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Storm MB, Arfaoui EMR, Simelane P, Denlinger J, Dias CA, da Conceição AG, Monadjem A, Bohmann K, Poulsen M, Bodawatta KH. Diet components associated with specific bacterial taxa shape overall gut community compositions in omnivorous African viverrids. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11486. [PMID: 39005885 PMCID: PMC11239323 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Gut bacterial communities provide flexibility to hosts during dietary changes. Despite the increasing number of studies exploring the associations between broader dietary guilds of mammalian hosts and their gut bacteria, it is generally unclear how diversity and variability in consumed diets link to gut bacterial taxa in wild non-primate mammals, particularly in omnivores. Here, we contribute to filling this gap by exploring consumed diets and gut bacterial community compositions with metabarcoding of faecal samples for two African mammals, Civettictis civetta and Genetta spp., from the family Viverridae. For each individual sample, we characterised bacterial communities and identified dietary taxa by sequencing vertebrate, invertebrate and plant markers. This led us to establish diet compositions that diverged from what has previously been found from visual identification methods. Specifically, while the two genera have been categorised into the same dietary guild, we detected more animal dietary items than plant items in C. civetta, while in Genetta spp., we observed the opposite. We further found that individuals with similar diets have similar gut bacterial communities within both genera. This association tended to be driven by specific links between dietary items and gut bacterial genera, rather than communities as a whole, implying diet-driven selection for specific gut microbes in individual wild hosts. Our findings underline the importance of molecular tools for improving characterisations of omnivorous mammalian diets and highlight the opportunities for simultaneously disentangling links between diets and gut symbionts. Such insights can inform robustness and flexibility in host-microbe symbioses to dietary change associated with seasonal and habitat changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malou B. Storm
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Section for Molecular Ecology and EvolutionGlobe Institute, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Emilia M. R. Arfaoui
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Section for Molecular Ecology and EvolutionGlobe Institute, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Phumlile Simelane
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of EswatiniKwaluseniEswatini
| | | | | | | | - Ara Monadjem
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of EswatiniKwaluseniEswatini
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaHatfield, PretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Kristine Bohmann
- Section for Molecular Ecology and EvolutionGlobe Institute, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Michael Poulsen
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kasun H. Bodawatta
- Section for Molecular Ecology and EvolutionGlobe Institute, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Natural History Museum of DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Grabowski KL, Phillips EM, Gaynor KM. Limited spatiotemporal niche partitioning among mesocarnivores in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10965. [PMID: 38371865 PMCID: PMC10869889 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Competition drives community composition and structure in many ecosystems. Spatial and temporal niche partitioning, in which competing species divide the environment in space or time, are mechanisms that may allow for coexistence among ecologically similar species. Such division of resources may be especially important for carnivores in African savannas, which support diverse carnivore assemblages. We used camera traps to explore patterns of spatial and temporal niche partitioning among four mesocarnivore species in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park: large-spotted genet (Genetta maculata), African civet (Civettictis civetta), honey badger (Mellivora capensis) and marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus). We applied a multispecies occupancy model to evaluate spatial partitioning among mesocarnivores and to quantify the environmental factors that affect species-specific habitat use, including relative lion (Panthera leo) activity. We also analyzed the temporal activity overlap of the four focal species. We identified species-specific habitat covariates that influenced detection probabilities but found no evidence of spatial or temporal partitioning among mesocarnivores in the study system. Indeed, we found some evidence for spatial co-occurrence between two of our focal species: African civet and marsh mongoose. There may be limited competition among mesocarnivores in this system, perhaps due to niche and diet differentiation among these species and an abundance of resources. While we found limited evidence that lion activity impacts mesocarnivores, ongoing monitoring of intraguild interactions is vital as apex predator populations recover in the system. This study adds to a growing understanding of African mesocarnivore ecology and highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics for effective multispecies conservation and restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L. Grabowski
- School of Geography and the EnvironmentUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Department of BiologyMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Erin M. Phillips
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyPrinceton UniversityPrincetonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Kaitlyn M. Gaynor
- Department of Zoology and BotanyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
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Gebo B, Takele S, Shibru S. Anthropogenic land-use and environmental factors affecting the species richness and occurrence of carnivores in the Faragosa-Fura Landscape of Southern Rift Valley, Ethiopia. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-021-04930-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractAnthropogenic land-use changes pose significant threats to the diversity and occurrence of wildlife species around the world. We investigated how land-use and environmental factors affect the richness and occurrence of carnivore species in the Faragosa-Fura Landscape of the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. We used the line transect method to collect data, combining three complementary field survey techniques: sign survey, camera trapping, and opportunistic sighting surveys. We confirmed the presence of 12 carnivore species belonging to six families, including the vulnerable Felidae species Panthera pardus. More species were found in the family’s Felidae and Herpestidae, while Hyaenidae and Mustelidae were composed of a single species each. The two large-sized species identified were Panthera pardus and Crocuta crocuta. The species richness was the highest in wetlands, while it was the lowest in the settlement. The occurrence of most carnivores was negatively associated with agricultural land and settlements, while they were positively associated with wetlands and altitude. Genetta genetta had the highest occurrence, while Panthera pardus had the lowest in the area. We concluded that of the studied habitats, wetlands are the most important, and anthropogenic land-uses have a negative impact on species richness. Our findings provide valuable baseline data for stakeholders making critical conservation decisions as well as researchers conducting related ecological studies in a human-dominated landscape. Based on our findings, we propose a basic approach for integrating land management and wildlife conservation.Article Highlights
Twelve carnivore species belonging to six families were identified; only two were large-sized.
