Effects of scent lure on camera trap detections vary across mammalian predator and prey species

Context Feral cats (Felis catus) impact the health and welfare of wildlife, livestock and humans worldwide. They are particularly damaging where they have been introduced into island countries such as Australia and New Zealand, where native prey species evolved without feline predators. Kangaroo Island, in South Australia, is Australia’s third largest island and supports several threatened and endemic species. Cat densities on Kangaroo Island are thought to be greater than those on the adjacent South Australian mainland, based on one cat density estimate on the island that is higher than most estimates from the mainland. The prevalence of cat-borne disease in cats and sheep is also higher on Kangaroo Island than the mainland, suggesting higher cat densities. A recent continental-scale spatial model of cat density predicted that cat density on Kangaroo Island should be about double that of the adjacent mainland. However, although cats are believed to have severe impacts on some native species on the island, other species that are generally considered vulnerable to cat predation have relatively secure populations on the island compared with the mainland. Aims The present study aimed to compare feral cat abundance between Kangaroo Island and the adjacent South Australian mainland using simultaneous standardised methods. Based on previous findings, we predicted that the relative abundance of feral cats on Kangaroo Island would be approximately double that on the South Australian mainland. Methods Standardised camera trap surveys were used to simultaneously estimate the relative abundance of feral cats on Kangaroo Island and the adjacent South Australian mainland. Survey data were analysed using the Royle–Nichols abundance-induced heterogeneity model to estimate feral cat relative abundance at each site. Key results Cat abundance on the island was estimated to be over 10 times greater than that on the adjacent mainland. Conclusions Consistent with predictions, cat abundance on the island was greater than on the adjacent mainland. However, the magnitude of this difference was much greater than expected. Implications The findings show that the actual densities of cats at local sites can vary substantially from predictions generated by continental-scale models. The study also demonstrates the value of estimating abundance or density simultaneously across sites using standardised methods.

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Temporal activity of rural free-ranging dogs: implications for the predator and prey species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

NeoBiota ◽

10.3897/neobiota.45.30645 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 55-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

William Douglas Carvalho ◽

Luís Miguel Rosalino ◽

Maíra Sant’Ana M. Godoy ◽

Marília F. Giorgete ◽

Cristina Harumi Adania ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Native Species ◽

Prey Species ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Site Occupancy ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Potential Prey ◽

Large Predators ◽

Free Ranging

Domestic or free-ranging dogs (Canislupusfamiliaris) can have deleterious effects on wildlife, acting as predators or competitors to native species. These impacts can be highly important in fragmented pristine habitats or well-preserved areas located in human dominated landscapes and where biodiversity values are usually high, such as those in southeastern Brazil. Here we explored the level of overlap or mismatch in the distributions of activity patterns of rural free-ranging dogs and potential wild prey (Didelphisaurita, Cuniculuspaca; Sylvilagusbrasiliensis) and a wild predator (Leoparduspardalis) in areas of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. We further explored the possible influence of the wild predator on the dog presence pattern detected in the territory analyzed. Our camera-trap data (714 camera-trap days) showed that while rural free-ranging dogs display a cathemeral activity pattern, with activity peaks at dusk and dawn, ocelot and prey species are mainly nocturnal. Moreover, we found no evidence of an effect of ocelot presence, the distance to human houses and the presence of native forests on site occupancy by dogs. The ocelot activity patterns in this study were similar to those already reported in previous studies. On the other hand, previous studies have indicated that that free-ranging dogs are often reported to be more diurnal, and it seems that the rural free-ranging dogs in our study area may have adjusted their behaviour to be more active at dawn and dusk periods. This might be to both maintain some overlap with potential prey, e.g. Sylvilagusbrasiliensis, and also to avoid ocelots by being less active in periods when this predator is more active (which also coincides with peaks in activity for potential prey species). We hypothesize that the presence of ocelots might be influencing the temporal niche dimension of rural free-ranging dogs. As a sustainable management strategy, we propose conserving territories to promote the presence of medium to large predators in natural areas, in order to control free-ranging dogs and protect their vertebrate prey species.

