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White-tailed deer detection rates increase when coyotes are present
Hannah L Clipp1,2, Sarah M Pesi1, Madison L Miller1
1Division of Forestry and Natural Resources West Virginia University Morgantown West Virginia USA.
Ecology and Evolution
|March 19, 2024
Summary
White-tailed deer detection rates increased with coyote presence, suggesting deer alter movement to avoid predators. Deer did not shift daily activity, indicating avoidance rather than temporal partitioning.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Wildlife Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Predator presence influences prey behavior, impacting space use and movement.
- Understanding anti-predator strategies is crucial for assessing population dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the impact of predator presence on prey detection rates.
- To model predator-prey interactions using coyotes (Canis latrans) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-species occupancy model with a continuous-time detection process.
- Analyzed data from 319 camera traps in Central Appalachian forests.
- Investigated the relationship between species detections and environmental covariates.
Main Results:
- White-tailed deer occupancy was independent of coyote occupancy.
- Deer detection rates and intensity were higher in areas with coyotes.
- Increased deer detection occurred when forage availability was low.
Conclusions:
- White-tailed deer exhibit behavioral avoidance of coyotes by increasing movement, not temporal partitioning.
- Coyotes may occupy areas with higher deer densities.
- The study provides ecological insights into predator-prey dynamics using advanced analytical methods.
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