Prey availability and intraguild competition regulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of a modified large carnivore guild

Davis, RS, Yarnell, RW ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6584-7374, Gentle, LK ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4864-5775, Uzal, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6478-1895, Mgoola, WO and Stone, EL, 2021. Prey availability and intraguild competition regulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of a modified large carnivore guild. Ecology and Evolution. ISSN 2045-7758

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Abstract

Effective conservation management requires an understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics driving large carnivore density and resource partitioning. In African ecosystems, reduced prey populations and the loss of competing guild members, most notably lion (Panthera leo), are expected to increase the levels of competition between remaining carnivores. Consequently, intraguild relationships can be altered, potentially increasing the risk of further population decline. Kasungu National Park (KNP), Malawi, is an example of a conservation area that has experienced large‐scale reductions in both carnivore and prey populations, leaving a resident large carnivore guild consisting of only leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Here, we quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of these two species and their degree of association, using a combination of co‐detection modeling, time‐to‐event analyses, and temporal activity patterns from camera trap data. The detection of leopard and spotted hyena was significantly associated with the detection of preferred prey and competing carnivores, increasing the likelihood of species interaction. Temporal analyses revealed sex‐specific differences in temporal activity, with female leopard activity patterns significantly different to those of spotted hyena and male conspecifics. Heightened risk of interaction with interspecific competitors and male conspecifics may have resulted in female leopards adopting temporal avoidance strategies to facilitate coexistence. Female leopard behavioral adaptations increased overall activity levels and diurnal activity rates, with potential consequences for overall fitness and exposure to sources of mortality. As both species are currently found at low densities in KNP, increased risk of competitive interactions, which infer a reduction in fitness, could have significant implications for large carnivore demographics. The protection of remaining prey populations is necessary to mitigate interspecific competition and avoid further alterations to the large carnivore guild.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Ecology and Evolution
Creators:	Davis, R.S., Yarnell, R.W., Gentle, L.K., Uzal, A., Mgoola, W.O. and Stone, E.L.
Publisher:	Wiley
Date:	16 May 2021
ISSN:	2045-7758
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1002/ece3.7620 DOI 1439227 Other
Rights:	© 2021 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	28 May 2021 13:55
Last Modified:	31 May 2021 15:02
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/42949

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