In the absence of a “landscape of fear”: How lions, hyenas, and cheetahs coexist

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 6(23), P. 8534 - 8545

Published: Nov. 6, 2016

Abstract Aggression by top predators can create a “landscape of fear” in which subordinate restrict their activity to low‐risk areas or times day. At large spatial temporal scales, this result the costly loss access resources. However, fine‐scale reactive avoidance may minimize risk aggressive encounters for while maintaining resources, thereby providing mechanism coexistence. We investigated spatiotemporal guild African characterized intense interference competition. Vulnerable food stealing and direct killing, cheetahs are expected avoid both larger predators; hyenas lions. deployed grid 225 camera traps across 1,125 km 2 Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, evaluate concurrent patterns habitat use lions, hyenas, cheetahs, primary prey. used hurdle models whether smaller species avoided preferred species, we time‐to‐event hours immediately surrounding predator activity. found no evidence long‐term displacement even at fine scales. Instead, were positively associated with lions except exceptionally high lion use. Hyenas appeared actively track each, appear maintain sites avoiding those just following Our results suggest that able patches on moment‐to‐moment basis. Such is likely be less than areas: This help explain why coexist despite rates lion‐inflicted mortality, highlights as general

Language: Английский

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Movement‐mediated community assembly and coexistence

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 95(4), P. 1073 - 1096

Published: April 20, 2020

ABSTRACT Organismal movement is ubiquitous and facilitates important ecological mechanisms that drive community metacommunity composition hence biodiversity. In most existing theories models in biodiversity research, represented simplistically, ignoring the behavioural basis of consequently variation behaviour at species individual levels. However, as human endeavours modify climate land use, processes organisms response to these changes, including movement, become critical understanding resulting loss. Here, we draw together research from different subdisciplines ecology understand impact individual‐level on community‐level patterns coexistence. We join framework with key concepts theory, assembly modern coexistence theory using idea micro–macro links, where various aspects emergent scale up local regional mobility mobile‐link‐generated abiotic biotic environmental conditions. These turn influence both and, timescales, such dispersal limitation, filtering, niche partitioning. conclude by highlighting challenges promising future avenues for data generation, analysis complementary modelling approaches provide a brief outlook how new behaviour‐based view becomes responses communities under ongoing change.

Language: Английский

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Equivalence between Step Selection Functions and Biased Correlated Random Walks for Statistical Inference on Animal Movement

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 10(4), P. e0122947 - e0122947

Published: April 21, 2015

Animal movement has a fundamental impact on population and community structure dynamics. Biased correlated random walks (BCRW) step selection functions (SSF) are commonly used to study movements. Because no studies have contrasted the parameters statistical properties of their estimators for models constructed under these two Lagrangian approaches, it remains unclear whether or not they allow similar inference. First, we Weak Law Large Numbers demonstrate that log-likelihood function estimating BCRW can be approximated by SSFs. Second, illustrated link between approaches fitting with maximum likelihood SSF simulated data in virtual environments trajectory bison (Bison L.) trails natural landscapes. Using empirical data, found estimated directly from an were remarkably similar. Movement analysis is increasingly as tool understanding influence landscape animal distribution. In rapidly developing field ecology, management conservation biologists must decide which method should implement accurately assess determinants movement. We showed provide insights into environmental features influencing Both techniques advantages. already been extended multi-state modeling. Unlike BCRW, however, using most packages, simultaneously evaluate habitat biases, easily integrate large number taxes at multiple scales. thus offers simple, yet effective, technique identify taxis.

Language: Английский

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Fatal Attraction? Intraguild Facilitation and Suppression among Predators

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 190(5), P. 663 - 679

Published: Sept. 13, 2017

Competition and suppression are recognized as dominant forces that structure predator communities. Facilitation via carrion provisioning, however, is a ubiquitous interaction among predators could offset the strength of suppression. Understanding relative importance these positive negative interactions necessary to anticipate community-wide responses apex declines recoveries worldwide. Using state-sponsored wolf (Canis lupus) control in Alaska quasi experiment, we conducted snow track surveys apex, meso-, small test for evidence carnivore cascades (e.g., mesopredator release). We analyzed survey data using an integrative occupancy structural equation modeling framework quantify strengths hypothesized pathways, evaluated fine-scale spatiotemporal nonapex activity clusters identified from radio-collar data. Contrary cascade hypothesis, both meso- patterns indicated guild-wide, abundance variations at landscape scale. At local scale, observed near response localized activity. Local-scale association with due scavenging lead suppression, suggesting key link between communities different spatial scales.

Language: Английский

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Ecological traits and the spatial structure of competitive coexistence among carnivores

Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 101(8)

Published: April 25, 2020

Competition is a widespread interaction among carnivores, ultimately manifested through one or more dimensions of the species' ecological niche. One most explicit manifestations competitive interactions regards spatial displacement. Its interpretation under theoretical context provides an important tool to deepen our understanding biological systems and communities, but also for wildlife management conservation. We used Bayesian multispecies occupancy models on camera-trapping data from multiple sites in Southwestern Europe (SWE) investigate within carnivore guild, evaluate how traits are shaping coexistence patterns. Seventeen out 26 pairwise departed hypothesis independent occurrence, with association being twice as frequent avoidance. Association behaviors were only detected mesocarnivores, while avoidance mainly involved mesocarnivores avoiding apex predator (n = 4) mesocarnivore-only 2). Body mass ratios, defined dominant over subordinate species body mass, revealed negative effect ( β^=-0.38;CI95=-0.81to-0.06 ) co-occurrence probability, support that spatially mostly expressed by larger able dominate smaller ones, threshold ratios ~4, above which local-scale intraguild unlikely. found weak relationship between trophic niche overlap probability β^=-0.19;CI95=-0.58to0.21 ), suggesting competition feeding resources may not be key driver competition, at least scale analysis. Despite avoidance, regional-scale appears maintained structuring environment. provide evidence SWE ecosystems consist structured environments, propose near-sized likely achieved interplay "facultative" "behavioral" character displacements. Factors influencing include context-dependent density trait-mediated effects, should carefully considered sound mechanisms regulating these communities.

