Prey selection of the lion (Panthera leo L.) in the Manovo-Gounda-St.Floris National Park, Central African Republic

Abstract. Charaspet K, Sukmasuang R, Khoewsree N, Pla-ard M, Chanachai Y. 2020. Prey species and prey selection of dholes at three different sites in Thailand. Biodiversitas 21: 5248-5262. The study of prey species and prey selection of Dholes at 3 different sites was conducted at Khao Yai National Park, Salak Pra, and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries from 2013 to 2020. Information on Dhole prey at the sites was collected from the residues of dhole scats, from which the selection index, the relative biomass of the prey, and the relative amounts of the consumed prey were calculated. The data were collected simultaneously with the use of camera traps at each site. The study revealed that there were 13 species of Dhole prey with body weight over 5 kg. The result indicated that there were 7 species of even-toed ungulates. The relative biomass of even-toed ungulates ranged between 76.78 - 90.50% of the total biomass of all the Dholes’ consumed prey for all study sites. The dietary diversity index unveiled a similar index in all areas, which proved the adequacy of the analyzed scats. However, the Niche breadth index, which indicates the relevance of prey selection and prey species to the appearances of the prey at each site, was found to be high at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Khao Yai National Park, while the index was found to be low at Salak Pra Wildlife Sanctuary. The results revealed that Dholes consumed viverrid species and Malayan porcupine more often at the site where there were large carnivores. The recommendation from this study was the conservation and restoration of the ungulate populations, the main prey, as it greatly affects the conservation of the Dhole populations in Thailand. Grassland and salt lick sites, water sources improvements are also important to promote prey population. The conservation of wildlife prey by releasing them to nature, as currently conducted, has an effect on the increase of Dholes’ prey species.

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Benefits of being a generalist carnivore when threatened by climate change: the comparative dietary ecology of two sympatric semelparous marsupials, including a new endangered species (Antechinus arktos)

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo16044 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 64 (4) ◽

pp. 249 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Emma L. Gray ◽

Chris J. Burwell ◽

Andrew M. Baker

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

National Park ◽

Diet Composition ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Pitfall Traps ◽

Dietary Ecology ◽

Late 21St Century ◽

Dietary Components ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

Selection Of

The endangered black-tailed dusky antechinus (Antechinus arktos) was described in 2014, so most aspects of its ecology are unknown. We examined diet composition and prey selection of A. arktos and a sympatric congener, the northern form of A. stuartii, at two sites in Springbrook National Park. Overall, taxa from 25 invertebrate orders were identified in the diets from 252 scat samples. Dietary components were similar for each species, but A. arktos consumed a higher frequency and volume of dipteran larvae and Diplopoda, while A. stuartii consumed more Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Isopoda. Both species of Antechinus had a higher percentage of ‘empty’ scats (devoid of any identifiable invertebrate material) in 2014 compared with 2015. The former was a drier year overall. Lower rainfall may have reduced abundance and diversity of arthropod prey, causing both species to supplement their diet with soft-bodied prey items such as earthworms, which are rarely detected in scats. Comparison of prey in scats with invertebrate captures from pitfall traps showed both species to be dietary generalists, despite exhibiting distinct preference and avoidance of certain prey categories. The ability of an endangered generalist marsupial to switch prey may be particularly advantageous considering the anticipated effects of climate change on Gondwanan rainforests during the mid-late 21st century.

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Prey selection of lions Panthera leo in a small, enclosed reserve

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v45i2.32 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

R.J. Power

Keyword(s):

Prey Selection ◽

Panthera Leo ◽

Important Prey ◽

Direct Observations ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Tragelaphus Strepsiceros ◽

