this epidemiologically important feat is achieved remains enigmatic. Sarcoptes scabiei among the most generalist and successful of mammalian parasites. We synthesize pathogen traits that mediate sustained present cases illustrating three mechanisms (direct, indirect, combined). The explain success S. include immune response modulation, on-host movement capacity, off-host seeking behaviors, environmental persistence. Sociality density appear to be key for hosts which direct dominates, whereas solitary hosts, use shared environments indirect transmission. In social den-using combined appears likely. Empirical research rarely considers enabling become endemic species—more often focusing on outbreaks. Our review may illuminate parasites’ adaptation strategies through varied across species.

Language: Английский

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Coexistence across space and time: Social‐ecological patterns within a decade of human‐coyote interactions in San Francisco

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(6), P. 2158 - 2177

Published: Oct. 10, 2023

Abstract Global change is increasing the frequency and severity of human‐wildlife interactions by pushing people wildlife into increasingly resource‐limited shared spaces. To understand dynamics what may constitute coexistence in Anthropocene, there a critical need to explore spatial, temporal, sociocultural ecological variables that contribute conflicts urban areas. Due their opportunistic foraging behavioural flexibility, coyotes ( Canis latrans ) frequently interact with environments. San Francisco, California, USA hosts very high density coyotes, making it an excellent region for analysing human‐coyote attitudes toward over time space. We used community‐curated long‐term data source from Francisco Animal Care Control summarise decade coyote sightings characterise spatiotemporal patterns interaction types relation housing density, socioeconomics, pollution human vulnerability metrics, green space availability. found conflict reports have been significantly past 5 years were more during pup‐rearing season (April–June), dry (June–September) COVID‐19 pandemic. Conflict also likely involve dogs occur inside parks, despite overall occurring outside parks. Generalised linear mixed models revealed places higher vegetation greenness median income. Meanwhile reported boldness, hazing correlated burden population indices. Synthesis applications : Our results provide compelling evidence suggesting are intimately associated social‐ecological heterogeneities time, emphasizing road will require socially informed strategies. Additional research articulating how drivers (e.g. food subsidies, domestic species, climate‐induced droughts, socioeconomic disparities, etc.) be essential building adaptive management efforts effectively mitigate future occurring. Read free Plain Language Summary this article on Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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Of microbes and mange: consistent changes in the skin microbiome of three canid species infected with Sarcoptes scabiei mites

Parasites & Vectors, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Oct. 16, 2019

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei . Although it afflicts over 100 mammal species worldwide, sarcoptic remains obscured variability at individual, population and levels. Amid this variability, critical to identify consistent drivers of morbidity, particularly barrier. Methods Using culture-independent next generation sequencing, we characterized microbiome three North American canids: coyotes ( Canis latrans ), red foxes Vulpes vulpes ) gray Urocyon cinereoargenteus ). We compared alpha beta diversity between mange-infected uninfected canids using Kruskal–Wallis test multivariate analysis variance with permutation. used composition microbes gneiss balances perform differential abundance testing infection groups. Results found remarkably signatures microbial dysbiosis associated infection. Across genera, exhibited reduced diversity, altered community increased opportunistic pathogens. The primary bacteria comprising secondary infections were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , previously canid ear infections, Corynebacterium spp., among gut flora S. mites hematophagous arthropods. Conclusions This evidence suggests that consistently alters facilitates bacterial infection, as seen in humans other mammals infected mites. These results provide valuable insights into pathogenesis barrier can inspire novel treatment strategies. By adopting “One Health” framework considers mites, potential for interspecies transmission, better elucidate patterns processes underlying ubiquitous enigmatic disease.

Language: Английский

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