Western spotted skunk spatial ecology in the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest DOI Creative Commons
Marie I. Tosa, Damon B. Lesmeister, Taal Levi

et al.

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Abstract A major threat to small mammalian carnivore populations is human‐induced land use change, but conservation and management are inhibited by limited knowledge about their ecology natural history. To fill a key gap of the western spotted skunk ( Spilogale gracilis ), we investigated spatial at landscape home range scale in temperate rainforests Oregon Cascades during 2017–2019. For analysis, used detections skunks 112 baited camera traps fitted dynamic occupancy model investigate distribution drivers inter‐seasonal inter‐annual changes occupancy. Concurrently, radio‐collared 25 (9 female, 16 male) collected 1583 relocations. Using continuous‐time movement models, estimated large sizes for both male female skunks, relative body mass, highly overlapping ranges that indicated lack territoriality. these ranges, resource selection function using environmental covariates assigned various hypotheses such as resources, predator avoidance, thermal tolerance, disturbance. Overall, were widely distributed across our study area (seasonal up 63.7 ± 5.3%) detectable (weekly detection probability = 41.2%). At scales, selected wetter areas local valleys, which attributed with more food resources. scale, locations lower predation risk surrounded previously logged forests. In this montane environment, contractions distributions strongly driven response cold temperature accumulated snow. This was especially evident when seasonal declined significantly following severe heavy snow event February 2019. Given there little information available on history skunk, results provide essential focus future monitoring efforts may help identify potential threats (e.g., forest management, events, or wildfires) species.

Language: Английский

Characteristics of tree hollows used by Nilgiri marten Martes gwatkinsii in the Western Ghats, India DOI
Peroth Balakrishnan

Mammalia, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Abstract Tree hollows are a critical resource for many wildlife taxa, thus declining tree hollow availability across forest ecosystems worldwide presents conservation challenge. In this note, the characteristics of trees and used by Nilgiri marten, threatened small carnivore endemic to Western Ghats India were described. martens observed on 11 occasions using eight species trees, including two red listed species. Hollows typically located trunks in subcanopy below 10 m. Trees containing had an average height 27.44 ± 5.23 m (range: 20–38 m) GBH 3.43 0.49 2.80–4.10 m). Although limited number, these observations suggest that large could be important marten life history, similar elsewhere. Policies target retention such mid-elevation evergreen shola forests may benefit long-term other hollow-using India.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Riparian Areas and Fine‐Scale Forest Cover and Structure Drive Occupancy Patterns of Sympatric Mustelids DOI Creative Commons

Lauren Wheelhouse,

Heather M. Bryan, Shannon M. Crowley

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(5)

Published: May 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Boreal and subboreal forests of western North America support diverse mesocarnivore populations with overlapping spatial, temporal, dietary niches. However, interactions among these species the factors influencing their co‐occurrence—such as population cycles, landscape changes, harvest mortality, resource availability—are not well documented. We used 5 years (2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022) data from remote cameras fine‐scale habitat Light Detection Ranging to assess patterns in spatial co‐occurrence short‐tailed weasel ( Mustela erminea ), American mink Neogale vison marten Martes americana fisher Pekannia pennanti ) central British Columbia, Canada. multispecies occupancy models test hypotheses about relationships between habitat. Mesocarnivores were more likely co‐occur at sites closer riparian zones greater complexity vertical forest structure. Short‐tailed weasel, however, did other mustelids zones. Importantly, we found that covariates associated relatively similar over time despite changes abundance predators prey. Our findings highlight importance retaining habitats part harvesting practices promote co‐occurrence.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Assessing microhabitat, landscape features and intraguild relationships in the occupancy of the enigmatic and threatened Andean tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus pardinoides) in the cloud forests of northwestern Colombia DOI Creative Commons
Juan Camilo Cepeda-Duque, Gabriel P. Andrade-Ponce, Andrés Montes‐Rojas

et al.

