Factors Influencing Survival Rates of Pronghorn Fawns in Idaho

Panting, Brett R.; Gese, Eric M.; Conner, Mary M.; Bergen, Scott

doi:10.1002/jwmg.21956

Cited by 8 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Indeed, predation of mule deer may not have increased during our study, and coyotes may have targeted secondary alternative prey during the decrease in rabbit abundance. Recently, researchers suggested that prey switching by coyotes may explain a relationship between increasing leporid abundance and increasing survival rates of neonate pronghorn (Panting et al, 2020). Although prey switching between rabbits and pronghorn has received mixed support (Panting et al, 2020; Seidler et al, 2014), and less support than that between rabbits and deer, pronghorn are an abundant ungulate in our study area and one of the alternative prey species that coyotes could target during a decrease in rabbit abundance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, researchers suggested that prey switching by coyotes may explain a relationship between increasing leporid abundance and increasing survival rates of neonate pronghorn (Panting et al, 2020). Although prey switching between rabbits and pronghorn has received mixed support (Panting et al, 2020; Seidler et al, 2014), and less support than that between rabbits and deer, pronghorn are an abundant ungulate in our study area and one of the alternative prey species that coyotes could target during a decrease in rabbit abundance. Potential shifts in habitat selection toward neonate pronghorn are further supported by a regionally proximal study (central Wyoming), which identified leporids and pronghorn as the main prey species consumed by coyotes (Springer & Smith, 1981).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We used road transects to characterize spatial variation in rabbit habitat within our study area. Road transects are commonly used to survey rabbit abundance (Cypher et al, 2018; Hodge et al, 2022; Panting et al, 2020; Smith & Nydegger, 1985; Vidus‐Rosin et al, 2012), and observations of rabbits on transects can be paired with habitat assessments to evaluate habitat use (Himes & Drohan, 2007). We followed the general methodology of Hurley et al (2011), conducting vehicle headlight surveys in the summer of 2018.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, Hurley et al (2011) noted that coyote removal yielded the greatest benefit to neonate mule deer when they were presumably used as an alternative prey (i.e., leporids were temporarily low in abundance). Despite prey switching by coyotes toward neonate ungulates being an established process in several systems, the mechanisms allowing switching to occur are mostly unevaluated and habitat use by prey represents a potential link in understanding prey‐switching behavior (Panting et al, 2020). Coyotes are generalist predators, capable of adapting to a variety of habitats (Bastille‐Rousseau et al, 2016; Breck et al, 2019; Hody & Kays, 2018; Witczuk et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatiotemporal predictions of the alternative prey hypothesis: Predator habitat use during decreasing prey abundance

et al. 2023

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The alternative prey hypothesis supposes that predators supported by a primary prey species will shift to consume alternative prey during a decrease in primary prey abundance. The hypothesis implies that during declines of one prey species, a predator modifies their behavior to exploit a secondary, or alternative, species. Despite occurring in many systems, the behavioral mechanisms (e.g., habitat selection) allowing predators to shift toward alternative prey during declines in the abundance of their primary prey are poorly understood. We evaluated habitat selection and use by a generalist predator with respect to two prey species during a dramatic decrease in the abundance of primary prey. Further, we evaluated how spatial variation in access to primary prey affected habitat selection, and assessed similarity and overlap between habitats used by each prey species. Coyotes (Canis latrans) exhibited decreasing selection for cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.; primary prey) during population decreases but did not shift habitat selection toward neonate mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; alternative prey). Use of rabbit habitat remained high even during historically low rabbit abundance, while mule deer habitat was used in proportion to its availability. Coyotes seemingly do not make large shifts in habitat selection toward alternative prey following spatial and temporal decreases in the abundance of primary prey, but instead, take advantage of habitat overlap to facilitate prey‐switching behavior. Our work extends previous research conducted under the alternative prey hypothesis by explicitly evaluating the influence of habitat overlap between prey species and variation in access to prey habitat as factors affecting prey‐switching behaviors in predators.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatiotemporal predictions of the alternative prey hypothesis: Predator habitat use during decreasing prey abundance

et al. 2023

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“…Forage quality influences short‐term (e.g., spring and summer) and long‐term physiological conditions (e.g., the winter before parturition) of the adult female and her offspring. For example, the combination of spring precipitation with warm temperatures facilitates forage quality which promotes nutritional health for the lactating female and, in turn, promotes neonate survival (Bright & Hervert, 2005; Michel et al, 2018; Panting et al, 2021). In contrast, low spring temperatures, in conjunction with precipitation, increase the risk of hypothermia which can dramatically reduce neonate survival (Bodie, 1979; Gregg et al, 2001; Michel et al, 2018; Smyser, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatially and temporally explicit environmental drivers of fawn recruitment in a native ungulate

