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Bransford TD, Harris SA, Forys EA. Seasonal Variation in Mammalian Mesopredator Spatiotemporal Overlap on a Barrier Island Complex. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2431. [PMID: 39199963 PMCID: PMC11350757 DOI: 10.3390/ani14162431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to lack of apex predators in human-dominated landscapes, mesopredator relationships are complex and spatiotemporal niche partitioning strategies can vary, especially when seasonal shifts in resource availability occur. Our objective was to understand spatiotemporal niche overlap across seasons among mesopredators inhabiting a barrier island complex. We placed 19 unbaited cameras throughout Fort De Soto County Park, Florida, USA between February 2021 and July 2023. Of six mesopredator species detected, three species had >75 detections during both the wet and dry seasons (coyote, Canis latrans; Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana; and raccoon, Procyon lotor). Using general linear mixed models, we determined that during the wet season coyote-raccoon and raccoon-opossum detections were positively associated with each other (p < 0.05). During the dry season, raccoon-opossum detections were positively associated, and opossums were more likely to be detected around mangroves. After calculating coefficients of overlap, we found all three species varied their temporal activity between seasons. During the dry season exclusively, all three mesopredators occupied different temporal niches. The park's isolated but developed nature has potentially led to a destabilized mesopredator community. Understanding seasonal mesopredator dynamics of Fort De Soto is particularly important because this park supports a high number of nesting shorebirds and sea turtles, which are known food sources for mesopredators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Spencer A. Harris
- Animal Studies Discipline, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, USA
- Economics Discipline, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, USA
- Environmental Studies Discipline, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Forys
- Environmental Studies Discipline, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, USA
- Biology Discipline, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, USA
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McTigue LE, Lassiter EV, Shaw M, Johansson E, Wilson K, DeGregorio BA. Does daily activity overlap of seven mesocarnivores vary based on human development? PLoS One 2024; 19:e0288477. [PMID: 38206932 PMCID: PMC10783707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Many species of wildlife alter their daily activity patterns in response to co-occurring species as well as the surrounding environment. Often smaller or subordinate species alter their activity patterns to avoid being active at the same time as larger, dominant species to avoid agonistic interactions. Human development can complicate interspecies interactions, as not all wildlife respond to human activity in the same manner. While some species may change the timing of their activity to avoid being active when humans are, others may be unaffected or may benefit from being active at the same time as humans to reduce predation risk or competition. To further explore these patterns, we used data from a coordinated national camera-trapping program (Snapshot USA) to explore how the activity patterns and temporal activity overlap of a suite of seven widely co-occurring mammalian mesocarnivores varied along a gradient of human development. Our focal species ranged in size from the large and often dominant coyote (Canis latrans) to the much smaller and subordinate Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Some species changed their activity based on surrounding human development. Coyotes were most active at night in areas of high and medium human development. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) were more active at dusk in areas of high development relative to areas of low or medium development. However, because most species were primarily nocturnal regardless of human development, temporal activity overlap was high between all species. Only opossum and raccoon (Procyon lotor) showed changes in activity overlap with high overlap in areas of low development compared to areas of moderate development. Although we found that coyotes and red fox altered their activity patterns in response to human development, our results showed that competitive and predatory pressures between these seven widespread generalist species were insufficient to cause them to substantially alter their activity patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah E. McTigue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Ellery V. Lassiter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Mike Shaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Emily Johansson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Ken Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
| | - Brett A. DeGregorio
- U.S. Geological Survey, Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Fayetteville, AR, United States of America
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Corral L, Frink TJ, Fontaine JJ. Is time partitioning the currency of coexistence for a grassland canid community? WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Corral
- Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln NE USA
| | | | - Joseph J. Fontaine
- Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln NE USA
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Louppe V, Herrel A, Pisanu B, Grouard S, Veron G. Assessing occupancy and activity of two invasive carnivores in two Caribbean islands: implications for insular ecosystems. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V. Louppe
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB) Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS Sorbonne Université EPHE Université des Antilles Paris France
| | - A. Herrel
- Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution (MECADEV) Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS Paris France
| | - B. Pisanu
- UMS Patrimoine Naturel Office Français pour la Biodiversité Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS Paris France
