Interactions Between Carnivores in Madagascar and the Risk of Disease Transmission

Abstract

Introduced carnivores exert considerable pressure on native predators through predation, competition and disease transmission. Recent research shows that exotic carnivores negatively affect the distribution and abundance of the native and endangered carnivores of Madagascar. In this study, we provide information about the frequency and distribution of interactions between exotic (dogs and cats) and native carnivores (Eupleridae) in the Betampona Natural Reserve (BNR), Madagascar, using noninvasive camera trap surveys. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) were the most frequently detected carnivore species within the BNR, and we found that indirect interactions between exotic and native carnivores were frequent (n = 236). Indirect interactions were more likely to occur near the research station (incidence rate ratio = 0.91), which may constitute a disease transmission hot spot for carnivores at BNR. The intervals between capture of native and exotic carnivores suggest that there is potential for pathogen transmission between species in BNR. These capture intervals were significantly shorter near the edge of the reserve (P = 0.04). These data could be used to implement biosecurity measures to monitor interactions and prevent disease transmission between species at the domestic animal and wildlife interface.

Machine learning to classify animal species in camera trap images: applications in ecology

“…Another reason to limit the number of photos taken by camera traps is storage limitations on cameras (Rasambainarivo et al, 2017; Hanya et al, 2018). When classifying images manually, we might try to use high resolution photos to improve technicians’ abilities to accurately classify images, but higher resolution photos require more storage on cameras.…”

Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: moving from invasive to non-invasive methods

“…Camera traps have been used for detection of many species, including small terrestrial and arboreal mammals such as red and eastern grey squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris and S. carolinensis (Di Cerbo and Biancardi 2013), foxes Vulpes velox (Stratman and Apker 2014), feral cats and European wildcats, Felis catus and F. silvestris (Anile et al 2014, Stokeld et al 2015, dogs Canis familiaris (Rasambainarivo et al 2017), Hermann's tortoises Testudo hermanni (Ballouard et al 2016), northern flying squirrels Glaucomys sabrinus (Boulerice and Van Fleet 2016), North American river otters Lontra canadensis (Day et al 2016) and grey wolves Canis lupus (Sver et al 2016). Figure 1.…”

Assessment of the threatened carnivore community in the recently expanded rainforest protected area Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve, Madagascar

“…Estimates from other protected areas, including Ma soala-Makira and Rano mafana, revealed a more limited distribution. However, the Betampona Reserve (Rasambainarivo et al 2017) showed occupancy estimated at ψ = 0.80. We showed that forest edge negatively influences G. fasciata occupancy at the ASSR, and this relationship with edge may be associated with other anthropogenic variables not included in our modeling (e.g.…”

“…In our survey, G. elegans, classified by the IUCN as Least Concern (IUCN 2020), had the same probability of occupancy as F. fossana, revealing that the species is widely distributed and common across the ASSR landscape. Surveys across other protected areas have shown G. elegans to have wide-ranging occupancy estimates, including ψ = 0.48 at Masoala-Makira (Farris et al 2015b), ψ = 0.62 ± 0.12 at Betampona (Rasambainarivo et al 2017), and ψ = 1.0 at Ranomafana National Park (Gerber et al 2012). This native carnivore demonstrates highly plastic, generalist behavior (Goodman 2012) and is known to occupy both degraded/fragmented and contiguous forests (Gerber et al 2012, Farris et al 2015a, Kotschwar-Logan et al 2015.…”