Structural habitat predicts functional dispersal habitat of a large carnivore: how leopards change spots

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 25(7), P. 1911 - 1921

Published: March 6, 2015

Natal dispersal promotes inter-population linkage, and is key to spatial distribution of populations. Degradation suitable landscape structures beyond the specific threshold an individual's ability disperse can therefore lead disruption functional connectivity impact metapopulation function. Because it ignores behavioral responses individuals, structural easier assess than often used as a surrogate for modeling. However using resource selection models modeling through could be erroneous. We tested how well second-order function (RSF) (structural connectivity), based on GPS telemetry data from resident adult leopard (Panthera pardus L.), predict subadult habitat use during (functional connectivity). created eight non-exclusive subsets differing definitions predictive our adult-based RSF model extrapolated over broader landscape. Dispersing leopards habitats in accordance with patterns, regardless definition considered. demonstrate that, wide-ranging apex carnivore, natal corresponds modeled by RSF. Mapping classes provides direct visualization potential linkages between populations, without need paths priori starting destination points. The such scale RSFs may provide insight into predicting peninsulas human-dominated landscapes where mitigation human-wildlife conflict should focused. recommend conservation planning propose similar approach other large carnivore species landscape-scale already exist.

Language: Английский

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Increased mammal nocturnality in agricultural landscapes results in fragmentation due to cascading effects

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 226, P. 32 - 41

Published: July 25, 2018

Language: Английский

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Leopard distribution and abundance is unaffected by interference competition with lions

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 28(5), P. 1348 - 1358

Published: July 4, 2017

Competition can have profound impacts on the structure and function of ecological communities. Despite this, population-level effects intraguild competition large carnivores remain largely unknown, due to a paucity long-term studies that focus simultaneously competing species. Here, we comprehensively examine competitive interactions, including their demographic consequences, between 2 top predators, lions Panthera leo leopards P. pardus. We tested hypothesis lions, as dominant competitor, limit distribution abundance leopards, using dietary, spatial, life-history data collected concurrently Dietary overlap was limited, with targeting large- very large-sized prey small- medium-sized prey. Leopards did not actively avoid either predictively or reactively, except in riparian woodland where likelihood encountering highest. Lions accounted for more than 20% leopard mortality, but this appeared be compensatory. Observed modeled population growth similar species, both exhibiting net emigration. Our findings suggest do suppress populations distribution, at least our study area. Adequate availability suitably-sized apparently enabled resource partitioning facilitating coexistence. The potential increases areas devoid should considered recovery efforts provides novel empirical evidence does always consequences subordinates, even if they suffer from strong inference competitors.

Language: Английский

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Spatial overlap in a solitary carnivore: support for the land tenure, kinship or resource dispersion hypotheses?

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 85(2), P. 487 - 496

Published: Sept. 23, 2015

There are several alternative hypotheses about the effects of territoriality, kinship and prey availability on individual carnivore distributions within populations. The first is land-tenure hypothesis, which predicts that carnivores regulate their density through territoriality temporal avoidance. second related individuals will be clumped populations, third resource dispersion suggests richness may explain variable sociality, spatial overlap or temporary aggregations conspecifics. Research socio-spatial organization animals essential in understanding intra- interspecific competition, contact rates influence diverse ecology, including disease transmission between conspecifics courtship behaviours. We explored these with data collected a solitary carnivore, cougar (Puma concolor), from 2005 to 2012 Southern Yellowstone Ecosystem, Wyoming, USA. employed 27 annual home ranges for 13 cougars test whether range was better explained by land tenure, kinship, some combination three. found support both tenure hypotheses, but not kinship. Cougar sex primary driver explaining variation overlap. Males overlapped significantly females, whereas remaining dyads (F-F, M-M) less. In hunting opportunity (the probability killing given location) often higher overlapping than non-overlapping portions ranges. particular, winter hunt rather summer female-female male-female Our results indicate more tolerant sharing key resources unrelated previously believed, at least during periods high availability. Further, our suggest typically applied social species, applicable describing carnivores.

Language: Английский

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Revealing kleptoparasitic and predatory tendencies in an African mammal community using camera traps: a comparison of spatiotemporal approaches

Oikos, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 126(6), P. 812 - 822

Published: Oct. 13, 2016

Camera trap data are increasingly being used to characterise relationships between the spatiotemporal activity patterns of sympatric mammal species, often with a view inferring inter‐specific interactions. In this context, we attempted kleptoparasitic and predatory tendencies spotted hyaenas Crocuta crocuta lions Panthera leo from photographic collected across 54 camera stations two dry seasons in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park. We applied four different methods quantifying associations, including one strictly temporal approach (activity pattern overlap), spatial (co‐occupancy modelling), approaches (co‐detection modelling spacing at shared sites). expected relationship result positive association, further hypothesised that association their favourite prey Ruaha, giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis zebra Equus quagga , would be stronger than those observed non‐preferred species (the impala Aepyceros melampus dikdik Madoqua kirkii ). Only incorporating both components resulted significant associative patterns. The latter were particularly sensitive resolution chosen define detections (i.e. occasion length), only revealed lion hyaena detections, as well tendency for follow each other sites, during season 2013, but not 2014. seasons, associations herbivore considered provided no convincing or consistent indications any preferences. Our study suggests that, when making inferences on interactions data, due regards should given potential behavioural methodological processes underlying

Language: Английский

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