Mesopredators change temporal activity in response to a recolonizing apex predator

Author:

Shores Carolyn R12ORCID,Dellinger Justin A3ORCID,Newkirk Eric S4,Kachel Shannon M1,Wirsing Aaron J1

Affiliation:

1. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Anderson Hall, West Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, USA

2. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Fish and Wildlife, Borland St, Williams Lake, BC, Canada

3. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nimbus Rd., Suite D, Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

4. Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Fort Collins, CO, USA

Abstract

Abstract Apex predators can influence ecosystems through density and behaviorally mediated effects on herbivores and mesopredators. In many parts of the world, apex predators live in, or are returning to, landscapes that have been modified by people; so, it is important to understand their ecological role in anthropogenic landscapes. We used motion-activated game cameras to compare the activity patterns of humans and 2 mesopredators, coyotes (Canis latrans) and bobcats (Lynx rufus), in areas with and without an apex predator, the gray wolf (Canis lupus), in a multiuse landscape of the northwestern United States. In areas with wolves, there was a significant increase in temporal niche overlap between the mesopredators owing to higher levels of coyote activity at all time periods of the day. Temporal overlap between mesopredators and humans also increased significantly in the presence of wolves. Coyotes exposed to wolves increased their activity during dawn, day, and dusk hours. The increase in coyote activity was greatest during the day, when wolves were least active. The direction of change in bobcat activity in areas with wolves was opposite to coyotes, suggesting a behaviorally mediated cascade between wolves, coyotes, and bobcats, although these findings would need to be confirmed with further research. Our findings suggest that mesopredators in human-dominated systems may perceive humans as less dangerous than apex predators, that humans may be more likely to encounter mesopredators in areas occupied by top predators, and that behaviorally mediated effects of apex predators on mesopredators persist in human-dominated landscapes.

Funder

National Science Foundation

Colville Confederated Tribes

Conservation Northwest

Mule Deer Foundation

Safari Conservation International Foundation

United States Forest Service

University of Washington Student Technology Fee

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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