scholarly journals Assessing the potential for intraguild predation among taxonomically disparate micro-carnivores: marsupials and arthropods

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 171872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara I. Potter ◽  
Aaron C. Greenville ◽  
Christopher R. Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Intraguild Predation ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Wolf Spiders ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
First Time

Interspecific competition may occur when resources are limited, and is often most intense between animals in the same ecological guild. Intraguild predation (IGP) is a distinctive form of interference competition, where a dominant predator selectively kills subordinate rivals to gain increased access to resources. However, before IGP can be identified, organisms must be confirmed as members of the same guild and occur together in space and time. The lesser hairy-footed dunnart ( Sminthopsis youngsoni , Dasyuridae) is a generalist marsupial insectivore in arid Australia, but consumes wolf spiders ( Lycosa spp., Lycosidae) disproportionately often relative to their availability. Here, we test the hypothesis that this disproportionate predation is a product of frequent encounter rates between the interactants due to high overlap in their diets and use of space and time. Diet and prey availability were determined using direct observations and invertebrate pitfall trapping, microhabitat use by tracking individuals of both species-groups, and temporal activity using spotlighting and camera traps. Major overlap (greater than 75% similarity) was found in diet and temporal activity, and weaker overlap in microhabitat use. Taken together, these findings suggest reasonable potential, for the first time, for competition and intraguild predation to occur between taxa as disparate as marsupials and spiders.

Nest attendance and hatchling care in wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Quintana Roo, Mexico

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yann Hénaut ◽  
Pierre Charruau
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Quintana Roo ◽  
Nest Attendance ◽  
Caribbean Islands ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Visit Frequency ◽  
Cozumel Island ◽  
Crocodylus Acutus ◽  
First Time

AbstractCrocodilians show universal parental care, but few studies concentrate on this behavior in wild crocodiles. We studied nest and hatchling care in genetically pure wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) on two Caribbean islands of Mexico. From 2006 to 2009 we made direct observations of crocodile behavior upon discovery of nests and groups of hatchlings in Banco Chinchorro. In 2009, we installed camera traps at 4 nests from the time of their discovery to the hatching of each nest, in Banco Chinchorro and Cozumel Island. Twenty-one other species were observed to visit crocodile nests. No nest predation was observed but nine species represented some danger to nests and/or hatchlings. Females seemed to remain in the nest vicinity during incubation. There was variability in nest visit frequencies and no nest defense toward human intrusion was observed. Visit frequency by other species at nests decreased with increased crocodile visitation. Crocodiles mainly visited nests on darker nights, corresponding to the visits of species representing greater danger for nests. Repair of the nest by females after disturbance was observed for the first time in wild American crocodiles. Crocodile visits were more frequent at the beginning and the end of incubation, which could represent different antipredation strategies. Although adult crocodiles helped during hatching for the emergence of neonates, hatchling care seemed reduced compared to other crocodile species. We provide the first data on nesting behavior of genetically pure American crocodiles in the Yucatan peninsula, which provides a base for future comparisons with Morelet's crocodiles and their hybrids.

scholarly journals Experimentally testing the response of feral cats and their prey to poison baiting

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim S. Doherty ◽  
Michelle Hall ◽  
Ben Parkhurst ◽  
Vanessa Westcott
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Occupancy Modelling ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Poison Baiting

Feral cats Felis catus have caused the decline and extinction of many species worldwide, particularly on islands and in Australia where native species are generally naïve to the threat of this introduced predator. Effectively reducing cat populations to protect wildlife is challenging because cats have a cryptic nature, high reproductive rate and strong reinvasion ability. We experimentally tested the response of feral cats and their native prey to an Eradicat® poison baiting program at a conservation reserve. Baits were distributed by hand along roads and tracks every 50 m (~10 baits km-2). We used camera traps to monitor the response of cats to baiting using a repeated before-after, control-impact design over six years. We also measured introduced rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus activity using sand pads and small mammal and reptile captures using pitfall trapping. Dynamic occupancy modelling revealed only modest effects of baiting on cats in two out of six years, with occupancy in the baited area decreasing from 54% to 19% in 2014 (-35%) and 89% to 63% in 2017 (-26%). Baiting effectiveness was not related to antecedent rainfall or prey availability. Bait availability was reduced by non-target interference, with 73% of baits for which fate could be determined being removed by non-target species. We found no evidence for persistent changes in small mammal or reptile capture rates in the baited area relative to the unbaited area over the life of the project. We highlight key areas for future research that should benefit feral cat management not only in Australia, but also on the many islands worldwide where cats threaten native wildlife.