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(7), P. e0288247 - e0288247

Published: July 10, 2023

Mesocarnivores play a key role in ecosystem dynamics through the regulation of prey populations and are sensitive to environmental changes; thus, they often considered good model organisms for conservation planning. However, data regarding factors that influence habitat use threatened small wild felids such as Andean tiger cat ( Leopardus tigrinus pardinoides ) scarce. We conducted two-year survey with 58 camera trap stations evaluate determinants three protected areas Middle Cauca, Colombia. developed site occupancy models found increased leaf litter depth at intermediate elevations far from human settlements. Through conditional cooccurrence models, we was invariant presence or potential intraguild competitors killers/predators, but its detectability when were present detected. This suggests cats may be more likely detected sites high availability. preferred deep litter, which is particular feature cloud forests provides suitable conditions ambush hunting hiding enemies. Our results showed avoided settlements, minimize mortality risks those areas. Moreover, restricted middle by suggested could used sentinel species track effects climate change since their projected upward elevation. Future actions must focused on identifying mitigating human-related threats close while preserving microhabitat existing networks

Language: Английский

Citations

6
Woody debris structures on large clearcut openings: Oases for small mustelids and prey species? DOI

Thomas P. Sullivan,

Druscilla S. Sullivan

Forest Ecology and Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 543, P. 121117 - 121117

Published: May 29, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Functional responses in American marten habitat selection indicate cumulative effects of progressive habitat change DOI Creative Commons

Tyler F. Woollard,

Daniel J. Harrison, Erin Simons‐Legaard

et al.

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Shifts in habitat selection may serve as behavioral indicators of changing quality and can provide an insight into the effects chronic disturbance on wildlife populations before rates occurrence other metrics related to population viability are affected. Long‐term studies unique opportunities understand animals' responses cumulative that be missed by short‐term or space‐for‐time substitution. Using American marten ( Martes americana ) a focal species, we evaluated progressive animal identifying changes availability over time. Marten strongly associated with mature forest conditions thus sensitive harvesting, which is prevalent form across species' range. We developed resource functions characterized both temporally consistent patterns functional relative habitats at patch scale. used combination location data collected during three periods 30 years extensive change northern Maine classification scheme informed behavior designed capture increased their tall (>12 m mean tree height) forest, including uncut regenerated clearcuts, response decreased availability. also avoidance early‐successional (<9 These appear enable maintain access required resources limit exposure risky resource‐poor within home ranges. However, declining trend resident adult females indicate strategies for individuals unable incur energetic prey‐related costs strong responses. Our results suggest that, despite adaptive strategies, there minimum thresholds below adults, particularly females, will struggle persist. recommend management targeted minimizing strength displayed occupied landscapes.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Western spotted skunk spatial ecology in the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest DOI Creative Commons
Marie I. Tosa, Damon B. Lesmeister, Taal Levi

et al.

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Abstract A major threat to small mammalian carnivore populations is human‐induced land use change, but conservation and management are inhibited by limited knowledge about their ecology natural history. To fill a key gap of the western spotted skunk ( Spilogale gracilis ), we investigated spatial at landscape home range scale in temperate rainforests Oregon Cascades during 2017–2019. For analysis, used detections skunks 112 baited camera traps fitted dynamic occupancy model investigate distribution drivers inter‐seasonal inter‐annual changes occupancy. Concurrently, radio‐collared 25 (9 female, 16 male) collected 1583 relocations. Using continuous‐time movement models, estimated large sizes for both male female skunks, relative body mass, highly overlapping ranges that indicated lack territoriality. these ranges, resource selection function using environmental covariates assigned various hypotheses such as resources, predator avoidance, thermal tolerance, disturbance. Overall, were widely distributed across our study area (seasonal up 63.7 ± 5.3%) detectable (weekly detection probability = 41.2%). At scales, selected wetter areas local valleys, which attributed with more food resources. scale, locations lower predation risk surrounded previously logged forests. In this montane environment, contractions distributions strongly driven response cold temperature accumulated snow. This was especially evident when seasonal declined significantly following severe heavy snow event February 2019. Given there little information available on history skunk, results provide essential focus future monitoring efforts may help identify potential threats (e.g., forest management, events, or wildfires) species.

Language: Английский

Citations

0