Effect of free-ranging dogs and cats on medium-sized wild mammal assemblages in urban protected areas of a Mexican city

Abstract

ContextUrban protected areas (PAs) are the habitat of several Neotropical medium-sized wild mammal (MSWM) species. However, this richness is seriously threatened by the growing populations of free-ranging dogs and cats in these areas. AimsThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of free-ranging dogs and cats on the assemblage structure of MSWM in PAs of Xalapa city, Veracruz, Mexico. MethodsCamera traps were used to assess the effect of abundance and activity of dogs and cats on richness, abundance, dominance and activity of MSWM across two urban and three peri-urban PAs. The effect of plant diversity, vegetation structure and PA on mammal richness, activity and abundance were also evaluated. Key resultsThe dominance of MSWM was higher in peri-urban areas than urban areas, and the activity of dogs and cats from peri-urban and urban PAs was similar with wildest MSWM. Only inside urban areas did the size of the area and the dogs’ activity have a negative effect on the richness, activity and abundance of MSWM. Moreover, the activity and abundance of cats also had a negative effect on the activity of MSWM in urban PAs. The presence of dogs affected the latency of appearance of MSWM. ConclusionsThe presence of free-ranging dogs and cats in urban PAs affects MSWM assemblages and their appearance latency. ImplicationsThe potential harm of free-ranging dogs and cats on the community of MSWM in urban areas is clear, as is the need for increased scientific research to aid in the control of these exotic species in urban landscapes.

Contributions on the diet of free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in the Nevado de Toluca Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Estado de México, Mexico

“…Like reports in Brazil and Mexico, where dogs consume medium sized mammals including other carnivores (Campos et al, 2007;Mella-Méndez et al, 2019), we found gray fox and bobcat in the scats of free-ranging dogs. Whether these species were killed or scavenged by dogs is unknown.…”

“…Whether these species were killed or scavenged by dogs is unknown. Skunks are considered to be medium sized mammals and thus, could be a threatened prey of free-ranging dogs (Gallina et al, 2008;Mella-Méndez et al, 2019).We present the first evidence of the consumption of hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura), and eastern hognosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) by free-ranging dogs, which also were the most frequent species found. Freeranging dogs in CEP may be assuming the role of wild canids, acting as both predators and competitors with other mammals (Vanak & Gompper, 2009a.…”

“…In Mexico, within the Islas del Pacífico, Península de Baja California PA (previously Valle de los Cirios PA) and particularly on Cedros Island, the consumption of the California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus), the Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) (Gallo-Reynoso & García-Aguilar, 2008), the riparian brush rabbit (S. bachmani), Cedros Island mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus cerrosensis) and San Diego pocket mouse (Chaetodipus anthonyi) by feral dogs has been documented (García-Aguilar, 2012). More recently, the predation of 9 banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) and common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) by free-ranging dogs in urban and peri-urban PA of a city in Veracruz was also recorded (Mella-Méndez et al, 2019). The Nevado de Toluca hosts endangered-endemic species like the Peter's squirrel (S. oculatus), Central Mexican broad-clawed shrew (Cryptotis alticola), and the Mexican flying squirrel (Glaucomys v. g.) that in this study were part of the diet of the freeranging dogs (Table 3).…”

“…The amount of available resources for such a generalist and opportunistic species and its close relationship with humans have resulted in a worldwide population estimated from 700 million (Hughes & Macdonald, 2013) to one billion domestic (including free-ranging) dogs (Gompper, 2014). Free-ranging dogs are opportunistic-generalist predators, that not only behave as scavengers or depend on human-related food but also can hunt wild animals, consuming almost any available prey (e.g., insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, and other predators; Gompper, 2014), with medium-sized wild mammals being one of the most affected (Glen & Dickman, 2008;Hughes & Macdonald, 2013;Lessa et al, 2016;Mella-Méndez et al, 2019). Domestic dogs have contributed to 11 vertebrate extinctions and are a potential threat to 188 endangered species worldwide, 29 of which are distributed throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico (Doherty et al, 2017).…”

Ecology of Predation and Scavenging and the Interface

“…Beyond their presence, growing research shows how these species have a negative impact on native wildlife, thereby converting themselves into conflictive invasive species [103,104]. In the case of cities, the presence of cats and dogs (domestic or feral) may increase spatial-use conflicts with wildlife in urban green areas [105,106], also affecting native mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian communities by predation [107]. Finally, the high densities of these species can threaten public health by increasing the prevalence of diseases such as toxoplasma and rabies [108,109].…”