Leopard (Panthera pardus) Density and the Impact of Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) Occurrence on Leopard Presence in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem, Kenya

African Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 63(2)

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

ABSTRACT The African large predator guild is one of the last intact guilds globally, and interactions between its members influence ecosystem functioning. We conducted camera‐trapping in Maasai Mara Ecosystem (MME) to estimate leopard ( Panthera pardus ) population density investigate whether lion leo hyaena Crocuta crocuta impact presence, while accounting for potential prey presence habitat. In 2019, we deployed cameras at 34 stations Triangle within MME 63 nights. estimated using a closed spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) framework examined predictors generalised linear mixed modelling. recorded 725 images 1.90 ± 0.56 individuals 100 km 2−1 , relatively low compared other areas only slightly higher than previous estimates cheetah, an ecologically subordinate competitor. best model predicting contained occurrence showed positive association, indicating ‘co‐occurrence’. Hyaenas commonly kleptoparasitise kills MME; that hyaenas may follow leopards this reason. Although our preliminary results indicate populations limit MME, further work required explicitly test hypotheses relating hyaena–leopard interactions.

Language: Английский

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Carnivore coexistence facilitated by spatial and dietary partitioning and fine‐scale behavioural avoidance in a semi‐arid ecosystem

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 317(2), P. 114 - 128

Published: March 18, 2022

Abstract Sympatric carnivores compete for similar resources which may lead to dominant species influencing the ecology of subordinate ones. However, often make use coevolutionary strategies enable them minimise competition with competitors and thus facilitate coexistence. We used camera trapping scat analysis investigate potential between leopards ( Panthera pardus ) caracals Caracal caracal along spatial, temporal dietary axes determine mechanisms their coexistence in Cederberg, South Africa. Our results showed that both co‐occurred at 39.73% sites, but spatial overlap based on Pianka's index was relatively low. found a high daily activity patterns these carnivore during winter summer. Leopards exhibited fine‐scale behavioural avoidance one another, time‐to‐encounters interspecific being significantly larger compared intraspecific competitors. The two had diet overlap, although this largely due prey species, namely rock hyrax Procavia capensis ), appears be an important shared item. we did find evidence niche segregation, as consumed caracals. study suggests Cederberg is facilitated by combination population‐level partitioning space‐use habits, well individual level reduce interference competition. This provides insights into sympatric broadens our understanding ecological processes guild systems.

Language: Английский

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Counter‐strategies to infanticide: The importance of cubs in determining lion habitat selection and social interactions

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(2), P. 159 - 170

Published: Jan. 4, 2024

Abstract Animal social and spatial behaviours are inextricably linked. movements driven by environmental factors interactions. Habitat structure changing patterns of animal space use can also shape Animals adjust their to reduce the risk offspring mortality. In territorial infanticidal species, two strategies possible for males: they stay close protect them against rivals (infant‐defence hypothesis) or patrol territory more intensively prevent rival intrusions (territorial‐defence hypothesis). Here, we tested these hypotheses in African lions ( Panthera leo ) investigating how males females presence offspring. We combined datasets on demography movement lions, collected between 2002 2016 Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe), document cubs (field observations) simultaneous groupmates competitors (GPS tracking). showed a response offspring, with less likely select areas waterholes periphery than without cubs. contrast, were selected when there pride. found responses. Males spent time as habitat openness increased but pride did not influence average likelihood observing females. Furthermore, relocated further after an encounter present prides, suggesting that leads vigorous repulsion competitors. interact male edge pride's home range far from waterholes, particularly assiduous detecting repelling during periods. general, avoid infanticide exhibited supported territorial‐defence hypothesis. Our study contributes answer recent call behavioural ecology at spatial‐social interface.

Language: Английский

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Temporal partitioning and spatiotemporal avoidance among large carnivores in a human-impacted African landscape

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(9), P. e0256876 - e0256876

Published: Sept. 10, 2021

Africa is home to some of the world’s most functionally diverse guilds large carnivores. However, they are increasingly under threat from anthropogenic pressures that may exacerbate already intense intra-guild competition. Understanding coexistence mechanisms employed by these species in human-impacted landscapes could help shed light on more subtle ways which humans impact wildlife populations, and inform multi-species conservation planning. We used camera trap data Tanzania’s Ruaha-Rungwa landscape explore temporal spatiotemporal associations between members an intact East African carnivore guild, determine how varied across gradients protection. All carnivores except wild dog ( Lycaon pictus ) exhibited predominantly nocturnal road-travel behaviour. Leopard Panthera pardus appeared employ minor avoidance lion leo all sites those where human impacts were highest, suggesting leopard have been freed up areas dominant competitor was less abundant, or need for avoid outweighed sympatric competitors. Lion modify their activity patterns impacted areas. also found evidence attraction among carnivores: spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta followed leopard; avoided lion; hyaena. Our findings suggest fine-scale partitioning facilitate with both humans, growing interfere behaviours.

Language: Английский

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The bumpy road ahead: the role of substrate roughness on animal walking and a proposed comparative metric

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 226(Suppl_1)

Published: April 21, 2023

ABSTRACT Outside laboratory conditions and human-made structures, animals rarely encounter flat surfaces. Instead, natural substrates are uneven surfaces with height variation that ranges from the microscopic scale to macroscopic scale. For walking (which we define as encompassing any form of legged movement across ground, such walking, running, galloping, etc.), substrate ‘roughness’ influences locomotion in a multitude ways scales, roughness how each toe or foot contacts larger obstacles must move over navigate around. Historically, unpredictability variability environments has limited ability collect data on animal biomechanics. However, recent technical advances, more sensitive portable cameras, biologgers, tools fabricate rough terrain, well efficiently store analyze large variable datasets, have expanded opportunity study under naturalistic conditions. As researchers endeavor assess lack consistent approach quantifying contextualizing these findings. This Review summarizes existing literature examines non-human terrain presents metric for characterizing relative compared size. framework can be applied body facilitating direct comparisons ranging size ants elephants.