Function of coprophagous beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Hydrophilidae) in cattle pastures inferred from pitfall trapping data

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Šlachta ◽  
Jan Frelich ◽  
Tomáš Tonka
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Nested Anova ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Dung Decomposition

Function of coprophagous beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Hydrophilidae) in cattle pastures inferred from pitfall trapping dataAn analysis of data on the dry weight biomass of coprophagous beetles in standardized dung (4.5 l) was conducted in order to characterize the spatial and the seasonal distribution of the beetles' biomass in cattle pastures and to elucidate their function in dung decomposition. Nested Anova with factors of farm, site (nested in farm), seasonal period and year was used to evaluate the effect of these factors on the biomass of four functional species groups: the dung dwellers ofScarabaeidae(subfamilyAphodiinae), the dung dwellers ofHydrophilidae, the small tunnellers ofScarabaeidae(subfamilyCoprinae) and the large tunnellers ofGeotrupidae. The spatial variation of biomass (between the sites and the farms) was insignificant (P>0.05) in the two dung-dweller groups and in the large-tunnellers group. On the other hand, a significant (P<0.05) seasonal variation of biomass was found in all but the large tunneller group. In dung dwellers, the spring biomass was formed mainly by two species,Aphodius prodromusandA. sphacelatus. In summer, most of the biomass was accounted for bySphaeridium lunatum, S. scarabaeoidesandA. rufipes. In the two tunneller groups,Onthophagus fracticornis, Geotrupes stercorariusandG. spinigerformed a majority of the biomass in dung.

Discovery of Systenus in the Afrotropical Region with a description of a new species (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-290
Author(s):  
I.Ya. Grichanov ◽  
M.B. Mostovski
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Afrotropical Region ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

The genus Systenus Loew, 1857 is recorded from Afrotropical Region for the first time. A description of a new species, Systenus africanus Grichanov sp. nov., and notes on females of another probably new Afrotropical species are provided. The genus is considered now as cosmopolitan. A key to species and species groups of the Systenus worldwide is compiled.

scholarly journals Influence of competition and intraguild predation between two candidate biocontrol parasitoids on their potential impact against Harrisia cactus mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María B. Aguirre ◽  
Octavio A. Bruzzone ◽  
Serguei V. Triapitsyn ◽  
Hilda Diaz-Soltero ◽  
Stephen D. Hight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intraguild Predation ◽  
Interference Competition ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Parasitoid Species ◽  
Temporal Window ◽  
Response Models ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Functional Response Models ◽  
Fully Bayesian ◽  
Release Strategy

AbstractWhen two or more parasitoid species, particularly candidates for biocontrol, share the same target in the same temporal window, a complex of behaviors can occur among them. We studied the type of interactions (competition and intraguild predation) that existed between the nymphal parasitoids Anagyrus cachamai and A. lapachosus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), two candidate neoclassical biocontrol agents against the Puerto Rican cactus pest mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). The surrogate native congener host in Argentina, the cactus mealybug Hypogeococcus sp., was studied to predict which species should be released; in the case that both should be released, in which order, and their potential impact on host suppression. In the laboratory we conducted experiments where different densities of the host mealybug were exposed to naive females of A. cachamai and A. lapachosus sequentially in both directions. Experiments were analyzed by combining a series of competitive behavioral and functional response models. A fully Bayesian approach was used to select the best explaining models and calculate their parameters. Intraguild predation existed between A. cachamai, the species that had the greatest ability to exploit the resource, and A. lapachosus, the strongest species in the interference competition. The role that intraguild predation played in suppression of Hypogeococcus sp. indicated that a multiple release strategy for the two biocontrol agents would produce better control than a single release; as for the release order, A. lapachosus should be released first.

scholarly journals Impact of natural salt lick on the home range of Panthera tigris at the Royal Belum Rainforest, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Andrew Lazarus ◽  
Azlan Che-Amat ◽  
Muhammad Muzammil Abdul Halim Shah ◽  
Azwan Hamdan ◽  
Hasliza Abu Hassim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Salt Lick ◽  
Save Energy ◽  
Salt Licks

