Mammalian predator co‐occurrence affected by prey and habitat more than competitor presence at multiple time scales

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 95(1)

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Abstract The behavior and abundance of sympatric predators can be affected by a complex dominance hierarchy. strength antagonistic interactions in predator communities is difficult to study remains poorly understood for many assemblages. Predators directly indirectly influence the broader ecosystem, so identifying relative importance competition, prey, habitat shaping has broad conservation management implications. We investigated space use among five species (black bear [ Ursus americanus ], bobcat Lynx rufus coyote Canis latrans mountain lion Puma concolor gray wolf lupus ]) across three temporal scales northern Idaho, USA. used camera trap data test whether potentially subordinate spatially avoided dominant how prey availability influenced those relationships. found few instances avoiding only at finest scale our analyses. Instead, features generally patterns coarser whereas competitor presence finer scales. Co‐occurrence was positively associated between coyotes bobcats timescales mesopredators apex timescales. Bobcats lions temporarily delayed sites recently visited black bears, respectively. And all sooner following detection areas with higher abundances (primarily white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus ]). Our results suggest attraction shared habitats resources community more than avoidance competitors. propose that effects interspecific on distributions were most evident because their trophic position requires balancing risks rewards predators, other mesopredators. In addition, relatively high densities common source likely facilitated spatial coexistence this community. demonstrates value simultaneously assessing multiple different spatiotemporal discern relationships within guild.

Language: Английский

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Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (Cuon alpinus) in China

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. 463 - 463

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

As a keystone predator within forest ecosystems, the dhole (Cuon alpinus) plays pivotal role in shaping population structure and dynamics of these biomes. In China, populations have experienced dramatic decline, primarily due to habitat loss fragmentation, poaching, other historical factors. However, distribution patterns suitable habitats key environmental factors influencing their suitability remained unclear. this study, we employed MaxEnt model assess for dholes across China. The results revealed that primary potential were mean diurnal range (Bio2), temperature seasonality (Bio4), minimum coldest month (Bio6), elevation. Potentially predominantly located central-western northwestern regions, with scattered distributions southeastern parts while areas high mainly concentrated region. proportion varied significantly among nine provinces analyzed. This study clarified identified constraints affecting findings provide critical ecological data support conservation management

Language: Английский

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Native prey, not landscape change or novel prey, drive cougar (Puma concolor) distribution at a boreal forest range edge

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Many large carnivores, despite widespread habitat alteration, are rebounding in parts of their former ranges after decades persecution and exploitation. Cougars ( Puma concolor ) apex predator with remaining northern core range constricted to mountain landscapes areas western North America; however, cougar populations have recently started several locations across America, including northward boreal forest landscapes. A camera‐trap survey multiple Alberta, Canada, delineated a edge; within this region, we deployed an array 47 camera traps random stratified design landscape spanning gradient anthropogenic development relative the predicted expansion front. We completed hypotheses information‐theoretic framework determine if occurrence is best explained by natural land cover features, or competitor prey activity. that features from resource extraction invading white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virgianius explain distribution at edge. Counter our predictions, activity native prey, predominantly snowshoe hare Lepus americanus ), was predictor Small‐bodied items particularly important for female sub‐adult cougars may support breeding individuals northeast forest. Also, counter there not strong relationship detected between gray wolf Canis lupus However, further investigation recommended as possibility into multi‐prey system, where wolves been controlled, could negative consequences conservation goals region (e.g. recovery woodland caribou [ Rangifer tarandus ]). Our study highlights need monitor contemporary distributions inform management objectives carnivores recover America.

Language: Английский

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Spatial bias in dietary studies can limit our understanding of the feeding ecology of large carnivores

Published: June 26, 2024

Many large carnivores have broad geographical ranges, encompassing ecosystems with a different prey base. Our understanding of their diet could therefore be biased by the spatial concentration dietary studies into few areas. We propose protocol to divide range carnivores, areas that are homogeneous respect available food sources, using grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Italy, as case study. mapped potential maximum distribution wolves, on 10 km grid (n = 2,497), and then performed cluster analysis classify cells according their: i) abundance domestic wild ungulates, ii) suitability for coypu (Myocastor coypus) iii) landscape anthropization. Finally, we checked percentage each were covered 2007-2013, 2014-2018 2019-2023. The wolves Italy can divided 5 areas, characterized sources but also coverage from studies. Alps some sectors Apennines, low anthropization abundant oversampled. More anthropized Central Southern rich sheep well lowlands, waste coypu, undersampled. no study was carried out intensive farming districts Northern Italy. indicates future about should focus landscapes. There, consumption pets trigger persecution pathogen transmission, predation increase exposure toxic compounds. broadly, our improve feeding ecology it used to: assess put perspective meta-analytic findings, identify knowledge gaps arising bias prioritize new undersampled design sampling schemes large-scale research.

Language: Английский

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Continent‐wide differences in diet breadth of large terrestrial carnivores: the effect of large prey and competitors

Mammal Review, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 54(3), P. 288 - 298

Published: Feb. 8, 2024

Abstract Despite their importance for understanding consumer‐resource dynamics, the dietary responses of large terrestrial predators to variations in prey richness and competition pressure are unclear. While a greater predator selectivity along with increasing abundance would be expected under an optimal foraging scenario, there is some evidence that may broaden diet where resource diversity. Furthermore, use limited by presence competitors. We considered three widespread carnivores (the grey wolf Canis lupus , puma Puma concolor leopard Panthera pardus ), whose distribution range encompasses different continents, communities prey/competitors. potential modulate according vary levels competition. collated data from more than 240 studies diets wolf, model whether relationships between diversity used (i.e. Large Prey Index) was modulated carnivore richness, continents. The showed increase Index across its range, it usually apex areas which available. Conversely, this pattern Asia, but not Africa, often coexists array For puma, increased throughout except larger dominant jaguar also occurred. By emphasising complex diets, our results testify suppressive effects competitors over subordinate carnivores.

Language: Английский

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Carnivore coexistence without competition: giant otters are more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e17244 - e17244

Published: April 5, 2024

Nocturnal activity of tropical otters is rarely reported. To date no studies have documented den use by sympatric giant (Pteronura brasiliensis) and neotropical (Lontra longicaudis). We used camera-traps to monitor along an equatorial Amazonian river. Camera-traps provided evidence that were more nocturnal around dens than otters. was recorded in 11% otter photos (n = 14 125 photos), but only once for Den overlapped spatially temporally not concurrently. hypothesize previously reported facilitated the absence or low density Our results also underscore need complementary techniques together with counts monitoring as species can same dens.

Language: Английский

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Response of dholes to prey availability and human disturbance in space and time in Southern India

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 297, P. 110750 - 110750

Published: Aug. 3, 2024

Language: Английский

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From giant to dwarf: A trend of decreasing size in Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810) and its likely implications

Earth history and biodiversity., Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 1, P. 100007 - 100007

Published: Aug. 28, 2024

Language: Английский

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Issue Information

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98(6)

Published: Nov. 5, 2023

The journal aims to cover the whole field of biology, in particular growth areas modern biology.Articles range from comprehensive reviews a broad research shorter articles on more specialised topics, and very great flexibility content presentation is allowed.Articles are pitched at level for experts research, but

Language: Английский

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