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https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/208
Title: | Spatial partitioning by a subordinate carnivore is mediated by conspecific overlap. | Authors: | Marneweck, Courtney. Parker, Daniel M. School of Biology and Environmental Sciences School of Biology and Environmental Sciences |
Keywords: | African wild dogs.;Intraguild predation.;Intruder pressure.;Resource richness.;Resource dispersion.;Territory overlap.;Territory size. | Issue Date: | 2019 | Publisher: | Springer Link | Abstract: | There are several hypotheses that could explain territory size in mammals, including the resource dispersion hypothesis (RDH), the intruder pressure hypothesis (IPH), and the intraguild predation hypothesis (IGPH). In this study, we tested predictions of these three hypotheses regarding territories of 19 packs of endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) over 2 years in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. If territory size was supported by the RDH, then we would observe (1) wild dog territories would be larger when resource patches were more dispersed, (2) pack sizes would be larger when resource patches were rich, and (3) pack size would not affect territory size. If supported by the IPH, then we would observe (4) larger territories would experience less intrusions, and (5) there would be an increase in territory overlap in areas of low resource dispersion. Finally, if supported by the IGPH, we would observe (6) territories would be larger in areas of higher lion (Panthera leo) density, as evidence of a spatial avoidance strategy. We found that the IGPH was fully supported (6), the IPH half supported (5), and the RDH partially supported (1 and 3), where we found spatial partitioning of wild dogs with lions, potentially mediated by resources and territory overlap with conspecifics. Ultimately, our results show that subordinate carnivores must balance a trade-off between dominant interspecific competitors and conspecifics to successfully coexist in areas with dominant carnivores. | Description: | Please note that only UMP researchers are shown in the metadata. To access the co-authors, please view the full text. | URI: | https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/208 | DOI: | 10.1007/s00442-019-04512-y |
Appears in Collections: | Journal articles |
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Spatial-partitioning-by-a-subordinate-carnivore-is-mediated-by-conspecific-overlap.pdf Until 2050-12-31 | Author's copy | 1.07 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
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