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Is the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa extinct in Taiwan, and could it be reintroduced? An assessment of prey and habitat

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s003060531300063x ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 261-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Po-Jen Chiang ◽

Kurtis Jai-Chyi Pei ◽

Michael R. Vaughan ◽

Ching-Feng Li ◽

Mei-Ting Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Restoration ◽

Prey Species ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Altitudinal Distribution ◽

Clouded Leopard ◽

Prey Biomass ◽

Neofelis Nebulosa ◽

Human Encroachment

AbstractDuring 1997–2012 we conducted a nationwide camera-trapping survey and assessed the availability of prey and habitat for the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa in Taiwan. We surveyed 1,249 camera-trap sites over 113,636 camera-trap days, from the seashore to an altitude of 3,796 m and covering various types of vegetation. No clouded leopards were photographed during 128,394 camera-trap days, including at 209 sites in other studies, confirming the presumed extinction of clouded leopards in Taiwan. Assessment of the prey base revealed altitudinal distribution patterns of prey species and prey biomass. Areas at lower altitudes and with less human encroachment and hunting supported a higher prey biomass and more of the typical prey species of clouded leopards. Habitat analysis revealed 8,523 km2 of suitable habitat but this was reduced to 6,734 km2 when adjacent areas of human encroachment were subtracted. In the absence of hunting and large mammalian carnivores the major prey of clouded leopards in Taiwan, such as Formosan macaques Macaca cyclopis, Reeves's muntjacs Muntiacus reevesi, Formosan serow Capricornis swinhoei and sambar Rusa unicolor, could become over-abundant. Thus, it is important to address the cascading effect of the disappearance of top-down predator control. Our assessment indicated that, with proper regulation of hunting, habitat restoration and corridor improvement, it may be possible to reintroduce the clouded leopard.

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Opportunity for Thailand's forgotten tigers: assessment of the Indochinese tiger Panthera tigris corbetti and its prey with camera-trap surveys

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605319000589 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Eric Ash ◽

Żaneta Kaszta ◽

Adisorn Noochdumrong ◽

Tim Redford ◽

Prawatsart Chanteap ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Prey Species ◽

Critical Role ◽

Critical Time ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Panthera Tigris ◽

Population Declines ◽

Detection Rates ◽

Breeding Populations ◽

Tiger Conservation

Abstract Dramatic population declines threaten the Endangered Indochinese tiger Panthera tigris corbetti with extinction. Thailand now plays a critical role in its conservation, as there are few known breeding populations in other range countries. Thailand's Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex is recognized as an important tiger recovery site, but it remains poorly studied. Here, we present results from the first camera-trap study focused on tigers and implemented across all protected areas in this landscape. Our goal was to assess tiger and prey populations across the five protected areas of this forest complex, reviewing discernible patterns in rates of detection. We conducted camera-trap surveys opportunistically during 2008–2017. We recorded 1,726 detections of tigers in 79,909 camera-trap nights. Among these were at least 16 adults and six cubs/juveniles from four breeding females. Detection rates of both tigers and potential prey species varied considerably between protected areas over the study period. Our findings suggest heterogeneity in tiger distribution across this relatively continuous landscape, potentially influenced by distribution of key prey species. This study indicates that the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex is one of the few remaining breeding locations of the Indochinese tiger. Despite limitations posed by our study design, our findings have catalysed increased research and conservation interest in this globally important population at a critical time for tiger conservation in South-east Asia.

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Baiting for carnivores might negatively affect capture rates of prey species in camera-trap studies

Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1111/jzo.12372 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 300 (3) ◽

pp. 205-212 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

D. G. Rocha ◽

E. E. Ramalho ◽

W. E. Magnusson

Keyword(s):

Prey Species ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Capture Rates

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Is water the key? Dingo management, intraguild interactions and predator distribution around water points in arid Australia

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr10169 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 426 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Renee L. Brawata ◽

Teresa Neeman

Keyword(s):

Prey Species ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Suppressive Effect ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Feral Cats ◽

Intraguild Interactions ◽

Mammalian Predator ◽

Essential Resource ◽

Study Sites ◽

Artificial Water

Context Predators are major beneficiaries of artificial water points in arid environments, yet little is known of the effects of water on the distribution of many sympatric species. Intraguild interactions around water points in arid Australia may play a significant role in structuring mammalian predator assemblages and influence spatial predation on some native prey species. Aims We examined how management of an apex predator, the dingo (Canis lupus dingo), influenced the distribution of two introduced mesopredators, foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus), around water points in arid Australia. Methods The spatial activity of dingoes, foxes and feral cats was assessed at five study sites with varying dingo management regimes. Sampling of predator activity was monitored using track counts at measured proximity to water points. Key results At sites where dingoes were uncontrolled, foxes were less likely to be found within 5 km of water points; conversely, where dingoes were controlled using exclusion fencing, fox activity was highest near water. Where dingo activity was reduced using 1080 baiting, feral cats were found closer to water. Conclusions These patterns suggest that the presence of dingoes instigates avoidance behaviour by foxes and feral cats, and through doing so may limit the use of artificial waters by these mesopredators. Through limiting access to such an essential resource in arid environments, dingoes may reduce mesopredator populations and minimise their impact on native prey. Implications For the conservation of native biodiversity, it may prove beneficial to maintain intact dingo populations due to their suppressive effect on mesopredators.

