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Selective predation on Utah prairie dogs
John L Hoogland1, Kristin E Cannon, Lili M DeBarbieri
1Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, Maryland 21532, USA. hoogland@al.umces.edu
The American Naturalist
|September 28, 2006
Summary
Vulnerable Utah prairie dogs (Cynomys parvidens) face high predation risks. Juveniles, edge-dwelling adults, recent immigrants, adult males during mating, and pregnant females are particularly susceptible to red foxes and northern goshawks.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Wildlife Biology
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Predation significantly impacts population dynamics and demography.
- Documenting predation patterns in natural settings is challenging due to predator behavior.
- Understanding differential predation susceptibility is crucial for wildlife management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the varied susceptibility of different Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) types to predation.
- To identify specific individual traits that increase vulnerability to predation by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis).
Main Methods:
- Observation of a marked colony of Utah prairie dogs.
- Analysis of predation events over a high-frequency predation period in 2005.
- Categorization of individuals based on age, location, residency status, sex, and reproductive status.
Main Results:
- Juvenile prairie dogs were more vulnerable to northern goshawks than adults.
- Adults at the colony edge were more susceptible to both red foxes and northern goshawks.
- Recent immigrants, adult males during mating season, and pregnant females exhibited higher predation risk.
Conclusions:
- Predation risk is not uniform across all individuals within a population.
- Specific life-history stages and behaviors (e.g., mating, pregnancy, unfamiliarity with territory) increase vulnerability.
- Conservation strategies may need to consider these differential risks for effective Utah prairie dog management.
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