Gese,

Bleke,

Atwood

et al. 2023

Ecosphere

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Recruitment is one of the fundamental drivers of ungulate population dynamics. Recruitment of neonates into an ungulate population can be influenced by a wide range of abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors. Our objective was to examine which environmental variables most influenced pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) fawn recruitment, as measured by fawn:doe ratios, across six subpopulations in Idaho spanning 35 years (1984–2018) of herd composition surveys. Using a retrospective analysis, we examined the influence of precipitation, minimum and maximum temperatures, Palmer drought severity, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation, and elevation across five biological time periods of interest (one and two months pre‐parturition, one and two months post‐parturition, and breeding). Environmental factors, especially the variance in the greenness of vegetation (i.e., NDVI) during the two months post‐parturition (during lactation), were the main drivers of fawn recruitment for subpopulations occupying mountain valleys. Pronghorn fawn recruitment in these mountain valleys was dependent on the condition of the lactating female as influenced by the quality of vegetation, which would subsequently influence fawn growth rates. In contrast, pronghorn recruitment at lower elevations was driven by several environmental variables (i.e., NDVI, drought severity, minimum and maximum temperatures, forb, and grass cover) during the month pre‐parturition. Environmental variables at lower elevations were influencing the condition of the female during gestation which, if favorable, would result in higher birth weights and subsequent increased fawn survival. At intermediate elevation sites, results were mixed with fawn recruitment at one site influenced by low temperatures, which could induce hypothermia in fawns, while recruitment at the other site was influenced by drought severity during gestation (two months pre‐parturition). Influence of these environmental variables was also related to the timing of pronghorn arriving at the high elevation sites (i.e., arriving just prior to fawning); hence, effects were predominantly post‐parturition. In contrast, low elevation sites either had resident pronghorn or earlier arrival; thereby, effects on fawn recruitment were mostly from pre‐parturition variables. Given the range of environmental factors influencing pronghorn subpopulations, managers will need to consider the timing, intensity, and variability of environmental conditions as conditions were spatially and temporally explicit.

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Contrasting management paradigms for pronghorn in the arid Southwest and their northern range: a review

Bean,

Butterfield,

Fiehler

et al. 2023

J Wildl Manag

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Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), a symbol of western North America, experienced diverging population trajectories since the mid‐twentieth century, with northern populations showing signs of recovery while those in the arid Southwest have struggled to persist. We conducted a systematic literature review of papers published through August 2023 to understand 3 questions. What are the habitat conditions needed for pronghorn to persist? What management actions can be taken to foster higher quality habitat? Do these actions differ for populations in the arid Southwest compared to their northern counterparts? Although the fundamental habitat requirements for pronghorn persistence have remained constant since the early 2000s, it has become clear that precipitation is a key factor influencing pronghorn populations in the arid Southwest. The precise mechanisms by which precipitation influences pronghorn population dynamics are not yet clear, whether through the availability of free water, by affecting forage quality, or indirectly via predator‐prey dynamics. Although range‐wide forage enhancement may be impractical, providing additional free water sources could facilitate greater movement, enabling pronghorn to access more and higher quality forage and areas with lower predation risk. To clarify how pronghorn persisted for thousands of years in this harsh environment, we must gain a better understanding of their historical metapopulation and migratory behaviors in the arid Southwest.

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Factors Influencing Survival Rates of Pronghorn Fawns in Idaho

Cited by 8 publications

References 55 publications

Spatiotemporal predictions of the alternative prey hypothesis: Predator habitat use during decreasing prey abundance

Spatiotemporal predictions of the alternative prey hypothesis: Predator habitat use during decreasing prey abundance

Spatially and temporally explicit environmental drivers of fawn recruitment in a native ungulate

Contrasting management paradigms for pronghorn in the arid Southwest and their northern range: a review

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