A Telemetric Method for Detecting Jackrabbit Mortality

Stoddart, L. Charles

doi:10.2307/3798853

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

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Section: Scavenger Effects On Carcass Decomposition Ratesmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Vertebrate scavengers play a large role in the disposition of carrion in many ecosystems (Stoddart 1970, Simonetti et al 1984, Heinrich 1988, DeVault et al 2003. On our study site, scavengers removed all exposed rat carcasses within five days in spring and autumn, and nearly all in winter on the snow's surface within two weeks (Table 3); in summer, many of the rat carcasses desiccated before being discovered by scaven- Notes: For mule deer, dog, and white-tailed jackrabbit carcasses, nutrient values are mean percentages (6SE) of original carcass dry mass and nutrient mass remaining at specified times (months) for scavengers present and absent combined; for other species, values are mean percentages of scavengers-absent carcasses only.…”

Section: Scavenger Effects On Carcass Decomposition Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elephant carcasses in Africa decomposed to skeletons and hide in 16 days in the presence of scavengers (Curry-Lindahl 1961, cited by Coe 1978, and up to 53 days with minimal scavenger activity (Coe 1978). In the Great Basin Desert of Utah, USA, Stoddart (1970) recorded that 27 of 45 (60%) experimental jackrabbit carcasses were consumed by avian scavengers. In shrubland habitat in central Chile, 100% of 24 rodent carcasses were removed by scavengers within two weeks (Simonetti et al 1984).…”

Section: Scavenger Effects On Carcass Decomposition Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Parmenter

MacMahon

2009

Ecological Monographs

200

207

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Vertebrate carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling have both direct and indirect effects on the soil properties, fauna, and flora associated with an animal's carcass. While few comprehensive quantitative studies have been undertaken, those that have show considerable variability in decomposition processes and rates, their regulating variables, and the resultant ecosystem effects. In this two-part study, decomposition rates of vertebrate species were measured in a semiarid, shrub-steppe environment (Wyoming, USA). First, decomposition loss rates of mass, energy, and nutrients were measured for rat carcasses (Rattus norvegicus) in four seasons and two microsites (surface and underground burrows). Decomposition rates varied significantly between microsites (burrow . surface in spring and summer) and among seasons (spring . summer . autumn ' winter), with mass loss amounts linearly correlated with ambient air temperatures. Energy and nutrient losses were related to phased carcass organ/tissue losses, with energy, K, Na, N, and S being lost more quickly than skeletal components (P, Mg, Ca). Overall, the nutrient loss sequence was K ¼ Na .Carcass quality (N concentration) declined through time as a function of decay stage. Second, decomposition rates of 10 vertebrate species (mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus], dog [Canis familiaris], white-tailed jackrabbit [Lepus townsendii], Uinta ground squirrel [Spermophilus armatus], least chipmunk [Tamias minimus], deer mouse [Peromyscus maniculatus], Magpie [Pica hudsonia], Sage Sparrow [Amphispiza belli], terrestrial garter snake [Thamnophis elegans], and northern leopard frog [Lithobates pipiens])were measured with vertebrate scavengers present or absent. Mass loss rates varied among species and were generally faster in the presence of scavengers. Carcass body mass, N content, or labile/recalcitrant fractions did not correlate with decomposition rate, though surface area to volume ratios of mammal carcasses were positively correlated with wet-mass decomposition rate. Nutrient measures of sub-carcass soils showed soil N, P, and Na increased during decomposition. Increased soil nutrient amounts represented up to 15.6% of the available carcass N, 28.8% of carcass P, and 28.7% of carcass Na. At a landscape scale in the shrubsteppe ecosystem, carrion decomposition constituted ,1% of the nutrient-cycling budget but contributed significantly to localized soil nutrient dynamics.

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Section: Scavenger Effects On Carcass Decomposition Ratesmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Scavenger Effects On Carcass Decomposition Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Scavenger Effects On Carcass Decomposition Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Parmenter

MacMahon

2009

Ecological Monographs

200

207

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“…4 kg) dies from causes other than predation in each 2.5 km 2 each day (Houston 1986, 1994). Considering smaller carcasses, Putman (1976) calculated that predators generally account for 60% of small mammal mortality annually (using Pearson 1964, Stoddart 1970, Ryszkowski et al 1971), leaving 40% to scavengers and decomposers. Given the reproductive abilities of most small mammals, the number of such carcasses available to scavengers could be considerable if these figures approach reality (see also Cowles and Phelan 1958).…”

