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Spatio-temporal interactions facilitate large carnivore sympatry across a resource gradient
K Ullas Karanth1,2,3, Arjun Srivathsa2,4,5,6, Divya Vasudev7,4
1Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|February 10, 2017
Summary
Large carnivores like dholes, leopards, and tigers use different times and locations to coexist. Competition intensity influences these adaptations, allowing them to share habitats effectively.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Sympatric species often exhibit niche partitioning to minimize competition.
- Intra-guild competition can drive behavioral adaptations for coexistence among predators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms facilitating sympatry among dhole (Cuon alpinus), leopard (Panthera pardus), and tiger (Panthera tigris).
- To assess temporal, spatial, and spatio-temporal segregation patterns in relation to prey and carnivore densities.
Main Methods:
- Camera-trap surveys were conducted across four Indian tropical forest reserves.
- Population-level temporal, spatial, and spatio-temporal segregation were analyzed.
- Data were examined across gradients of carnivore and prey densities.
Main Results:
- Higher temporal and spatial overlaps were observed at lower prey densities.
- Minimal combined spatio-temporal overlap was found, potentially due to chance.
- Fine-scale avoidance behaviors were detected in a high-density reserve.
Conclusions:
- Segregation patterns (spatial, temporal, spatio-temporal) do not always correlate.
- Carnivores utilize diverse segregation strategies to facilitate sympatry.
- Carnivore adaptability to resource availability influences inter-species competition and guild structure.
Keywords:
competitioncopredatorsinter-species interactionssouth Asiaspatial aggregationtemporal activity patternsMore Related Videos
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