Connochaetes Taurinus ◽

Related Mortality ◽

Selection Of ◽

Aepyceros Melampus

Annual trends in numbers of ungulate species on a 15 km² reserve from 1993 to 1998, were evaluated in the context of lion Panthera leo reintroduction during 1996, and subsequent predation by them. The ungulate prey base was enumerated annually by aerial counts and a road count that took place during 1998. The lion prey record was obtained from direct observations of a radio-located pride of eight lions and daily reserve management records. All ungulate species that underwent precipituous declines were also the most important prey to lions, comprising over 80 % of their prey, and they were preyed upon according to their availability. Lion predation was causal for the declines in wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, Blesbok Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi and Warthog Phacochoerus africana, while the decline in Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros was only partly ascribed to lions, as other non-lion related mortality sources were identified. The only ungulate species to increase subsequent to lion reintroduction was the Impala Aepyceros melampus, which was furthermore under-selected by lions. The uncontrolled population growth of Impala could have elicited ecological degradation, and it was advised to either not stock Impala, or otherwise control their numbers if lions are unable to do so. Lion hunting success and kill rate, were 21 % (n = 63) and 1 kill/4.4 days, respectively. Three bushpigs Potamochoerus larvatus were killed but not utilised,and this finding is corroborated by an intensive study in Kwazulu-Natal, and this aversion is discussed. Predators can cause unprecedented declines of their prey where the prey are confined to small reserves that have no refuge from predation. On an annual basis, prey may need to be augmented to sustain predators on small reserves

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Diet composition and prey selection of vendace Coregonus albula in the mesotrophic, temperate Lake Ostrowite (Northern Poland)

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies ◽

10.2478/v10009-007-0036-z ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tomasz Kakareko ◽

Paweł Napiórkowski ◽

Jacek Kozłowski

Keyword(s):

Diet Composition ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Temperate Lake ◽

Coregonus Albula ◽

Northern Poland ◽

Mesotrophic Lake ◽

Selection Of

Diet composition and prey selection of vendaceLake Ostrowite is a mesotrophic lake in Northern Poland 280.7 ha in area and 43 m deep at its deepest point. To study vendace (

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State-shifts of lion prey selection in the Kruger National Park

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr16090 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 28 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N. T. Maruping-Mzileni ◽

P. J. Funston ◽

S. M. Ferreira

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Stable State ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Key Indicator ◽

Management Interventions

Aims Indicators of pending state-shifts carry value for policy makers. Predator–prey relations reflect key ecological processes that shape ecosystems. Variance in predator–prey relations may serve as a key indicator of future state-shifts. Methods Lion (Panthera leo) diet in the Kruger National Park was evaluated as such an indicator. Over the three-decade time span reviewed, variance in diet in relation to rainfall, prey abundance, management strategies and disease emergence were reviewed. Key results Rainfall patterns, both seasonal and cyclical, were identified as key drivers of predator–prey selection. However, the intensity of management in the form of artificial waterpoints overrode and confounded natural process. The results suggest that savanna systems are stable and punctuated by climatic events in the form of extreme above-average rainfall that temporarily destabilises the system. However, droughts are a cyclical part of the savanna system. Conclusion Lion prey selection did fluctuate with changing environmental conditions. Abrupt state shifts did occur; however, the ecosystem returned to a stable state. Implications State shifts in ecosystems pose key challenges to conservation managers. State shifts appear to be primarily associated with management interventions and environmental factors.

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Estimating population sizes of lions Panthera leo and spotted hyaenas Crocuta crocuta in Uganda's savannah parks, using lure count methods

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605313000112 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 394-401 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Edward Okot Omoya ◽

Tutilo Mudumba ◽

Stephen T. Buckland ◽

Paul Mulondo ◽

Andrew J. Plumptre

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Protected Area ◽

National Park ◽

Crocuta Crocuta ◽

Panthera Leo ◽

Analysis Method ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

Conservation Area ◽

Population Sizes

AbstractDespite > 60 years of conservation in Uganda's national parks the populations of lions and spotted hyaenas in these areas have never been estimated using a census method. Estimates for some sites have been extrapolated to other protected areas and educated guesses have been made but there has been nothing more definitive. We used a lure count analysis method of call-up counts to estimate populations of the lion Panthera leo and spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta in the parks where reasonable numbers of these species exist: Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, Murchison Falls Conservation Area and Kidepo Valley National Park. We estimated a total of 408 lions and 324 hyaenas for these three conservation areas. It is unlikely that other conservation areas in Uganda host > 10 lions or > 40 hyaenas. The Queen Elizabeth Protected Area had the largest populations of lions and hyaenas: 140 and 211, respectively. It is estimated that lion numbers have declined by 30% in this protected area since the late 1990s and there are increasing concerns for the long-term viability of both species in Uganda.