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Effects of scent lure on camera trap detections vary across mammalian predator and prey species

10.1101/2020.01.30.926618 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Dacyn Holinda ◽

Joanna M. Burgar ◽

A. Cole Burton

Keyword(s):

Ground Squirrel ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Prey Species ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Individual Species ◽

Gray Wolf ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Detection Rates ◽

Predator Species ◽

Scent Lures

AbstractCamera traps are a unique survey tool used to monitor a wide variety of mammal species. Camera trap (CT) data can be used to estimate animal distribution, density, and behaviour. Attractants, such as scent lures, are often used in an effort to increase CT detections; however, the degree which the effects of attractants vary across species is not well understood. We investigated the effects of scent lure on mammal detections by comparing detection rates between 404 lured and 440 unlured CT stations sampled in Alberta, Canada over 120 day survey periods between February and August in 2015 and 2016. We used zero-inflated negative binomial generalized linear mixed models to test the effect of lure on detection rates for a) all mammals, b) six functional groups (all predator species, all prey, large carnivores, small carnivores, small mammals, ungulates), and c) four varied species of management interest (fisher, Pekania pennanti; gray wolf, Canis lupus; moose, Alces alces; and Richardson’s ground squirrel; Urocitellus richardsonii). Mammals were detected at 800 of the 844 CTs, with nearly equal numbers of total detections at CTs with (7110) and without (7530) lure, and variable effects of lure on groups and individual species. Scent lure significantly increased detections of predators as a group, including large and small carnivore sub-groups and fisher specifically, but not of gray wolf. There was no effect of scent lure on detections of prey species, including the small mammal and ungulate sub-groups and moose and Richardson’s ground squirrel specifically. We recommend that researchers explicitly consider the variable effects of scent lure on CT detections across species when designing, interpreting, or comparing multi-species surveys. Additional research is needed to further quantify variation in species responses to scent lures and other attractants, and to elucidate the effect of attractants on community-level inferences from camera trap surveys.

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PATTERNS OF GASTROPOD MOLLUSK PREDATION ON BIVALVE MOLLUSKS ALONG THE UPPER TEXAS GULF COAST

Texas Journal of Science ◽

10.32011/txjsci_70_1_article5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Serena J. Randolph ◽

Alan D. Maccarone

Keyword(s):

Shell Thickness ◽

Prey Species ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Drill Hole ◽

The United States ◽

Hole Diameter ◽

Bivalve Mollusks ◽

Collection Site ◽

Drill Holes

Abstract Predation on bivalve mollusks by gastropod mollusks is common in coastal regions of the United States; however, few previous studies have examined whether drilling gastropods exhibit prey selection. In 2016, shells with small holes drilled by as many as two gastropod predators were collected at three sites separated by 30 km along the Texas Upper Gulf Coast on the Bolivar Peninsula (29° 40′N, 94° 90′W). The likeliest predators in these waters are the southern oyster drill (Stramonita haemastoma Linnaeus 1767) and the moon snail (Neverita duplicate Say 1822). Collected shells were identified to species and measurements were taken to examine statistical relationships between predators and prey species. These measurements included drill-hole diameter, shell thickness, drill-hole completeness, number of drill attempts, and collection site. Across the three locations, 17 different species of shells with drill holes were collected; of these, we focused on the ten most abundant species (n = 277 shells). The sample showed high variation in drill-hole diameter, shell thickness, and drill-hole completeness. Both the total number of holes and mean drill-hole diameter differed significantly among prey species (ANOVA, both P < 0.0001). In addition, drill-hole diameter correlated directly with prey shell thickness (P < 0.0001). Shells whose drill holes were complete were significantly thinner than shells with incomplete holes (P < 0.0001). Mean prey shell thickness, mean drill-hole diameter, and mean number of drill holes all differed significantly by collection site (all P < 0.0001). Ecological and morphological implications related to gastropod predation on mollusks are discussed.

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