Language: Английский

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Designing studies of predation risk for improved inference in carnivore-ungulate systems

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 232, P. 194 - 207

Published: Feb. 16, 2019

Quantifying both the lethal and non-lethal (or “risk”) effects of predation has emerged as a major research focus in carnivore-ungulate systems. While numerous studies have examined risk recent decades, lack standardization approaches impeded progress field. We provide an overview five study design considerations involved assessing responses prey systems, highlighting how different choices can impact strength scope inference. First, we stress importance distinguishing measures (probability being killed) from (costs antipredator behaviors response to risk). Second, recommend explicit consideration spatial temporal scales using standardized framework facilitate cross-study comparisons. Third, ungulates use visual, auditory, olfactory sensory pathways evaluate risk. Experiments that manipulate signals (e.g., auditory playbacks or application predator scent) be powerful approaches, but dosages types cues need carefully considered. Fourth, usually face threats multiple predators simultaneously, highlight potential for remote cameras structural equation modeling help address this challenge. Fifth, emerging technologies may substantially improve our ability assess discuss several promising technologies, such animal-borne video, unmanned aerial vehicles, physiological sensors. conclude with general recommendations design, which utility conservation management

Language: Английский

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Animal tracking moves community ecology: Opportunities and challenges

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 91(7), P. 1334 - 1344

Published: April 7, 2022

Abstract Individual decisions regarding how, why and when organisms interact with one another their environment scale up to shape patterns processes in communities. Recent evidence has firmly established the prevalence of intraspecific variation nature its relevance community ecology, yet challenges associated collecting data on large numbers individual conspecifics heterospecifics have hampered integration into ecology. Nevertheless, recent technological statistical advances GPS‐tracking, remote sensing behavioural ecology offer a toolbox for integrating processes. More than simply describing where go, movement provide unique information about interactions environmental associations from which true individual‐to‐community framework can be built. By linking paths both data, ecologists now simultaneously quantify interspecific Eltonian (biotic interactions) Grinnellian (environmental conditions) factors underpinning assemblage dynamics, substantial logistical analytical must addressed these approaches realize full potential. Across communities, empirical support conservation applications reveal metacommunity dynamics via tracking‐based dispersal data. As multi‐species tracking are surmounted, we envision future movements ecological signatures will bring resolution many enduring issues

Language: Английский

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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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Coexistence of the tiger and the common leopard in a prey‐rich area: the role of prey partitioning

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 295(2), P. 122 - 131

Published: Nov. 18, 2014

Abstract Ecological theory predicts that sympatric species should avoid competition through diet, spatial and/or temporal partitioning. In carnivores, interference is widespread between with similar diets. Smaller are expected to differentiate their diet from of larger, dominant ones, reduce the risk potentially lethal encounters. Interference has been reported tigers and common leopards, former over latter. 2009–2011, in an area T erai, S outh‐ W est N epal, we assessed food habits prey selection evaluate whether partitioning occurred these large cats. Prey availability was high, both terms number (at least seven wild ungulates beside livestock, two primates array smaller prey) density (large ungulates, livestock primates: 130.8–174.8 individuals per km 2 ). Wild vertebrates were staple cats (tigers: 82.7%; leopards: 66.6%), but leopards used significantly more than did. Diet breadth c. 20% larger tigers, indicating a broader trophic niche. Significant differences use using (i.e. >100 kg) often small 5–25 less latter Medium‐sized taken comparable proportions by cats, great overlap ( P ianka index: 0.85). conclusion, our study area, apparently did not base coexistence on partitioning, suggesting major role for

Language: Английский

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Toward a community ecology of landscapes: predicting multiple predator–prey interactions across geographic space

Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 98(9), P. 2281 - 2292

Published: June 6, 2017

Community ecology was traditionally an integrative science devoted to studying interactions between species and their abiotic environments in order predict species' geographic distributions abundances. Yet for philosophical methodological reasons, it has become divided into two enterprises: one local experimentation on community dynamics; the other statistical analyses of biotic information describe distribution. Our goal here is instigate thinking about ways reconnect enterprises thereby return a tradition do science. We focus specifically predators prey, which ripe integration. This because there active, simultaneous interest experimentally resolving nature strength predator-prey as well explaining patterns across landscapes seascapes. begin by describing conceptual theory rooted classical non-spatial food web modules used interactions. show how such can be extended consideration spatial context using concept habitat domain. Habitat domain describes extent space that prey use while foraging, differs from home range, animal meet all its daily needs. different relations could lead emergent multiple whether predator consumptive or non-consumptive effects should dominate, intraguild predation, interference complementarity are expected. then review literature studies large make conclusions analysis reveals many provide sufficient locations, thus necessary conditions drawing interactions, several not. therefore elaborate modern technology approaches movement test theory, experimental quasi-experimental at landscape scales.

Language: Английский

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