AbstractNatural salt lick (sira) is a strategic localisation for ecological wildlife assemblage to exhibit geophagy which may act as a population dynamic buffer of prey and predators. Undoubtedly, many agree that geophagy at natural licks is linked to nutritional ecology, health and assembly places facilitating social interaction of its users. Overall, natural salt licks not only save energy of obtaining nutrient leading to health maintenance but also forms the basis of population persistence. The Royal Belum Rainforest, Malaysia (Royal Belum) is a typical tropical rainforest in Malaysia rich in wildlife which are mainly concentrated around the natural salt lick. Since this is one of the most stable fauna ecology forest in Malaysia, it is timely to assess its impact on the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris) home range dynamics. The three-potential home ranges of the Malayan tiger in this rainforest were selected based on animal trails or foot prints surrounding the salt lick viz (e.g. Sira Kuak and Sira Batu; Sira Rambai and Sira Buluh and Sira Papan) as well as previous sightings of a Malayan tiger in the area, whose movement is dependent on the density and distribution of prey. Camera traps were placed at potential animal trails surrounding the salt lick to capture any encountered wildlife species within the area of the camera placements. Results showed that all home ranges of Malayan tiger were of no significance for large bodied prey availability such as sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), and smaller prey such as muntjacs (Muntiacus muntjac) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Interestingly, all home range harbour the Malayan tiger as the only sole predator. The non-significance of prey availability at each home range is attributed to the decline of the Malayan tiger in the rainforest since tigers are dependant on the movement of its preferred prey surrounding natural salt licks. Thus, the information from this study offers fundamental knowledge on the importance of prey-predator interaction at salt lick which will help in designing strategy in rewilding or rehabilitation programs of the Malayan tiger at the Royal Belum Rainforest.

A revision of the genus Morphostenophanes Pic, 1925 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Stenochiinae, Cnodalonini)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4769 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-81
Author(s):  
DE-YAO ZHOU
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
New Subspecies ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
North Vietnam ◽  
First Time ◽  
Coleoptera Tenebrionidae

The genus Morphostenophanes Pic, 1925 is redefined and revised. Seventeen new species and three new subspecies are described, including M. aenescens yelang Zhou, new subspecies, M. bannaensis Zhou, new species, M. brevigaster Zhou, new species, M. chongli Zhou, new species, M. crassus Zhou, new species, M. furvus Zhou, new species, M. furvus weishanus Zhou, new subspecies, M. gaoligongensis Zhou, new species, M. iridescens Zhou, new species, M. lincangensis Zhou, new species, M. linglong Zhou, new species, M. metallicus Zhou, new species, M. minor, Zhou, new species, M. planus Zhou, new species, M. purpurascens Zhou, new species, M. sinicus Zhou, new species, and M. yunnanus Zhou, new species from Yunnan, China; M. chongli glaber Zhou, new subspecies from Yunnan, China and North Vietnam; M. curvitibialis Zhou, new species from Guangxi, China, and M. luoxiaoshanus Zhou, new species from Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi, China. M. birmanicus (Kaszab, 1980) is recorded from China (Yunnan) for the first time. M. papillatus Kaszab, 1941 is firstly recorded from Yunnan and Sichuan, China. Two poorly known species, M. aenescens Pic, 1925 and M. vietnamicus Kaszab, 1980 are redescribed. Male of M. atavus (Kaszab, 1960) is described in detail. Misidentifications of M. aenescens Pic. 1925 and M. atavus (Kaszab, 1960) in previous works are corrected. Six species groups are proposed. A species catalog, identification key and distributional maps for the genus are given. 

Microhabitat use of different age groups of snake-eyed skink and Eastern green lizard

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dániel Kovács ◽  
István Kiss
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Management ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Carpathian Basin ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Natural Grasslands ◽  
Lacerta Viridis ◽  
First Time

Although Ablepharus kitaibelii and its subspecies are wide-spread, being distributed from the Carpathian Basin through the Balkans to Iraq, their habitat and environmental niche is poorly known. Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzingeri is almost entirely limited to the Carpathian Basin, and is amongst the most strictly protected and least known reptiles of Central and Eastern Europe. The main aim of our study was to determine habitat use preferences of different age groups of A. kitaibelii fitzingeri and Lacerta viridis. The occurrence of green lizard was determined by the abundance of refugia rather than by the naturalness of grasslands. The snake-eyed skink prefers semi-natural grasslands with abundant tussock-forming grass or sedge species, avoiding densely shrubby places. For the first time, we show that woodland mosaics lacking shrubs and temporary grasslands next to forest edges are important for the species. Microhabitat use by snake-eyed skink varies with age group; adults preferring shady edge zones rich in leaf litter and shadier grassland spots provided by woodland mosaics, whereas juveniles were found in natural, more open grasslands far from forest edges and in woodland mosaics with dense shrubby understory. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the ecological needs of A. kitaibelii fitzingeri. Our methodology could be adapted to other species and subspecies of Ablepharus. Based on our results, it is important to reconsider habitat management activities, which should not be limited to shrub control: the main goal should be the development of a diverse habitat structure.

