Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression
1. Apex predators can benefit ecosystems through top–down control of mesopredators and herbivores. However, apex predators are often subject to lethal control aimed at minimizing attacks on livestock. Lethal control can affect both the abundance and behaviour of apex predators. These changes could i...
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ftdeakinunifig:oai:figshare.com:article/20974684 2023-05-15T15:51:21+02:00 Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression L Brook C Johnson Euan Ritchie 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30049654 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Effects_of_predator_control_on_behaviour_of_an_apex_predator_and_indirect_consequences_for_mesopredator_suppression/20974684 unknown http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30049654 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Effects_of_predator_control_on_behaviour_of_an_apex_predator_and_indirect_consequences_for_mesopredator_suppression/20974684 All Rights Reserved Ecology carnivore interference competition intraguild interactions invasive species landscape of fear pest management risk effects Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity & Conservation Environmental Sciences & Ecology CATS FELIS-CATUS NEW-SOUTH-WALES ACTIVITY PATTERNS TOP PREDATORS WILD DOGS INTRAGUILD PREDATION HOME RANGES FERAL CAT DINGO Text Journal contribution 2012 ftdeakinunifig 2022-11-17T22:02:34Z 1. Apex predators can benefit ecosystems through top–down control of mesopredators and herbivores. However, apex predators are often subject to lethal control aimed at minimizing attacks on livestock. Lethal control can affect both the abundance and behaviour of apex predators. These changes could in turn influence the abundance and behaviour of mesopredators. 2. We used remote camera surveys at nine pairs of large Australian rangeland properties, comparing properties that controlled dingoes Canis lupus dingo with properties that did not, to test the effects of predator control on dingo activity and to evaluate the responses of a mesopredator, the feral cat Felis catus. 3. Indices of dingo abundance were generally reduced on properties that practiced dingo control, in comparison with paired properties that did not, although the effect size of control was variable. Dingoes in uncontrolled populations were crepuscular, similar to major prey. In populations subject to control, dingoes became less active around dusk, and activity was concentrated in the period shortly before dawn. 4. Shifts in feral cat abundance indices between properties with and without dingo control were inversely related to corresponding shifts in indices of dingo abundance. There was also a negative relationship between predator visitation rates at individual camera stations, suggesting cats avoided areas where dingoes were locally common. Reduced activity by dingoes at dusk was associated with higher activity of cats at dusk. 5. Our results suggest that effective dingo control not only leads to higher abundance of feral cats, but allows them to optimize hunting behaviour when dingoes are less active. This double effect could amplify the impacts of dingo control on prey species selected by cats. In areas managed for conservation, stable dingo populations may thus contribute to management objectives by restricting feral cat access to prey populations. 6. Synthesis and applications. Predator control not only reduces indices of apex predator ... Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper Canis lupus DRO - Deakin Research Online |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
DRO - Deakin Research Online |
op_collection_id |
ftdeakinunifig |
language |
unknown |
topic |
Ecology carnivore interference competition intraguild interactions invasive species landscape of fear pest management risk effects Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity & Conservation Environmental Sciences & Ecology CATS FELIS-CATUS NEW-SOUTH-WALES ACTIVITY PATTERNS TOP PREDATORS WILD DOGS INTRAGUILD PREDATION HOME RANGES FERAL CAT DINGO |
spellingShingle |
Ecology carnivore interference competition intraguild interactions invasive species landscape of fear pest management risk effects Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity & Conservation Environmental Sciences & Ecology CATS FELIS-CATUS NEW-SOUTH-WALES ACTIVITY PATTERNS TOP PREDATORS WILD DOGS INTRAGUILD PREDATION HOME RANGES FERAL CAT DINGO L Brook C Johnson Euan Ritchie Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression |
topic_facet |
Ecology carnivore interference competition intraguild interactions invasive species landscape of fear pest management risk effects Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity & Conservation Environmental Sciences & Ecology CATS FELIS-CATUS NEW-SOUTH-WALES ACTIVITY PATTERNS TOP PREDATORS WILD DOGS INTRAGUILD PREDATION HOME RANGES FERAL CAT DINGO |
description |
1. Apex predators can benefit ecosystems through top–down control of mesopredators and herbivores. However, apex predators are often subject to lethal control aimed at minimizing attacks on livestock. Lethal control can affect both the abundance and behaviour of apex predators. These changes could in turn influence the abundance and behaviour of mesopredators. 2. We used remote camera surveys at nine pairs of large Australian rangeland properties, comparing properties that controlled dingoes Canis lupus dingo with properties that did not, to test the effects of predator control on dingo activity and to evaluate the responses of a mesopredator, the feral cat Felis catus. 3. Indices of dingo abundance were generally reduced on properties that practiced dingo control, in comparison with paired properties that did not, although the effect size of control was variable. Dingoes in uncontrolled populations were crepuscular, similar to major prey. In populations subject to control, dingoes became less active around dusk, and activity was concentrated in the period shortly before dawn. 4. Shifts in feral cat abundance indices between properties with and without dingo control were inversely related to corresponding shifts in indices of dingo abundance. There was also a negative relationship between predator visitation rates at individual camera stations, suggesting cats avoided areas where dingoes were locally common. Reduced activity by dingoes at dusk was associated with higher activity of cats at dusk. 5. Our results suggest that effective dingo control not only leads to higher abundance of feral cats, but allows them to optimize hunting behaviour when dingoes are less active. This double effect could amplify the impacts of dingo control on prey species selected by cats. In areas managed for conservation, stable dingo populations may thus contribute to management objectives by restricting feral cat access to prey populations. 6. Synthesis and applications. Predator control not only reduces indices of apex predator ... |
format |
Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper |
author |
L Brook C Johnson Euan Ritchie |
author_facet |
L Brook C Johnson Euan Ritchie |
author_sort |
L Brook |
title |
Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression |
title_short |
Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression |
title_full |
Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression |
title_fullStr |
Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression |
title_full_unstemmed |
Effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression |
title_sort |
effects of predator control on behaviour of an apex predator and indirect consequences for mesopredator suppression |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30049654 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Effects_of_predator_control_on_behaviour_of_an_apex_predator_and_indirect_consequences_for_mesopredator_suppression/20974684 |
genre |
Canis lupus |
genre_facet |
Canis lupus |
op_relation |
http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30049654 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Effects_of_predator_control_on_behaviour_of_an_apex_predator_and_indirect_consequences_for_mesopredator_suppression/20974684 |
op_rights |
All Rights Reserved |
_version_ |
1766386524459368448 |