Human shields mediate sexual conflict in a top predator

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Habitat selection is vital for survival and reproduction, especially in risky environments.
• Prey species often use predator avoidance strategies, sometimes employing protective associates.
• Sexual conflict, specifically sexually selected infanticide (SSI), can also impact offspring survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between offspring survival and habitat selection in a system with SSI.
• To determine if "protective associates" are used in a context of sexual conflict, not just interspecific predation.
• To model habitat selection in Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos) concerning litter survival during the mating season.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resource selection functions to analyze habitat use.
• Compared habitat selection patterns of mothers with successful litters versus those with complete litter loss.
• Employed GPS-collared bears in a human-dominated landscape in Scandinavia (2005-2012).

Main Results:

• Habitat selection significantly predicted litter survival in brown bears.
• Successful mothers, whose litters survived, were more likely to utilize human presence as a protective associate.
• Unsuccessful mothers, experiencing litter loss, actively avoided human-dominated areas.

Conclusions:

• Principles from predator-prey and fear ecology theories are applicable to sexual conflict scenarios.
• Human presence can act as a "protective associate" for female bears against SSI.
• Habitat selection strategies are crucial for mitigating risks associated with sexual conflict and ensuring offspring survival.