The species richness was the highest in wetlands, while it was the lowest in settlements and agricultural land.
Most species tended to have positive associations with higher altitudes and wetlands and negative associations with settlements, agricultural land, and roads.
Our finding highlights valuable baseline data for critical conservation decisions as well as researchers in a human-dominated landscape.
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Gebo B, Takele S, Shibru S. Effects of prey abundance on carnivore populations in the Faragosa-Fura Landscape of the Southern Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Easter T, Bouley P, Carter N. Intraguild dynamics of understudied carnivores in a human-altered landscape. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5476-5488. [PMID: 32607168 PMCID: PMC7319246 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesocarnivores constitute a diverse and often abundant group of species, which are increasingly occupying hweigher trophic levels within multi-use landscapes. Yet, we know relatively little about their interactions with each other, especially in human-altered areas. Using camera trap data collected in a forestry concession in the Greater Gorongosa ecosystem of central Mozambique, we examined the spatiotemporal relationships and potential for intraguild competition among three understudied African carnivores: African civets (Civettictis civetta), bushy-tailed mongooses (Bdeogale crassicauda), and large-spotted genets (Genetta maculata). After accounting for habitat preferences and tolerance to anthropogenic factors, we found that African civets and bushy-tailed mongooses avoid each other spatially and temporally. Additionally, civets and mongooses were also both more likely to use sites farther away from human settlements, possibly decreasing the total available habitat for each species if competition is driving this spatial partitioning. In contrast, we did not find evidence for spatial or temporal partitioning between large-spotted genets and African civets, but bushy-tailed mongooses altered their activity patterns where they co-occurred with genets. Our study contributes to scant ecological knowledge of these mesocarnivores and adds to our understanding of community dynamics in human-altered ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Easter
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | | | - Neil Carter
- School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
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Hema EM, Dialla T, Sirima D, Ouattara Y, Tou I, Luiselli L. Preliminary data on density and habitat of carnivores in two protected areas of Burkina Faso (West Africa). MAMMALIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2019-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Apparent density [determined as kilometric index of abundance (KIA), by direct sightings and by droppings along line transects] and habitat use of some species of carnivore mammals were studied in two protected areas of Burkina Faso (Comoé-Leraba and Nazinga). Despite the fact that the dataset was collected throughout several years and with a very high field effort, the amount of data collected was relatively small, and confined just to a few species. There was no effect of the year on the average KIA estimates of the carnivores at this study area, and data from direct sightings along transects estimated lower densities than those coming from droppings collected along the same transects. In terms of habitat type, shrub savannah represented the best habitat type for carnivores, despite being relatively scarcely available along the line transects when compared with woody savannah (especially for Canis adustus and Civettictis civetta).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel M. Hema
- Université de Dédougou, UFR/Sciences Appliquées et Technologiques , Dédougou , Burkina Faso
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Animales , Université Ouaga I Professeur Joseph KI-ZERBO , 09 B.P. 848 Ouagadougou 09 , Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation , via G. Tomasi di Lampedusa 33 , 00144 Rome , Italy
| | - Tinsgnimi Dialla
- Office National des Aires Protégées , Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso
| | - Djidama Sirima
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Animales , Université Ouaga I Professeur Joseph KI-ZERBO , 09 B.P. 848 Ouagadougou 09 , Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso
| | - Yaya Ouattara
- Secrétariat Exécutif , AGEREF/CL, BP 223 , Banfora , Burkina Faso
| | - Ismael Tou
- Secrétariat Exécutif , AGEREF/CL, BP 223 , Banfora , Burkina Faso
| | - Luca Luiselli
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation , via G. Tomasi di Lampedusa 33 , 00144 Rome , Italy
- Department of Applied and Environmental Biology , Rivers State University of Science and Technology , P.M.B. 5080 , Port Harcourt , Nigeria
- Département de Zoologie, Faculté des Sciences , Université de Lomé , B.P. 6057 Lomé , Togo
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Widness J, Aronsen GP. Camera trap data on mammal presence, behaviour and poaching: A case study from Mainaro, Kibale National Park, Uganda. Afr J Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Widness
- Department of Anthropology; Yale University; New Haven CT USA
| | - Gary P. Aronsen
- Department of Anthropology; Yale University; New Haven CT USA
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Abiyu A, Teketay D, Glatzel G, Gratzer G. Tree seed dispersal by African civets in the Afromontane Highlands: too long a latrine to be effective for tree population dynamics. Afr J Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abrham Abiyu
- Amhara Agricultural Research Institute; Gondar Agricultural Research Center; P.O. Box 1337 Gondar Ethiopia
- Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences; Institute of Forest Ecology; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences; Peter Jordanstraße 82 A-1190 Vienna Austria
| | - Demel Teketay
- Department of Crop Science and Production; Botswana College of Agriculture; Private Bag 0027 Gaborone Botswana
| | - Gerhard Glatzel
- Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences; Institute of Forest Ecology; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences; Peter Jordanstraße 82 A-1190 Vienna Austria
| | - Georg Gratzer
- Department of Forest- and Soil Sciences; Institute of Forest Ecology; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences; Peter Jordanstraße 82 A-1190 Vienna Austria
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P. A. Fleming
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences; Murdoch University; Murdoch; WA; Australia
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