A Study of Population Size and Activity Patterns and Their Relationship to the Prey Species of the Eurasian Lynx Using a Camera Trapping Approach

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe Eurasian lynx has a wide distribution range in China, but lynx field studies in China are rare compared to those for European populations. Using camera trapping data, this paper reports the lynx population size, activity patterns, and variation within the prey community at a nature reserve in Inner Mongolia. The results found that there were at least 20 lynx in this reserve, and the population has increased steadily over years. There is a seasonal difference in the daily activity rhythms of lynx. The total activity rhythm of lynx is synchronous with five mammal species: hare, red deer, wild boar, raccoon dog, and badger. Red fox and roe deer showed a timed avoidance of lynx to some extent. The present study sets an example for biodiversity conservation; the recovery of prey communities through habitat management should be a priority in determining the restoration of large carnivore populations in China.AbstractRevealing the behavioral relationships between predators and their prey is fundamental in understanding the community structure and ecosystem functions of such animals. This study aimed at detecting the population size and activity patterns of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) (along with its prey) by camera trapping monitoring from 2014 to 2017 at the Saihanwula nature reserve in central Inner Mongolia. The total effective trapping days were 29,892 and 20 lynx were identified from 343 trapping photos based on the inner side patterns of their forelimbs. The daily activity rhythms of the lynx overlapped with those of different prey in different seasons. The yearly activity pattern of the lynx was influenced by its main prey’s biology. In conclusion, this study reveals that the activity patterns of the top predator matched those of its prey in different time periods. Habitat management strategies promoting the restoration of prey communities would benefit the lynx in maintaining a stable community structure.

Spatiotemporal Overlap between the European Brown Hare and Its Potential Predators and Competitors

“…Accordingly, in these areas, lagomorphs do not avoid bright moonlight nights [ 28 ]. In general, predators tend to be more active on bright moonlight nights, when hunting success is the highest [ 18 , 19 , 74 , 75 ]. Conversely, prey species tend to avoid predation through several survival tactics involving spatiotemporal partitioning [ 70 , 71 ].…”

“…In the last ten years, many studies dealing with the activity rhythms of mammalian species and their interspecific overlap have been published [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. These studies have mostly focused on prey-predator relationships involving large carnivores [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], intraguild interactions [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], population density and structure [ 24 ], and activity bouts at artificial feeding sites [ 25 , 26 ]. Conversely, little research has investigated spatiotemporal interactions amongst mesocarnivores and small-sized mammals, and between them and their potential predators [ 27 , 28 ].…”

A narrative review on the use of camera traps and machine learning in wildlife research

“…Additionally, activity data allows us to understand interspecific and intraspecific interactions as well as predator-prey relationships (Hernández et al, 2015;N. C. Palei et al, 2021;Foster et al, 2013;Tang et al, 2019) (Table 5). Often radiotags are used as they provide relatively large datasets that can be used remotely and in real time (Millspaugh & Marzluff, 2001).…”

Waterhole use and diel activity pattern of ocelots in Calakmul rainforest, Mexico

“…Environmental -rainfall, temperatureand ecological -prey, predation risk-characteristics can affect mammals' activity patterns (Beltran & Delibes, 1994;Di Bitetti et al, 2010). For instance, nocturnality in mammalian carnivores can be attributed to coincide with the activity period of their prey (Emmons, 1988;Tang et al, 2019), and/ or to avoid high temperatures during the day (Stoner & Timm, 2010). Moreover, temporal segregation can facilitate coexistence between carnivores to reduce competition and predation (Di Bitetti et al, 2010;Hayward & Slotow, 2009).…”