Data from: Age and sex-selective predation as moderators of the overall impact of predation ...

• Main Authors: Hoy, Sarah R., Petty, Steve J., Millon, Alexandre, Whitfield, D. P., Marquiss, Michael, Davison, Martin, Lambin, Xavier
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2015
• Subjects: predatory interactions; superpredator; Strix aluco; Accipiter gentilis; 1985-2012; Microtus agrestis; northern goshawk; Northern Goshawk
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.h1289; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.h1289

Currently, there is no general agreement about the extent to which predators’ impact prey population dynamics, as it is often poorly predicted by predation rates and species abundances. This could in part be caused by variation in the type of selective predation occurring. Notably, if predation is selective on categories of individuals that contribute little to future generations, it may moderate the impact of predation on prey population dynamics. However, despite its prevalence, selective predation has seldom been studied in this context. Using recoveries of ringed tawny owls (Strix aluco) predated by ‘superpredators’, northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) as they colonised the area, we investigated the extent to which predation was sex and age-selective. Predation of juvenile owls was disproportionately high. Amongst adults, predation was strongly biased towards females and predation risk appeared to increase with age. This implies age-selective predation may shape the decline in survival with age, ... : Estimated age at death for owl ring recoveries, and recruitment of breeders into the owl populationData were collected in the field using methods described in the manuscript. No abbreviations used.data storage for dryad.pdf ...