scholarly journals Human disturbance modifies the identity and interaction strength of mammals that consume Attalea butyracea fruit in a neotropical forest

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-21
Author(s):  
C. M. Delgado-Martínez ◽  
E. Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Interaction Strength ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Neotropical Forest ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Disturbed Forest ◽  
The Tropics

Habitat loss and hunting are important drivers of mammal defaunation, affecting not only species presence but also their ecological roles. Frugivory is a key biotic interaction in the tropics due to its wide representation among mammals and its effects on forest dynamics. We assessed how human disturbance affects interactions between mammalian frugivores and Attalea butyracea fruit deposited on the forest floor by comparing visits to palms at two sites with contrasting levels of human disturbance (non–disturbed vs. disturbed sites) in the Lacandon rainforest in southern Mexico. Using camera traps, we recorded mammal species interacting with fruit and estimated their interaction strength. The frugivore ensemble was richer in the non–disturbed forest (nine species) than in the disturbed forest (four species), which lacked the largest body–sized mammals. Large–bodied mammals showed a stronger interaction with fruit in terms of the frequency and length of their visits. Our study highlights the need to undertake conservation actions not only to ensure that the species are maintained in disturbed forests but also to ensure that their biotic interactions remain unchanged.

Anthropogenic perturbation modifies interactions between mammals and fruits in a tropical forest of southern Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-327
Author(s):  
Mayra Zamora-Espinoza ◽  
Juan Carlos López-Acosta ◽  
Eduardo Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Daily Activity ◽  
Interaction Strength ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Mammalian Fauna ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Field Station ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Studies of tropical mammal defaunation highlight the loss of species as well as their reduction in abundance and diversity; however, there is a complex series of effects associated with this anthropogenic disruption, including increases in the relative abundance of disturbance-tolerant mammals and the arrival of alien mammals whose effects on biotic interactions have been poorly studied. We compared the species richness, composition, interaction strength, and patterns of daily activity of mammals that consume the fruits of Pouteria sapota on the forest floor, both inside and outside of the Los Tuxtlas Field Station (LTFS) in Veracruz, southern Mexico. Using camera traps, we recorded eight mammal species interacting with the fruits inside the LTFS ( trees) and nine species interacting outside ( trees). Alien species such as Canis lupus familiaris were recorded both inside and outside of the LTFS, whereas Bos taurus was only recorded outside. Medium-sized generalist mammals were overrepresented both inside and outside of the LTFS, evidencing an impoverishment of the fauna, when compared to the mammal assemblage reported to interact with P. sapota fruits in a more intact forest. The daily activity patterns of the mammals that interacted strongly with P. sapota fruits were different inside and outside the LTFS, particularly in the case of Cuniculus paca. Our results show that the impact of human activity is highly pervasive, directly affecting the mammalian fauna at different levels and indirectly affecting the biotic interactions in which these animals are involved.

scholarly journals Dominance hierarchy on palm resource partitioning among Neotropical frugivorous mammals

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Akkawi ◽  
Nacho Villar ◽  
Calebe P Mendes ◽  
Mauro Galetti
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Interaction Strength ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Occupancy Models ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Resource Overlap ◽  
Pecari Tajacu ◽  
Temporal Overlap

Abstract In tropical forests, the diets of many frugivorous mammals overlap, yet how hyper-diverse assemblages of consumers exploit resources and coexist remains poorly understood. We evaluated competitive interactions among three species of terrestrial frugivorous mammals, the ungulate Tayassu pecari (white-lipped peccary), its close relative Pecari tajacu (collared peccary), and a large rodent (Dasyprocta azarae, agouti), in their exploitation strategies of palm resources of different quality. We conducted the study in a large isolated fragment at the tropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, where these mammal species show high spatial and temporal overlap. We evaluated if body mass and foraging group size define a hierarchy in exploitation of preferentially richer palm resources. We used camera traps and two-species occupancy models to examine patterns of co-occurrence and variable interaction strength between these consumers and three species of palms. Our analyses supported the hypothesis of partial resource overlap but no competition among frugivores, and a body mass dominance hierarchical exploitation of resources. The larger frugivore (white-lipped peccary) dominated patches of the lipid-rich palm Euterpe edulis, where the smallest frugivore (agouti) was absent. Instead, the smallest frugivore concentrated its foraging in areas with the poorest palm resource, Syagrus oleracea. Collared peccaries preferred areas of high abundance of Syagrus romanzoffiana when the other two mammal species were rarely detected or absent, strongly avoided patches of E. edulis, and showed higher average detection probabilities when agoutis were present. Our study highlights the important role of behavioral plasticity in promoting coexistence and indicates that through context-dependent interactions and hierarchical partitioning of resources, consumers can avoid strong competition, even under conditions of high spatial and temporal overlap and high levels of habitat fragmentation and isolation.

