Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses
Caching of animal remains is common among carnivorous species of all sizes, yet the effects of caching on larger prey are unstudied. We conducted a summer field experiment designed to test the effects of simulated mountain lion (Puma concolor) caching on mass loss, relative temperature, and odor dis...
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ftbrighamyoung:oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:wnan-2131 2023-07-23T04:18:44+02:00 Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses Bischoff-Mattson, Zachary Mattson, David 2009-10-08T07:00:00Z application/pdf https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol69/iss3/8 https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/context/wnan/article/2131/viewcontent/25933.pdf unknown BYU ScholarsArchive https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol69/iss3/8 https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/context/wnan/article/2131/viewcontent/25933.pdf Western North American Naturalist text 2009 ftbrighamyoung 2023-07-03T22:33:39Z Caching of animal remains is common among carnivorous species of all sizes, yet the effects of caching on larger prey are unstudied. We conducted a summer field experiment designed to test the effects of simulated mountain lion (Puma concolor) caching on mass loss, relative temperature, and odor dissemination of 9 prey-like carcasses. We deployed all but one of the carcasses in pairs, with one of each pair exposed and the other shaded and shallowly buried (cached). Caching substantially reduced wastage during dry and hot (drought) but not wet and cool (monsoon) periods, and it also reduced temperature and discernable odor to some degree during both seasons. These results are consistent with the hypotheses that caching serves to both reduce competition from arthropods and microbes and reduce odds of detection by larger vertebrates such as bears (Ursus spp.), wolves (Canis lupus), or other lions. Text Canis lupus Brigham Young University (BYU): ScholarsArchive |
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Brigham Young University (BYU): ScholarsArchive |
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ftbrighamyoung |
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description |
Caching of animal remains is common among carnivorous species of all sizes, yet the effects of caching on larger prey are unstudied. We conducted a summer field experiment designed to test the effects of simulated mountain lion (Puma concolor) caching on mass loss, relative temperature, and odor dissemination of 9 prey-like carcasses. We deployed all but one of the carcasses in pairs, with one of each pair exposed and the other shaded and shallowly buried (cached). Caching substantially reduced wastage during dry and hot (drought) but not wet and cool (monsoon) periods, and it also reduced temperature and discernable odor to some degree during both seasons. These results are consistent with the hypotheses that caching serves to both reduce competition from arthropods and microbes and reduce odds of detection by larger vertebrates such as bears (Ursus spp.), wolves (Canis lupus), or other lions. |
format |
Text |
author |
Bischoff-Mattson, Zachary Mattson, David |
spellingShingle |
Bischoff-Mattson, Zachary Mattson, David Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses |
author_facet |
Bischoff-Mattson, Zachary Mattson, David |
author_sort |
Bischoff-Mattson, Zachary |
title |
Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses |
title_short |
Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses |
title_full |
Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses |
title_fullStr |
Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses |
title_full_unstemmed |
Effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses |
title_sort |
effects of simulated mountain lion caching on decomposition of ungulate carcasses |
publisher |
BYU ScholarsArchive |
publishDate |
2009 |
url |
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol69/iss3/8 https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/context/wnan/article/2131/viewcontent/25933.pdf |
genre |
Canis lupus |
genre_facet |
Canis lupus |
op_source |
Western North American Naturalist |
op_relation |
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol69/iss3/8 https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/context/wnan/article/2131/viewcontent/25933.pdf |
_version_ |
1772181268631388160 |