Navigating new threats: Prey naïveté in native mammals

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 3, 2025

Invasive predators pose a substantial threat to global biodiversity. Native prey species frequently exhibit naïveté the cues of invasive predators, and this phenomenon may contribute disproportionate impact on populations. However, not all naïveté, which has led generation many hypotheses explain patterns in responses. These primarily fall into two categories: system-centric related biogeographic isolation (BIH) species-centric hypotheses, like archetype similarity hypothesis (ASH). We tested predictions these by assessing response common raccoon (Procyon lotor) hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), native mammal with divergent snake predation histories, Burmese python (Python bivittatus) Florida Everglades (USA). Using giving-up densities (GUDs), we assessed responses both rats raccoons life-size replicas pythons North American predators-eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus) coyotes (Canis latrans). Although increased their GUD presence three relative novel-object control, only coyote treatments. results align ASH but BIH, mirror observed population declines invaded areas Everglades. More broadly, our findings suggest that vulnerability some even large continental systems.

Language: Английский

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Optimizing survey conditions for Burmese python detection and removal using community science data

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

Published: Jan. 18, 2025

Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) have demonstrated prolific spread and low detectability within their invasive range in Florida, USA. Consequently, programs exist which incentivize contractors to remove pythons. While surveying, collect data on search effort python captures. We examined from South Florida Water Management District's Python Elimination Program determine the effect of operational environmental covariates two measures survey outcome: success (i.e., probability removing at least one python) efficiency number removed per hour). Additionally, we assessed spatial distribution contractor removals. Warm temperatures (> 25 °C) improve outcomes, especially when surveys occur late night during wet season (May-Oct). The most efficient interval for conducting occurs 20:00 02:00. removals is concentrated four regions coincides with effort. Our results provide insights into optimizing removal efforts may allow increases efficiency. Moreover, this study demonstrates that community science can be used synthesize recommendations species efforts.

Language: Английский

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State of knowledge for invasive green iguanas in Florida reveals negative impacts and pervasive research needs

Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: March 26, 2025

Green iguanas ( Iguana iguana ), large-bodied lizards native to South and Central America, have established multiple invasive populations worldwide. Where established, green negative impacts on private property, agriculture horticulture, infrastructure human safety, the natural environment. Most attempts formally quantify of been conducted in Puerto Rico, or are limited singular reports. Florida since 1966 currently pose a high management concern which must be informed by research control methods. Impact data from justify these efforts often anecdotal out date. Here we present contemporary review known potential sectors over time space. We leverage accessed various stakeholders, including nuisance wildlife report collected Fish Wildlife Commission’s Management Section, conflict reports USDA Services Information System, strike Federal Aviation Administration, fault energy companies, observations resource managers. identify important knowledge gaps quantifying scope magnitude necessary guide future actions.

Language: Английский

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Object detection‐assisted workflow facilitates cryptic snake monitoring

Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 20, 2025

Abstract Camera traps are an important tool used to study rare and cryptic animals, including snakes. Time‐lapse photography can be particularly useful for studying snakes that often fail trigger a camera's infrared motion sensor due their ectothermic nature. However, the large datasets produced by time‐lapse require labor‐intensive classification, limiting use in large‐scale studies. While many artificial intelligence‐based object detection models effective at identifying mammals images, ability detect is unproven. Here, we camera data evaluate efficacy of model rapidly accurately We classified images manually species level compared this with hybrid review workflow where removed blank followed manual review. Using ≥0.05 confidence threshold, our correctly identified 94.5% completed image classification 6× faster, detected (>66 cm) as well Conversely, method failed all instances snake string fewer small (<66 than most relevant ecological information requires only single sequence design changes could likely improve smaller Our findings suggest detection‐assisted greatly reduce time spent classifying data‐heavy studies facilitate monitoring

Language: Английский

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Hard to Swallow: Scaling Relationships Between the Size of Avian Prey and the Overall Size and Maximal Gape of Brown Treesnakes

