Zooming in on mechanistic predator–prey ecology: Integrating camera traps with experimental methods to reveal the drivers of ecological interactions

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 89(9), P. 1997 - 2012

Published: May 22, 2020

Camera trap technology has galvanized the study of predator-prey ecology in wild animal communities by expanding scale and diversity interactions that can be analysed. While observational data from systematic camera arrays have informed inferences on spatiotemporal outcomes interactions, capacity for studies to identify mechanistic drivers species is limited. Experimental designs utilize traps uniquely allow testing hypothesized mechanisms drive predator prey behaviour, incorporating environmental realism not possible laboratory while benefiting distinct generate large datasets multiple with minimal observer interference. However, such pairings experimental methods remain underutilized. We review recent advances application investigate fundamental underlying present a conceptual guide designing studies. Only 9% our use methods, but approaches increasing. To illustrate utility trap-based experiments using case study, we propose design integrates techniques test perennial question ecology: how balance foraging safety, as formalized risk allocation hypothesis. discuss applications evaluate anthropogenic influences wildlife globally. Finally, challenges conducting already begun play an important role understanding free-living animals, will become increasingly critical quantifying community rapidly changing world. recommend increased responses humans, synanthropic invasive species, other disturbances.

Language: Английский

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Spatiotemporal patterns of wolf, mesocarnivores and prey in a Mediterranean area

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 75(2)

Published: Jan. 20, 2021

Abstract Spatial and temporal occurrence can mediate behavioural interactions between apex predators, mesocarnivores herbivores. Predators should adapt their activity to that of prey, whereas predator avoidance would be expected influence patterns space use prey smaller competitors. We evaluated interspecific spatiotemporal relationships in a prey-rich community including an (the wolf), three wild ungulates several herbivores/mesocarnivores, through camera trapping. All considered species (i.e. wolves potential prey/smaller competitors: boar, fallow deer, roe crested porcupine, red fox European badger) were active especially at night and/or twilight. Among ungulates, the wolf showed greatest overlap with boar lowest one least abundant used them, i.e. deer. The main deer) more diurnal lower sites high than low-activity ones. mesocarnivores, extensive wolf: two canids was greater intensively by this low activity, supporting concurrent study which suggested for facilitative—rather competitive—interactions. Spatiotemporal suggest complex predator, carnivores, substantial or spatial association often supported. Significance statement There is growing interest predators on ecosystems effects behaviour light ongoing recovery large carnivores temperate areas. synchronise prey; conversely, avoid predators. In rich wolf, mesomammals, we detected ( i ) porcupines mesocarnivores; ii negative its iii great fox. provide baseline evaluate changes predator-prey-mesocarnivore along variations carnivore-prey densities.

Language: Английский

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Middle‐out ecology: small carnivores as sentinels of global change

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52(4), P. 471 - 479

Published: July 11, 2022

Abstract Species that respond to ecosystem change in a timely, measurable, and interpretable way can be used as sentinels of global change. Contrary pervasive view, we suggest that, among Carnivora, small carnivores are more appropriate than large carnivores. This reasoning is built around six key points: compared carnivores, 1) species‐rich diverse, providing potential many systems; 2) occupy wider range ecological niches, exhibiting greater variety sensitivities change; 3) hold an intermediate trophic position directly affected by changes at the producer, primary consumer, tertiary consumer levels; 4) have shorter life spans higher reproductive rates, rapid responses 5) smaller home ranges abundant, making it easier investigate fine‐scale management interventions; 6) monitor, manage, manipulate. Therefore, advocate for incorporating middle‐out approach, addition established top‐down bottom‐up approaches, assessing ecosystems

Language: Английский

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Variation in red fox Vulpes vulpes diet in five continents

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 52(3), P. 328 - 342

Published: May 27, 2022

Abstract Understanding variation in the diet of widely distributed species can help us to predict how they respond future environmental and anthropogenic changes. We studied red fox Vulpes vulpes , one world's most carnivores. compiled dietary data from 217 studies at 276 locations five continents assess composition varied according geographic location, climate, impact, sampling method. The foxes showed substantial throughout species' range, but with a general trend for small mammals invertebrates be frequently occurring items. incidence large birds diets was greater away equator. fruits increased mean elevation, while occurrence medium‐sized decreased. Fox differed climatic variables. Diet richness decreased increasing temperature precipitation. temperature. annual Higher Human Footprint Index associated lower higher fruit diet. Sampling method influenced estimation: estimated percentage based on stomach contents, were more likely recorded contents than scats. Our study confirms flexible opportunistic behaviour global scale. This behavioural trait allows them thrive range conditions, areas different degrees human‐induced habitat change. knowledge place results local‐scale into broader context will

Language: Английский

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Monitoring the dead as an ecosystem indicator

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(11), P. 5844 - 5856

Published: May 1, 2021

Abstract Dead animal biomass (carrion) is present in all terrestrial ecosystems, and its consumption, decomposition, dispersal can have measurable effects on vertebrates, invertebrates, microbes, parasites, plants, soil. But despite the number of studies examining influence carrion food webs, there has been no attempt to identify how general ecological processes around might be used as an ecosystem indicator. We suggest that knowledge scavenging decomposition rates, scavenger diversity, abundance, behavior carrion, along with assessments vegetation, soil, microbe, parasite presence, individually or combination understand web dynamics. Monitoring could also assist comparisons among landscapes biomes. Although outstanding research needed fully integrate ecology monitoring into management, we see great potential using indicator intact functional web.

