Spatio-temporal interactions facilitate large carnivore sympatry across a resource gradient. Issue 1848 (8th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karanth, K. Ullas; Srivathsa, Arjun; Vasudev, Divya; Puri, Mahi; Parameshwaran, Ravishankar; Kumar, N. Samba
• Is Part Of: Proceedings. Volume 284:Issue 1848(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-02-08
• Subjects: competition -- inter-species interactions -- copredators -- south Asia -- spatial aggregation -- temporal activity patterns; Biology -- Periodicals; 570.5
• DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1860
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-8452

Abstract

Abstract : Species within a guild vary their use of time, space and resources, thereby enabling sympatry. As intra-guild competition intensifies, such behavioural adaptations may become prominent. We assessed mechanisms of facilitating sympatry among dhole ( Cuon alpinus ), leopard ( Panthera pardus ) and tiger ( Panthera tigris ) in tropical forests of India using camera-trap surveys. We examined population-level temporal, spatial and spatio-temporal segregation among them across four reserves representing a gradient of carnivore and prey densities. Temporal and spatial overlaps were higher at lower prey densities. Combined spatio-temporal overlap was minimal, possibly due to chance. We found fine-scale avoidance behaviours at one high-density reserve. Our results suggest that: (i) patterns of spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal segregation in sympatric carnivores do not necessarily mirror each other; (ii) carnivores are likely to adopt temporal, spatial, and spatio-temporal segregation as alternative mechanisms to facilitate sympatry; and (iii) carnivores show adaptability across a gradient of resource availability, a driver of inter-species competition. We discuss behavioural mechanisms that permit carnivores to co-occupy rather than dominate functional niches, and adaptations to varying intensities of competition that are likely to shape structure and dynamics of carnivore guilds.