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Notes on wild dog Lycaon pictus and lion Panthera leo population trends during a drought in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v38i1.309 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

M.G.L. Mills

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Population Trends ◽

Adult Survival ◽

Panthera Leo ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Drought Period ◽

In The Wild ◽

High Predation ◽

Wild Dog

Wild dog Lycaon pictus and lion Panthera leo populations in the Kruger National Park appeared to undergo an increase during a drought period in the early 1990s. Newly established packs, high adult survival and pup productivity contributed to an increase in the wild dog population and evidence for high predation success during the height of the drought is presented. An increase in the lion density between 1989 and 1993 on the northern basalt plains, as well as changes in the structure of the population, seem to be related to changes in prey populations, particularly to a decline in numbers and condition of buffalo Syncerus cafer.

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Intrinsic Prey Preference and Selection of the Giant Gartersnake: A Threatened Predator in a Nonnative Prey-Dominated Community

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management ◽

10.3996/062019-jfwm-051 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 164-173

Author(s):

Julia S.M. Ersan ◽

Brian J. Halstead ◽

Erica L. Wildy ◽

Michael L. Casazza ◽

Glenn D. Wylie

Keyword(s):

Exotic Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Central Valley ◽

Prey Preference ◽

Live Prey ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Behavioral Trials ◽

Selection Of

Abstract The introduction of exotic species into an environment can introduce great change in the trophic dynamics of native species. This is of even greater concern if the native species is of conservation concern. The giant gartersnake, Thamnophis gigas, an endemic predator of the Central Valley of California and a species of conservation concern at the state and federal levels, has declined as a result of conversion of its once vast wetland habitat to agriculture. Another anthropogenic factor contributing to this snake's changing ecology is the introduction of nonnative prey into the species' habitats. These introductions have resulted in a prey community that is almost completely composed of exotic species and have potential for considerable effects. In order to assess prey preference and selection we performed three sets of behavioral trials on naïve neonates. We examined 1) neonate prey preference in response to olfactory cues of prepared prey extracts, 2) neonate consumption of different live prey items presented simultaneously; and 3) terrestrial feeding behavior and/or latency to successful attack. Results from the olfactory study suggest that native Sierran treefrogs, Pseudacris sierra, are preferred by neonates. Results from consumption trials suggest that neonates are more likely to select frog species than fish species. This is the first study that we are aware of that examines prey selection of this threatened species and serves to inform its conservation and management.

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Prey selection of the least weasel Mustela nivalis in the laboratory

ACTA THERIOLOGICA ◽

10.4098/at.arch.97-20 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. 179-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pirjo Pekkarinen ◽

Jari Heikkilä

Keyword(s):

Prey Selection ◽

Least Weasel ◽

Mustela Nivalis ◽

Selection Of

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A cryptic new species of Chlidonoptera Karsch, 1892 from the south west protected zone of the Central African Republic (Insecta, Mantodea, Hymenopodidae)

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.917.39270 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 917 ◽

pp. 63-83

Author(s):

Nicolas Moulin

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Dna Barcoding ◽

National Park ◽

Central African Republic ◽

Measurement Data ◽

Critical Issue ◽

Key To Species ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

History Information ◽

A New Species

Between 1998 and 2012, several scientific expeditions in Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve and Dzanga-Ndoki National Park led to the collection of many Mantodea specimens from Central African Republic (CAR). Among these specimens, several males of an undescribed species were discovered. Morphologically, this species most closely resembles to Chlidonoptera vexillum Karsch, 1892 and Chlidonoptera lestoni Roy, 1975. A new lineage was revealed by DNA barcoding. Therefore, a new species is described, Chlidonoptera roxanaesp. nov. Habitus images, genitalia illustrations and descriptions, measurement data, a key to species, natural history information, and locality data are provided. These results add to the evidence that cryptic species can be found in tropical regions, a critical issue in efforts to document global species richness. They also illustrate the value of DNA barcoding, especially when coupled with traditional taxonomic tools, in disclosing hidden diversity.

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