Language: Английский

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Fear of the dark? A mesopredator mitigates large carnivore risk through nocturnality, but humans moderate the interaction

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 74(5)

Published: May 1, 2020

Abstract While constrained by endogenous rhythms, morphology and ecology, animals may still exhibit flexible activity patterns in response to risk. Temporal avoidance of interspecific aggression can enable access resources without spatial exclusion. Apex predators, including humans, affect mesopredator patterns. Human context might also modify temporal interactions between predators. We explored patterns, nocturnality the effects human upon a guild carnivores (grey wolf, Canis lupus ; Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx red fox, Vulpes vulpes ) using travel routes Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Humans were diurnal, foxes nocturnal large active during night, immediately after sunrise before sunset. Carnivore overlapped greatly similar extent for all pairings. Activity curves followed expectations based on killing, with peaks coinciding where body size differences small (wolf lynx) but not when they intermediate (foxes carnivores). activity, particularly much less that diurnal humans. Foxes responded higher carnivore being more nocturnal. Low light levels likely provide safer conditions reducing visual detectability mesopredators. The effect was however moderated reduced activity. This could perhaps be due shielding or interference risk cues. Subtle mesopredators cope at shared resources. Higher top-down suppression which consequently trophic Significance statement partitioning an important mechanism resource species coexistence. Our findings show partition use time, cover darkness safely their suppressors (large carnivores) are active. observed fox flexible, responses depending composition apex High modified carnivores. time predators have demographic consequences. Prey accessibility susceptibility temporally variable. As such, ecosystem services ecological roles affected as well intraguild competitors. should overlooked evaluating conservation priorities protected areas.

Language: Английский

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Olfactory cues of large carnivores modify red deer behavior and browsing intensity

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 32(5), P. 982 - 992

Published: May 31, 2021

This study examined the effect of perceived predation risk imposed by lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolf (Canis lupus) on red deer (Cervus elaphus) foraging behavior under experimental conditions. We hypothesized that in response to large carnivore scent would increase their vigilance, although reducing frequency duration visits sites. Consequently, browsing intensity tree saplings was expected decrease, whereas a higher proportion more preferred species be browsed compensate for costs. stronger responses towards ambush predator lynx, compared with cursorial wolf. These hypotheses were tested cafeteria experiment conducted within three enclosures, each containing four plots olfactory cues wolf, cow, water as control. On plot, camera trap placed measured one consecutive week, repeated times. Red reduced visitation scent. Despite showing clear preference certain species, presence did not change selectivity different species. Contrary our hypothesis, we found pronounced effects (cursorial) (ambush). is first experimentally assess carnivores differing hunting modes. Our findings provide insights into role predator-prey interactions how they can modify fine-scale herbivore-plant interactions.

Language: Английский

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Predation risk can modify the foraging behaviour of frugivorous carnivores: Implications of rewilding apex predators for plant–animal mutualisms

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 91(5), P. 1024 - 1035

Published: March 23, 2022

Abstract Apex predators play key roles in food webs and their recovery can trigger trophic cascades some ecosystems. Intra‐guild competition reduce the abundances of smaller perceived predation risk alter foraging behaviour thereby limiting seed dispersal by frugivorous carnivores. However, little is known about how plant–frugivore mutualisms could be disturbed presence larger predators. We evaluated top‐down effect regional superpredator, Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus , on number visits fruits consumed medium‐sized carnivores, as well identified individuals, examining consumption likelihood time. carried out a field experiment which we placed pear Pyrus bourgaeana beneath fruiting trees monitored removal both inside outside ranges. Using camera traps, recorded red fox Vulpes vulpes Eurasian badger Meles meles stone marten Martes foina they time spent foraging. Red was most frequent fruit consumer carnivore. found there were fewer less foxes ranges, but did not seem to affect badgers. observe any territories. The also altered ranges whereby efficient, consuming per unit having shorter visits. Local availability resources, forest coverage individual personality important variables understand visitation landscape fear. Our results show potential cascade from apex primary producers. carnivore numbers induce shifts feeding that may modify patterns with likely consequences for demography many fleshy‐fruited plant species. conclude knowledge ecological interactions making up an asset design effective conservation strategies, particularly rewilding programs.

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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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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