Ant-like stone beetles on the roof of the world. Cephenniini of Nepal and Bhutan (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4349 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAWEŁ JAŁOSZYŃSKI
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
The World ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Himalaya ◽  
Himalaya Mountains

The tribe Cephenniini is for the first time reported to occur in the Himalaya Mountains, and 58 species are described: Cephennomicrus arunensis sp. n., Cm. acupunctatus sp. n., Cm. taplejungensis sp. n., Hlavaciellus primitivus sp. n., Cephennodes (s. str.) cavifrons sp. n., C. (s. str.) pampinosus sp. n., C. (s. str.) bagmatianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) popeye sp. n., C. (s. str.) clavodentatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) meredaranus sp. n., C. (s. str.) yangrianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) suturalis sp. n., C. (s. str.) karnaliensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) churtanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) sermathangensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) tipulipes sp. n., C. (s. str.) yeti sp. n., C. (s. str.) inflaticornis sp. n., C. (s. str.) dolakhanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) manangensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) martensi sp. n., C. (s. str.) paramartensi sp. n., C. (s. str.) monolaminatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) thakanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) annapurnaensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) parbatensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) letheanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) myagdiensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) malla sp. n., C. (s. str.) gorkha sp. n., C. (s. str.) tharepatianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) minisulcatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) mustangensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) lalitpuranus sp. n., C. (s. str.) paralalitpuranus sp. n., C. (s. str.) bahrabisensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) bilaminatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) ghorepanianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) cordilaminatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) mangmayanus sp. n. C. (s. str.) bilobatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) gokarnaensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) pseudogokarnaensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) mahisapala sp. n., C. (s. str.) licchavi sp. n., C. (s. str.) gopala sp. n., C. (s. str.) paniporuanus sp. n., C. (s. str.) brachyclavatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) phulchokianus sp. n., C. (s. str.) pokharensis sp. n., C. (s. str.) newar sp. n., C. (s. str.) kusunda sp. n., C. (s. str.) sindhupalchowk sp. n., C. (s. str.) furcatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) penicillipes sp. n., C. (s. str.) sulcatus sp. n., C. (s. str.) kalopanianus sp. n., and C. (s. str.) poonensis sp. n. Cephennodes popeye occurs in Bhutan; all remaining species inhabit Nepal. Four new species groups are established in Cephennodes, and a checklist of all Cephennodes species placed in species groups is given. The presumably plesiomorphic morphological structures of H. primitivus are discussed, and comparative notes on the Himalayan Cephenniini fauna are presented.  

Study of the genus Meleonoma Meyrick, 1914 (Lepidoptera: Autostichidae) from China (III), with descriptions of eighteen new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4995 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-333
Author(s):  
SHUXIA WANG ◽  
XIAOJU ZHU ◽  
ZHULIN TAO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Group A ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
First Time

Eighteen new species of the genus Meleonoma Meyrick are described: M. arcivalvata sp. nov., M. chongqingensis sp. nov., M. curvativa sp. nov., M. curvitaeniana sp. nov., M. dilatifasciata sp. nov., M. fasciptera sp. nov., M. globoidea sp. nov., M. graciliclavata sp. nov., M. grandivalvula sp. nov., M. lunata sp. nov., M. medispinea sp. nov., M. proapicalis sp. nov., M. raphidacantha sp. nov., M. sinuaclavata sp. nov., M. tenuiclavata sp. nov., M. tetrodonta sp. nov. M. ventridentata sp. nov. and M. ventrisinuata sp. nov. The female of M. similifloralis (Wang, 2006) is described for the first time. Images of both adults and genitalia are provided. All species are divided into two species-groups, the dentivalvata species-group and the fasciptera species-group. A key to each group and maps showing the distribution of each group in China are given.  

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