Spatial heterogeneity facilitates carnivore coexistence
Davies, Andrew B.; Tambling, Craig J.; Marneweck, David G.; Ranc, Nathan; Druce, Dave J.; Cromsigt, Joris P. G. M.; le Roux, Elizabeth; Asner, Gregory P.
(2021) Ecology, volume 102, issue 5, pp. 1 - 13
(Article)
Abstract
Competitively dominant carnivore species can limit the population sizes and alter the behavior of inferior competitors. Established mechanisms that enable carnivore coexistence include spatial and temporal avoidance of dominant predator species by subordinates, and dietary niche separation. However, spatial heterogeneity across landscapes could provide inferior competitors with refuges in the
... read more
form of areas with lower competitor density and/or locations that provide concealment from competitors. Here, we combine temporally overlapping telemetry data from dominant lions (Panthera leo) and subordinate African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) with high-resolution remote sensing in an integrated step selection analysis to investigate how fine-scaled landscape heterogeneity might facilitate carnivore coexistence in South Africa?s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, where both predators occur at exceptionally high densities. We ask whether the primary lion-avoidance strategy of wild dogs is spatial avoidance of lions or areas frequented by lions, or if wild dogs selectively use landscape features to avoid detection by lions. Within this framework, we also test whether wild dogs rely on proactive or reactive responses to lion risk. In contrast to previous studies finding strong spatial avoidance of lions by wild dogs, we found that the primary wild dog lion-avoidance strategy was to select landscape features that aid in avoidance of lion detection. This habitat selection was routinely used by wild dogs, and especially when in areas and during times of high lion-encounter risk, suggesting a proactive response to lion risk. Our findings suggest that spatial landscape heterogeneity could represent an alternative mechanism for carnivore coexistence, especially as ever-shrinking carnivore ranges force inferior competitors into increased contact with dominant species.
show less
Download/Full Text
Keywords: African wild dog, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, LiDAR, intraguild predation, lion, nonconsumptive effects, predation risk, Taverne, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
ISSN: 0012-9658
Publisher: Ecological Society of America
Note: Funding Information: We thank N. Vaughn and D. Knapp for LiDAR data processing, the Wildlife ACT Fund for wild dog collars, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for logistical support, collar placement, permission to work in HiP, and access to the wild dog GPS data. Tal Avgar and Brian Smith are thanked for analytical advice. This study was supported by the Andrew Mellon Foundation to GPA, and a EU Marie Curie Career Integration Grant to JPGMC (PCIG10‐GA‐2011‐304128). ER was supported by a Royal Society Newton International Fellowship (NIF\R1\192618). The Global Airborne Observatory is made possible by support provided by private foundations, visionary individuals, and Arizona State University. Funding Information: We thank N. Vaughn and D. Knapp for LiDAR data processing, the Wildlife ACT Fund for wild dog collars, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for logistical support, collar placement, permission to work in HiP, and access to the wild dog GPS data. Tal Avgar and Brian Smith are thanked for analytical advice. This study was supported by the Andrew Mellon Foundation to GPA, and a EU Marie Curie Career Integration Grant to JPGMC (PCIG10-GA-2011-304128). ER was supported by a Royal Society Newton International Fellowship (NIF\R1\192618). The Global Airborne Observatory is made possible by support provided by private foundations, visionary individuals, and Arizona State University. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the Ecological Society of America
(Peer reviewed)