Language: Английский

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Increasing ambient temperatures trigger shifts in activity patterns and temporal partitioning in a large carnivore guild

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 290(2010)

Published: Nov. 8, 2023

Shifts in species' interactions are implicated as an important proximate cause underpinning climate-change-related extinction. However, there is little empirical evidence on the pathways through which climate conditions, such ambient temperature, impact community dynamics. The timing of activities a widespread behavioural adaptation to environmental variability, and temporal partitioning key mechanism that facilitates coexistence, especially within large carnivore communities. We investigated temperature impacts dynamics its influence diel activity of, amongst, four sympatric species African carnivores: lions (

Language: Английский

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Decades of leopard coexistence in the Himalayas driven by ecological dynamics, not climate change

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 57, P. e03401 - e03401

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Tigers in their new territory: intraspecific interactions among the reintroduced tiger population in Panna Tiger Reserve, Central India

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Intra-specific interactions among top carnivores are the most intriguing behavioural aspects and essential components of population dynamics. Static pertain to space use, while dynamic involve spatio-temporal patterns influenced by social structure, distribution, mate selection, density. Previous studies have focused on static interactions, successfully estimating spatial overlap but leading a knowledge gap interaction be able compute attraction avoidance similar scales. We fitted VHF GPS collars 13 tigers study reintroduced tiger in Panna Tiger Reserve. To investigate we used Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimator methods. capture at different scales, calculated Benhamou's Movement Interaction index Correlation Coefficient (Cr) two critical distance thresholds (Δ500m 100m). documented 18 35 intra-sex dyads for males females respectively, 73 inter-sex from 2009 2019. observed high male*female dyads. Dynamic movement were noted mother*cub dyads, male movements predominantly independent. evaluated 23 found moderate strong between individuals. Spatial largely depends home-range shape size does not necessarily affect interaction. Males moved independently avoid intra-guild competition, exhibiting unsynchronized patterns. However, was infrequently recorded, primarily during mating. Female siblings showed philopatry preferred move jointly before establishing their own territories. Initially, founder had limited choice selection with only one male, as more became available, exhibited clear consistent selection. This indicates that populations reintroduction should include adequate choices.

Language: Английский

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Terrestrial mesopredators did not increase after top-predator removal in a large-scale experimental test of mesopredator release theory

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Sept. 14, 2021

Abstract Removal or loss of top-predators has been predicted to cause cascading negative effects for ecosystems, including mesopredator release. However, reliable evidence these processes in terrestrial systems mixed and equivocal due, large part, the systemic continued use low-inference study designs investigate this issue. Even previous large-scale manipulative experiments strong inferential value have limited by experimental design features (i.e. failure prevent migration between treatments) that constrain possible inferences about presence absence release effects. Here, we build on strong-inference report outcomes additional eradicate Australian dingoes from two fenced areas where dingo was restricted theory would predict an increase extant European red foxes, feral cats goannas. We demonstrate removal suppression undetectable levels over 4–5 years with no corresponding increases relative abundances, which remained low stable throughout experiment at both sites. further widespread relationships predators, indicating mechanism underpinning releases not present. Our results are consistent all long-term mensurative studies collectively (1) do suppress goannas population level, (2) repeated, temporary open does create effects, (3) sustained closed either. add similar reports North America, Asia, Europe southern Africa indicate only is there a processes, but also continually growing body many systems. conclude although sympatric predators may interact negatively each other smaller spatiotemporal scales, interactions always scale-up nor they enough

Language: Английский

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The World's Small Carnivores

Published: Aug. 5, 2022

Small carnivores – here defined as members of the mammalian order Carnivora with a body mass < 21.5 kg occur worldwide, including in Oceania, following introductions. They are represented by 211 to 277 species, which correspond about 90% terrestrial globally. Some species endemic 1 or 2 countries (sometimes only islands), while others, like red fox, Vulpes vulpes , present nearly 90 over 5 continents. inhabit virtually all Earth's ecosystems, adopting terrestrial, semi-fossorial, (semi-)arboreal (semi-)aquatic lifestyles. occupy multiple trophic levels, being primary consumers when feeding on fruits, seeds, and other plant matter, secondary preying frugivorous, granivorous, herbivorous animals, tertiary killing devouring meat-eating animals. Therefore, they play important roles regulation e.g. natural pest control, seed dispersal nutrient cycling. In areas where humans have extirpated large carnivores, small may become dominant predators, increase their abundance ('mesopredator release') point that can sometimes destabilize communities, drive local extirpations, reduce overall biodiversity. On hand, one-third world's Threatened Near extinction ( sensu IUCN). This results from regionally burgeoning human populations' industrial agricultural activities, causing habitat reduction, destruction, fragmentation, pollution. Overexploitation, persecution, impacts introduced competitors, pathogens also negatively affected many carnivore species. Although been intensively studied past decades, bibliometric studies showed not received same attention given carnivores. Furthermore, there is huge disparity how research efforts distributed, some studied, others superficially at all. Regionally, North American European focus numerous studies, more progressively conducted Asia. However, need effort Africa Central South America. Encouragingly, recognition importance mesopredator release effect exponential deployment camera-traps started boost scientific knowledge around world. book aims filling gap literature elucidating of, documenting latest on, It divided into four main sections: (i) Evolution, Systematics, Distribution; (ii) Ecology, Behaviour, Diseases; (iii) Interspecific Interactions Community Ecology; (iv) People Conservation. We hope will appeal wide audience and, considering field science remains open, stimulate much-needed

Language: Английский

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