Differential Effects of Coyotes and Red Foxes on Duck Nest Success

Sovada, Marsha A.; Sargeant, Alan B.; Grier, James W.

doi:10.2307/3809108

Cited by 146 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…For example, Sovada et al (1995) found that nest success of ground-nesting duck species in the prairie pothole region of North America was greater in areas of coyote abundance and than in areas of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) abundance; coyotes apparently actively reduced red fox abundance (an important mesopredator on duck nests). SouleÂ et al (1988) working in the chaparral ecosystem in California found higher bird species diversity (possibly re¯ecting lower predation on adults and nests of bird species) in areas with coyotes present than in areas without coyotes.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Thus it seems likely that using coyotes as landbird protectors will require strong support from state game management agencies, an improbable outcome at present. Hopefully, the positive eects of top carnivores on public "resources" such as songbirds (this study) and ducks (Sovada et al 1995) will help to reverse public opinion about top carnivores.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Song sparrows, top carnivores and nest predation: a test of the mesopredator release hypothesis

Rogers

Caro

1998

Oecologia

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Ground-nesting North American landbirds have declined in the longterm, including species with a variety of migratory strategies. The mesopredator release hypothesis explains declines by suggesting that the virtual elimination of top carnivores (large-bodied canids and felids) from much of North America has "released" populations of nest-destroying mesopredators (i.e., medium-sized terrestrial omnivores such as the raccoon Procyon lotor). The hypothesis predicts (1) higher nest success in the presence than in the absence of top carnivores, and (2) a positive relationship between mesopredator abundance and nest predation. Results from a 4-year "natural experiment" in the agricultural landscape of southern Michigan tended to support prediction 1. When coyotes (Canis latrans) were absent in 1993 and present in 1994, 1995 and 1996, Mayfield nest survival in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), a ground-nesting landbird, increased significantly during the same 4-year interval. Relative frequency of nest predation, the most common cause of nest failure, declined significantly over the four years. Coyotes may have decreased nest predation in 1994-1996 by reducing the abundance of raccoons, apparently the main nest predator in the study area. In an experiment testing prediction 2, mesopredator abundance and predation rate on artificial nests were positively related, as predicted by the hypothesis. Although the present study is not wholly conclusive by itself, we cautiously suggest it contributes to a growing body of evidence derived from a number of studies supporting the mesopredator release hypothesis.

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Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Song sparrows, top carnivores and nest predation: a test of the mesopredator release hypothesis

Rogers

Caro

1998

Oecologia

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“…These in turn affected the abundance of birds so that in the absence of coyotes, the number of bird species was depressed. Sovada et al (1995) studied duck nesting success in upland areas of North America where coyotes or red foxes occurred and found that nesting success was higher in areas dominated by coyotes. In southwestern Spain, high densities of the Spanish lynx may benefit European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus by controlling Egyptian mongooses that also feed on rabbits (Palomares et al 1995).…”

Section: Changes In Prey Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By conserving the Spanish lynx, the negative impact of red foxes and Egyptian mongooses on small game populations can be ameliorated (Palomares et al 1995). Similarly, protecting coyotes may reduce the effect of red foxes on ducks in North America (Sargeant et al 1984;Sovada et al 1995) because foxes can be killed by coyotes. Managing certain carnivores may therefore be a low-cost and effective method for increasing abundance of some prey species.…”

Section: Implications For Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interspecific Killing among Mammalian Carnivores

Palomares¹,

Caro²

1999

The American Naturalist

892

623

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Interspecific killing among mammalian carnivores is common in nature and accounts for up to 68% of known mortalities in some species. Interactions may be symmetrical (both species kill each other) or asymmetrical (one species kills the other), and in some interactions adults of one species kill young but not adults of the other. There is a positive significant relationship between the body masses of solitary killer species and body masses of their victim species, and grouping species kill larger victims than solitary species. Interactions and consumption of the victim appear more common when food is scarce or disputed. In response to killers, victim species may alter their use of space, activity patterns, and form groups. Consequences of interspecific killing include population reduction or even extinction, and reduction and enhancement of prey populations, and may therefore have important implications for conservation and management of carnivores and their prey.

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“…primarily, competition can reduce the population size of an endangered carnivore (Caro and Stoner 2003) (Hayward and Kerley 2008); secondarily, competition between carnivores can affect the population of other species at lower tropic levels (Jedrzejewska and Jedrzejewski 2005). For example, the absence of carnivore species may increase either herbivore population (Sinclair et al 1990) or other medium-sized carnivores (Sovada et al 1995) or both (Sinclair et al 1990). Carnivores often regulate or limit the numbers of their prey, thereby altering the structure and function of entire ecosystems (Schaller 1972;Estes et al 1998;Berger et al 2001;Terborgh et al 2002), and large carnivores themselves are limited by the abundance of their prey (Hayward et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Prey preference of large carnivores in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, India

et al. 2010

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Prey preferences of large carnivores (tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus) and dhole (Cuon alpinus)) in the tropical forest of Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) were evaluated. This was the first study in ATR to estimate the density of prey and the food habits of these large carnivores. The 958-km 2 intensive study area was found to have a high mammalian prey density (72.1 animals per square kilometre) with wild boar (20.61 animals per square kilometre) and chital (20.54 animals per square kilometre) being the most common species, followed by nilgiri tahr (13.6 animals per square kilometre). When the density figures were multiplied by the average weight of each prey species, a high biomass density of 14,204 kg km −2 was obtained for the intensive study area. Scat analysis and incidental kill observation were used to determine the dietary composition of these predators. During the study from the period of March 2001 to April 2004, 1,145 tiger scats, 595 leopard scats and 2,074 dhole scats were collected and analysed. Kill data were based on direct observation of 66 tiger kills and 39 leopard kills. Sambar, with a density of 6.54 kg km −2 was the preferred prey for these carnivores. Sambar constitutes 35% of the overall diet of tiger, whereas it constitutes 17% and 25% in leopard and dhole diets, respectively. Chital was utilized less than sambar in the range of about 7%, 11% and 15% by tiger, leopard and dhole, respectively. Predator diet was estimated more accurately by scat analysis, which reveals 30% of smaller prey species in leopard's diet, which was not observed by kill data. This study reveals that ATR harbours high prey density, and these large carnivores seem mostly dependent on the wild prey rather than on domestic livestock as in some other areas in the subcontinent. These factors make ATR a potential area for long-term conservation of these endangered carnivores.

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Differential Effects of Coyotes and Red Foxes on Duck Nest Success

Cited by 146 publications

References 24 publications

Song sparrows, top carnivores and nest predation: a test of the mesopredator release hypothesis

Song sparrows, top carnivores and nest predation: a test of the mesopredator release hypothesis

Interspecific Killing among Mammalian Carnivores

Prey preference of large carnivores in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, India

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