Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring
The comprehension of the factors that have influenced the recent changes in wolf ( Canis lupus ) range and diet that have occurred in our study area, characterized by a highly heterogeneous landscape, can shed light on their current process of expansion toward the plain. Wolf presence was monitored...
Published in: | Animals |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2024
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050735 https://doaj.org/article/b8400c4db7e64e249452bd254183e3c5 |
id |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:b8400c4db7e64e249452bd254183e3c5 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:b8400c4db7e64e249452bd254183e3c5 2024-09-15T18:01:08+00:00 Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring Elisa Torretta Anna Brangi Alberto Meriggi 2024-02-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050735 https://doaj.org/article/b8400c4db7e64e249452bd254183e3c5 EN eng MDPI AG https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/735 https://doaj.org/toc/2076-2615 doi:10.3390/ani14050735 2076-2615 https://doaj.org/article/b8400c4db7e64e249452bd254183e3c5 Animals, Vol 14, Iss 5, p 735 (2024) dynamic occupancy model scat analysis Canis lupus range expansion Capreolus capreolus Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991 article 2024 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050735 2024-08-05T17:49:50Z The comprehension of the factors that have influenced the recent changes in wolf ( Canis lupus ) range and diet that have occurred in our study area, characterized by a highly heterogeneous landscape, can shed light on their current process of expansion toward the plain. Wolf presence was monitored using a standardized protocol from 2007 to 2022 by carrying out eight monitoring sessions organized in seasonal surveys, during which, we collected wolf presence data. To model wolf range dynamics, we used dynamic occupancy models considering land cover types and wild ungulate abundances as covariates. Moreover, we studied the wolf diet through scat analysis, identifying the consumed items from undigested remains. Wolf occupancy in the study area progressed from mountains to lower hills gradually; the observed range dynamics were driven by prey abundance and human presence: in particular, the probability of colonization increased with roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) abundance, whereas the probability of extinction increased with urban areas. The wolf diet showed a gradual shift from the prevalent consumption of wild boar (2007–2008 and 2011–2012) to the prevalent consumption of roe deer (continuously increasing from 2015 onward). Our results might be related to a specific adaptation of the predator to the local ecology of the most consumed species: the roe deer. Article in Journal/Newspaper Canis lupus Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Animals 14 5 735 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
dynamic occupancy model scat analysis Canis lupus range expansion Capreolus capreolus Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991 |
spellingShingle |
dynamic occupancy model scat analysis Canis lupus range expansion Capreolus capreolus Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991 Elisa Torretta Anna Brangi Alberto Meriggi Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring |
topic_facet |
dynamic occupancy model scat analysis Canis lupus range expansion Capreolus capreolus Veterinary medicine SF600-1100 Zoology QL1-991 |
description |
The comprehension of the factors that have influenced the recent changes in wolf ( Canis lupus ) range and diet that have occurred in our study area, characterized by a highly heterogeneous landscape, can shed light on their current process of expansion toward the plain. Wolf presence was monitored using a standardized protocol from 2007 to 2022 by carrying out eight monitoring sessions organized in seasonal surveys, during which, we collected wolf presence data. To model wolf range dynamics, we used dynamic occupancy models considering land cover types and wild ungulate abundances as covariates. Moreover, we studied the wolf diet through scat analysis, identifying the consumed items from undigested remains. Wolf occupancy in the study area progressed from mountains to lower hills gradually; the observed range dynamics were driven by prey abundance and human presence: in particular, the probability of colonization increased with roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) abundance, whereas the probability of extinction increased with urban areas. The wolf diet showed a gradual shift from the prevalent consumption of wild boar (2007–2008 and 2011–2012) to the prevalent consumption of roe deer (continuously increasing from 2015 onward). Our results might be related to a specific adaptation of the predator to the local ecology of the most consumed species: the roe deer. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Elisa Torretta Anna Brangi Alberto Meriggi |
author_facet |
Elisa Torretta Anna Brangi Alberto Meriggi |
author_sort |
Elisa Torretta |
title |
Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring |
title_short |
Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring |
title_full |
Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring |
title_fullStr |
Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring |
title_full_unstemmed |
Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring |
title_sort |
changes in wolf occupancy and feeding habits in the northern apennines: results of long-term predator–prey monitoring |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050735 https://doaj.org/article/b8400c4db7e64e249452bd254183e3c5 |
genre |
Canis lupus |
genre_facet |
Canis lupus |
op_source |
Animals, Vol 14, Iss 5, p 735 (2024) |
op_relation |
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/735 https://doaj.org/toc/2076-2615 doi:10.3390/ani14050735 2076-2615 https://doaj.org/article/b8400c4db7e64e249452bd254183e3c5 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050735 |
container_title |
Animals |
container_volume |
14 |
container_issue |
5 |
container_start_page |
735 |
_version_ |
1810438323514114048 |