scholarly journals Adaptation and latitudinal gradients in species interactions: nest predation in birds

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin G. Freeman ◽  
Micah N. Scholer ◽  
Mannfred M. A. Boehm ◽  
Julian Heavyside ◽  
Dolph Schluter
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Interaction Strength ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Evolutionary Rates ◽  
Latitudinal Gradients ◽  
Biotic Interaction ◽  
The Tropics

AbstractThe “biotic interactions” hypothesis—that stronger interspecific interactions in the tropics drive faster evolution and speciation, giving rise to the latitudinal diversity gradient—has inspired many tests of whether certain biotic interactions are indeed stronger in the tropics. However, the possibility that populations have adapted to latitudinal differences in species interactions, blunting effects on evolutionary rates, has been largely ignored. Here we show that mean rates of nest predation experienced by land birds vary minimally with latitude in the Western Hemisphere. This result is surprising because nest predation in birds is a canonical example of a strong tropical biotic interaction. We explain our finding by demonstrating that (1) rates of nest predation are in fact higher in the tropics, but only when controlling for the length of the nesting period, (2) long nesting periods are associated with reduced predation rates, and (3) tropical birds have evolved particularly long nesting periods. We suggest this is a case example of how adaptation to a biotic interaction can alter observed latitudinal gradients in interaction strength, potentially equalizing evolutionary rates among latitudes. More broadly, we advocate for tests of the biotic interactions hypothesis to consider both latitudinal patterns in interaction strength and evolutionary responses to these interactions.

scholarly journals Diversity begets diversity in human cultures and mammal species

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus J. Hamilton ◽  
Robert S. Walker ◽  
Chris Kempes
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Energy Availability ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Global Databases ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Mammal Diversity ◽  
Kinetics Of

AbstractA key feature of the distribution of life on Earth is the positive correlation between environmental productivity and biodiversity. This correlation also characterizes the distribution of human cultural diversity, which is highest near the equator and decreases exponentially toward the poles. Moreover, it is now understood that the tropics house more biodiversity than would be expected from energy availability alone suggesting “diversity begets diversity”. Here we show the same is also true for human cultural diversity. This convergence is particularly striking because while the dynamics of biological and cultural evolution may be similar in principle the mechanisms and time scales involved are very different. However, a common currency underlying all forms of diversity is ecological kinetics; the temperature-dependent fluxes of energy and biotic interactions that sustain life at all levels of biological and social organization. Using macroecological theory and the analysis of global databases we show both mammal diversity and cultural diversity scale superlinearly with environmental productivity at rates predicted by the ecological kinetics of environmental productivity. Diversity begets diversity in human cultures and mammal species because the kinetics of energy availability and biotic interactions result in superlinear scaling with environmental productivity.

scholarly journals Camera trapping reveals area of conservation significance for large and medium-sized mammals on the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yu Xu ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Xiaodong Gu ◽  
Dazhao Song ◽  
Biao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Eastern Margin ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Eastern Edge

Abstract The eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, a global biodiversity hotspot, is threatened by habitat degradation. Conservation actions are required in this region, but limited knowledge of large and medium-sized mammals is hampering conservation planning. Using 149 camera traps, we surveyed large and medium-sized mammals in Xionglongxi Provincial Nature Reserve and adjacent areas, on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, during September 2016–May 2017. We obtained 5,752 independent captures of 29 large and medium-sized mammal species, including 13 that are globally threatened and 22 that are nationally threatened in China. Carnivores were especially diverse, with 16 species recorded. Of particular significance was our detection of seven felid species, including the leopard Panthera pardus and the snow leopard Panthera uncia. Our record of the Chinese mountain cat Felis bieti extends the known range of this species. We documented new upper elevation limits for eight species. There was elevational overlap between the leopard and the snow leopard, suggesting potential competition between the two species. The grey wolf Canis lupus and the leopard were the dominant predators, and the woolly hare Lepus oiostolus and several species of ungulates were the most frequently photographed prey species. The study area maintains a significant community of large and medium-sized mammals, which is more diverse than in other areas on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. We recommend the establishment of a larger nature reserve of national protection status in the region of the Xionglongxi Provincial Nature Reserve, to protect the unique subalpine and alpine ecosystems in this area.

