Spatiotemporal mechanisms of coexistence in an European mammal community in a protected area of southern Italy. (7th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mori, E.; Bagnato, S.; Serroni, P.; Sangiuliano, A.; Rotondaro, F.; Marchianò, V.; Cascini, V.; Poerio, L.; Ferretti, F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of zoology. Volume 310:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 232
• Page End: 245
• Publication Date: 2019-11-07
• Subjects: activity patterns -- camera trapping -- coexistence -- spatial overlap -- human disturbance -- protected areas -- predator‐prey systems; Zoology -- Periodicals; Zoologie -- Périodiques; 590.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12743
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-8369

Abstract

Abstract: Assessing the spatiotemporal overlap amongst animal species living in sympatry helps to shed light on mechanisms of interspecific coexistence. We analysed the spatiotemporal coexistence in a predator–prey system through multiyear camera trapping, in a mountainous protected area of southern Italy (January 2012–January 2017). Temporal activity patterns and their interspecific overlap, as well as spatial overlap, were estimated for a top predator, that is the wolf Canis lupus, three species of wild ungulates, four mesocarnivores, one small herbivore, livestock and humans. A wide nocturnal temporal overlap was detected between the wolf and almost all the other species (71–91%). The highest temporal (91%) and spatial (63%) overlaps were reported between the wolf and the red fox Vulpes vulpes . For wolf‐ungulate pairs, the highest temporal overlap (88%) was reported for the wild boar Sus scrofa, its local main prey. Considering all the other species pairs, spatial overlap was low (i.e. lower than 45%), whereas temporal overlap was substantial (71–91%). Our findings support a significant role of interspecific spatial partitioning in shaping coexistence amongst considered species, which might be influenced by differences in spatial distribution of different food resources. Abstract : Spatiotemporal activity patterns and their interspecific overlap were estimated for the grey wolf, three species of wild ungulates, four mesocarnivores, one small herbivore, livestock and humans. A wide nocturnal overlap was detected between the wolf and most other species, and their spatial overlap was the highest with the red fox. We found a significant role of interspecific spatial partitioning in shaping coexistence among considered species, which might be influenced by differences in the spatial distribution of different food resources.