| | - S. Grouard
- Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique Sociétés, Pratiques, Environnement (AASPE) Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle – CNRS Paris France
| | - G. Veron
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB) Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS Sorbonne Université EPHE Université des Antilles Paris France
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Tian C, Liao PC, Dayananda B, Zhang YY, Liu ZX, Li JQ, Yu B, Qing L. Impacts of livestock grazing, topography and vegetation on distribution of wildlife in Wanglang National Nature Reserve, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Activity patterns and temporal niche partitioning of dogs and medium-sized wild mammals in urban parks of Xalapa, Mexico. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00878-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Benson IW, Sprayberry TL, Cornelison WC, Edelman AJ. Rest-Site Activity Patterns of Eastern Spotted Skunks in Alabama. SOUTHEAST NAT 2019. [DOI: 10.1656/058.018.0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isik W. Benson
- Department of Biology, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118
| | | | | | - Andrew J. Edelman
- Department of Biology, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118
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Gray EL, Dennis TE, Baker AM. Can remote infrared cameras be used to differentiate small, sympatric mammal species? A case study of the black-tailed dusky antechinus, Antechinus arktos and co-occurring small mammals in southeast Queensland, Australia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181592. [PMID: 28792958 PMCID: PMC5549885 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The black-tailed dusky antechinus (Antechinus arktos) is an endangered, small carnivorous marsupial endemic to Australia, which occurs at low population density along with abundant sympatric populations of other small mammals: Antechinus stuartii, Rattus fuscipes and Melomys cervinipes. Using A. arktos as a model species, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of infrared digital camera traps for detecting and differentiating small mammals and to comment on the broad applicability of this methodology. We also sought to understand how the detection probabilities of our target species varied over time and characterize their activity patterns. We installed 11 infrared cameras at one of only three known sites where A. arktos occurs for five consecutive deployments. Cameras were fixed to wooden stakes and oriented vertically, 35 cm above ground, directly facing bait containers. Using this method, we successfully recorded and identified individuals from all four species of small mammal known previously in the area from live trapping, including A. arktos. This validates the effectiveness of the infrared camera type and orientation for small mammal studies. Periods of activity for all species were highly coincident, showing a strong peak in activity during the same two-hour period immediately following sunset. A. arktos, A. stuartii and M. cervinipes also displayed a strong negative linear relationship between detection probability and days since deployment. This is an important finding for camera trapping generally, indicating that routine camera deployment lengths (of one-to-two weeks) between baiting events may be too long when targeting some small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Gray
- School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Todd E. Dennis
- School of Biological Sciences, Science Faculty, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew M. Baker
- School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Hisey JR. Spatio-temporal dispersion of kin groups of the raccoon ( Procyon lotor). SOUTHWEST NAT 2014. [DOI: 10.1894/sgm-27.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Troyer EM, Cameron Devitt SE, Sunquist ME, Goswami VR, Oli MK. Density dependence or climatic variation? Factors influencing survival, recruitment, and population growth rate of Virginia opossums. J Mammal 2014. [DOI: 10.1644/13-mamm-a-164.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Scheibler E, Wollnik F, Brodbeck D, Hummel E, Yuan S, Zhang FS, Zhang XD, Fu HP, Wu XD. Species composition and interspecific behavior affects activity pattern of free-living desert hamsters in the Alashan Desert. J Mammal 2013. [DOI: 10.1644/12-mamm-a-115.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Heard-Booth AN, Kirk EC. The influence of maximum running speed on eye size: a test of Leuckart's Law in mammals. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2012; 295:1053-62. [PMID: 22539450 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Revised: 01/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate eye size is influenced by many factors, including body or head size, diet, and activity pattern. Locomotor speed has also been suggested to influence eye size in a relationship known as Leuckart's Law. Leuckart's Law proposes that animals capable of achieving fast locomotor speeds require large eyes to enhance visual acuity and avoid collisions with environmental obstacles. The selective influence of rapid flight has been invoked to explain the relatively large eyes of birds, but Leuckart's Law remains untested in nonavian vertebrates. This study investigates the relationship between eye size and maximum running speed in a diverse sample of mammals. Measures of axial eye diameter, maximum running speed, and body mass were collected from the published literature for 50 species from 10 mammalian orders. This analysis reveals that absolute eye size is significantly positively correlated with maximum running speed in mammals. Moreover, the relationship between eye size and running speed remains significant when the potentially confounding effects of body mass and phylogeny are statistically controlled. The results of this analysis are therefore consistent with the expectations of Leuckart's Law and demonstrate that faster-moving mammals have larger eyes than their slower-moving close relatives. Accordingly, we conclude that maximum running speed is one of several key selective factors that have influenced the evolution of eye size in mammals.
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