Space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator
Abstract Background Where mesopredators co-exist with dominant apex predators, an understanding of the factors that influence their habitat and space use can provide insights that help guide wildlife conservation and pest management actions. A predator’s habitat use is defined by its home range, whi...
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doaj-d1a6f39a20c94164a8a5a4bcdfd58ed02020-11-25T02:40:33ZengBMCMovement Ecology2051-39332020-05-018111410.1186/s40462-020-00203-zSpace use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predatorMichael L. Wysong0Bronwyn A. Hradsky1Gwenllian D. Iacona2Leonie E. Valentine3Keith Morris4Euan G. Ritchie5School of Biological Sciences, University of Western AustraliaSchool of Biosciences, The University of MelbourneAustralian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of QueenslandSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Western AustraliaBiodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsCentre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversityAbstract Background Where mesopredators co-exist with dominant apex predators, an understanding of the factors that influence their habitat and space use can provide insights that help guide wildlife conservation and pest management actions. A predator’s habitat use is defined by its home range, which is influenced by its selection or avoidance of habitat features and intra- and inter-specific interactions within the landscape. These are driven by both innate and learned behaviour, operating at different spatial scales. We examined the seasonal home ranges and habitat selection of actively-managed populations of a native apex predator (dingo Canis dingo) and invasive mesopredator (feral cat Felis catus) in semi-arid Western Australia to better understanding their sympatric landscape use, potential interactions, and to help guide their management. Methods We used kernel density estimates to characterise the seasonal space use of dingoes and feral cats, investigate inter- and intra-species variation in their home range extent and composition, and examine second-order habitat selection for each predator. Further, we used discrete choice modelling and step selection functions to examine the difference in third-order habitat selection across several habitat features. Results The seasonal home ranges of dingoes were on average 19.5 times larger than feral cats. Feral cat seasonal home ranges typically included a larger proportion of grasslands than expected relative to availability in the study site, indicating second-order habitat selection for grasslands. In their fine-scale movements (third-order habitat selection), both predators selected for roads, hydrological features (seasonal intermittent streams, seasonal lakes and wetlands), and high vegetation cover. Dingoes also selected strongly for open woodlands, whereas feral cats used open woodlands and grasslands in proportion to availability. Management recommendations Based on these results, and in order to avoid unintended negative ecological consequences (e.g. mesopredator release) that may stem from non-selective predator management, we recommend that feral cat control focuses on techniques such as trapping and shooting that are specific to feral cats in areas where they overlap with apex predators (dingoes), and more general techniques such as poison baiting where they are segregated.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40462-020-00203-zDingo (Canis dingo)Feral cat (Felis catus)GPS trackingHabitat selectionHome rangeKernel density estimation |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Michael L. Wysong Bronwyn A. Hradsky Gwenllian D. Iacona Leonie E. Valentine Keith Morris Euan G. Ritchie |
spellingShingle |
Michael L. Wysong Bronwyn A. Hradsky Gwenllian D. Iacona Leonie E. Valentine Keith Morris Euan G. Ritchie Space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator Movement Ecology Dingo (Canis dingo) Feral cat (Felis catus) GPS tracking Habitat selection Home range Kernel density estimation |
author_facet |
Michael L. Wysong Bronwyn A. Hradsky Gwenllian D. Iacona Leonie E. Valentine Keith Morris Euan G. Ritchie |
author_sort |
Michael L. Wysong |
title |
Space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator |
title_short |
Space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator |
title_full |
Space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator |
title_fullStr |
Space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator |
title_full_unstemmed |
Space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator |
title_sort |
space use and habitat selection of an invasive mesopredator and sympatric, native apex predator |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Movement Ecology |
issn |
2051-3933 |
publishDate |
2020-05-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Where mesopredators co-exist with dominant apex predators, an understanding of the factors that influence their habitat and space use can provide insights that help guide wildlife conservation and pest management actions. A predator’s habitat use is defined by its home range, which is influenced by its selection or avoidance of habitat features and intra- and inter-specific interactions within the landscape. These are driven by both innate and learned behaviour, operating at different spatial scales. We examined the seasonal home ranges and habitat selection of actively-managed populations of a native apex predator (dingo Canis dingo) and invasive mesopredator (feral cat Felis catus) in semi-arid Western Australia to better understanding their sympatric landscape use, potential interactions, and to help guide their management. Methods We used kernel density estimates to characterise the seasonal space use of dingoes and feral cats, investigate inter- and intra-species variation in their home range extent and composition, and examine second-order habitat selection for each predator. Further, we used discrete choice modelling and step selection functions to examine the difference in third-order habitat selection across several habitat features. Results The seasonal home ranges of dingoes were on average 19.5 times larger than feral cats. Feral cat seasonal home ranges typically included a larger proportion of grasslands than expected relative to availability in the study site, indicating second-order habitat selection for grasslands. In their fine-scale movements (third-order habitat selection), both predators selected for roads, hydrological features (seasonal intermittent streams, seasonal lakes and wetlands), and high vegetation cover. Dingoes also selected strongly for open woodlands, whereas feral cats used open woodlands and grasslands in proportion to availability. Management recommendations Based on these results, and in order to avoid unintended negative ecological consequences (e.g. mesopredator release) that may stem from non-selective predator management, we recommend that feral cat control focuses on techniques such as trapping and shooting that are specific to feral cats in areas where they overlap with apex predators (dingoes), and more general techniques such as poison baiting where they are segregated. |
topic |
Dingo (Canis dingo) Feral cat (Felis catus) GPS tracking Habitat selection Home range Kernel density estimation |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40462-020-00203-z |
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