Does prey abundance affect prey size selection by the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)?

Tobajas, Jorge; Rouco, Carlos; Fernandez-de-Simon, Javier; Díaz‐Ruiz, Francisco; Castro, Francisca; Villafuerte, Rafael; Ferreras, Pablo

doi:10.1007/s10336-021-01869-x

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 47 publications

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“…Interspecific relationships and niche partitioning between predators and prey species modulate the spatial and temporal patterns (Viviano et al., 2021; Zapata‐Ríos & Branch, 2016). In constant coevolution, predators and prey have developed tactics to maximize the probability of hunting the prey and, conversely, the prey to reduce the risk of predation (Futuyma & Moreno, 1988; Tobajas, Rouco, Fernandez‐de‐Simon, et al., 2021). In the case of prey, modifying the activity patterns is one of the primary adaptations to reduce the risk of predation (Descalzo et al., 2021; Viviano et al., 2021; Zapata‐Ríos & Branch, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predation risk in tree squirrels: implications of the presence of free‐ranging dogs

Tobajas

Ramos‐López

Piqué³

et al. 2023

Journal of Zoology

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Small mammals show variations in activity patterns due to the use of resources and the risk of predation. However, in the case of tree squirrel species, the factors that affect their activity patterns are poorly studied. We used camera trapping to investigate the activity patterns of three different squirrel species of the genus Sciurus, two species of squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster and S. oculatus) from Mexico and one from the Iberian Peninsula (S. vulgaris). In addition, we compared their activity patterns with the potential predator community and their most important predators (Mexico: gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus, ringtail Bassariscus astutus, Opossum Didelphis virginiana; Spain: red fox Vulpes vulpes, pine and stone marten Martes spp.), and with feral and free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). We evaluated the predation risk by the carnivore community on the squirrels when they descend to the ground by studying their temporal overlap and observing if the squirrels have different activity patterns adjusted to the carnivore community in each study area. The results showed that the three species of squirrels consistently descended to the ground during the day, showing a variable maximum peak of activity between 8:00 and 12:00 h. Temporal overlap of activity patterns of the three species with the carnivore community was low (D = 0.12-0.36), same as with the main predators (Mexico: gray fox D = 0.14-0.21, ringtail D = 0.08-0.09, opossum D = 0.06-0.07; Spain: red fox D = 0.39, martens D = 0.22). However, temporal overlap of activity patterns with the domestic dog was moderate-high in the three squirrel species (Mexico D = 0.55-0.88, Spain D = 0.79). These results show that the species of the genus Sciurus have adjusted their activity patterns of ground use to reduce predation risk by wild predators but not with feral and free-ranging dogs, something which can pose a serious conservation problem for these species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predation risk in tree squirrels: implications of the presence of free‐ranging dogs

Tobajas

Ramos‐López

Piqué³

et al. 2023

Journal of Zoology

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Adaptive anti-predatory responses of European rabbits exposed to different predation pressure

Tobajas,

Ferreira,

Delibes-Mateos

et al. 2024

Mamm Biol

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Prey species develop anti-predatory strategies as a response to minimising the risk of being predated. However, how the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) adapts to different predator pressure is not fully known. Here, we studied the adaptive anti-predatory responses of European rabbits exposed to different terrestrial predation pressure. To do this, we took advantage of a rabbit translocation programme in the Sierra Norte Natural Park of Sevilla (SW Spain), where rabbits from the same donor population were translocated in plots with and without terrestrial predator exclusion fences (aerial predation was not excluded in any of the plots). This presented an ideal opportunity to observe whether the behaviour of individuals from the same population adapts to situations with different predator pressure; thus, their behaviour was evaluated through direct observations. Although most rabbits were observed close to cover, differences in distance to cover, group size and behaviour were observed between fenced and unfenced plots. Overall, both adult and juvenile rabbits moved further from cover in the unfenced plot than in the fenced plot. Most of the observations in the unfenced plot corresponded to rabbits in pairs or alone; whereas in the fenced plot, rabbits were primarily in pairs or in larger groups. Our findings suggest that in the unfenced plot, rabbits that moved further from cover were often part of larger groups (≥ 4 rabbits); whereas in the fenced plot, it was rabbits in smaller groups (< 4 rabbits). Rabbits in the unfenced plot were alert and running more frequently than rabbits in the fenced one; in the latter, these rabbits were mostly feeding. Other relaxed behaviours such us grooming or resting were more frequent close to cover. In summary, our results highlight rabbits' capacity to promptly adjust behaviour in response to predation risk, exhibiting adaptive anti-predatory responses tailored to different predation pressures. These insights contribute to understanding the nuanced dynamics of prey species' responses to diverse predation scenarios.

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Prey-Base Does Not Influence Breeding Success in Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) in Judea, Israel

Hadad

Charter

Kosicki

et al. 2022

Animals

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The diet and breeding success of Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) have been suggested to vary at different latitudes. However, it is still unclear whether and how these relationships exist at lower latitudes outside of Europe. We therefore studied the diet and breeding success of Eagle Owls during four breeding seasons at 14 nests in the Judea region, Israel. Of a total of 9461 prey species were identified; mammals (N = 6896, 35 species; 72.89%, biomass 62.3%) and birds (N = 2255, 55 species, 23.83%; biomass 36.0%) predominated the prey-base. We found that the gradient of diversity of the mammalian prey decreased from west to east; and avian prey increased from east to west. The index of species diversity, H’ for all prey, had no relationship with breeding success. The prey-base of the Eagle Owls helped identify the changes in geographic distributions of several species. Marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna), especially threatened, appear to be relatively abundant, as are brown rats (Ratttus norvegicus) which were previously considered to be restricted to the coastal regions. In addition to Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), the Eagle Owls also preyed on nine different species of insectivorous bats, several of which appear to have enlarged their geographic distribution within Israel. The Eagle Owl’s diet emphasizes its generalist foraging habits, but pairs may be species-specific specialists. This adaptation is especially important in a fast-developing and congested country like Israel, because a generalist hunting strategy probably allows the species to subsist in the region.

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Does prey abundance affect prey size selection by the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)?

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

Predation risk in tree squirrels: implications of the presence of free‐ranging dogs

Predation risk in tree squirrels: implications of the presence of free‐ranging dogs

Adaptive anti-predatory responses of European rabbits exposed to different predation pressure

Prey-Base Does Not Influence Breeding Success in Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) in Judea, Israel

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