scholarly journals Density Estimates of Unmarked Large Mammals at Camera Traps Vary among Models, Species, and Years, Signalling Importance of Model Assumptions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Fisher ◽  
Joanna Burgar ◽  
Melanie Dickie ◽  
Cole Burton ◽  
Rob Serrouya
Keyword(s):  
Density Estimation ◽  
Black Bear ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Density Estimates ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Social Species ◽  
Marked Variability ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Best Fitting

Density estimation is a key goal in ecology but accurate estimates remain elusive, especially for unmarked animals. Data from camera-trap networks combined with new density estimation models can bridge this gap but recent research has shown marked variability in accuracy, precision, and concordance among estimators. We extend this work by comparing estimates from two different classes of models: unmarked spatial capture-recapture (spatial count, SC) models, and Time In Front of Camera (TIFC) models, a class of random encounter model. We estimated density for four large mammal species with different movement rates, behaviours, and sociality, as these traits directly relate to model assumptions. TIFC density estimates were typically higher than SC model estimates for all species. Black bear TIFC estimates were ~ 10-fold greater than SC estimates. Caribou TIFC estimates were 2-10 fold greater than SC estimates. White-tailed deer TIFC estimates were up to 100-fold greater than SC estimates. Differences of 2-5 fold were common for other species in other years. SC estimates were annually stable except for one social species; TIFC estimates were highly annually variable in some cases and consistent in others. Tests against densities obtained from DNA surveys and aerial surveys also showed variable concordance and divergence. For gregarious animals TIFC may outperform SC due to the latter model’s assumption of independent activity centres. For curious animals likely to investigate camera traps, SC may outperform TIFC, which assumes animal behavior is unaffected by cameras. Unmarked models offer great possibilities, but a pragmatic approach employs multiple estimators where possible, considers the ecological plausibility of assumptions, and uses an informed multi-inference approach to seek estimates from models with assumptions best fitting a species’ biology.

scholarly journals An overview of the mammals of the Gila region, New Mexico

Therya ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-236
Author(s):  
Amanda K. Jones ◽  
Schuyler W. Liphardt ◽  
Jonathan L. Dunnum
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Great Basin ◽  
The United States ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Sky Islands ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Landscape Complexity ◽  
Biogeographic History ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽  
History Of

A study of the mammals of the Gila region of New Mexico was conducted from 2012 through 2020, with 2,919 voucher specimens collected through fieldwork and collaborations with commercial trappers, in addition to data from camera traps, review of major holdings at 46 museums (n = 12,505 georeferenced specimens), and literature review.  Specimens cover a 170-year span, dating back to 1850 and were unevenly distributed spatially and temporally across the Gila region.  Most areas were very poorly represented and when summed across all mammal species, ranged from 0.02 to 3.7 specimens per km2.  The survey documented 108 species (104 now extant) for the region.  High species richness, greater than that reported for 38 states in the United States, is likely due to the juxtaposition of multiple biomes in the Gila, including the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Great Basin deserts, the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Madre Occidental, and nearby “sky islands’’ of the Southwest.  Two species, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae and Zapus luteus, are documented for the first time from the study area.  Expansions of the known range of these species, and Sciurus arizonensis are described from specimen and camera data.  Preliminary phylogeographic studies of four species (Notiosorex crawfordi, Neotoma albigula, Perognathus flavus, and Thomomys bottae) using the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene reveal the dynamic biogeographic history of the region and reinforce how landscape complexity and climate change have jointly contributed to diversification and thus high mammalian diversity in the region.

scholarly journals Mammal richness and diversity in Serra do Facão region, Southeastern Goiás state, central Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo de Paula Gomes ◽  
Clarisse Rezende Rocha ◽  
Reuber Albuquerque Brandão ◽  
Jader Marinho-Filho
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Mammalian Fauna ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Mammal Fauna ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Reservoir Filling

