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Increasing ambient temperatures trigger shifts in activity patterns and temporal partitioning in a large carnivore
Kasim Rafiq1,2, Neil R Jordan2,3,4, Krystyna Golabek2,3
1Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-0005, USA.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|November 7, 2023
Summary
Increasing temperatures alter African large carnivore behavior, shifting activity towards nocturnal patterns. This behavioral change impacts temporal partitioning and species interactions, with implications for climate change adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Climate Change Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Climate change is a major driver of extinction, often through altered species interactions.
- Understanding how climate conditions like temperature affect community dynamics is crucial.
- Temporal partitioning, a behavioral adaptation, is key for coexistence, especially in large carnivore communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ambient temperature on the diel activity patterns and temporal partitioning of four sympatric African large carnivore species.
- To determine how temperature influences the interactions and coexistence mechanisms within this carnivore guild.
Main Methods:
- Monitored the diel activity of lions (Panthera leo), leopards (Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus).
- Analyzed the influence of light availability and ambient temperature on species' activity patterns.
- Quantified changes in temporal overlap between species in response to varying temperatures.
Main Results:
- All four species exhibited activity patterns influenced by both light and temperature.
- Higher temperatures led to decreased activity levels and a shift towards more nocturnal behavior across most species.
- Cheetahs, typically more diurnal, showed the most pronounced shift to nocturnal activity with increasing temperatures, increasing temporal overlap with other species by up to 15.92%.
Conclusions:
- Ambient temperature significantly influences temporal partitioning within African large carnivore communities.
- Species exhibit asymmetrical behavioral responses to temperature changes, affecting their temporal overlap and interactions.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering species-specific behavioral adaptations to climate change when assessing ecosystem-level impacts.
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