Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou
Abstract The diet of predators can be highly variable, which is exemplified by their ability to acclimate to a wide range of ecological conditions. Such flexibility in foraging may be a key aspect of their performance in unpredictable environments such as at the edge of the range of a species or whe...
Published in: | Journal of Mammalogy |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Other Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Oxford University Press (OUP)
2023
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad002 https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-pdf/104/2/252/49769011/gyad002.pdf |
id |
croxfordunivpr:10.1093/jmammal/gyad002 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
croxfordunivpr:10.1093/jmammal/gyad002 2024-09-15T17:36:20+00:00 Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou Bonin, Michaël Dussault, Christian Taillon, Joëlle Pisapio, John Lecomte, Nicolas Côté, Steeve D Goheen, Jacob Ministère des Forêts de la Faune et des Parcs Newfoundland and Labrador Fonds de Recherche Québécois pour la Nature et les Technologies 2023 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad002 https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-pdf/104/2/252/49769011/gyad002.pdf en eng Oxford University Press (OUP) https://academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights Journal of Mammalogy volume 104, issue 2, page 252-264 ISSN 0022-2372 1545-1542 journal-article 2023 croxfordunivpr https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad002 2024-08-27T04:13:55Z Abstract The diet of predators can be highly variable, which is exemplified by their ability to acclimate to a wide range of ecological conditions. Such flexibility in foraging may be a key aspect of their performance in unpredictable environments such as at the edge of the range of a species or where food availability varies greatly in time and space. Gaining information on the diets of predators under such conditions could foster our comprehension of their ecological flexibility and the potential role of predation on the population dynamics of prey. We determined the diet of wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus) in northern Québec and Labrador (Canada) within the range of two migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus) herds: the high-abundance Rivière-aux-Feuilles herd (RFH) and low-abundance Rivière-George herd (RGH). Worldwide, decline in caribou populations has become a concern, stressing the need to better understand the factors involved in these declines, including predation. In northern Québec (RFH range), caribou was the primary year-round prey of wolves while moose (Alces alces) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) were consumed in some sectors. The diet of wolves in northern Labrador (RGH range) varied seasonally, with caribou, moose, and fish as main prey during different periods throughout the year. Black bear diets varied seasonally and regionally. Among the foods we analyzed, caribou was the main source of animal protein for bears in northern Québec and northern Labrador, except during a high abundance of Ungava collared lemming (Dicrostonyx hudsonius). Only bears in northern Québec ate caribou during late summer/fall. Our results highlight the diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in northern food webs, and how their diets change in relation to the distribution and abundance of prey. Our results will help quantify the potential impact of these predators on prey populations in northern systems. Article in Journal/Newspaper Alces alces Canis lupus caribou Dicrostonyx hudsonius ovibos moschatus Rangifer tarandus Rivière aux Feuilles Ungava Collared Lemming Oxford University Press Journal of Mammalogy |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Oxford University Press |
op_collection_id |
croxfordunivpr |
language |
English |
description |
Abstract The diet of predators can be highly variable, which is exemplified by their ability to acclimate to a wide range of ecological conditions. Such flexibility in foraging may be a key aspect of their performance in unpredictable environments such as at the edge of the range of a species or where food availability varies greatly in time and space. Gaining information on the diets of predators under such conditions could foster our comprehension of their ecological flexibility and the potential role of predation on the population dynamics of prey. We determined the diet of wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus) in northern Québec and Labrador (Canada) within the range of two migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus) herds: the high-abundance Rivière-aux-Feuilles herd (RFH) and low-abundance Rivière-George herd (RGH). Worldwide, decline in caribou populations has become a concern, stressing the need to better understand the factors involved in these declines, including predation. In northern Québec (RFH range), caribou was the primary year-round prey of wolves while moose (Alces alces) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) were consumed in some sectors. The diet of wolves in northern Labrador (RGH range) varied seasonally, with caribou, moose, and fish as main prey during different periods throughout the year. Black bear diets varied seasonally and regionally. Among the foods we analyzed, caribou was the main source of animal protein for bears in northern Québec and northern Labrador, except during a high abundance of Ungava collared lemming (Dicrostonyx hudsonius). Only bears in northern Québec ate caribou during late summer/fall. Our results highlight the diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in northern food webs, and how their diets change in relation to the distribution and abundance of prey. Our results will help quantify the potential impact of these predators on prey populations in northern systems. |
author2 |
Goheen, Jacob Ministère des Forêts de la Faune et des Parcs Newfoundland and Labrador Fonds de Recherche Québécois pour la Nature et les Technologies |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Bonin, Michaël Dussault, Christian Taillon, Joëlle Pisapio, John Lecomte, Nicolas Côté, Steeve D |
spellingShingle |
Bonin, Michaël Dussault, Christian Taillon, Joëlle Pisapio, John Lecomte, Nicolas Côté, Steeve D Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou |
author_facet |
Bonin, Michaël Dussault, Christian Taillon, Joëlle Pisapio, John Lecomte, Nicolas Côté, Steeve D |
author_sort |
Bonin, Michaël |
title |
Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou |
title_short |
Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou |
title_full |
Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou |
title_fullStr |
Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou |
title_full_unstemmed |
Diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou |
title_sort |
diet flexibility of wolves and black bears in the range of migratory caribou |
publisher |
Oxford University Press (OUP) |
publishDate |
2023 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad002 https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-pdf/104/2/252/49769011/gyad002.pdf |
genre |
Alces alces Canis lupus caribou Dicrostonyx hudsonius ovibos moschatus Rangifer tarandus Rivière aux Feuilles Ungava Collared Lemming |
genre_facet |
Alces alces Canis lupus caribou Dicrostonyx hudsonius ovibos moschatus Rangifer tarandus Rivière aux Feuilles Ungava Collared Lemming |
op_source |
Journal of Mammalogy volume 104, issue 2, page 252-264 ISSN 0022-2372 1545-1542 |
op_rights |
https://academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad002 |
container_title |
Journal of Mammalogy |
_version_ |
1810488782493843456 |