At least 251 mammal species are recorded for the Brazilan cerrado, which, therefore, is the third richest Brazilian biome. Most mammal surveys in Brazilian cerrado result from studies performed opportunistically and in short time periods. The aims of the present study were (1) provide a checklist for the mammalian fauna based on a five-year sampling in Serra do Facão region, Southeastern Goiás state; (2) compare small non-flying mammals diversity in open and forest areas and (3) compare species diversity before and after the flood caused by a hydroelectric reservoir filling. The data was gathered in 19 sampling periods, from May 2008 to September 2013. We sampled open and forest habitats and captured non-flying small mammals with Sherman and Tomahawk live traps and pitfalls; bats were sampled with mist-nets; large mammals were recorded with camera traps, and by direct observations and track surveys in field. We found 20 species of small non-flying mammals, 10 species of bats and 33 species of larger mammals. Species diversity was greater for forest than open habitats, and was also greater before than after the complete reservoir filling. About 10% of the recorded species are included in the Brazilian official list of threatened species. The total richness represents 25% of all cerrado mammal fauna, highlighting the importance of this area for regional mammal fauna conservation.

Effects of Environmental Stress on Primate Populations

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 417-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Kamilar ◽  
Lydia Beaudrot
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Stress ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Ranging Behavior ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Physiological Demands

Environmental stress on primate populations can take many forms. Abiotic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, may directly influence the behavior of primates owing to physiological demands of thermoregulation or through indirect influences on vegetation that primates rely on for food. These effects can also scale up to the macro scale, impacting primate distributions and evolution. Primates also encounter stress during interactions within and between species (i.e., biotic interactions). For example, selective pressure from male-perpetrated infanticide can drive the development of female counterstrategies and can impact life-history traits. Predation on primates can modify group size, ranging behavior, and habitat use. Finally, humans have influenced primate populations for millennia. More recently, hunting, habitat disturbance, disease, and climate change have increased in frequency and severity with detrimental impacts on primate populations worldwide. These effects and recent evidence from camera traps emphasize the importance of maintaining protected areas for conserving primate populations.

Evaluation of risks for two native mammal species from feral cat baiting in monsoonal tropical northern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Heiniger ◽  
Skye F. Cameron ◽  
Graeme Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Rhodamine B ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Dry Tropics

Context Feral cats are a significant threat to native wildlife and broad-scale control is required to reduce their impacts. Two toxic baits developed for feral cats, Curiosity® and Hisstory®, have been designed to reduce the risk of baiting to certain non-target species. These baits involve encapsulating the toxin within a hard-shelled delivery vehicle (HSDV) and placing it within a meat attractant. Native animals that chew their food more thoroughly are predicted to avoid poisoning by eating around the HSDV. This prediction has not been tested on wild native mammals in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics of the Northern Territory. Aim The aim of this research was to determine whether northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) and northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) would take feral cat baits and ingest the HSDV under natural conditions on Groote Eylandt. Methods We hand-deployed 120 non-toxic baits with a HSDV that contained a biomarker, Rhodamine B, which stains animal whiskers when ingested. The species responsible for bait removal was determined with camera traps, and HSDV ingestion was measured by evaluating Rhodamine B in whiskers removed from animals trapped after baiting. Key results During field trials, 95% of baits were removed within 5 days. Using camera-trap images, we identified the species responsible for taking baits on 65 occasions. All 65 confirmed takes were by native species, with northern quolls taking 42 baits and northern brown bandicoots taking 17. No quolls and only one bandicoot ingested the HSDV. Conclusion The use of the HSDV reduces the potential for quolls and bandicoots to ingest a toxin when they consume feral cat baits. However, high bait uptake by non-target species may reduce the efficacy of cat baiting in some areas. Implications The present study highlighted that in the monsoonal wet–dry tropics, encapsulated baits are likely to minimise poisoning risk to certain native species that would otherwise eat meat baits. However, further research may be required to evaluate risks to other non-target species. Given the threat to biodiversity from feral cats, we see it as critical to continue testing Hisstory® and Curiosity® in live-baiting trials in northern Australia.

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