An integrated assessment of niche partitioning reveals mechanisms of coexistence between mesocarnivores

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 54, P. e03116 - e03116

Published: July 29, 2024

Species diversity depends on the capacity of species to coexist, and when these share similar ecological requirements some degree partitioning niche is expected. Within order Carnivora, direct indirect interspecific interactions shape community structure composition. Although strong negative (e.g., killing) are expected between large carnivores subordinate species, mesocarnivores that dominate most human disturbed landscapes can still strongly compete for resources given their body size energy requirements. To identify mechanisms coexistence mesocarnivore in a Mediterranean landscape we assessed overlap five (Vulpes vulpes, Meles meles, Martes foina, Herpestes ichneumon, Genetta genetta), by simultaneously measuring space, time, trophic resource use. The multi-species occupancy model fit camera-trapping data revealed spatial co-occurrence species' pairs an avoidance pattern only stone marten Eurasian badger (78 % probability effect). Using genetically identified scats, breadth overlap. Niche was narrow red fox, badger, marten, consumed almost exclusively fruits arthropods, so high. For genet mongoose, consumption different food mammals, birds, reptiles) increased decreased with other sympatric species. Finally, segregation more significant along temporal axis, since mongoose has diurnal activity remaining carnivore although mostly nocturnal, had small asynchronies peaks which could decrease chance encounters. Therefore, our results suggest habitat preferences rather than competition mesocarnivores' use this landscape. Nonetheless, fine-scale seems main mechanism facilitate coexistence, together differences use, especially high

Language: Английский

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Impacts of free-roaming dogs on spatiotemporal niches of native carnivores in Taiwan

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e03411 - e03411

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Dietary Differentiation Mitigates Interspecific Interference Competition Between Sympatric Pallas’s Cats (Otocolobus manul) and Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(9), P. 1267 - 1267

Published: April 29, 2025

The comparative analysis of the feeding ecology among sympatric small carnivores reveals both differentiation and overlap in resource utilization patterns, which serves as a critical pathway for understanding interspecific interactions maintaining ecosystem stability. In this study, we collected fecal samples from Pallas’s cats (Otocolobus manul, n = 26) red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, 13) within Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP) China. Subsequently, DNA barcoding technology was employed to analyze dietary composition differences these two carnivores. results demonstrated that species primarily prey on plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) rodents. Despite high trophic niche between (Ojk 0.81), competition is mitigated through differentiate proportions shared species. Furthermore, breadth (B 267.89) exceeds 162.94), reflecting greater diversity resources utilized by foxes. Consequently, achieve coexistence via differentiated utilization. These findings enhance our mechanisms carnivore communities provide scientific basis conservation wildlife SNP.

Language: Английский

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Spatiotemporal patterns of small carnivores in a human-dominated forest landscape shared with apex predators

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(12)

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Language: Английский

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