Determining the diet of an African mesocarnivore, the caracal: scat or GPS cluster analysis?

Jansen, Corlé; Leslie, Alison J.; Cristescu, Bogdan; Teichman, Kristine J.; Martins, Quinton

doi:10.2981/wlb.00579

Cited by 16 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…First, similar to the audio, our classification was most accurate when using long time windows (2 min), which reduced the ability to extract short feeding events (<15 min). Therefore, although these methods greatly improve what can be achieved through GPS clustering (Jansen et al, 2019;Leighton et al, 2020), our automated classifications still miss identifying consumption on the smallest prey (squirrels and birds; Figure S8).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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The Purr‐fect Catch: Using accelerometers and audio recorders to document kill rates and hunting behaviour of a small prey specialist

et al. 2021

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1. Characterizing variation in predator behaviour and, specifically, quantifying kill rates is fundamental for parameterizing predator-prey and food web models. Yet, current methods for recording kill rates of free-ranging predators, particularly those that consume small-bodied (<2 kg) prey, present a number of associated challenges.2. In this paper, we deployed custom-adapted acoustic recorders and tri-axial accelerometers on free-ranging Canada lynx Lynx canadensis to assess the capacity of biologging devices to continuously document individual hunting behaviour, including prey selection and kill rates, on a predator that specializes on prey weighing <2 kg.3. Automated classification of acoustic recordings captured 87% of snowshoe hare kills that were identified through snow-tracking (26 of 31 kills). Classification of detailed acceleration recordings summarized over minutes, instead of seconds, captured consumption of snowshoe hare Lepus americanus, but not smaller species, at high accuracy (F1 = 0.96). 4. By summarizing acoustic and accelerometer data from free-ranging lynx, we demonstrate the capacity of these devices to document within-and betweenindividual variation in diet composition (ranging from 40% to 80% snowshoe hares) and daily feeding bouts (ranging from 0 to 3.5 bouts per day).5. We suggest that acoustic recorders provide a promising method for characterizing several aspects of predator hunting behaviour including prey selection and chase outcomes, while broad-scale accelerometer-based behavioural classifications provide hare kill rates and fine-scale non-hunting behavioural information.Combined, the two technologies provide a means to remotely document both kills and feeding events of small-bodied prey, allowing for individual-based exploration of functional responses, predator-prey interactions and food web dynamics at temporal scales relevant to environmental change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…hours to days) than other locations (Bacon et al., 2011). This results in missing small prey kills and an overrepresentation of large prey items in predator diets (Jansen et al., 2019; Leighton et al., 2020). Thus, to date, there is no available method for quantifying kill rates of small prey specialists beyond intense field effort (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Purr‐fect Catch: Using accelerometers and audio recorders to document kill rates and hunting behaviour of a small prey specialist

et al. 2021

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“…comm. ; Jansen et al 2019). Intensive non-selective mesopredator removal occurred on farmlands, but nonlethal management methods to prevent predation were also used by farmers and included jackal-proof fencing (a wire mesh fence approximately 1.3 m high packed with rocks at the bottom to discourage animals from digging underneath), electrified fencing, livestock rotation and fence patrols.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Total search time was standardized as two personhours per site, with the exception of cluster sites where shrub cover was ≤ 50%, in which case total search time was reduced to one person-hour (Jansen et al 2019). We started the search at the centroid of the cluster and walked outwards to the edge of the 50 m radius.…”

Section: Cluster Investigation and Analyses Ninementioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the hidden costs of livestock guarding dogs: a case study in Namaqualand, South Africa

Drouilly

Kelly

Cristescu

et al. 2020

Journal of Vertebrate Biology

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The use of livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) has been widely advocated as a responsible tool for reducing livestock predation and conserving wildlife. However, their hidden ecological costs have rarely been investigated. We analysed scats (n = 183) from six LGDs and visited Global Positioning System (GPS) location clusters (n = 352) from nine GPS-collared LGDs to reconstruct their diet and assess impacts on wildlife and livestock in Namaqualand, South Africa. Wild mammals, including 10 native species, and small-livestock were the main secondary foods (i.e. besides dog food pellets). A total of 90% of scats and one third of GPS clusters investigated had associated animal remains. When accompanied by a human attendant, fewer LGD scats contained animal matter (39.9%; of which 32.3% wild mammals and 4.6% livestock), in contrast to scats of LGDs on their own (93.2%; 14.4% wild mammals, 75.4% livestock). Similarly, few clusters of accompanied LGDs included animal remains (5.7%; of which 43.8% wild mammals and 31.3% livestock), whereas unaccompanied dogs clustered frequently at carcasses (92.4%; 16% wild mammals, 74% livestock). While sample sizes were relatively small and some dogs might have scavenged, we emphasize the importance of rigorous training and intensive monitoring of LGDs to correct unwanted predation behaviour and to maximize their ecological and protective benefits.

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“…(1) The methodology for estimating kill rates should involve GPS collars and significant time in the field differentiating kill sites from sites associated with other activities , preferably in conjunction with accelerometer devices that can greatly improve the accuracy of identifying both kill and scavenging events (Wang et al 2015;Petroelje et al 2020). GPS clusters are well suited for locating predation events of large and medium carnivores (Merrill et al 2010;Jansen et al 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biogeographical and ecological factors associated with kill rates of an apex predator

Cristescu

Elbroch

Dellinger

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Kill rates and functional responses are fundamental to the study of predator ecology and the understanding of predatory-prey dynamics. As the most widely distributed apex predator in the western hemisphere pumas (Puma concolor) have been widely studied yet a biogeographical synthesis of their kill rates is currently lacking. We reviewed the literature and compiled data on sex- and age-specific kill rate estimates of pumas on ungulates, and conducted analyses aimed at understanding ecological factors explaining the observed variation across their range. Kill rate studies on pumas, while numerous, were primarily conducted in Temperate Conifer Forests (< 10% of puma range), revealing a dearth of knowledge across much of their range, especially from tropical and subtropical habitats. Across studies, kill rates in ungulates/week were highest for adult females with kitten(s) (1.24 ± 0.41 ungulates/week) but did not vary significantly between adult males (0.84 ± 0.18) and solitary adult females (0.99 ± 0.26). Kill rates in kg/day did not differ significantly among reproductive classes. Kill rates of adult pumas increased with ungulate density. Ungulate species richness had a weak negative association with adult male kill rates. Neither scavenger richness, the proportion of non-ungulate prey in the diet, nor regional human population density had a significant effect on ungulate kill rates. Our results had a strong temperate-ecosystem bias highlighting the need for further research across the diverse biomes pumas occupy in order to make species level inferences. Data from more populations would also allow for multivariate analyses providing deeper inference into the ecological and behavioural factors driving kill rates and functional responses of pumas, and apex predators in general.

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Determining the diet of an African mesocarnivore, the caracal: scat or GPS cluster analysis?

Abstract: BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Cited by 16 publications

References 41 publications

The Purr‐fect Catch: Using accelerometers and audio recorders to document kill rates and hunting behaviour of a small prey specialist

The Purr‐fect Catch: Using accelerometers and audio recorders to document kill rates and hunting behaviour of a small prey specialist

Investigating the hidden costs of livestock guarding dogs: a case study in Namaqualand, South Africa

Biogeographical and ecological factors associated with kill rates of an apex predator

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