Section: Carrion Availabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In winter and spring, 100% of brown house mouse carcasses ( Mus musculus ) were taken by scavengers (mostly red foxes), while in summer and autumn 90% of carcasses placed in forests and 64% of those placed in fields were removed before they completely decomposed. Akopyan (1953, cited in Putman 1976) reported scavenging rates of approximately 60% on ground squirrel carcasses ( Citellus pygmaeus ) in the European steppe, and in the sage‐brush desert in Utah, 27 of 45 (60%) jackrabbit carcasses ( Lepus californicus ) were scavenged by “birds” (Stoddart 1970). In central Chile, all 24 rodent carcasses ( Octodon degus and Abrocoma bennetti ) placed in shrubland patches were removed within two weeks, and half of them within seven days (Simonetti et al 1984).…”

Section: Empirical Data On Scavenging Efficiency By Vertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scavenging by vertebrates: behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives on an important energy transfer pathway in terrestrial ecosystems

DeVault

Rhodes²,

Shivik³

2003

Oikos

615

647

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Carrion use by terrestrial vertebrates is much more prevalent than conventional theory implies, and, rather than a curiosity of animal behavior, is a key ecological process that must be accounted for. Human aversion to rotted substances and difficulties associated with identifying scavenged material in studies of food habits have contributed to the relative lack of information concerning scavenging behavior in vertebrates. Several lines of evidence, however, suggest that carrion resources are more extensively used by vertebrates than has been widely assumed: 1) a substantial number of animals die from causes other than predation and become available to scavengers, 2) a wide variety of vertebrate scavengers, rather than microbes or arthropods, consume most available carcasses, and 3) intense competition exists between vertebrate scavengers and decomposers, especially in warm climates. Although vultures are best adapted to use carrion, nearly all vertebrate predators are also scavengers to some extent. The costs and benefits associated with carrion use influences the evolution of scavenging behavior in vertebrates, resulting in a continuum of facultative scavengers that use carrion to varying degrees. The realized usage of carrion by a vertebrate species is influenced by the speed and efficiency with which it forages, its visual and olfactory abilities, and its capacity for detoxifying products of decomposition. A deeper understanding of carrion use by facultative scavengers will improve our knowledge of community and ecosystem processes, especially the flow of energy through food webs.

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Survival and detectability bias of avian fence collision surveys in sagebrush steppe

2011

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We used female ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) carcasses as surrogates for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) to study factors influencing survival and detection bias associated with avian fence collision surveys in southern Idaho, USA, during spring 2009. We randomly placed 50 pheasant carcasses on each of 2 study areas, estimated detection probability during fence-line surveys, and monitored survival and retention of carcasses and their associated sign over a 31-day period. Survival modeling suggested site and habitat features had little impact on carcass survival, and constant survival models were most supported by the data. Model averaged carcass daily survival probability was low on both study areas and ranged from 0.776 to 0.812. Survival of all carcass sign varied strongly by location, and the top sign survival model included a site effect parameter. Model averaged daily survival probability for collision sign on the 2 study sites ranged from 0.863 to 0.988 and varied between sites. Logistic regression modeling indicated detection probability of carcasses during fence-line surveys for avian collision victims was influenced by habitat type and microsite shrub height at the carcass location. Carcasses located in big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) habitats were detected at a lower rate (0.36) than carcasses in little (A. arbuscula) and black sagebrush (A. nova) habitats (0.71). Increasing shrub height at the carcass location from the little sagebrush mean of 16.5 cm to the big sagebrush mean of 36.0 cm reduced detection probability by approximately 30%. Avian fence collision surveys in sagebrush-steppe habitats should be conducted at 2-week sampling intervals to reduce the impact of survival bias on collision rate estimates. Two-week sampling intervals may be too long in areas with low carcass and sign survival, therefore survival rates should be estimated on all study areas to determine the appropriate sampling interval duration. Researchers should be aware of the effects of local vegetation on detection probabilities, and methods to correct detection probabilities based on collision site attributes should be applied to ensure more accurate collision rate estimates. Additionally, caution should be used when aggregating or comparing uncorrected collision data from areas with differing vegetation, as detection probabilities are likely different between sites. ß 2011 The Wildlife Society.

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A Telemetric Method for Detecting Jackrabbit Mortality

Cited by 19 publications

References 0 publications

Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Carrion decomposition and nutrient cycling in a semiarid shrub–steppe ecosystem

Scavenging by vertebrates: behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives on an important energy transfer pathway in terrestrial ecosystems

Survival and detectability bias of avian fence collision surveys in sagebrush steppe

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