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Snakes are a useful model for gaining insights into the relationships between predator and prey sizes resource utilization because their anatomy limits size of that can be swallowed whole. However, data sparse regarding how commonly gape‐limited predators eat or attempt to with up exceeding maximal gape. Thus, an invasive predator, brown treesnake ( Boiga irregularis ), we fed captive snakes dead birds extremely large range (17%–447%) relative area (RPA = cross‐sectional area/snake gape area) test predictive value RPA attempting ingest successfully ingesting prey. As expected, significantly predicted (logistic regression p < 0.0001) probability being eaten, upper limit similar snakes. Although also 0.003) bird, it was less accurate in predicting attempts than successes, many attempted too swallow. Twenty‐five ranging from 130% 447%. The longest durations unsuccessful feeding were often values near 100% rather values. For six mean measured 93%, diameter soon after ingestion averaged 14% prior ingestion, which allow consume 30% more mass would otherwise possible. Our findings complement recent field study concluded treesnakes regularly live results greatly expanded known avian these eat. Consequently, pose risk well beyond on imposed by

Language: Английский

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Validation of eDNA methods for managing the terrestrial invasive snake Lampropeltis californiae on the Canary Islands

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

Published: April 23, 2025

Abstract Invasive snakes are among the most challenging invaders worldwide due to their exceptionally low detection rate and grave ecological impacts. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a promising tool improve invasive snake enhancing management programs, yet its application terrestrial remains underexplored. This study provides first advances in use of eDNA techniques detect California kingsnake ( Lampropeltis californiae ). We designed L. -specific primers tested effectiveness detecting species different environmental samples, including swab samples from underneath artificial cover objects (ACOs) made materials, soil beneath ACOs, randomly collected soil, researchers’ boots. Additionally, we conducted controlled experiment assess accumulation degradation over 14-day period (7 with terraria 7 after having removed them). detected 9.31% 2.22% under 2.56% boot while no detections appeared or controls. In experiment, was undetectable prior introductions, but remained detectable throughout study, evidence removal. These findings provide key insights for implementation an eDNA-based protocol Gran Canaria, offering valuable monitoring this species. Furthermore, could be used refining methodologies other elusive elsewhere.

Language: Английский

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Mammal declines correspond with increasing prevalence of Burmese pythons at their southern invasion front in the Florida Keys

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(3), P. 889 - 903

Published: Dec. 21, 2023

Language: Английский

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Big pythons, big gape, and big prey

Reptiles & Amphibians, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 31(1), P. e21867 - e21867

Published: Aug. 22, 2024

Knowing the size of prey that predators can consume facilitates understanding and predicting their ecological impact. Burmese Pythons (Python bivittatus) are apex larger than all but a few snake species, prey, which swallowed whole, cannot exceed maximal gape. However, sizes smaller gape may occur because what snakes select or if capturing swallowing certain is prohibitively difficult. Our study quantified three large (SVLs 410-520 cm), including longest specimen captured in Florida (where they invasive) one was while eating deer. All specimens had diameters 26 cm exceeded previously reported value 22 cm, soft tissues between lower jaws accounted for 56-59% area. Combining our new data with previous significantly affected scaling equations The smallest ate 35 kg deer, 93% its Hence, addition to absolute size, nature also eat near limit imposed by gape, how frequently this occurs remains unclear.

Language: Английский

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Telescoping prey selection in invasive Burmese pythons spells trouble for endangered rodents

Food Webs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37, P. e00307 - e00307

Published: Aug. 9, 2023

Language: Английский

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Ecological Virtuous Selves: Towards a Non-Anthropocentric Environmental Virtue Ethic?

Philosophies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(1), P. 11 - 11

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Existing predominant approaches within virtue ethics (VE) assume humans as the typical agent and virtues dispositions that pertain primarily to human–human interpersonal relationships. Similarly, main accounts in more specific area of environmental (EVE) tend support weak anthropocentric positions, which are understood excellent human agents. In addition, however, several EVE authors have also considered benefit non-human beings entities (e.g., or ecological virtues). The latter correspond character would extend moral consideration care for beings, entities, entire ecosystems. this direction, a few argued could be non-anthropocentric insofar it could: (a) promote ends, well-being, flourishing entities; (b) involve significant relations non-humans. Drawing from different traditions, including ecofeminism ethics, we argue broader notion self decentered virtues. selfhood corresponds “ecological self”, one can enacted by both is embedded network relations, recognizes more-than-human world fundamental yet indispensable otherness. We suggest agency allows an expansive understanding includes a-moral functional virtues, exercised not only but certain beings. This alternative theoretical practical implications, some may enable types agencies transform collective action.

Language: Английский

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